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?
This setting defines the moment your product's inventory is reduced in Shopify after a pre-order is placed. You can configure this differently for each Pre-order Offer.
There are two options to choose from:
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
Since inventory rules can vary by product, this setting is configured inside each Pre-order Offer.
Step-by-step Instructions:
Navigate to the PreOrder Dashboard
From your Shopify Admin, open the PreOrder app.Select the Offer to Configure
On the dashboard, click on the name of the offer you wish to configure (e.g., "Default Offer" or "Holiday Collection"). This will open the offer's edit page.
Find the Inventory Reserve Preferences Section
On the offer's configuration page, scroll down to the "Inventory Reserve Preferences" setting within the "Pre-order Logics."Choose Your Preferred Option
Select either Reserve on Sale or Reserve on Fulfillment.
Save Your Changes
Click the Save button in the top right corner. The inventory for all products in this offer will now be managed according to the rule you have set.
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.