What is the difference between Product Availability and Product Override?
Product Availability is your base configuration that controls which fulfillment methods (Shipping, Local Delivery, Store Pickup) are available and when they are available. By default, it applies to all products, but you can optionally include or exclude specific products based on tags.
Product Override is an additional configuration layer that you apply on top of your base settings to override preparation times and lead times for specific products or product groups.
Feature | Product Availability | Product Override |
|---|---|---|
Configuration layer | Base configuration | Additional rules on top of base |
Applies to | All products by default; optional tag filtering | Specific products targeted by tags or variants (SKUs) |
What it controls | Which fulfillment methods are available + when they are available | Override preparation times, time slots (beta), max available days, available/blockout days for specific products |
Tag usage | Optional - Include/Exclude modes to filter products | Required - Target specific products/groups |
Mixed cart behavior | If ANY product doesn't meet criteria, method becomes unavailable for ENTIRE cart | System applies LONGEST preparation time from all products in cart |
Product Availability
Purpose: Base configuration that controls how fulfillment methods (Shipping, Local Delivery, Store Pickup) are available for products
Function: Can restrict or enable fulfillment methods based on product tags using "Include" or "Exclude" modes
Example:
- Include mode: Only products tagged with "local-delivery" can be delivered locally
- Exclude mode: All products can be delivered locally EXCEPT those tagged with "pickup-only"
Learn more: Control Which Products Are Available for Pickup, Delivery, or Shipping
Product Override
Purpose: Additional rules that override preparation times and lead times for specific products or product groups
Function: Overrides global preparation time and lead time settings for individual products or product groups (targeted by tags or SKUs) on top of base configuration
Example: A large cake needs 2 days preparation time while small cakes only need 1 day.
Learn more: How to Set Product-Specific Lead Times and Availability
When should I use Product Availability?
Use Product Availability when you want to:
- Control which products can be shipped, delivered locally, or picked up
- Include mode: Make only tagged products available for a specific fulfillment method
- Exclude mode: Block tagged products from a specific fulfillment method
- Ensure mixed carts work correctly (if any product doesn't meet criteria, the fulfillment method becomes unavailable for entire cart)
Navigation:
- Same schedule for all locations: Bird App Settings > Pickup & Delivery > Edit Settings > see Configure Availability section
- Different schedules per location: Bird App Settings > Configure Locations > Select Location > Edit Settings > see Configure Availability section
Step-by-step guide: Control Which Products Are Available for Pickup, Delivery, or Shipping
When should I use Product Override?
Use Product Override when you want to:
- Set different preparation times for specific products or product groups (targeted by tags or SKUs)
- Override global preparation time settings for individual or group products
- Control when products can be ordered (available/blockout dates)
- Modify time slots for specific products that are different from base configuration - requires beta features and specific fulfillment method/location override (not available for global overrides)
Navigation: Bird App Settings > Product Override
Note: Time slot modifications require enabling beta features and setting override applicability to a specific fulfillment method or location (not available for global overrides). Go to Bird App > Help & Support to enable beta features.
Step-by-step guide: How to Set Product-Specific Lead Times and Availability
Can I use both features together?
Yes! You can use both features together:
- Product Availability controls which fulfillment methods are available and when they are available
- Product Override overrides preparation times and lead times for specific products
Example: A product tagged "local-delivery-only" uses Product Availability to restrict it to local delivery only, while Product Override sets a 2-day preparation time for that same product.
Updated on: 10/18/2025
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