A backorder occurs when a customer places an order for a product that is temporarily out of stock, and the seller, instead of canceling the order, accepts it and promises to deliver the item once it becomes available again. In essence, it's a way to secure a product that is currently unavailable due to high demand, production delays, or other factors.
1. Customer Retention:
Backorders allow online resellers to retain customers who are willing to wait for a product, preventing them from seeking alternatives elsewhere.
2. Revenue Protection:
It helps protect potential revenue by not losing sales to competitors and maintaining customer loyalty.
3. Inventory Management:
Backorders offer insights into demand trends, enabling resellers to adjust their inventory management and procurement strategies.
Meet John, an online reseller who specializes in selling handmade artisan jewelry.
Here's how he handles backorders:
1. Product Demand:
John introduces a limited-edition necklace with unique gemstones that quickly gains popularity.
2. Inventory Depletion:
Due to the unexpected surge in demand, John's available stock of the necklace runs out sooner than expected.
3. Backorder Option:
Instead of turning customers away, John decides to offer a backorder option on his website. Customers can still place orders for the necklace, knowing there will be a delay in delivery.
4. Customer Communication:
John communicates with customers who opt for the backorder, providing an estimated restocking date and assuring them of the product's quality and exclusivity.
5. Order Fulfillment:
Once the necklace is back in stock, John fulfills the backorders, ensuring that those customers receive their items as promised.
1. Open Backorder:
Customers place orders for products currently out of stock, and the seller records these orders, promising delivery once the product is available again.
2. Partial Backorder:
When only a portion of an order is out of stock, the seller ships the available items and backorders the rest.
3. Preorder:
This is a type of backorder where customers place orders for products that haven't been released yet. It's often used for highly anticipated products.
1. Accurate Inventory Tracking:
Implement robust inventory management systems to track stock levels accurately.
2. Clear Communication:
Inform customers about the backorder status, estimated delivery times, and offer options for order modification or cancellation.
3. Timely Restocking:
Make efforts to restock backordered products as quickly as possible to fulfill customer expectations.
4. Automated Notifications:
Use automated systems to update customers when backordered items are back in stock and ready for shipment.
In conclusion, backorders are a common and valuable practice in the world of e-commerce and dropshipping. By understanding how to effectively manage them, online resellers can maintain customer satisfaction, protect revenue, and adapt to shifting demand trends in the dynamic marketplace.
