Pre-order and in stock order shipping

Shopify Discussion
1

I have just had an order for my first pre-order with Purple Dot plus an item which is in stock. However, it only includes one shipping fee which the customer has paid. I will now have to pay an extra shipping fee when the second item arrives which is quite exp

2

Of course, I’m here to help you find a solution. To address the shipping fee issue with orders containing both pre-order and in-stock items, you might consider these steps:

  1. Separate Shipping Charges:** One option is to have separate shipping charges for pre-order and in-stock items. You could adjust your Shopify settings to calculate shipping fees based on the type of item. This way, customers pay for each shipment individually, avoiding unexpected additional fees later.

  2. Transparent Communication:** When customers are making a purchase, make it clear that there might be separate shipping fees for pre-order and in-stock items. Transparency can help manage customer expectations and prevent surprises later.

  3. Offer Combined Shipping:** Alternatively, you could offer an option for combined shipping. This means customers would pay a slightly higher initial shipping fee, but it would cover both the immediate in-stock item and the upcoming pre-order item.

  4. Adjust Pricing Strategy:** Consider factoring potential additional shipping fees into the pricing of your pre-order items. This way, you can spread out the shipping costs and avoid unexpected expenses after the initial purchase.

  5. Customer Notifications:** Keep your customers informed throughout the process. Send them notifications when the pre-order item is about to ship and explain any additional shipping charges if needed.

  6. Review App Settings:** Double-check the settings of your Shopify app to ensure that it’s handling shipping calculations correctly. You might also consider reaching out to Shopify support for guidance specific to your situation.

Remember, the best solution will depend on your business model and customer preferences. It’s a good idea to assess these options and choose the one that aligns best with your goals and customer experience. If you need help implementing any of these strategies or have more specific questions, feel free to ask!

3

Create 2 different shipping profiles - one for pre order and one for in stock items to charge different shipping rates for each type of item. This will solve your problem.

You can use an app like Auto Shipping Profile: Shipr to move products between the two shipping profiles based on the inventory count.