So what’s the difference in all of these terms? And more importantly, when do I get my puppet?
In-Stock
If an item is readily available, it is considered “In Stock.” These items will be shipped promptly, typically by the next business day.
Out of Stock
If an item is not available and won’t be for some time, we will mark it as “Out of Stock.” This may happen for a variety of reasons. There may be a particular material or product we do not have and cannot acquire in a timely manner. Or it may be that we are revising how a puppet is constructed (physically or materially), and we need some time to work on it before making it available. It doesn’t mean that the design has been retired or discontinued, but there’s just an undetermined delay before we can construct this style of puppet again. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to order one if you see this message. Sorry!
Available on Backorder
While we may offer a combination of features on a particular puppet, we may not have physically constructed one like that and have it ready to ship to you. That doesn’t mean we can’t make one, but it does mean it’s going to take a little longer than normal. This is where the term “Backordered” comes into play. You will see a message on the site stating that the item is “Available on backorder, so expect a delay.” This means you can go ahead and order the puppet and pay for it, and we will begin making it with the combination of features you requested, all with the understanding that it will probably take an extra 1-2 weeks before we can ship it.