Product configuration

How stock, variations, preorder, backorder, and customisation work on a product.

Stock

Manage stock — when off, stock is ignored: customers can order without limits and stock is not reduced on sale. When on, you set a quantity and sales reduce it.

Stock — quantity on hand for the product. When variations exist, stock is tracked per option instead — the main product stock field is disabled.

If Settings → Fulfillment locks direct stock edits, change quantities through Receive stock and Stocktake instead of typing on the product screen.

Preorder — when on, customers can order even when stock is zero. Preorder sales still reduce stock when stock tracking is on.

Variations

One variation type per product (e.g. Size). Each option can have its own stock when stock tracking is on. Rename or remove options from the product detail screen.

Preorder and backorder rules apply per variation stock the same way as for a single-stock product.

Customisation

Add optional form fields so customers (or staff at POS) personalise a product — for example engraving text or a colour choice.

1. Edit the product and open Show advanced.
2. Configure customisation fields: Short text, Dropdown, or Checkbox.
3. Per field, tick Online and/or In store when that answer is required before add to cart or before charge / save quote.
4. Optionally set a Customisation label (used for the section and the POS Customise button; default is Customise).

Online: customers fill required fields on the product page before adding to cart. POS and booking settle: use Customise on the line; required in-store fields block payment and quote save until complete. Answers appear on the cart, order detail, pick slip, tax invoice and quote PDFs, and related emails.

Preorder

1. With stock tracking on — customers can order when stock is zero if preorder is enabled. Stock is reduced when ordered.
2. With stock tracking off — every order is treated as a preorder regardless of stock.

Backorder

Only available when Manage stock is on. Allows orders when stock is zero or negative — extra units beyond stock are sold as backorder lines and stock can go negative.

Mixed lines

Preorder and backorder can apply on the same line when quantity exceeds stock — for example 2 units with stock of 1 may show both preorder and backorder badges. Online checkout enforces backorder rules; POS may allow overrides depending on settings.