Backorders.. the customer has no way of knowing?

[compunerdy]

I am toying with the idea of allowing backorders but I noticed when I turned it on for a item there is no message or anything letting the customer know they are ordering a out of stock item.

[Naveed]

Yes currently there is no way to alert/notify customers about this, however such a message can be easily added by customizing ~/ConLib/BuyProductDialog.ascx control. We are using <asp:PlaceHolder ID="InventoryDetailsPanel" /> to check and display inventory related messages in this control, this is the best location to add such message.

[meer2005]

How come when you enable inventory and click allow backorders and enter an available date, nothing is displayed on the customer end? It just allows them to checkout like normal? Shouldn't it display the "Availability Date Message:" that's in settings?

[nadeem]

You are right. It makes sense to show availability date message to the customer when availability date is provided with Allow Backorders option enabled. The customer can still add the item to cart but should be aware of the item availability.

I am going to log an issue for further investigation and fix (if needed). Thanks for pointing this out.

[Katie]

Hello,

I don't think is a valid bug. When the Allow Backorders option is checked, the Availability field does not apply nor is it supposed to be shown to the customer.

This date field only applies when the Allow Backorders option is UNchecked. When that happens, then the message shown to customers is something like this:

The product is currently out of stock, current quantity is 0. More stock is expected on 8/31/2016.

AbleCommerce has always kept the Allow Backorders option undisclosed to the customer. This is so the merchant can continue to sell items that may be delayed but arriving soon through a shipment.

We would need to rethink how inventory control is used to come up with a situation where the customer is purchasing something that is not actually available for shipment. The payment/merchant accounts have special conditions or requirements for something like this. In most cases, an item must be shipped before payment (capture) can be taken. There are conditions, which I am not familiar with, where the merchant can pre-sale an item that is not available yet. This gets complicated though, because a 'normal' pending authorization is only good for 30 days. There may be special conditions written into the payment integration that could accommodate a pre-sale condition, but that is not a feature we currently support.

Thanks,
Katie

[Katie]

In most cases, an item must be shipped before payment (capture) can be taken.

I need to clarify what I meant to say. An item should be ready to ship before payment is captured. Whether the merchant captures the authorization at the same time, just before, or just after the item is shipped is up to that merchant. But, we currently do not support a pre-sale option. For example, I wish to pre-order a game that won't be available for 3 months.

This feature has already been requested. If you would like to vote on it, please go here: https://ablecommerce.uservoice.com/foru ... rder-items

[meer2005]

For us, it would make more sense to use it as a way to tell customers -- This item is backordered, and the expected ship date is 01/10/20XX ---(and then showing the buy button--- Allowing them to purchase) ---- this informs the customer that it wont be shipped right away and gives them an expected ship date. We live in an instant gratification society these days and customers expect that if they are able to purchase an item then that means it's in stock. Informing customers that an item is backordered beforehand we think is necessary. It seems as if the Availability Date Message and backorders should go hand in hand? I think this is how Amazon handles it --- your item is backordered and the expected ship date is xx/xx/xxxx along with the buy button??

[Katie]

The Allow Backorders feature has been in the product as long as I can remember. A lot has changed over the years. The idea of ordering something that is not yet available is something we certainly would like to address in some way. I have to wonder how Amazon handles this. Do they charge your credit card before it is available to ship?

From what I have read on the subject, "According to the Federal Trade Commission, however, many credit card issuers do not allow merchants to charge your credit card before they ship."

I suppose each payment gateway may have their own regulations, but a pre-order sale is much different than purchasing something that is ready to ship, or available soon as the case may be.

Looking forward to hearing more feedback...

Thanks
Katie