Managing Cart Reservations (Inventory Holds)

# Managing Cart Reservations (Inventory Holds) ## Overview Cart reservations control whether items in customer carts are reserved exclusively for them or if multiple customers can add the same item to their carts. This guide helps you choose the right setting for your business. ## Two Ways to Handle Cart Inventory ### 1. Exclusive Cart Reservations (Recommended) When a customer adds an item to their cart, all items in that cart share a **unified hold timer**. Other customers see those items as unavailable while the timer is active. - Staff note: Holds apply during both Pending and Checkout; modifying items keeps the same expiration when possible. **Best for:** - Most rental businesses - High-demand items - Preventing customer frustration at checkout ### 2. Competitive Checkout Mode Multiple customers can add the same item to their carts. The first to complete payment gets the reservation. - Staff note: No holds during Pending/Checkout; expect occasional race conditions at payment time. **Best for:** - Flash sales or special promotions - Creating urgency - When you have lots of inventory ## How to Configure 1. Go to **Account Info** (from the Account sidebar navigation, under "Configure") 2. Find **Inventory Hold Duration** in the account settings form 3. Choose your setting: - **0 minutes** = Competitive checkout (multiple carts allowed) - **1-120 minutes** = Exclusive reservation for that many minutes - **Recommended: 15-30 minutes** for most businesses 4. Tips: - Shorten holds for peak seasons to keep inventory moving - Communicate timer length to reduce customer anxiety - Use staff short extensions sparingly and only when capacity allows ## What Your Customers See ### With Exclusive Reservations - Unified timer showing how long items are reserved - "Item in another customer's cart" message if unavailable - Smooth checkout with no surprises ### With Competitive Checkout - Items appear available to everyone - "Item no longer available" message if someone else completes payment first - Creates urgency but may frustrate some customers ## Monitoring Your Settings Check **Inventory Holds** (from Admin menu, if available) to see: - How many items are currently in carts - Your cart-to-booking conversion rate - Any conflicts (should be zero with exclusive reservations) ## Best Practices ### Choosing the Right Duration **Short (5-15 minutes):** - Good for busy seasons - Keeps inventory moving - May rush customers **Medium (15-30 minutes):** - Balanced approach - Gives customers time to decide - Recommended for most businesses **Long (30-60 minutes):** - Very customer-friendly - Good for expensive rentals - May tie up inventory unnecessarily ### Tips for Success 1. **Monitor your conversion rate** - If it's low, consider shortening hold times 2. **Watch for complaints** - If customers feel rushed, increase hold time 3. **Seasonal adjustments** - Use shorter holds during peak season 4. **Communicate clearly** - Let customers know how long they have ## Common Questions **Q: What happens if a customer's computer crashes?** A: Their reservation stays active until the timer expires. They can return to complete their booking. **Q: Can I extend a customer's reservation?** A: Yes, customer service can help extend holds when needed. **Q: What if we need to block inventory for maintenance?** A: Use the maintenance feature - it always blocks inventory regardless of your cart settings. **Q: Should we ever turn off exclusive reservations?** A: Only for special promotions or when you want to create urgency. Most businesses should keep them on. ## Getting Help If you need assistance: - Check your current settings in **Account Info** (Account sidebar → Account Info) - Monitor performance in **Inventory Holds** (if available in Admin menu) - Contact support at [email protected] Remember: The goal is to balance customer convenience with inventory efficiency. Start with 15-30 minute exclusive reservations and adjust based on your business needs.