The Order Detail Page
When you click on an order in your dashboard, you'll see the full order detail page. This page contains everything you need to know about the order, organized into clear sections. Let's walk through each one.
Header Information
At the top of the order, you'll find the key reference information:
- PO Number — The retailer's purchase order number. This is the primary reference for this order across all documents.
- Order Date — When the retailer created the purchase order.
- Trading Partner — Which retailer sent the order.
- Status — The current status of the order (New, Acknowledged, Shipped, etc.).
- Required Ship Date — When the order needs to leave your warehouse.
- Must Arrive By Date (MABD) — The deadline for delivery at the retailer's facility.
- Cancel Date — If the order isn't shipped by this date, the retailer may cancel it.
Line Items
The heart of the order. Each line item represents a product the retailer is ordering:
- Line Number — The sequence number of the item within the order.
- Retailer Item Number — The retailer's internal ID for this product.
- UPC/EAN — The universal product code on the barcode.
- Your SKU — Your internal product identifier, if mapped.
- Description — The product name or description.
- Quantity Ordered — How many units the retailer wants.
- Unit of Measure — Usually "EA" (each), "CS" (case), or "PK" (pack).
- Unit Price — The agreed-upon price per unit.
- Line Total — Quantity multiplied by unit price.
Pay close attention to the unit of measure. If the retailer ordered 10 cases and you ship 10 individual units, that's a major problem. Always confirm whether quantities refer to eaches, cases, or packs.
Ship-To Address
This section shows exactly where the products should be delivered. It typically includes:
- Facility name (warehouse, distribution center, or store name)
- Street address
- City, state, and ZIP code
- A location code (the retailer's internal ID for this facility)
Important: Never change the ship-to address. It's set by the retailer and must be used exactly as provided. If the address looks wrong, contact the retailer — don't guess.
Special Instructions & Notes
Some orders include additional instructions from the retailer. These might cover labeling requirements, packing specifications, routing instructions, or promotional details. Always read this section carefully — missing a special instruction is a common cause of chargebacks.
What to Check Before Acknowledging
Before you acknowledge an order, run through this quick checklist:
- Do you have enough inventory to fulfill every line item?
- Do the prices match your trading partner agreement?
- Is the delivery date achievable given your production and shipping timeline?
- Is the ship-to address a location you've shipped to before?
- Are there any special instructions that require preparation?
- Is the unit of measure what you expect (eaches vs. cases)?
Taking two minutes to verify these details can save you hours of headaches and hundreds of dollars in chargebacks down the line.