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Book Availability

BookWish checks book availability in real-time to show you where you can purchase books. Understanding how availability works helps you make informed purchasing decisions.

How Availability is Determined​

When you view a book's details, BookWish checks availability from multiple sources.

Availability Check Process​

  1. Uses book identifier - ISBN-13 if available, otherwise book ID
  2. Checks multiple sources - Home store inventory and Ingram catalog
  3. Returns availability data - Structured information about where book can be obtained

The bookAvailabilityProvider performs this async check each time you open book details.

Availability Sources​

Your Home Store​

If you have a home store set:

In Stock:

  • Book is physically available at your chosen bookstore
  • Can be purchased for pickup or shipping
  • Button shows: "Buy at [Store Name]"

Not in Stock:

  • Book not currently in store inventory
  • May still be available as special order
  • Falls back to Ingram availability check
info

Only books in your home store's inventory show as in-stock. Other local stores' inventory is not checked.

Ingram (Distributor)​

Ingram is a major book distributor that supplies bookstores:

Available from Ingram:

  • Book can be ordered through the Ingram distribution network
  • Usually ships within 3-5 business days
  • Enables special orders through your home store
  • Powers BookWish Direct fulfillment

Not Available from Ingram:

  • Book may be out of print
  • May be from a publisher not in Ingram's catalog
  • Special order and direct purchase not available

Availability Scenarios​

Scenario 1: With Home Store + In Stock​

What You See:

  • Button: "Buy at [Store Name]"

What Happens:

  • Book added to cart with store ID
  • Order fulfilled by your home store
  • Choose pickup or shipping at checkout

Scenario 2: With Home Store + Special Order​

What You See:

  • Label: "Available as special order"
  • Button: "Order Through [Store Name]"

What Happens:

  • Book added to cart with store ID
  • Your home store orders from Ingram
  • Store notifies you when it arrives
  • Choose pickup or shipping at checkout

How It Works:

  1. You place order through BookWish
  2. Your home store receives the order
  3. Store orders book from Ingram
  4. Book arrives at store (typically 3-5 business days)
  5. Store contacts you for pickup or arranges shipping
tip

Special orders support your local bookstore while giving you access to a huge catalog. Your store handles the ordering and receives the sale.

Scenario 3: Without Home Store​

What You See:

  • Button: "Order Now"

What Happens:

  • Book ordered through BookWish Direct
  • Fulfilled via Ingram distribution
  • Ships directly to your address
  • No home store involvement

See BookWish Direct for details.

Scenario 4: Unavailable Everywhere​

What You See:

  • Warning card: "Currently unavailable for purchase"
  • Red exclamation icon

Available Options:

  • Add to wishlist (always available)
  • Set stock alert (if home store set)

Why This Happens:

  • Book may be out of print
  • Publisher not in Ingram catalog
  • Temporary supply issues
  • Regional restrictions

Stock Alerts​

Stock alerts notify you when an unavailable book becomes available at your home store.

Setting a Stock Alert​

Requirements:

  • Must have a home store set
  • Book must be unavailable at home store

How to Subscribe:

  1. Open book details for unavailable book
  2. Tap "Notify when available" button
  3. Confirmation: "We'll notify you when this book is available"

Visual Indicator:

  • Button changes to "Alert set"
  • Bell icon changes from outline to filled
  • Teal color indicates active alert

Managing Stock Alerts​

View Your Alerts:

  1. Open Settings
  2. Go to Preferences tab
  3. Scroll to "Stock Alerts" section

Remove an Alert:

  1. Tap "Alert set" on book details, or
  2. Tap bell-slash icon in Settings
  3. Confirm removal in dialog

What's Tracked:

  • Book ID
  • Your user ID
  • Home store ID
  • Alert creation date

Alert Notifications​

When a book becomes available:

  • Push notification sent (if enabled)
  • In-app notification appears
  • Alert automatically removed after notification

Notification Content:

  • Book title
  • Store name
  • Call to action to view/purchase

Limitations​

  • Only home store stock monitored - Not other stores
  • Ingram availability not monitored - Only local inventory
  • One alert per book - Can't set multiple for same book
  • Requires home store - Guest users and users without home stores can't set alerts
note

Stock alerts are a Premium feature in some tiers. Check your subscription level if the feature is unavailable.

Availability Data Structure​

The availability check returns:

{
  homeStore: {
    available: boolean,
    store: {
      id: string,
      name: string,
      // other store fields
    }
  } | null,
  direct: {
    available: boolean
  }
}

homeStore - null if no home store set, otherwise includes availability and store info direct - Ingram/BookWish Direct availability

Performance​

  • Async loading - Availability checked while overlay loads
  • Loading state - Spinner shown during check
  • Error handling - Falls back to wishlist-only if check fails
  • Cached - Results may be cached briefly for performance

Tips​

  1. Set a home store - Get access to local inventory and special orders
  2. Use stock alerts - Never miss when a book becomes available
  3. Add to wishlist - Track unavailable books you want
  4. Check back later - Availability changes as inventory updates
  5. Special orders are fast - Usually arrive within a week