# Out of stock and backorder messaging

> Use when a product is unavailable and the page needs to keep the customer instead of losing them.

## Fill in before running

- `{{PRODUCT_NAME}}`
- `{{SITE_NAME}}`
- `{{REASON}}`
- `{{RESTOCK_DATE_OR_UNKNOWN}}`
- `{{ALTERNATIVE_PRODUCTS}}`
- `{{OPTIONS_AVAILABLE}}`

## Prompt

```
Write out of stock messaging for {{PRODUCT_NAME}} on {{SITE_NAME}}.

Situation:
- Reason unavailable: {{REASON}}
- Expected back: {{RESTOCK_DATE_OR_UNKNOWN}}
- Alternatives in range: {{ALTERNATIVE_PRODUCTS}}
- What we can offer: {{OPTIONS_AVAILABLE}} (for example back in stock alert, backorder, pre-order, nothing)

Produce four variants, each labelled:
A. Restock date known
B. Restock date unknown
C. Discontinued, alternatives exist
D. Discontinued, no direct replacement

For each variant give:
- On-page banner, under 20 words.
- Supporting line, under 35 words, saying what happens next.
- Button label, under 4 words.
- Email or SMS notification text sent when it returns, under 50 words.

Rules:
- Never state a date unless it is in the input. Use "we do not have a date yet" rather than a guess.
- Do not apologise more than once per variant.
- Do not push an alternative before acknowledging the product they came for.
- Plain language. No em dashes. No "unfortunately at this time".
```

## Getting a better result

- Variant B is the one you will use most. Give it the honest line rather than an invented estimate.
- Name the alternative products in the copy - a generic "browse similar" link converts far worse.
- Reuse the notification text as the push message so the wording matches when it lands.

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From the QuQi prompt library - https://www.quqi.io/prompts/out-of-stock-messaging