[RetailEdge Moderator]

What is the best way to handle this situation? We sell things like custom fireplaces, closets, cabinets… These can have a large list of items that need to be ordered to build a single fireplace, cabinet, or closet. Very few of these pieces will be kept in stock, although we still need each piece added to a purchase order and inventory, so we can verify what we receive and can track any pieces that were left over after the install.

The problem is, how can we process the customers purchase quickly and still connect it to the individual bits that are needed to build the fireplace? We don’t want to make the customer wait while we add dozens of items to purchase orders. We also don’t want to enter items and potentially let the customer see what our cost is for the item.

Is it possible to have a sale like $2,000 for a stone fireplace with a generic description of their fireplace. Then after the customer leaves, put all of the details in to create the purchase orders and inventory? How could we then connect the cost of the individual pieces on the purchase orders to the sale for the custom stone fireplace?

[RetailEdge Moderator]

You have a few options in RetailEdge to handle what you are doing.

1. Packages. You can add all the items you want for a fireplace onto the sales screen. It can be setup to show just the package (Fireplace), the package and the items with no pricing, or show everything.

2. Add-Ons. You can have a generic item for Fireplace that will have a bunch of addons. This is something that interior design and similar businesses do. For instance they might have a sofa, and then many options for fabrics and configurations.

Or you could use a combination of both.

You would setup these items that need to be ordered in your inventory. When the sale is completed and the customer is out the door, just open the Sales Manager, highlight the items, and press the Copy to PO button. This will allow you to order what you need and also see what is in stock and what you already have on-order. Then you can choose to order them or not. You can put them on an existing PO or create a new one. If you are doing it for a customer, you could just put the customer ID or Name in the PO name and then you will know who you should contact when the items arrive.

Another option would be to do it as a Special Order.

http://www.retailedge.com/phpBB/viewtop ... 658&p=2270

There is not way to create a package with special order items. The packages need to be setup with actual items. I would create a generic item called Fireplace Package for $2000. Then follow the special order procedures to either exchange it later or put the actual items item on the Open order.

The only thing you are not going to get is the ability to hide items on the sale. This is something that is specific to a package and I can’t really see a way of doing this unless you create a package from the special order items and I think this would just be a lot of busy work for not a lot of benefit.