A backorder is an order placed for an item that is not currently in stock. When the item becomes available, it is shipped to the customer.
Backorders are common in ecommerce, especially for items that are not regularly stocked by retailers. For example, if a customer orders a new video game that has not yet been released, the retailer may place a backorder for the game.
There are two primary types of backorders: stock backorders and drop-ship backorders. Stock backorders occur when a customer orders an item that is out of stock, but the retailer has more inventory on the way. The retailer will ship the item to the customer as soon as it arrives in-stock.
Drop-ship backorders occur when a customer orders an item that the retailer does not have in stock and must source from a third-party supplier. In this case, the retailer will ship the item to the customer directly from the supplier.
Backorders can be managed manually or automatically. Manual backorder management requires retailers to keep track of inventory levels and customer orders manually.
This can be time-consuming and error-prone. Automatic backorder management tools can automate many of these tasks, making it easier for retailers to keep track of inventory and fulfill customer orders.
How Does Backorder Work in WooCommerce?
WooCommerce is a popular ecommerce platform that enables retailers to sell products online. WooCommerce offers a number of features and plugins to help manage inventory and fulfill orders, including support for backorders.
When a customer places an order for an out-of-stock item on a WooCommerce site, the site will automatically place a backorder for the item.
The item will be shipped to the customer as soon as it becomes available. WooCommerce also allows customers to choose whether they want to receive in-stock items first or wait for all items on their order to become available before shipping (known as “ship complete”).
From manual to automatic management, understanding how does backorder work in WooCommerce will help streamline your inventory process – saving you time and effort.
