📋 Advanced settings: Anchor day, Cutoff window & first delivery

Advanced settings control when subscription deliveries actually go out. Use them to balance customer expectations with your fulfillment capacity.

There are three key controls:

• Recurring day: the calendar day you want recurring deliveries to line up on (e.g., the 15th of each month).
• Cutoff window: how many days before the anchor you consider “too close” to prepare and ship for the next anchor.
• First delivery: whether the initial delivery happens On checkout (immediately) or On anchor (on the anchor day).

The 3 periods (how we decide delivery dates)

We calculate a cutoff boundary:

X = Anchor day − Cutoff window.

This divides time into three periods relative to the anchor:

• Period 1: Before X (well before the anchor)

There’s plenty of lead time.

• Period 2: Between X and Anchor (within the cutoff window)

It’s too close to the anchor to prepare a new order.

• Period 3: After Anchor (past the anchor day)

The anchor for the current cycle has passed.

💡 Note: Which period an order falls into determines whether the first delivery happens immediately or is scheduled on an anchor day - and whether it might be bumped to the following anchor to avoid deliveries that are too close together.

Rules: What happens in each period

Let's say your Recurring Day is 15th of each month, the cutoff window is 5 days, and this month is January. Then an order can fall into 3 periods depending on your First delivery setting:

1. If First delivery = On checkout (default immediate delivery)

• Period 1 (≤ X): First delivery is on checkout (order date). Subsequent deliveries follow the anchor-based schedule.
• Period 2 (between X and Anchor): The order is too close to the upcoming anchor, so the system skips immediate fulfillment and schedules the first delivery on the upcoming anchor day. This prevents two deliveries that are uncomfortably close.
• Period 3 (> Anchor): First delivery occurs on checkout (order date), then recurring deliveries follow the next anchor(s).

2. If First delivery = On anchor (always anchor-based)

• Period 1 (≤ X): First delivery is scheduled for the upcoming anchor day (there’s enough lead time).
• Period 2 (between X and Anchor): It’s too tight for the upcoming anchor, so the system jumps to the subsequent anchor (the next cycle) to give you enough preparation time.
• Period 3 (> Anchor): First delivery happens on the next anchor (the upcoming cycle).

Example

Settings:

• Anchor day = 15th of each month
• Cutoff window = 5 days → so X = 10th of the month

Scenarios:

1. Order on Jan 8 (D < X):

• On checkout: 1st delivery on Jan 10 (immediate), next on 15th Feb (depending on frequency).
• On anchor: 1st delivery on 15th Jan, next on 15th Feb.

2. Order on Jan 12 (within cutoff window: 11–15):

• On checkout: first delivery is skipped and scheduled on 15th Jan.
• On anchor: too tight → first delivery pushed to 15th Feb (subsequent anchor).

3. Order on Jan 20 (after anchor):

• On checkout: immediate first delivery on Jan 20; next on the next anchor.
• On anchor: first delivery scheduled on the next anchor (e.g., 15th Feb).

(These examples assume a monthly anchor schedule; the same logic applies for weekly/quarterly anchors.)

Other advanced options explained

• Recurring Day: choose whether renewals always fall on the same day as the initial order or on the anchor day. Use “same day as initial order” for consistent customer experience or “anchor day” for predictable batch shipping.
• Expiration Policy: Define the minimum number of billing cycles a customer must complete before they can cancel.
• Automatic Expiration: Choose after how many billing cycles the subscription will automatically end.
• Cutoff window: set this to your packing + processing lead time (e.g., 3–7 days) so you have time to pick, pack and ship.

Quick setup checklist & tips

• Choose an anchor that fits your fulfillment rhythm (e.g., 1st, 15th).
• Set cutoff to match warehouse lead time + shipping buffer (3–7 days is common).
• Pick First delivery = On checkout if you want immediate gratification; choose On anchor if you prefer consistent anchor-based shipments.
• Preview the plan and test a few dates to ensure the behavior matches your expectations.
• Use expiration for limited-run boxes or seasonal offerings.

FAQ: common questions

Q: What if the anchor day doesn’t exist in a month (e.g., 31st)?

A: The system will schedule to the nearest valid day (usually the last day of the month). Check previews when you pick end-of-month anchors.

Q: How should I pick the cutoff window?

A: Set it to your total lead time (pick-and-pack + carrier pickup + quality checks). Too small → rushed deliveries; too large → many subscriptions get deferred to anchors.

Q: Can I test this before going live?

A: Yes - create a test plan, place test orders on different dates, and use the Preview to confirm the first and next delivery dates.

Updated on: 24/09/2025