# Preorders API

Before diving into the API reference, it's important to understand the key term we use - Selling Plans

### What are Selling Plans?

Selling Plans in the context of preorders are configurations that define how a preorder product is sold, billed, and delivered to customers.

### Core Purpose:

* Enable merchants to sell products before they're in stock or available for immediate shipping
* Define payment schedules, delivery timelines, and inventory management for preordered items
* Provide customization options for how preorders appear and function in the storefront

### What data is present in a Selling Plan?

* **Basic Information**: Name, internal reference name, enabled status
* **Billing Configuration**: When and how much to charge (at checkout or later), charge types (percentage or fixed amount)
* **Delivery Settings**: When products will be delivered (exact date or interval after purchase)
* **Inventory Management**: How inventory is reserved and which system manages it
* **Pricing Options**: Discount amounts or percentages for preordered items
* **UI Customization**: Button text, badge styling, shipping information text

### Variant Association:

* Selling plans can be associated with product variants in three ways:
  * All products in the store
  * Products in a specific collection
  * Custom selection of individual variants
* Each variant can have custom settings like shipping text and maximum preorder quantity

### Multi-Market Support:

* Selling plans can be configured for specific markets in multi-market stores
* Different markets may have different preorder terms or availability