Using Variations vs Modifiers

[VINOme]

The title of this thread has been edited by a Square Moderator from the original: "Liquor store making singles, 6PK, and 12PK from 36PK Case"

Variations vs Option vs Modifiers?

What about using variations in this scenario? We are using Square Retail Plus and just recently migrated from another POS.

Liquor store: We buy large bulk items and break them down into smaller units. Bud Light 36PK is broken down to 12PK, 6PK, and singles. The UPC code on the singles can is used for the 6 and 12PKs b/c they're in the plastic ring holders.

SRP only allows for the UPC code to be applied to ONE item. Therefore, when scanned the item comes up from the variation set for the 12pk which is the largest package. We type 6 before scanning for 6pks and S for singles. Is there a way to have a popup box for the cashier to select the package? In addition, inventory management is difficult b/c SRP counts the 36PK as 1 item and not 36 items for each can. Wish there was a way to designate bulk packages i.e. cases and # of items per case.

[VINOme]

We ran thru this example with the Square Account Manager and Tech Sales before moving forward with Square Retail Plus (SRP). We were told this was NOT an issue and could be done using the Options function. Go thru the DEMO and ask them to show you working in the DEMO. Our mistake was we trusted their answer and didn't request to see it done in the DEMO.

Most liquor stores purchase 30/36 pack of beer such as Bud Light. Singles and 6 packs are then made from the larger case unit b/c of the wholesale price. The UPC code from the single can of Bud Light is the SAME UPC CODE for the 6 pack or 12 pack b/c it's the single can bundled together with the plastic 6/12 can ringers. Therefore, a popup should come on the screen asking the cashier if it's a single can, 6 pack, or 12 pack. Cashier selects and the proper item is entered into the cart.

That's NOT the case and now we are searching for an alternative workaround. Any other SRP user have a solution for this???

TIA,

VINO

[VINOme]

What about using variations in this scenario? We are using Square Retail Plus and just recently migrated from another POS.

Liquor store: We buy large bulk items and break them down into smaller units. Bud Light 36PK is broken down to 12PK, 6PK, and singles. The UPC code on the singles can is used for the 6 and 12PKs b/c they're in the plastic ring holders.

SRP only allows for the UPC code to be applied to ONE item. Therefore, when scanned the item comes up from the variation set for the 12pk which is the largest package. We type 6 before scanning for 6pks and S for singles. Is there a way to have a popup box for the cashier to select the package?

[_Violet]

Hi @VINOme - Thanks for reaching out to us here on the Square Seller Community👋

I went ahead and merged your duplicate posts here as well. We merge duplicate conversations together to keep like comments in one place, and to make it easier for others to find the thread in the future. I also want to make sure you've seen our Community Etiquette Guidelines. We request that you do not post the same message in multiple places.

I see that one of our Super Sellers, @Candlestore got back to you and their reply has been marked as the Best Answer to this question✅

Thank you for your assistance here, @Candlestore! 😇

[Candlestore · Accepted solution]

@VINOme ,

 would recommend using the Conversion technique to track each item quantity.  

Basically you setup an item Bud Light 12oz Bottle, Then have a price for 1 bottle, with conversions for 4, 6, 12, 24, and 36 packs/cases.  When you receive your Bud Light you enter how many single bottles you get.  ie 50 cases at 36 per case would be 1800 bottles of Bud Light.  When you sell at 36 it reduces 36 from inventory.... you can also set different prices based on these sizes.  Now when you create these case pack sizes you can use these quantities for Bud, Bud Light, etc... without creating new ones.

Here is what it would look like.... I did this quick for my Lilac 2 x 3 pillers

If you use the same SKU for all these items you will get a red flag saying this is a duplicate SKU.... ignore it and continue.

At checkout when you scan the SKU a popup will appear asking which you are selling. select the one your selling.

Have different names like:

Bud Light Bottle

Bud Light 4pk

Bud Light 6pk

Bud Light 12pk.... etc

Then your Popup will look like....

Bud Light Bottle

Bud Light 4pk

Bud Light 6pk

Bud Light 12pk.... etc

I do this with Pumpkin Jars I sell..... They all have the same SKU but at checkout I choose the Scent from a drop down.  For me it is more important to see how many jars I sell in that size than then I want to know which scents sell the best.

Here is how to setup the Conversions Square lets you do: https://squareup.com/help/us/en/article/7237-stock-conversion-sell-by 

[VINOme]

Keith,

Thank you for the conversion suggestion and lesson! I think we got it for inventory purposes. However, the unit cost is off. The unit cost is the same regardless of the conversion or the type of beer packages. Please advise. Thank you.

[Candlestore]

@VINOme ;

The Unit Cost would be the same roughly as the Unit Cost is what you pay for the beer.

So in your example you paid $0.70 for a 36 pack...or .7/36=0.0194 per bottle  Cost for 1 bottle is $0.02 

At .02 X Quantity in your pack is equal to the Unit Cost.

So you would need to edit the Unit Cost  at Regular  $0 .70/36PK   This conversion is more so if you bought 100 bottles of beer in no packages, and when customers buy the beer in larger quantities they get a discount but you still paid the $0.70 per bottle.  Now if you are buying pallets of 36 to a case, 12 to a case, 6 packs etc.... then you would need different Items for each of these because their unit costs would be different, and then you would not be taking from the same inventory even though they may all be Bud Light they each have their own cost from when you purchase them from your supplier.

[VINOme]

I'm going to blame my moment of stupidity on the time and duration working on this issue! It was well past 2AM and I've been at it for 5hrs... thanks for the help Keith!!

I was thinking the unit cost for the 36pk was per can!

[Candlestore]

@VINOme ;

LOL   We all as business owners have been there at a moment of Stupidity from our late nights.  Just glad I could help.  Was this what you were trying o accomplish?

[VINOme]

We are testing and hoping it works. We've got a product list of over 10,000 items. Now we need to export from Square and update over 30% of the case items! Fun week ahead.

[Candlestore]

@VINOme ;

If you use the SAME SKU numbers for the 4 pack, 6Pack etc since the sku is on the cans a pop up will come up to choose which one at the time of sale.  I am not sure about the GTIN if it is what you are scanning or the sku since in your photo the GTIN appears the same but the SKU is different.  You may get a warning saying your using the same GTIN or SKU for multiple items.  I did this with my 70oz Pumpkin Jars which have a sku on it put have variations of the scent I put in the Pumpkin Jars.  When I scan the UPC on the pumpkin it gives a pop up of which Scent.

Here is my SKU for my 70oz Pumpkin Jars:

Just another route to try and test if my first suggestion does not work.  Whatever is listed as the Variation shows for the popup to choose from.  As you see I have the warning that I am using this SKU for 6 different Items.  I have these 5 normal scents I put in the pumpkin plus a custom, that customers can choose from our 138 scents, in case they what a Black pumpkin they could ask for Night Fall or Black Ice for example.  

One other thought, since you are TESTING, do I brand size for example use the Bud Light 12oz bottles with both my suggestions.  Try both and see which one works best for you before switching all 10,000 items.  

maybe do bud Light as my first suggestion and do coors light with this suggestion for testing to see witch you and your staff prefers.  Good Luck