How to Resolve Customer Cannot be Merged or Deleted because Not Enough Permissions Error

Scenario

User is unable to merge duplicate customers due to an error stating: 'XXXXXXX Customer' cannot be merged or deleted because: Not enough permissions." when using a custom role.

The custom role already has Full Access Level on both Customer and Duplicate Entity Management permissions but is still getting the error when attempting to merge customer records.

On the other hand, a customized Sales Role with Full permissions to Customer and Duplicate Entity Management permissions can merge duplicates without any error.

Solution

1. Compare Custom Role in question with the custom Sales role.
   1. Navigate to Setup > Users/Roles > Show Role Differences
   2. Base Role: Select Custom Role
   3. Compare To: Select Custom Sales Role
   4. Click Show
      Note: The Custom Role in question doesn't have a Contacts permission whereas the customized Sales Role has the same permission added.
2. Add the Contacts permission to the Custom Role (e.g. Staff Role).
   1. Navigate to Setup > Users/Roles > Manage Roles
   2. Custom Role in question: Click Edit
   3. Click Permissions
   4. Click Lists
   5. Permission:
      Note: For every required field use the drop-down menu to select it and once adjusted click Add if needed. 
      • Select Contacts
        • Access Level: Select Full
   6. Click Save
      Note: Custom Role is now able to perform the merge without getting any errors.