Selling Variable Weight Items ONLINE for pickup/delivery

[SpringLakeFF]

We are setting up an online ordering system for our Farm store that would allow pickup and deliveries. We sell variable weight items like chicken, pork, beef. 

1. When a customer places an online order with us, when is the customer charged?

2. Is there a way for their card to be pre-authorized when they place an order and we charge the card when we have the order ready and have the correct pricing to include any variable weighted items? I.e., customer places order for chicken breasts which is sold for $7.99/lb...original estimated amount when order is Placed is 7.99 but final price is 10.79. and we charge the 10.79. Does online ordering allow that?

3. If none of the above works, can online ordering allow invoices to be sent after the customer places the online order so the final cost can be accurately reflected?

4. I am not so sure about listing Chicken Breasts 1 lb in the title and then having customers add the chicken breast three times if they want three pounds. What about 1/4 lbs? 1/2 lbs? 3/4lbs? I don't want to round up and over charge a customer or round down and lose money. 

Any solutions for this?  

[HCF-JJ]

I have the EXACT same scenario and I am trying to figure out if it's possible to sell this way -- we also sell frozen meat cuts, pre-cut and packaged as units, but sold by weight in store/online... currently using GrazeCart, but wanted to bring our entire business model over to Square if it meets our basic requirements

[BernadetteA]

Hi @HCF-JJ 

Thanks for re-surfacing this inquiry. This is not an option right now, but I'm checking with the teams to see if this type of feature is on our road map. 

If not, you are welcome to submit a request through the Ideate board here on Community. 😊 I'll let you know what I find out.

[HCF-JJ]

Thanks Bernadetta, 

If you could please advise us on a timeline for this feature once you have checked to see if it's on the development road map, that would be very helpful for me as we are in the process of selecting a service for a future iteration of our business model and this is a Must-Have feature in our requirements...

Please also see the following thread related to this topic --> https://www.sellercommunity.com/t5/Square-Point-of-Sale-Group/Sell-by-Weight-Question-re-Average-wei...

[BernadetteA]

Thanks for the additional post. 

In order for this type of feature to work for Square Online you would need the ability to pre-charge or hold a charge for the customer, and then finalize payment when the item is weighed and picked up. Correct?

The only work around I know of at the moment would be to make the item a $0 price (or use a coupon) with the intention that the customer will be charged in person. 

One question I have, though, is how would you keep track of inventory? Is it not possible to just offer pre-weighed packages of the item in different weights. i.e. 1lb, 1/2lb, 1/4lb, etc? I see packages available for grab-and-go at my local delis, but I'm interested in your thoughts and perspective on this. 

I have a quick sync planned with the team next week to further clarify the request, so if there's anything more you can add (such as value to your business) please let me know. 

Thanks! I'll be in touch soon. 😊

[GHF2022]

Any update on this selling option?

[longshadow]

I actually am maintaining two separate inventories

1) $0 items listed as a UOM each. This allows the customer to see what I have in stock by package quantity.  The description shows the estimated package weight. Customer places order for this and doesn't get charged

2) Not visible online are the items tracked by weight. When a customer places an order, I package the order and send them an invoice for the actual weight and cost/weight of the items they are purchasing.

It works but it kinda stinks that I have to maintain two sets of identical items to manage this.

[HCF-JJ]

Oof! Yep that solution stinks as you say, but I really appreciate you sharing your workaround solution. 

[GHF2022]

Any update on this type of option?