How can I set up a rule where out-of-stock products automatically get a longer preparation time?

You can set this up by combining Shopify Flow (to automatically tag out-of-stock products) with Bird App's Product Override (to apply longer preparation times to those tags).

Step 1: Automatically tag out-of-stock products with Shopify Flow

Shopify does not have a built-in feature to automatically tag out-of-stock products, but you can use Shopify Flow to create workflows triggered by inventory changes.

Use the Product variant inventory quantity changed trigger to set up a workflow that adds a tag (e.g., "out-of-stock") when inventory reaches zero and removes the tag when inventory is restocked. This workflow runs automatically on inventory updates and supports multiple locations and variants.

For complete setup instructions, see the Shopify Flow documentation or refer to these community discussions: tagging orders with out-of-stock inventory, automatically tag products, and tag restocked items.

Step 2: Set longer preparation times for tagged products in Bird App

Product Override allows you to set custom lead times for different products (in minutes, hours, or days) for specific products identified by SKUs or Tags.

To apply a longer lead time to specific products:

1. Go to Bird App Settings > Product Override
2. Click Add Override
3. Enter the SKUs or Tags for the affected products (e.g., "out-of-stock")
4. Set the required lead time in days, hours, or minutes
5. Click Save

For detailed instructions on setting up product-specific lead times and availability, follow our complete setup guide.

Important: This rule is based on tags set by Shopify Flow, not the dynamic inventory status.

If a product is out of stock, customers generally cannot place the order until inventory is added to the location. Using Product Override with tags allows you to set appropriate lead times for products that may go in and out of stock.

Updated on: 10/29/2025