Setting Different Lead and Lag Times for Delivery and Pick-up Rentals

With BookThatApp, you can set different lead and lag times (buffer days) for each product variant. This can be used to let delivery orders reserve days for drop-off and collection, while pick-up orders may not need to block any extra days on your rental calendar.

🟦 Info

Variant Basis is available for the Product, and Appointment Booking Types.
 

🛠️ Step 1: Add a Delivery or Pick-up Option in Shopify

In your Shopify admin, open your rental product and add a variant option such as Delivery or Pick-up , with values like Delivery and Pick-up. You can include a delivery fee in the Delivery variant’s price. Click Save.

Refer to the guide article here on how to add variants: Creating/Updating Variants in Shopify

⚙️ Step 2: Set Lead & Lag Time Basis to Variant

• In BookThatApp, open the product’s Service Configuration page. 
  
  You will then proceed to the Lead/lag times settings - the default is as seen below:

• Change Lead & Lag Time Basis from Product (the default) to Variant, then select your Delivery or Pick-up option.

⏱️ Step 3: Enter Buffers for Each Variant

• Enter a Lead Time and Lag Time for each variant, then click Save. For example:
  
  
  

📅 How It Works

Two customers book the same tent for March 14–16:

• Delivery: the tent is blocked March 13–17 (one day before for drop-off, one day after for collection).
• Pick-up: the tent is blocked only March 14–16.

Customers see buffer days only as unavailable dates.

🟧 Tip: Let Your Customers Know About Buffer Days

Lead and lag times aren’t shown to customers. To set clear expectations, add a short note to your product description, for example:
 

Delivery orders need 1 day for drop-off before your rental starts and 1 day for collection after it ends. Pick-up orders have no extra days, so more dates may be available.
 

Update the numbers to match the lead and lag times you’ve set for each option.

❓ FAQ

Will this change my existing bookings?
No. Existing bookings keep their original buffers. Product Basis remains the default unless you change it.

Do I need buffers for every variant combination (e.g. Size + Delivery Method)?
No. Buffers are set per delivery method variant and apply to every size.

What if I leave a variant’s buffer blank?
It’s treated as 0 days.

🔗 Related Article

For all scheduling settings, see Service Configuration: Cutoff, Future Days, Lead and Lag Time.