Key insights
- Fulfillment performance directly shapes your Faire ranking: Faire tracks on-time shipping, cancellation rates, accurate tracking, and damage rates, and brands that score well on these metrics show up more often in retailer searches and earn more reorders
- Your lead time is a promise, not an estimate: Retailers plan their inventory around the lead time you display, so setting a number you can consistently hit, especially during busy seasons, protects the trust that drives repeat business
- Every cancellation chips away at your standing: While cancellations are sometimes unavoidable, frequent ones lower your marketplace ranking, making it harder to attract new retailers and grow your presence on the platform
- Packaging is part of the brand experience: Arriving in great condition is the baseline, but including a packing slip with your brand details and considering sustainable materials turns a box into a deliberate first impression with a new retail partner
- You can edit an order before fulfillment, not after: If inventory changes or shipping costs shift, making updates before you fulfill keeps the retailer informed and avoids the messier process of contacting support after the fact
When a retailer places an order, they're counting on you to deliver the right products, on time and in great condition. Timely and accurate order fulfillment is a key part of the brand-retailer relationship, and one of the biggest factors in your success on Faire. In this article, we'll walk you through best practices for fulfilling your orders on the platform.
You can also visit our Help Center for more detailed instructions on how to fulfill your orders.
In this article, you'll find information on:
How to fulfill an order
When a retailer places an order with your brand, you'll get an email notification and a new order will appear on your Orders page in your brand portal. From there, you can accept the order and start preparing it for shipment.
To fulfill an order:
Go to your Orders page and click on the "New Orders" tab.
Click "Accept" to accept the order. This will move the order to your "In Progress" tab.
When you're ready to ship the order, go to your "In Progress" tab and click "Fulfill."
Enter the shipping information, including tracking number, shipping carrier, and shipping cost. If you're using Ship with Faire, you can print your shipping label directly from your portal. If you're shipping on your own, you'll be reimbursed for the shipping cost in your order payout.
Review the order details and click "Fulfill Order."
Fulfilling an order
Once you've fulfilled the order, we'll notify the retailer and provide them with the tracking information. The order will then move to the "Fulfilled" tab on your Orders page.
For more detailed instructions, visit our Help Center article on how to fulfill your orders.
Editing an order
If you need to make changes to an order, for example, if an item is out of stock or you need to adjust the shipping cost, you can do so before you fulfill the order.
To edit an order:
- Go to the order details page and click "Edit Order."
- Make your desired changes. You can add or remove products, update quantities, and edit the shipping cost.
- Click "Save."
We'll automatically notify the retailer of any changes you make, which is an important part of keeping your retailers happy and informed. Please note that you can't edit an order after it has been fulfilled. If you need to make changes after fulfilling an order, please contact our support team for assistance.
Setting your lead time
Your lead time is the number of days it takes you to prepare an order for shipment. This is displayed on your shop page and on each of your product pages to give retailers an idea of when they can expect to receive their order.
It's important to set a realistic lead time that you can consistently meet, especially during busy periods when reliable shipping matters most. If you need to, you can adjust your lead time in your Shop Settings.
To learn more about setting your lead time, visit our Help Center article on how to set your lead time.
Shipping
You have two options for shipping your orders on Faire: Ship with Faire or Ship on Your Own.
Ship with Faire
Ship with Faire lets you purchase and print shipping labels directly from your brand portal. We've negotiated competitive rates with major carriers, and the cost of the label is automatically deducted from your order payout.
Ship on Your Own
If you prefer to use your own shipping carrier, you can choose to Ship on Your Own. This option can be helpful for managing your process during potential shipping disruptions. With this option, you'll be responsible for purchasing your own shipping labels and entering the tracking information into your brand portal. We'll reimburse you for the shipping cost in your order payout.
To learn more about your shipping options, visit our Help Center article on shipping your orders.
Packaging your order
When packaging your orders, it's important to ensure that your products are well-protected and will arrive to your retailer in perfect condition. We recommend using sturdy boxes and plenty of packing material to prevent damage during transit. This is also an opportunity to consider sustainable packaging that aligns with your brand values.
You're also required to include a packing slip with each order. This is also a simple, effective touchpoint where you can express gratitude to your customers. You can print a Faire-branded packing slip from your brand portal, or you can use your own. The packing slip should include:
- Your brand name and contact information
- The retailer's name and shipping address
- The order number
- A list of the items included in the shipment
For more tips on packaging your orders, visit our Help Center article on packaging requirements.
Canceling an order
If you're unable to fulfill an order for any reason, you can cancel it from your brand portal. When you cancel an order, we'll notify the retailer and they won't be charged.
To cancel an order:
Go to the order details page and click "Cancel Order."
Select a reason for the cancellation.
Click "Cancel Order."
While we understand that cancellations are sometimes necessary, we encourage you to avoid them whenever possible. Frequent cancellations can negatively impact your brand's performance on Faire and may result in a lower ranking in our marketplace.
Faire's performance standards
To ensure a positive experience for our retailers, we have a set of performance standards that we expect all of our brands to meet. These standards include:
- Fulfilling orders on time: You should ship your orders within your stated lead time
- Minimizing cancellations: You should avoid canceling orders whenever possible
- Providing accurate tracking information: You should enter a valid tracking number for every shipment
- Maintaining a low damage rate: You should package your products carefully to prevent damage during transit
Brands that consistently meet our performance standards are more likely to be successful on Faire, as excellent fulfillment and service can help drive reorders.
Frequently asked questions
What does order fulfillment mean?
Order fulfillment is the full process of receiving, preparing, and delivering an order to a buyer. It covers everything from the moment a retailer places an order to the point where the product arrives at their door, including picking, packing, shipping, and handling any returns.
What does it mean to fulfill an order?
To fulfill an order means completing every step needed to get it delivered: pulling the right items from your inventory, packing them securely, generating a shipping label, handing the package to a carrier, and providing tracking information. On Faire, an order moves to the "Fulfilled" tab once you've entered the shipping details and confirmed fulfillment in your brand portal.
How does my fulfillment performance affect my visibility on Faire?
Faire tracks metrics like on-time shipping, cancellation rates, accurate tracking, and damage rates. Brands that consistently meet these performance standards are more likely to appear in retailer searches, receive reorders, and get reviews from customers. These strong fulfillment habits directly support your growth on the platform.
