Establishing secure connection…Loading editor…Preparing document…

Pre Order Agreement

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

PRE-ORDER AGREEMENT

PARTIES

This Pre-Order Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into by and between:

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Buyer desires to pre-order certain goods described herein and Supplier agrees to manufacture, allocate, and deliver such goods to Buyer under the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement;

WHEREAS, the parties intend to set forth the scope, payment schedule, delivery expectations, and remedies in the event of delay or non-performance.

SCOPE OF ORDER

Supplier shall supply the Product(s) described below in the quantities and at the unit prices stated. The details of the pre-order are:

PAYMENT TERMS

Buyer shall pay Supplier according to the payment schedule set forth below. All payments are non-interest-bearing except as expressly provided for late payments. Buyer is responsible for applicable taxes unless otherwise stated in writing.

DELIVERY AND ACCEPTANCE

Supplier will use commercially reasonable efforts to deliver the Product(s) by the estimated delivery date. Estimated delivery is not a guaranteed delivery date unless expressly stated as such in writing by Supplier.

Acceptance: Buyer shall inspect goods within a commercially reasonable period after delivery. If Buyer provides written notice of rejection specifying non-conformity, Supplier shall have the opportunity to cure. Failure to provide timely rejection shall constitute acceptance.

TERM AND TERMINATION

This Agreement begins on the Start Date and continues until completion of delivery and payment unless earlier terminated in accordance with this section.

Either party may terminate this Agreement for material breach if the breaching party fails to cure within the notice period above. Termination by Buyer for convenience prior to production commencement may subject Buyer to forfeiture of deposit or other reasonable costs incurred by Supplier.

CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY

Buyer may request cancellation of the pre-order. If cancellation occurs after Supplier has commenced production or incurred non-recoverable costs, Supplier may retain amounts equal to actual costs and reasonable damages. Refund timing will be subject to Supplier's customary refund procedures within a commercially reasonable time.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Each party acknowledges that during performance it may receive Confidential Information of the other party. Confidential Information shall mean non-public information disclosed in connection with this Agreement. The receiving party shall not disclose Confidential Information except to employees, agents, or contractors who need to know and who are bound by confidentiality obligations no less restrictive than herein. Confidentiality obligations shall survive termination for a period of three (3) years, except for trade secrets, which shall be protected for as long as they remain trade secrets.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

Except for liability arising from willful misconduct or gross negligence, and except for payment obligations, neither party shall be liable for incidental, consequential, special or punitive damages. Supplier's aggregate liability for direct damages arising from this Agreement shall not exceed the total amount paid by Buyer under this Agreement.

GOVERNING LAW; DISPUTE RESOLUTION

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of , without regard to its conflicts of law rules. Parties agree to attempt good faith negotiation to resolve disputes; failure of negotiation shall permit either party to seek remedies in a court of competent jurisdiction in that state.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Each party represents that it has authority to enter this Agreement and that performance will comply with applicable laws. Supplier represents that the Product(s) will conform to the specifications set forth in the Scope of Order at the time of delivery.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement, including all exhibits and written purchase terms expressly incorporated herein, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter and supersedes all prior negotiations and understandings. No modification is binding unless in a written instrument signed by authorized representatives of both parties.

MISCELLANEOUS

If any provision is held unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force. Neither party may assign this Agreement without the other party's prior written consent, except to an affiliate or successor in interest in connection with a merger or sale of substantially all assets.

By signing below, the authorized representatives of Buyer and Supplier acknowledge and agree that they have read, understood, and accepted the terms of this Pre-Order Agreement.

Buyer - Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Supplier - Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Enter text✕

What a Pre Order Agreement Is and When It Applies

A Pre Order Agreement is a contract between a buyer and a seller that records a buyer's commitment to purchase goods or services before delivery is available. It typically fixes price, quantity, lead time, payment terms, cancellation rights, and delivery windows. Pre Order Agreements are used for limited-run products, subscription launches, custom manufacturing, and event tickets. They protect both parties by documenting expectations, deposit requirements, and remedies for delays or nonperformance while allowing sellers to plan production and buyers to secure allocation.

Why a Pre Order Agreement Matters for Risk and Planning

A clear Pre Order Agreement reduces commercial uncertainty by allocating risk, specifying payment and delivery terms, and defining remedies for delay or breach. When executed electronically and with proper consent, these agreements are enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and most state UETA statutes, provided the parties demonstrate intent, consent, attribution, and record retention.

Why a Pre Order Agreement Matters for Risk and Planning

Typical parties and organizational users

Pre Order Agreements are used by sellers, buyers, procurement teams, and legal or operations staff who manage inventory commitments or bespoke production.

  • Manufacturers and suppliers who accept deposits for made-to-order goods and schedule production runs.
  • Retailers and e‑commerce teams that offer limited releases and need buyer commitments.
  • Event promoters and ticketing teams that secure attendance-based commitments in advance.

These stakeholders rely on the agreement to lock pricing, allocate inventory, protect cash flow, and create predictable fulfillment schedules.

Signatory roles and authority

Buyer Representative

A buyer signatory is an authorized procurement officer, purchasing manager, or named corporate designee who can bind the buyer to payment obligations, cancellation terms, and acceptance criteria. Confirm internal purchase order authority before signing.

Seller Representative

A seller signatory is typically a sales executive, operations manager, or corporate officer authorized to accept orders, set delivery schedules, and agree to remedy or refund terms. Authority should be documented in internal delegation records.

Essential elements to include in a professional Pre Order Agreement

A robust Pre Order Agreement balances clarity and enforceability by combining commercial, logistical, and legal terms so both parties understand obligations and remedies.

Description of Goods

Detailed specifications, SKU numbers, model, color, and any customization options so the seller’s obligations are unambiguous and acceptance criteria are clear.

Price and Payment

Total price, deposit percentage, schedule of payments, accepted payment methods, and whether payments are refundable or applied to future invoices.

Delivery and Lead Times

Estimated production lead time, shipping windows, delivery terms (Incoterms if international), and responsibility for shipping costs and insurance.

Cancellation and Refunds

Conditions for cancellation by either party, timelines for refunds or forfeiture of deposits, and restocking or cancellation fees if applicable.

Warranties and Defects

Any product warranties, inspection rights upon delivery, defect notification period, and remedies such as repair, replacement, or credit.

Governing Law

Choice of governing state law and dispute resolution method; specify state to control interpretation and venue for disputes.

Required data fields for a complete Pre Order Agreement

Buyer Name: Full legal entity name
Seller Name: Full legal entity name
Effective Date: MM/DD/YYYY
Order Details: Quantity and SKU
Payment Terms: Deposit %, due dates
Delivery Address: Street, city, state, ZIP

How to complete and sign a Pre Order Agreement

Follow these steps to prepare, verify, and execute a Pre Order Agreement that will be enforceable and operationally useful.

  • 01
    Draft core terms: List goods, price, deposit, delivery window.
  • 02
    Confirm authority: Verify signatory has purchase or sales authority.
  • 03
    Add signature blocks: Include typed name, title, date, and company.
  • 04
    Execute electronically: Use an eSignature platform and retain the audit trail.

Setting up an online signing and fulfillment workflow

Configure fields, routing, and authentication to match your operational and compliance needs before sending a Pre Order Agreement for signature.

Field Configuration
Signer Order Sequential or parallel routing
Conditional Fields Show fields only when applicable
Authentication Email, SMS code, or KBA
Reminders Auto-remind at set intervals

Digital signing and technical compatibility

Choose a platform that supports the file types, integrations, and authentication you need for secure e-signing.

  • File formats: PDF, DOCX, and HTML
  • Integrations: CRM and ERP connectors
  • Authentication: Email, SMS, or advanced options

Ensure the chosen system preserves an audit trail with timestamps, IP addresses, and signer attribution to meet ESIGN/UETA record retention requirements.

Typical routing and submission path for executed agreements

A reliable routing flow reduces signing delays and ensures documents reach accounting, operations, and legal teams after execution.

  • Upload and place fields: Sender uploads agreement and adds signature, date, and initial fields
  • Add recipients: Enter signer emails and set role/order
  • Signer authentication: Require email link, SMS code, or stronger method
  • Post-sign routing: Auto-send signed copy to stakeholders and archive

Common timing items to include and monitor

Define clear dates so both parties know when payment, production, delivery, and cancellation rights begin and end.

Order Acceptance Deadline:

Date by which seller must accept or reject the pre-order

Deposit Due Date:

Date when buyer must remit initial payment

Estimated Shipping Window:

Start and end dates for expected fulfillment

Cancellation Window:

Last date buyer may cancel with full or partial refund

Final Payment Date:

Date by which remaining balance is due

Key milestones from order to delivery

A sequential milestone view helps operations and buyers track progress and trigger downstream activities.

01

Order Placed

Buyer submits order and deposit; system issues confirmation

02

Order Confirmed

Seller confirms production slot and estimated ship date

03

Production Complete

Goods are manufactured and moved to shipping

04

Delivery Completed

Carrier delivers and buyer inspects for acceptance

Common mistakes that cause disputes or delays

  • Vague product descriptions that omit customization details, leading to disagreements about delivered items and acceptance.
  • Missing or unclear payment schedules and refund policies that produce collections disputes when delivery is delayed.
  • Failing to confirm signatory authority or corporate sign-off, causing internal rejection or repudiation of the agreement.
  • Neglecting to set delivery windows and inspection procedures, which delays acceptance and warranty entitlement determinations.

Typical contractual and operational risks

Deposit Forfeiture: Buyer may lose deposit
Liquidated Damages: Seller may owe delay damages
Supply Shortage: Fulfillment can be reduced
Tax Withholding: Incorrect reporting risks fines
Breach of Contract: Liability and attorney fees
Data Exposure: Improper storage risks compliance

Sample eSignature vendor comparison for executing Pre Order Agreements

Comparison of common vendor pricing and core features useful for signing and managing Pre Order Agreements; signNow is listed first per platform convention.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial Yes, 7-day trial No No Yes, limited Yes, limited
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Practical tips to reduce disputes and speed fulfillment

Apply these practices when drafting, processing, and storing Pre Order Agreements to minimize errors and operational friction.

Be explicit about specifications
Avoid generic product descriptions. Attach technical drawings or an exhibit listing SKUs and customization options so acceptance and inspection are objective and disputes are minimized.
Define payment flows clearly
Specify deposit amounts, billing milestones, and consequences of nonpayment including collection costs, late fees, or forfeiture so accounting can act promptly.
Use version control and templates
Maintain a single master template and log all revisions. Timestamped signed records and an audit trail prevent confusion over which terms applied to a given order.
Preserve the audit trail
Ensure the eSignature solution captures timestamps, signer identity, IP addresses, and a certificate of completion to support enforceability under ESIGN/UETA.

How organizations streamlined pre-order workflows with digital signing

Real-world examples show how digital signatures and clear templates reduce delays and improve customer experience without extra in-person steps.

Optica Ventures — COO

Some teams replace paper pre-orders with online forms to cut turnaround time.

  • The interface is simple and easy-to-use for our team; more importantly, it is just as easy for our customers.
  • That ease of use helped the company accelerate order confirmations and reduce customer follow-up while maintaining a clear audit trail for each commitment.

Martin Properties — Founder

Small businesses often need a compliant way to collect deposits at scale.

  • I can process and execute all of these documents online with 100% compliance and built-in security.
  • Moving to online agreements allowed the business to accept deposits remotely, track funding, and reconcile orders without paper files or manual filing.

Frequently asked questions about using and enforcing Pre Order Agreements

Answers to common questions about signatures, notarization, cancellation, and recordkeeping for Pre Order Agreements.


Need help? Contact support

be ready to get more
Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users