Alibaba Auto-Place Not Working: Orders Aren't Automatically Placed

Common reasons DSers won't Auto place orders to Alibaba

Note

If your orders are stuck in "Awaiting Order" instead of being placed automatically to Alibaba, it's usually due to one of three common setup gaps. This article walks you through each one so you can get your orders flowing again.

Why isn't Auto-Place working?

When Auto-Place fails, it's almost always because DSers can't complete the order due to missing or conflicting information.

Here are the three most common reasons—and how to fix each one.

1. Incomplete Product Mapping

DSers doesn't know which Alibaba supplier product matches your store product.

Mapping connects each store variant (size, color, option) to the exact supplier variant on Alibaba. Without this, DSers can't add the item to the supplier's cart when placing the order automatically.

How to spot it: Orders appear in the "Unmapped" tab within your Open Orders section.

How to fix it:

For new products (before orders come in):

1. Go to My Products and select the product.
2. For every store variant, select the corresponding Alibaba supplier variant.
3. Save your mapping.

For existing orders (already stuck):

1. Click the mapping icon for the unmapped line item
2. Select the correct Alibaba supplier and variant.
3. Choose a shipping method and save.

Tip:  The ordered line item will be highlighted with a "black box".

2. Supplier Unavailable or Doesn't Ship to Your Address

The mapped Alibaba supplier is out of stock, has removed the listing, or doesn't ship to your customer's address.

How to spot it: You see an out-of-stock error when trying to place the order, or the order stays stuck in "Awaiting Order" without a shipping list.

How to fix it:

1. Search for another Alibaba supplier offering the same product.
2. Copy and paste the supplier link to DSers mapping-favorite suppliers page
3. Select the correct variant for the product mapping and save.

3. Shipping Method Not Selected Automatically

How to spot it: You see the error: "There is no shipping method applied to this order, please select manually."

How to fix it:

Manually select a shipping method for the stuck order

1. Find the order under awaiting order tab
2. From the shipping method dropdown, select a shipping option offered by the supplier.
3. Save and proceed to place the order.

Tip:  To avoid this for future orders, go to Settings > Shipping Settings > Shipping and select a supported shipping method as your default in the Basic Shipping Method section.

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