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# Creating a new Selling Plan in Timesact

# Selling Plans: How to Set One Up for Preorders and Backorders

A **Selling Plan** is a required setup in Shopify that enables you to sell products on preorder or backorder. It’s more than just a formality — it lets you customize how you handle **partial payments**, **inventory management**, **shipping schedules**, and **discounts**.

If you’ve never created one before, don’t worry — the app will guide you through it when you start adding preorder items under the **Products** tab.

![Prompt to Create Selling Plan](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/9/b/3/c9b393c2e2547800/image_1pl75d5.png)

Alternatively, you can create a new selling plan manually by heading to **Settings > Selling Plans**.

![Settings Tab](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/9/b/3/c9b393c2e2547800/image_f7waat.png)
![Selling Plans Sub-Tab](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/9/b/3/c9b393c2e2547800/image_1yha3hh.png)

You’ll be prompted to give your plan a **unique name**. Once you’ve entered it, click the **Create Selling Plan** button at the bottom right.

![Create Selling Plan](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/9/b/3/c9b393c2e2547800/image_1n199ay.png)

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## Selling Plan Settings

After creating your plan, you'll see a range of settings to customize how preorders behave on your store. Here's a breakdown of each one:

### 📝 Selling Plan Name

This name appears in the **cart**, **checkout**, and **order confirmation email**. It’s required by Shopify.

| Tip: Use this field to communicate helpful info like shipping timeframes (e.g., “Ships July 15” or “Preorder – Dispatches in 2 Weeks”).

![Name Field](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/9/b/3/c9b393c2e2547800/image_4sly44.png)
![Name in Checkout](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/c9b393c2e2547800/image_1j1eyzv.png)
![Name in Email](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/c9b393c2e2547800/image_d7tv6h.png)

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### 📝 Selling Plan Description *(Optional)*

This shows up on the **product page**. While it’s optional, it’s great for giving customers more context — for example, mention discounts or shipping expectations.

![Description Field](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/9/b/3/c9b393c2e2547800/image_1wd0qz4.png)
![Description on Product Page](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/c9b393c2e2547800/image_1dx9ros.png)

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### 🚚 Shipping Date

This lets you set when the item will be shipped. You’ve got a few flexible options:

#### ▫ No Set Date  
No shipping date is defined. Shopify will mark the order as **Unfulfilled**.

![No Set](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/c9b393c2e2547800/image_i8uf7e.png)

#### ▫ Fixed Date  
Choose a specific shipping date. Orders will be marked as **Scheduled** in Shopify.

![Fixed Date](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/c9b393c2e2547800/image_m0sgq7.png)

#### ▫ Period  
Set a dynamic shipping window (e.g., "Ships 14 days from order"). Perfect for made-to-order items.

* **Period Value**: Enter a number (e.g., 5).
* **Period Type**: Choose the unit (e.g., days, weeks, months).

![Period Setting](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/9/b/3/c9b393c2e2547800/image_9or69m.png)

#### ▫ Interval  
Set a **range** with a start and end date for shipping.

![Interval Option](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/9/b/3/c9b393c2e2547800/image_1sjle8r.png)

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### 💳 Billing Policy

Decide how you want to charge customers for their preorder.

#### ▫ Full Payment  
Charge 100% upfront.

![Full Payment](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/9/b/3/c9b393c2e2547800/image_1r6vvms.png)
#### ▫ Partial Payment  
Charge a portion upfront (from 0% to 99%). The remaining amount is collected later.

#### ▫ Fixed Upfront  
Charge a specific dollar amount at checkout, regardless of product price.

#### ▫ Percentage Upfront  
Charge a specific percentage (e.g., 25%) upfront.

![Partial Payment Options](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/9/b/3/c9b393c2e2547800/image_1m1bhop.png)
#### ▫ Final Payment Date  
Choose the exact date to charge the remaining balance.

![Final Date](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/9/b/3/c9b393c2e2547800/image_1yb6dme.png)

#### ▫ Final Payment Time After Checkout  
Set a time delay (e.g., "Charge balance 2 weeks after checkout").

![Time After Checkout](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/9/b/3/c9b393c2e2547800/image_w9npg2.png)

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### 📝 Selling Plan Option *(Optional)*  
Only appears when partial payments are enabled. This message is shown on your product page — great for explaining payment breakdowns (e.g., “50% deposit, 50% later”).

![Selling Plan Option](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/9/b/3/c9b393c2e2547800/image_162gomu.png)

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### 🏷️ Discount

Set preorder-specific discounts. These apply at **checkout**, so it helps to mention them in the **Selling Plan Description** to manage expectations.

![Discount Field](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/9/b/3/c9b393c2e2547800/image_eflgae.png)

| Note: Shopify shows the discount at checkout only, not on the product page by default.

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### 📦 Inventory Policy

Controls when inventory is subtracted from your stock:

* **On Sale** – Inventory is reduced immediately when the order is placed.
* **On Fulfillment** – Inventory is reduced only when the order is fulfilled.

![Inventory Options](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/9/b/3/c9b393c2e2547800/image_1avvfpo.png)

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## 🔁 Duplicating a Selling Plan

Need a similar plan? No need to start from scratch — just duplicate an existing one and update only what’s different.

![Duplicate Selling Plan](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/9/b/3/c9b393c2e2547800/image_iqyg3v.png)

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## 🧾 Default Selling Plan Settings (If You Skip Customizing)

If you don’t manually configure a selling plan, the app will automatically apply these defaults:

1. **Selling Plan Name**: "Preorder item delivers as soon as available."  
2. **Selling Plan Description**: (empty)  
3. **Shipping Date**: No set  
4. **Billing Policy**: Full payment upfront  
5. **Selling Plan Option**: (empty, not shown)  
6. **Discount**: None  
7. **Inventory Policy**: On sale

---

Once you’re done configuring, hit **Save Selling Plan** at the bottom right. Your plan will now appear under **Settings > Selling Plans**.

| ⚠️ Please note: Any changes to your selling plan only apply to **future orders** — existing ones won’t be affected.
