Quantity limits on purchases in a Shopify store are an important part of inventory management and fair selling. In particular, setting appropriate quantity limits is essential for countering resale abuse and making sure a popular product's last unit doesn't get missed by the customer who actually wants it.
This article introduces setup steps you can put into practice easily using the order limits app "RuffRuff Order Limits". We explain each step in a way that's easy to follow even for beginners, providing essential information for anyone running a boutique or e-commerce site.
What Are Quantity Limits?
A quantity limit is a mechanism that restricts how many units of a product or service can be purchased in a single order or under specific conditions. This kind of restriction is used to maintain fairness among buyers and make inventory management more efficient. It also helps prevent unauthorized reselling and can support sales promotions under specific conditions.
Recommended Shopify App for Quantity Limits
RuffRuff Order Limits is a powerful Shopify app that lets you easily set purchase limits based on product quantity, price, and customer tags. With a single app, you can implement quantity limits, price limits, weight limits, bundle limits, customer limits, payment limits, delivery limits, and access limits.
Using the app, you can implement quantity limits under all kinds of conditions, including the following:
- A specific product can only be purchased up to a maximum of 1 unit
- A total of up to 3 units can be purchased from within a specific collection
- Store-wide, a total of 5 units or more must be purchased
- Variations of the same product can be purchased up to a combined total of 5 units
- A specific product can be purchased only in multiples of 3
and more
How to Implement Quantity Limits with RuffRuff Order Limits
This section introduces the steps from installing the app through to implementing a quantity limit of "up to 1 unit per order".
The page below is a demo product with the same settings as this section. Please use it as a reference.
Step 1. Install the App
(1) Install RuffRuff Order Limits, introduced above, from the Shopify App Store.
You can find "RuffRuff Order Limits" by searching "ruffruff" in the Shopify App Store. Once you're on the RuffRuff Order Limits app page, click "Install".
Step 2. Subscribe to the Light Plan
Using the app may require a subscription to the Light plan.
(1) Select "Pricing plans" in the app
(2) Click "Change plan" for the plan you want to subscribe to
(3) Review the plan details and click "Approve"
Step 3. Enable the Embedded App
Once you've upgraded to the Light plan, enable the embedded app in your Shopify theme. This allows control of the quantity picker and display of product messages.
(1) In the Shopify admin, go to "Online Store"
(2) Select "Themes" and click "Customize"
(3) Select "Embedded apps" on the left side of the screen
(4) Enable the embedded app named "RuffRuff Order Limits"
(5) Click "Save"
Step 4. Create a Quantity Rule
Once you've enabled the embedded app, set up a quantity rule. A quantity rule defines "which products you want to apply what quantity limit to".
(1) Select "Quantity rules" in the app
(2) Click "Create rule"
(3) Enter any name you like in "Title"
(4) Enter 1 as the maximum quantity in the limit details
(5) In eligible items, select the products (or collection) you want to apply the quantity limit to
(6) Add any text you like to the product message or alert message
(7) Click "Save"
Step 5. Check That the Quantity Limit Is Working
Visit the product configured in the quantity rule from Step 4 and check that the quantity limit is functioning.
Access the Target Product
Visit the product and check that the product message set in the quantity rule is displayed.
Try Adding 2 or More of the Target Product to the Cart
Since we've set a quantity limit so that only 1 unit can be purchased, try adding 2 or more to the cart and check whether the alert message is displayed.
How to Set Up Various Quantity Limits with RuffRuff Order Limits
The previous section covered a quantity rule set to "up to 1 unit per order". Here we introduce several other quantity limit configurations (mainly different quantity rule settings).
Quantity Limit Requiring a Minimum Purchase of 3 or More
To set this up, enter 3 as the minimum quantity in the limit details of the quantity rule.
The page below is a demo product where a quantity limit requiring a minimum purchase of 3 or more has actually been implemented. Please use it as a reference.
Quantity Limit Allowing Purchases Only Between 2 and 5 Units
To set this up, enter 2 as the minimum quantity and 5 as the maximum quantity in the limit details of the quantity rule.
The page below is a demo product where a quantity limit allowing purchases only between 2 and 5 units has actually been implemented. Please use it as a reference.
Quantity Limit Allowing Purchases Only in Multiples of 3
To set this up, check "Set increment" in the limit details of the quantity rule, and enter 3 in the input field below it.
The page below is a demo product where a quantity limit allowing purchases only in multiples of 3 has actually been implemented. Please use it as a reference.
Quantity Limit of Up to 5 Units Across the Entire Product
For example, if apparel product A has color variations black, white, and blue, this method limits the combined total of black, white, and blue to a maximum of 5 units.
To set this up, enter 1 as the minimum quantity and 5 as the maximum quantity in the limit details of the quantity rule, then select "Product" for applicability.
The page below is a demo product where a quantity limit of up to 5 units across the entire product has actually been implemented. Please use it as a reference.
Quantity Limit of Up to 5 Units Total for Products in the Same Collection
To set this up, configure the quantity rule as follows:
- Enter 1 as the minimum quantity
- Enter 5 as the maximum quantity
- Select "Cart" for applicability
- Set the collection you want to apply the quantity limit to in eligible items
The page below is a demo product where a quantity limit of up to 5 units total for products in the same collection has actually been implemented. Please use it as a reference.
What to Do If Quantity Limits Aren't Working
1. You Haven't Upgraded to a Paid Plan
Using the app requires a subscription to the Light plan.
Even on a development store, you need to upgrade to the Light plan.
2. You're Checking the Product in "Preview Mode" or the "Theme Editor"
A product preview only reflects the state at the moment you clicked the preview button. For example, if you change a setting in the app after clicking the preview button and then refresh the browser, that change will not appear on the preview page. In this case, either reopen the preview page or check on your live store.
3. The Embedded App Isn't Enabled
In this case, access the theme editor for your Shopify theme, enable the embedded app, and check again.
4. The Rule Isn't Enabled
In this case, check the status of the relevant rule on the rules screen. If the status is "Disabled", change it to "Enabled" and check again.
5. The Collection Linked to the Rule Isn't Published
If you want to apply a quantity limit to products under a collection, the collection itself must be published.
Publish the relevant collection and check again.
6. Caching Is Delaying the Update
Shopify's own caching feature can sometimes delay how quickly changes take effect. In this case, wait a while and check again.
Comparing Japanese Shopify Apps That Offer Quantity Limits
1. Comparing Pricing Plans of Quantity Limit Apps
When choosing a Shopify quantity limit app, the usage fee is an important factor. This section compares the pricing structures of these apps.
Types of Pricing Models
Japanese quantity limit apps generally use one of the following two pricing models:
- Monthly subscription model: A fixed fee is charged every month.
- Usage-based model: In addition to a monthly fee, additional costs are charged based on usage.
Options If You Want to Keep Costs Down
Apps that are relatively inexpensive to use include "RuffRuff Selling Period" and "Simple Purchase Limits". Choose the plan that best fits your business size and the features you need.
| App Name | RuffRuff Order Limits | RuffRuff Pre-orders | Simple Purchase Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | $9 | ・$9 + 3% pre-order fee ・$52 + 1% pre-order fee ・$199 + no pre-order fee |
$6.99 |
2. Comparing How Quantity Limit Apps Are Set Up
Ease of setup is also an important factor in choosing an app. This section compares the setup methods.
Easy Setup with No Coding Required
All of the Japanese quantity limit apps introduced in this article can be set up without any coding. Even beginners can configure them intuitively, so you can get started without hassle.
Overview of the Setup Steps
For example, with "RuffRuff Order Limits", you can get started simply by installing the app from the Shopify App Store, selecting a plan, and enabling the embedded app in your Shopify theme.
| App Name | RuffRuff Order Limits | RuffRuff Pre-orders | Simple Purchase Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setup method | Embedded app | Embedded app | In-app settings only |
| Coding | Not required | Not required | Not required |
3. Comparing the Configurable Quantity Limit Conditions
When choosing a quantity limit app, the flexibility of the conditions you can configure also matters. This section compares the conditions each app supports.
Minimum and Maximum Quantity Settings
"RuffRuff Order Limits" and "Simple Purchase Limits" let you set both a minimum quantity (e.g., sell from 3 units) and a maximum quantity (e.g., sell up to 5 units). "RuffRuff Pre-orders", on the other hand, only supports setting a maximum quantity.
Increment Setting
"RuffRuff Order Limits" also lets you set an increment (e.g., sell in units of 2), a distinctive feature not found in the other apps.
Applicability
It's also important to understand whether the quantity limit you want to implement should apply at the variant level, the product level, or the cart level, and to know what each app can support.
For example, applicability works as follows: suppose apparel product A has size variants S and M, and apparel product B has size variants L and LL, and you apply a maximum quantity limit of 5 to each product.
At the Variant level, product A's S and product A's M are each limited to a maximum of 5 units, and product B's L and product B's LL are each limited to a maximum of 5 units.
At the Product level, the combined total of product A's S and M is limited to a maximum of 5 units, and the combined total of product B's L and LL is limited to a maximum of 5 units.
At the Cart level, the combined total of product A's S and M and product B's L and LL is limited to a maximum of 5 units.
| App Name | RuffRuff Order Limits | RuffRuff Pre-orders | Simple Purchase Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum quantity setting | ◯ | ☓ | ◯ |
| Maximum quantity setting | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ |
| Increment (e.g., in units of 2 or 5) | ◯ | ☓ | ☓ |
| Applicability - Variant level | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ |
| Applicability - Product level | ◯ | ☓ | ☓ |
| Applicability - Cart level | ◯ | ☓ | ☓ |
4. Support for Essential Features
When choosing a quantity limit app, it's important to check whether it supports the following essential features.
Cart and Checkout Validation API Support
Apps that don't support this API may allow unintended orders to go through. "RuffRuff Order Limits" was the first Japanese app to adopt this API, providing robust enforcement of limits.
Variant-Level Limit Settings
It also matters whether you can set different limits for each size or color (e.g., applying a limit to size S but not to M or L).
Displaying the Limit on the Product Page
Also check whether the app can clearly show customers the limit on the product page. "RuffRuff Order Limits" can display the limit using its product message feature.
| App Name | RuffRuff Order Limits | RuffRuff Pre-orders | Simple Purchase Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cart and Checkout Validation API support | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ |
| Variant-level settings | ◯ | ◯ | ☓ |
| Bulk application to products | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ |
| Quantity picker control | ◯ | ☓ | ☓ |
| Product message setting | ◯ | ◯ | ☓ |
| Alert message setting | ◯ | ◯ | ☓ |
| Translation | ◯ | ◯ | ☓ |
5. Additional Features Beyond Quantity Limits
Some apps provide useful features beyond quantity limits.
With "RuffRuff Order Limits", in addition to quantity limits, you can also set up the following limits:
- Price limits
- Weight limits
- Bundle limits
- Customer limits
- Payment limits
- Delivery limits
- Access limits (view restrictions)
| App Name | RuffRuff Order Limits | RuffRuff Pre-orders | Simple Purchase Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bundle limits | ◯ | ◯ | ☓ |
| Price limits | ◯ | ☓ | ☓ |
| Weight limits | ◯ | ☓ | ☓ |
| Payment limits | ◯ | ☓ | ☓ |
| Delivery limits | ◯ | ☓ | ☓ |
| Customer limits | ◯ | ◯ | ☓ |
| Restriction by account status | ◯ | ◯ | ☓ |
| Restriction by customer tag | ◯ | ◯ | ☓ |
| Restriction by customer metafield | ◯ | ☓ | ☓ |
| Access limits (view restrictions) | ◯ | ☓ | ☓ |
| Time-period limits | ☓ | ◯ | ☓ |
6. Customizing Design and Messages
Some apps let you customize the messages and design shown on the product page. For example, check whether you can flexibly adjust the display position and design.
| App Name | RuffRuff Order Limits | RuffRuff Pre-orders | Simple Purchase Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product message customization | ◯ | ◯ | ☓ |
| Alert message customization | ◯ | ◯ | ☓ |
| Product message display position | ◯ | ☓ | ☓ |
| Alert message display method | ◯ | ☓ | ☓ |
| Design customization | ◯ | ◯ | ☓ |
| Translation feature | ◯ | ◯ | ☓ |
7. Comparing the Sales Methods Each App Supports
Finally, let's compare the sales methods each of these quantity-limit-capable apps can support. RuffRuff Pre-orders, in particular, supports a wide range of sales methods beyond quantity-limited sales, including limited-time sales and member-only sales.
| App Name | RuffRuff Order Limits | RuffRuff Pre-orders | Simple Purchase Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limit of 1 item per order | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ |
| Limit of 1 item per customer (one per person) | ◯ | ◯ | ☓ |
| Pre-order sales | ☓ | ◯ | ☓ |
| Member-only sales | ◯ | ◯ | ☓ |
| Member-only sale/discount events | ☓ | ◯ | ☓ |
| VIP-member-only sales | ◯ | ◯ | ☓ |
| VIP-member-only sale/discount events | ☓ | ◯ | ☓ |
| Pay-later sales | ☓ | ◯ | ☓ |
| Discounted sales | ☓ | ◯ | ☓ |
| Block purchases from blacklisted members | ◯ | ◯ | ☓ |
In Conclusion
By using "RuffRuff Order Limits", you can flexibly limit how many units of a product can be purchased, making your shop operations even more efficient. Quantity limits not only maintain fairness among buyers, but also help prevent unauthorized reselling and manage inventory efficiently.
After setting things up, be sure to verify that everything works as intended, and aim to provide a comfortable purchasing experience for your customers. This will improve customer satisfaction and help you gain repeat customers.
