Managing inventory effectively is key to a smooth pre-order experience. The Inventory Reserve Preferences setting in the Notify Me app lets you control when stock is allocated for pre-orders, helping prevent overselling and ensuring accurate stock tracking.
1. What Are Inventory Reserve Preferences?
Inventory reserve preferences define when your product stock is reserved for pre-orders. You have two options:
Reserve on Sale
Inventory is deducted immediately when a customer places a pre-order.Reserve on Fulfillment
Inventory is held until the order is fulfilled (i.e., ready to ship).
2. How to Access Inventory Reserve Settings
To configure this setting:
Log in to your Shopify admin.
Open the Notify Me app.
Go to the Pre-order settings section.
Scroll down to Inventory Reserve Preferences.
3. Using Reserve on Sale
Choose Reserve on Sale to allocate inventory as soon as a pre-order is placed.
Benefits:
Prevents overselling of limited-stock items
Guarantees availability for the customer immediately
Best for:
Pre-orders with limited inventory or high demand
4. Using Reserve on Fulfillment
Choose Reserve on Fulfillment to delay inventory allocation until the order is ready to ship.
Benefits:
Allows inventory flexibility closer to shipping time
Useful when restock dates or supply levels are uncertain
Best for:
Products with unpredictable stock or longer production timelines
5. Tips for Effective Stock Management
Regularly review your reserve settings based on current stock and order volume.
Adjust preferences as needed to align with your fulfillment strategy.
Summary
Choosing the right inventory reserve setting helps you balance customer expectations with inventory control. Whether you reserve on sale or on fulfillment, the Notify Me app gives you flexibility to match your operations.
Need help deciding which option to use? Contact our support team anytime.