Dear Shopify,
I’m writing to express some concerns about how the current inventory system handles variations. It’s causing some issues with how my inventory is represented and limiting my sales potential.
Let me explain with an example:
I sell silver bar necklaces, and the components are:
- Two types of bezel: Large bail and small bail
- Six types of silver bar: Various styles
- Four lengths of silver chain: Different sizes
The way I stock inventory is by component: 100 large bails, 100 small bails, 100 of each bar type, and 75 of each chain length. This means I could theoretically make 75 of any one specific bar/bezel/chain combination before running out of that particular chain.
However, the current system forces me to create variations for every possible combination and assign a specific quantity to each. This doesn’t reflect my actual inventory and limits my ability to sell.
For example, I might only be able to list 6 of each variation, even though I could potentially sell 75 of a particular combination if that’s what customers wanted.
I believe a more flexible system would allow me to input my inventory by component and let customers mix and match the components they want when placing an order. This would accurately reflect my inventory and allow me to maximize sales potential.
I understand this might be a bit complex, but it seems like a fairly simple concept. It’s similar to how custom motor companies work – they have a limited number of parts but allow customers to create their own unique engine by selecting the parts they want.
I hope you’ll consider implementing a more flexible inventory system that allows for this kind of customization. It would be a huge help for businesses like mine.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best regards,
Steven