Balance Pre-order deposits for collectibles and board games
Release dates in collectibles move, often more than once. A deposit reserves the customer's copy; the balance waits until the stock is actually in your hands.
In short: Collectibles shops usually take a fixed deposit or 10% to 20% to reserve a copy, and the balance when the stock arrives. Use a 'when the order is ready' plan so slipping release dates never cause an early charge.
The usual plan
Use a fixed deposit (such as £20 or £30) or 10% to 20%, and the balance rule 'when the order is ready' with a long outer limit. When the shipment lands, mark the orders ready and the balances are charged from the saved cards.
Example: £180 limited statue, £30 fixed deposit. £30 at checkout, £150 when the stock lands.
Allocation cuts
Distributors cut allocations. If you receive fewer units than you sold, mark ready the orders you can fill, in order date, and cancel the plans for the rest, refunding their deposits in Shopify.
Several pre-orders in one cart
Shopify gives each order a single balance due date, the earliest of its items. If customers pre-order items with different release dates, encourage separate orders so each balance lines up with its own release.
Long waits and expired cards
Pre-orders of a year or more are common. If a card has expired by release day, Balance Due retries and sends the customer a pay link that accepts any card. See when a balance payment fails.
Collectibles and games questions
What if the release date moves again?
With a 'when ready' plan nothing changes: the balance waits until you mark the order ready. Customers can check their payment page at any time.
What happens to deposits if my allocation is cut?
Fill the orders you can, cancel the plans for the rest and refund their deposits in Shopify.
Can a customer pay the balance early?
Yes, from the pay now button on their payment page.
Not on the list?
If your customers commit before the work is done, Balance Due fits. Tell us what you sell and we will suggest a plan.