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Your Home Store

Your home store is your preferred local bookstore for purchases and pickup. Setting a home store unlocks features and helps support independent bookstores.

What is a Home Store?​

A home store is:

  • A bookstore you designate as your preferred shop
  • Your source for local inventory checks
  • Where your orders are fulfilled (when possible)
  • The store that receives your business

Key Properties:

  • You can only have one home store at a time
  • Can be changed anytime
  • Optional - not required to use BookWish
  • Stored in your user profile

Benefits of Setting a Home Store​

1. Local Inventory Access​

See What's Available:

  • Real-time inventory checks show if books are in stock
  • "Buy at [Store Name]" button for in-stock books
  • Skip waiting - pickup available same day

Stock Alerts:

  • Get notified when out-of-stock books arrive
  • Never miss when that special book becomes available
  • Home store exclusive feature

2. Special Orders​

Access Huge Catalog:

  • Order books not in stock through your home store
  • Store orders from Ingram distribution
  • Usually arrives in 3-5 business days
  • Pick up at store or have shipped

How It Works:

  1. You order through BookWish
  2. Your home store receives order
  3. Store orders from distributor
  4. Store notifies you when ready
  5. You pick up or receive shipment

3. Support Local Business​

Your Orders Help:

  • Your home store receives the sale
  • Supports independent bookstores
  • Keeps local literary communities thriving
  • Vote with your wallet for your community

4. Community Connection​

Build Relationships:

  • Connect with your local bookstore
  • Participate in store events
  • Get personalized recommendations
  • Become part of local book community

Setting Your Home Store​

First Time Setup​

From Settings:

  1. Open Settings (gear icon)
  2. Go to Account tab
  3. Find "Home Store" section
  4. Tap "Choose Home Store"
  5. Search for your preferred store
  6. Select from results
  7. Confirmation: "Home store set to [Store Name]"

From Book Details:

  • Available books show "Choose a home store" prompt
  • Tap to open store search
  • Select store and it's automatically set

The store search overlay lets you find bookstores:

Search Methods:

  • By name - Type store name
  • By location - Search city or area
  • Nearby - Uses your location (if permitted)

Search Features:

  • Real-time search as you type
  • Stores shown with name and location
  • Logo/icon for visual identification
  • Distance shown if using location

Store Display:

  • Store name
  • City and state
  • Store logo (if available)
  • Tap to select

Managing Your Home Store​

View Current Home Store​

In Settings:

  • Account tab
  • "Home Store" section
  • Shows store card with:
    • Store logo
    • Store name
    • City and state
    • Menu for actions

Change Home Store​

To Switch Stores:

  1. Open Settings → Account
  2. Tap menu (ellipsis) on store card
  3. Select "Change Store"
  4. Search for new store
  5. Select new store
  6. Confirmation: "Home store set to [New Store]"

What Happens:

  • Previous home store removed
  • New store becomes your home store
  • Stock alerts transfer to new store
  • Future availability checks use new store
info

Changing your home store affects all future orders but doesn't modify existing orders or stock alerts.

Remove Home Store​

To Remove:

  1. Open Settings → Account
  2. Tap menu (ellipsis) on store card
  3. Select "Remove"
  4. Confirm in dialog
  5. Confirmation: "Home store removed"

Effects of Removing:

  • No local inventory checks
  • Stock alerts unavailable
  • Orders fulfilled by BookWish Direct
  • Can still purchase books
warning

Removing your home store means you'll lose access to:

  • Local inventory visibility
  • Stock alert notifications
  • Special orders through your store
  • Store pickup options

Shopping Without a Home Store​

If you don't set a home store:

What You Can Do:

  • Search and browse books
  • Purchase via BookWish Direct
  • Add books to wishlist
  • Read reviews and Lines
  • Participate in clubs and challenges

What You Can't Do:

  • See local store inventory
  • Set stock alerts
  • Order through a specific store
  • Choose store pickup

Orders are Fulfilled:

  • Via BookWish Direct
  • Shipped from Ingram distribution
  • Delivered to your address
  • No store involvement

See BookWish Direct for details on direct fulfillment.

Home Store Data​

Stored Information:

  • Store ID reference
  • Set date/time
  • Updated when changed

Not Stored:

  • Purchase history (in orders, not home store)
  • Pickup preferences (per-order setting)
  • Store follows (separate feature)

Privacy​

Your Home Store:

  • Private to you
  • Not visible to other users
  • Not shared with stores (except for orders)
  • Can be changed anytime

Stores Can See:

  • Orders you place through them
  • Your contact information (for orders only)
  • Pickup preferences per order

Tips for Choosing a Home Store​

  1. Pick a convenient location - Somewhere you can easily visit
  2. Consider store culture - Choose a store you enjoy supporting
  3. Check their inventory - Active stores update inventory regularly
  4. Visit in person - Build a relationship with the staff
  5. Don't stress it - You can always change your home store

Common Questions​

Q: Can I have multiple home stores? A: No, you can only set one home store at a time. However, you can change it whenever you want.

Q: Does my home store know I set them? A: Not automatically. They only see you as a customer when you place an order through them.

Q: What if my home store closes? A: You'll be notified and can set a new home store. Pending orders will be handled appropriately.

Q: Can I order from stores that aren't my home store? A: Currently, orders go through your home store or BookWish Direct. Direct store selection may be added in the future.

Q: Do I need a home store to use BookWish? A: No, it's completely optional. You can purchase through BookWish Direct without setting a home store.