Choose based on how customers buy
In the product wizard’s Availability & Shop step, the field How customers buy this product offers Weekly Schedule and Specific Dates/Drops. Choose the strategy that matches the promise you make to customers, not just the way you bake today.
Use Weekly Schedule when
- Customers can order every week or on a predictable repeating schedule.
- You offer standing pickup or delivery days rather than a finite event.
- The product should remain eligible as new calendar dates roll forward.
- Global product or variant inventory is the right stock model.
Use Specific Dates/Drops when
- You are selling at a market, holiday preorder, launch, or limited release.
- The product is available only on selected dates.
- You need a per-drop product list or occurrence-specific inventory limit.
- You want to share one direct customer link for a particular pickup window.
Decision examples
A weekly Saturday bread pickup belongs in Weekly Schedule. A Mother’s Day cupcake preorder belongs in Specific Dates/Drops. A recurring monthly cake club can use a recurring drop when each occurrence needs its own product set or cap; use Weekly Schedule when the recurring cadence is simply a standing availability rule.
Common problems
- Weekly product is missing on a date: verify that its location and Pickup or Delivery assignment were saved.
- Drop product is visible but has no choices: attach it in the drop’s Products section.
- Both systems were configured: avoid creating overlapping customer promises; decide which calendar surface should own the product.
Next steps
Plan availability
Plan: The two scheduling strategies are available for physical products on Free. Location count, delivery, and other features follow the production entitlement matrix.
Keywords
weekly schedule or specific dates, weekly vs drop, planner strategy, market, launch, preorder, recurring availability, pickup schedule