The combine order feature is a specific feature (activated per supplier) that allows hotels to associate new orders with already existing orders from the same supplier that have not yet been shipped. By doing so the client bypasses Minimum order amounts or quantities or shipping costs as they were met already when the first order was placed.
As a result, this feature makes it easier for clients to add "ad hoc" items to already placed orders, thereby reducing the need for clients to call suppliers to add forgotten items to orders.
Lets take an example:
- Supplier X has a Minimum order spend of 100 EUR.
- As a Kitchen Chef I placed an order this morning for 150 EUR with Supplier X.
- I realise after placing the order I need to add two more items (also from Supplier X) to the order.
- Previously, I could not manage this on Astore shop. I had to call the supplier directly and add the items to the order.
- Now, I can add the two items to my cart and proceed to checkout. On the cart overview page, I will now see an option to "combine order" and it will display the relevant orders (same supplier, not yet delivered) to which I can associate these two items.
- I choose to combine the order, thereby bypassing Minimum order amounts or quantities as they were already met by the order to which I am associating the new order with.
- The result is two purchase orders, but the second order has bypassed the logistics conditions thanks to being associated with an order that has already met the conditions.
It is possible to combine an order with another order placed by a different user within the same establishment.
What about shipping costs?
If a shopping cost has been incurred by the first order, and the second order that is combined with the first changes the delivery costs, then the delivery costs of the second order will be displayed as 0 on Astore shop. However the supplier will need to recalculate the shipping costs of the total order on their system.
The function to “combine” an order with another previously placed order will only appear if the following conditions are met :
If the order quantity is lower than the minimum order quantity set by the supplier
OR
If the total order amount is lower than the minimum order amount set by the supplier
OR
If the number of packaging units in the order is lower than the minimum number of packaging units per order set by the supplier
AND
An existing order (for the same delivery date as the new order) with the same supplier shop is already placed that meets the conditions listed above