Check the grid, not the total
A confirmation is only safe if the check happened at size and colour level against what is genuinely uncommitted. Available means unreserved, and reserved means promised to someone else - not sold.
- Size and colour grid checked before the date is given
- Confirmation reserving stock immediately
- Shortfall shown as a quantity, ready to plan or negotiate
A shortfall is information, not a failure
Knowing you are 460 pieces short while the buyer is still on the call gives you options: fill from another lot, split the dispatch, plan production, or agree a revised quantity. Discovering it at packing gives you none.
One order record through to dispatch
When packing lists, transporter details and invoices are generated from the same confirmed order, nothing is retyped and the customer's paperwork matches the carton. Order status stops being a phone question.
Takeaway
Confirm from the size grid, reserve on confirmation, and carry one order record through packing, dispatch and invoice.
Topics in this article
- order confirmation
- availability
- delivery date
- reservation
