Question about OOS Feature

[mcdougle4248]

I have the OOS feature enable on my listings.  Each listing has a quantity of 1, so when that one sells, I make another, take new photos and update the listing.

A buyer purchased several items on Saturday and I updated the listings as described above.  The order is in awaiting shipment.  I notice that each item in the order is showing the listings in their updated status and not in the original status as when the buyer made the purchase.

My question is, what is the buyer seeing in their purchase history?  Do they see the items they purchased or the updated listings like I see on the awaiting shipment page?

[coffeebean832 · Accepted solution]

It's not a good idea to do what you're describing until after the shipment has reached the buyer. The live listing, the purchase history page and the e-mails to the buyer will all show the new images, title, etc.

The buyer can still see the listing as it was when the purchased it if they go to the order details page, but most won't know to do that.

Why not create a variation listing, and when one sells add the new photos as another variation?

[myjunqueyourtreasure]

If all your items only have a qty of 1 why are you using the OOS function? That's really meant for multi qty listings where you know you'll get more soon and you can restock the listing and not lose the sales history or watchers.

[coffeebean832]

I think it's because the poster's items are hand made and there are variations between each ornament. She can punch a snowflake out of a Coca Cola can and restock once it sells- but the next one she makes won't look exactly the same.

A good way to handle it is to do what I suggested above and use variations- pattern A, pattern B, etc

[nobody*s_perfect]

Yes, and that's why OOS is not an appropriate strategy.

[mcdougle4248]

@coffeebean832 

Thank you for the info.  Going forward, I will not update the sold listings until after I have shipped.  

You are correct about my items being handmade and, although the same can is used, each one turns out a little bit different.

Do you think I should message my buyer about the photo changes or just leave well enough alone and see if they have questions after they receive their items?