Is it possible to create custom orders?

[jandjwoodables]

I'm new to Square and not sure of many of the possibilities.

We sell inventory items as well as  custom made products and would like to be able to create a prepaid custom order for customers at time of purchase/ordering.

I know I can create  receipt for a sale, is the Invoice option the way to accomplish this?

Thanks in advance

[Alex_]

Hello @jandjwoodables,

Thank you for posting in the Seller Community. Welcome.

To make sure I'm understanding, are you looking to create an invoice/estimate for the order before the customer pays for it? Or are you looking to see if you can enter a custom amount at the point of sale without adding it to your library first?

Please let me know by replying in this thread. I'll keep an eye out for your response.

[jandjwoodables]

I'd like to create some type of document that both the customer and myself would have showing what the customer ordered with their customized request.

For example: Joe Smith, Custom Picture Frame with the text "Joe's Best Friend" at the bottom

They always pay for custom orders up front.

The customized orders are not in inventory, nor do I want to maintain them as such since they are always a one-off item.

Does that help?

[Alex_]

@jandjwoodables

Understood. Last question, are your customers placing these orders online, in-person, or over the phone? Or a mix of different methods?

[jandjwoodables]

Alex,

Mostly in person, but we also promote they can do it over the phone as well

[Alex_]

Hi @jandjwoodables,

You might benefit from our estimates feature. Square Invoices allows you to send an invoice estimate. Once an invoice is accepted, you can quickly convert an estimate to an invoice to get paid quickly.

Check out this article for more information, and please let me know if you have any other questions by replying to this thread. 

[kjkreations]

What about customs online.

I have an apparel and gifts store.  Some things are RTS, but I also have customs--with SO many options.

Example:

Designs:  Tons to choose from

Type of item you want that design on: decal, apparel, drinkware, etc (options within those categories as well)  

Shirts--long sleeve, short sleeve, tank, sweatshirt, hoodie: Regular tyoe or soft material, tons of color choices, several size options

I have set them up a couple of different ways.

Example 1:

Chose your design, then the different variants can be selected.

Set each type I offer up individually:

Specific Design Longsleeve (you pick size)

Specific Design Shortsleeve (pick size)

etc.

All have zero in inventory and I have them catagorized as Custom.

It's all a messy to me and every variant is listed on the inventory export.

Is there a better way to do this?

[AshleyK]

Hey! I think with this case it would be best to get a specific item to look at so we understand your question better. Is there a specific item set and example we can look at?

Thanks in advance!!

[kjkreations]

Here is one with of a shirt:

https://www.kellyjokreationsks.com/product/small-town-series-1/471?cs=true&cst=custom

Here is one of a design:

https://www.kellyjokreationsks.com/product/sports-designs/339?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=true

[kjkreations]

Here is one with of a shirt @AshleyK , @Alex_ :

https://www.kellyjokreationsks.com/product/small-town-series-1/471?cs=true&cst=custom

Here is one of a design:

https://www.kellyjokreationsks.com/product/sports-designs/339?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=true

[AshleyK]

@kjkreations thanks for sending those! 

I think that selling the product and then attaching the designs as the modifiers would be the best option so you can have a better time keeping inventory of everything. 

For example, with the T-Shirt, have it only be the T-Shirt and then allow customers to choose the size, design, and color as the modifiers. 

I hope that makes sense, but please let me know how else I can clarify. I know how mind boggling it could be to organize large inventories. 

[kjkreations]

Thank you! @AshleyK 

[kjkreations]

 @AshleyK  would your answer still be the same for made to order items.  (i.e. I don't actually have any physical inventory).  

[AshleyK]

@kjkreations I think so, so that the customers can still see more of the specific product they would be getting should they want that made. But, to make sure we are getting a full opinion, I'm going to loop in some of our Super Sellers to see what they use or suggest for large, made to order inventories. 🙂

@AmyB1 @bagelboss @dasap1234 @DavidMellow @Donnie-M @Goldneye @GoGoGuest @HC_Charlie @jjgard @JupiterGames @page158 @pessosices @TheTShirtLady

[Goldneye]

HI, tagging in @AshleyK too.  When it comes to custom orders, best advice is to not over think it.

The items are your inventory.  Treat the items as your inventory.  

When they are purchased the customer selects what, where, where, how etc.  

All you need is to create a Custom Item Policy paragraph stating that it is created on demand with extended processing and shipping time.

[AshleyK]

@Goldneye thank you so much!!!