What does order by will call mean?

Ordering by will call is a way of placing an order for pickup at a later date, rather than paying for and receiving the items immediately. Will call allows customers to order items ahead of time and then pick them up at the retailer’s location when it’s convenient. This option is commonly used for items that may be too large or bulky for immediate pickup, that need special handling, or that require the customer to inspect before purchase.

When is will call used?

There are several situations when a customer may choose to order by will call:

• Purchasing large items like furniture, appliances, or electronics that need to be loaded into a vehicle. The retailer can have the items ready at the loading area rather than the customer having to maneuver through the store.
• Ordering specialty items that a retailer may not keep in stock. The customer can place the order in advance so the retailer has time to obtain the items.
• Buying perishable goods like cakes or floral arrangements for a specific date. The customer can pick up the items fresh on the day they are needed.
• Purchasing items that the customer wants to inspect before taking home. For example, lumber or tile to check for defects.
• Needing time to arrange transportation. If the customer needs to borrow or rent a truck to move large purchases, they can order ahead of time and pick up when they have secured a vehicle.
• Waiting until the customer has the full amount needed to pay for the purchase. The customer can reserve the items and then pay in full upon pickup.

Will call allows customers flexibility in when they pay for and receive their items. It gives the retailer time to locate, prepare, or order inventory for customer orders. Customers can feel confident that their purchases will be ready and waiting when they arrive.

How does will call work?

The will call process typically works as follows:

1. The customer places an order – in person, online, or by phone. They specify that they want to pick up the items at a later date and time.
2. The retailer captures their payment details but does not charge until the customer picks up the order. Alternatively, the customer can pay in full upon pickup.
3. The customer receives a will call number or order confirmation to present when they arrive to collect their purchases.
4. On the scheduled pickup date and time, the customer goes to the retailer location and proceeds to the will call desk or area.
5. The customer provides their will call number or order confirmation. The retailer locates the order and brings the items to the pickup area.
6. The customer inspects the order to ensure accuracy and condition. At this point, payment is completed if it was not collected already.
7. Once the customer accepts the order, the retailer helps load or hand over the items.
8. The retailer keeps the items at the store for a certain hold period. If not picked up, the order may be cancelled and items returned to inventory.

This allows the retailer to have oversight of inventory and final payment while giving the customer control over pickup timing. The customer does not have to haul or transport purchases until they are actually ready.

When is payment collected for will call orders?

Payment timing for will call orders can vary between retailers. There are two main options:

• Pre-payment – The customer pays in full when placing the order. This reserves the items and guarantees stock. Payment may be held if items need to be ordered. The customer simply needs to present ID upon pickup.
• Pay upon pickup – The retailer collects final payment when the customer arrives to collect purchases. They may take a deposit or capture payment details. This allows flexibility if the customer needs time to arrange financing.

The timing often depends on the type and size of the purchase. Everyday retail items are more often paid at time of order. Large special orders may require payment on pickup after inspection. Customers should confirm expected payment timing when placing will call orders.

What information is needed for will call pickup?

Customers will need to provide certain information when they arrive to collect a will call purchase:

• Photo ID – This verifies the identity of the person picking up the order.
• Order number/confirmation – The unique number associated with the order to identify it.
• Payment – If final payment is due upon pickup, the customer needs to bring the selected payment method.
• Vehicle details – If picking up large items, the make and model of the vehicle helps locate orders.
• Authorizations – The name of any authorized pick up persons if the purchaser is not collecting the items themselves.

Having these details ready speeds up the will call process. Retailers want to ensure orders go to the correct party while protecting customer privacy. Come prepared with the necessary order identifiers and documentation.

What are the advantages of will call orders?

There are a number of benefits to both the customer and retailer with will call purchasing:

For the customer:

• Reserve items without having to pay or take them immediately.
• Defer payment until inspecting expensive or fragile items.
• Avoid having to carry purchases around the store until ready to leave.
• Pick up items when transportation or schedule allows.
• Stage orders for easy loading into a vehicle.
• Split up payment timing by reserving goods and paying on pickup.

For the retailer:

• Manage inventory by only releasing items upon customer pickup.
• Accommodate customer transportation needs.
• Allow time to order or prepare special purchases.
• Reduce in-store crowding by having orders ready for quick retrieval.
• Provide flexible payment options.
• Improve customer experience with order staging.

Overall, will call creates convenience for shoppers while giving retailers order control. Customers can buy now and pick up on their own timeline.

What are the disadvantages of will call orders?

There are also some potential downsides of ordering by will call to be aware of:

For the customer:

• Added trip to return and pick up items.
• Delay in being able to use purchases.
• Possible need to rearrange schedules for pickup.
• Chance that orders may be cancelled if not collected timely.
• Items take up retailer storage space until retrieved.

For the retailer:

• Administrative work of tracking and retrieving will call orders.
• Cost of secure storage space for will call inventory.
• Staff time spent pulling items again upon pickup.
• Possibility of refunds if customers do not collect orders.
• Reduced cash flow by delaying payment on some orders.

While will call has its benefits, the split transaction process also creates some extra steps. Retailers may discourage will call for small, everyday purchases to reduce logistical hassles.

Best practices for will call orders

Follow these tips to ensure smooth will call transactions:

For the customer:

• Note order details like order number and expected pickup timing.
• Arrive at the scheduled time with photo ID and payment ready.
• Have vehicle make/model and location available if collecting large items.
• Bring along any equipment like dollies or hand trucks to move purchases.
• Inspect orders thoroughly before finalizing pickup.
• Pick up items promptly within the retailer’s hold period.

For the retailer:

• Clearly communicate will call instructions like hold periods and payment policies.
• Issue order numbers/confirmation details for all will call purchases.
• Stage orders near pickup areas for easy access.
• Pull orders shortly before scheduled pickup times to keep items organized.
• Associate orders with customer names and contact info in case issues arise.
• Set reasonable hold periods before returning uncollected items to inventory.

Following best practices ensures will call orders are processed smoothly. Customers receive orders on time while retailers maintain inventory control.

Examples of will call orders

Here are some examples of situations where customers may use will call ordering and pickup:

• Furniture – A customer purchases a sofa but needs to borrow a truck to transport it home. They arrange will call to pick it up in the store loading zone once they secure a rental vehicle.
• Outdoor equipment – A customer orders a kayak for an upcoming vacation. They don’t have room to store it until their trip, so they select will call to pick it up right before loading for the trip.
• Auto parts – A customer needs a specialized part to repair their classic car. They arrange will call ordering since the retailer needs to order the part from a supplier first.
• Building supplies – A contractor purchases lumber and drywall for an upcoming project. They don’t want materials delivered to the worksite too far in advance, so they opt to pick them up via will call 1-2 days prior.
• Printed goods – A customer orders engraved wedding invitations that need to be reviewed before collecting the full order. They arrange will call pickup once a sample invitation is approved.
• Electronics – A customer purchases a big screen TV for the Super Bowl. They select in-store pickup so they can inspect it for any damage before taking it home.

Will call allows flexibility for customers purchasing large, customized, or specialty items. It gives them control over coordinating pickup logistics.

Will call checklist

Use this checklist when placing or picking up a will call order:

For the customer:

• [ ] Confirm will call policies like hold period, payment timing, etc.
• [ ] Note order number and expected pickup date.
• [ ] Gather payment and ID needed for pickup.
• [ ] Arrange transportation if needed.
• [ ] Schedule pickup during retailer operating hours.
• [ ] Inspect order thoroughly before taking possession.
• [ ] Pick up within designated hold period.

For the retailer:

• [ ] Clearly communicate will call instructions to customer.
• [ ] Provide order number and estimated pickup timing.
• [ ] Store order properly until pickup date.
• [ ] Pull order shortly before scheduled pickup time.
• [ ] Verify customer ID and payment upon pickup.
• [ ] Assist customer in loading items if needed.
• [ ] Hold items for designated period before returning to inventory.

Following a structured checklist helps ensure will call orders occur without issues. Customers can get their items when needed while retailers maintain control.

Frequently asked questions

How long do retailers hold will call orders?

Hold periods for unclaimed will call orders vary by retailer. Some may hold items for 3-5 business days. Others may allow 1-2 weeks or longer for special orders. Customers should check with the retailer on their specific hold policies to avoid orders being cancelled.

Can someone else pick up my will call order?

Yes, retailers will often allow trusted friends or family to collect will call orders with proper authorization. The original purchaser will need to provide the name in advance and the authorized person must show valid photo ID upon pickup.

Can I change the pickup date for a will call order?

You may be able to modify the pickup date and time for a will call order by contacting the retailer before your scheduled collection. However, this depends on their internal policies. Reach out to the retailer promptly if you need to delay pickup of an existing will call order.

What information is needed for will call pickup?

Standard required information includes your order number/confirmation, photo ID matching the purchaser name, payment if not pre-collected, and any pickup authorizations. Retailers want to verify your identity and order details before releasing purchases.

Can I return will call items?

Yes, most retailers will allow will call orders to be returned or exchanged as long as they meet the standard return policy terms. However, some large special order items may have different restrictions. Check return rules with the retailer when placing the initial order.

Conclusion

Ordering by will call allows flexibility for both customers and retailers. Customers can reserve and inspect purchases on their own timetable. Retailers maintain inventory control until orders are collected. Following best practices for will call streamlines the process. Customers gain convenience while retailers uphold service standards. With preparation and clear communication, will call orders can be a win-win for both parties.