Why alerts fired after a plan downgrade

Use this guide if you downgraded your STOQ plan and back in stock alerts went out that didn’t make sense, for example to customers in a market where the product is still sold out. By the end, you’ll know why it happened and how to stop it happening again.

Why it happens

Market-based and location-based stock checking are paid features. With them on, STOQ looks only at the locations that serve each customer’s market, so a product can be sold out in Europe and in stock in North America, and only the right customers get alerts.

When you downgrade to a plan without these features, STOQ resets those settings to their defaults:

• Market-based stock checking turns off.
• Location filters are cleared.
• Stock is counted across all locations together.

A product with no stock at your European location but some stock in North America now looks in stock. The next inventory update, even a small change at any location, can send alerts to customers who signed up while it was sold out in their market.

This is expected behavior, not a bug. Alerts also can’t be recalled once they’re sent.

What you can do

1. Option 1: upgrade again and restore market checking

   This is the complete fix if you sell in several markets.

   1. In the STOQ app, click Plans and choose a paid plan that includes market-based alerts.
   2. Click Back in stock alerts → Settings tab → Delivery settings sub-tab.
   3. Set Market setup to Multiple markets and turn on Market-based alerts.
   4. Check the market-to-location mapping. Your earlier mapping may still be saved, but it isn’t turned back on automatically.

   See Filter alerts by location or market.

2. Option 2: stay on your plan

   Alerts keep using stock across all locations combined, and you can’t filter by market or location. To limit surprises:

   1. Review your signups under Back in stock alerts.
   2. Consider turning off alerts for products that are only in stock in some regions. See Turn automatic alerts on or off.
   3. Tell affected customers if they received an alert for a product that isn’t available where they live.

3. Option 3: filter by location (one market, several warehouses)

   If you sell in one market but ship from several locations, location filtering (paid plans) lets you choose which locations count toward a restock. Set Market setup to Single market, turn on Location-based alerts, and select the locations that matter.

Before you downgrade next time

Turn off automatic alerts first, downgrade, then turn them back on once you’ve checked your settings. Go to Back in stock alerts → Settings and use the Send automatic notification toggle. See Cancel or downgrade your STOQ plan.

Troubleshooting

Customers got alerts for products not available in their country

Stock is now counted across all locations. If any location has stock, the alert fires for every signup. Upgrade and restore market-based alerts, or turn off alerts for region-limited products.

Market settings are missing after I upgraded again

Settings reset on downgrade and don’t come back by themselves. Set up Multiple markets and the market-to-location mapping again.

The location filter isn't available

You’re on a plan without it. Location filtering needs a paid plan.

Limitations

• Market-based stock checking is a paid feature, so free and entry plans can’t use it.
• Settings reset on downgrade and aren’t restored on upgrade.
• Alerts follow Shopify inventory updates, which fire for a change at any location.
• You can’t turn market checking back on for alerts alone without upgrading the plan.

FAQ

Why did customers get alerts for products that aren’t available in their country? After a downgrade STOQ checks stock across all locations. If the product has stock anywhere, alerts fire for everyone waiting, whatever their market.

Will my market settings come back if I upgrade again? Your mapping may still be saved, but market checking doesn’t turn on again by itself. Re-enable Multiple markets after upgrading.

Can I send alerts only to customers in certain markets on a free plan? No. Per-market filtering needs a paid plan.

Related guides

Filter alerts by location or marketSet up market-based and location-based alerts.

Cancel or downgrade your STOQ planWhat changes when you move to a lower plan.

Turn automatic alerts on or offPause alerts while you change plans.