Manage backorders

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Backorders are not enabled in the marketplace by default. To access this feature, speak to your Nautical representative or reach out via support@nauticalcommerce.com.

Products are typically only available for purchase when there is available stock. With the backorders feature, buyers can purchase products even when they are out-of-stock, providing flexible inventory management.

Backorders can be enabled and disabled at any time, with the backordered amount displayed on the product or variant.

Permissions

Only marketplace operators can enable backorders.

Enable backorders in the marketplace

1. In the dashboard, navigate to Settings -> Orders & Inventory.
2. In the Orders section, enable the Sellers can accept backorders toggle.
3. Select Save.

Configure backorders for products or variants

Once backorders are enabled at the marketplace level, sellers can specify backorder availability and thresholds for products or variants at each warehouse.

Permissions

Sellers and marketplace operators with the Manage inventory permission can allow backorders and configure thresholds on products they can access.

Steps

1. In the dashboard, navigate to Products -> Listings. To configure backorders for variants, navigate to Products -> Variants.
2. Select a product or variant.
3. In the Inventory section, set the backorders toggle to Allow backorders.
4. Select Save.

Backorder threshold

When backorders are allowed for a product or variant, you can set a Backorder threshold when managing inventory. This controls the maximum backorder quantity per warehouse when stock depletes.

Backorders are warehouse-specific. To disallow backorders at a warehouse, set its threshold to 0.

Tracking backorder status

In the inventory section on a product variant, the On backorder field shows how many units are on backorder at each warehouse.

Fulfilling backorders

To fulfill backordered stock, first replenish the amount of stock required to fulfill the order. If multiple warehouses are available, you may partially fulfill the order with the available stock.

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For backordered items in the same warehouse, restocking is necessary before using the dashboard to create the fulfillment. The orderFulfill mutation in the API allows partial fulfillment of backordered items from a single warehouse.

Storefront considerations

This feature requires frontend customization. Backorders are not implemented in the storefront.

Learn more

Manage storefront backorders with Nautical's GraphQL API.