A backorder is a product that’s temporarily out of stock but still available for purchase, with the promise that it will ship once new inventory arrives. Unlike an item marked “out of stock,” which you can’t buy at all, a backordered item lets you place your order now and receive it later. You’re essentially reserving your spot in line.
How a Backorder Works
When a retailer lists an item as backordered, they’ve run out of their current supply but expect more from their supplier or manufacturer. You can still add the item to your cart, complete checkout, and lock in the price. The retailer then fulfills your order once their new shipment comes in.
From your perspective, buying a backordered item feels a lot like a normal purchase with one key difference: you’ll wait longer than usual to receive it. Most retailers will give you an estimated shipping date at checkout or in your order confirmation so you know roughly when to expect delivery.
This is different from a preorder, where a product hasn’t been released yet. With a backorder, the item already exists and has been sold before. The retailer is simply waiting for their next batch.
When You’ll Actually Get Charged
Charging practices vary by retailer. Some charge your card immediately when you place the order, while others wait until the item ships. It is not illegal for a merchant to charge you before an item ships, but many credit card issuers have their own policies discouraging that practice. If you believe a seller charged your account too early, you can report it to your credit card company.
Regardless of when you’re charged, you’re entitled to a full refund if the order is never fulfilled. If you paid by credit card, the merchant must credit your account within one billing cycle of a cancellation.
How Long Backorders Take
There’s no single answer. A backorder could resolve in a few days or stretch into weeks or months, depending on where the shortage sits in the supply chain. If the retailer just needs a routine restock from a nearby warehouse, you might wait a week or two. If the manufacturer itself is behind on production, the delay can be significantly longer.
Several factors affect the timeline:
- Source of the shortage. A delay at the manufacturer level takes longer to resolve than a delay at a regional distributor.
- Length of the supply chain. Products that pass through multiple intermediaries before reaching the retailer face more potential bottlenecks.
- Demand for the item. High demand can amplify delays at every checkpoint in the supply chain, as suppliers, distributors, and manufacturers all scramble to produce and ship enough units.
If the retailer provides an estimated date, treat it as a rough guide rather than a guarantee. Supply chain disruptions, customs delays, and raw material shortages can all push that date back.
Your Rights When an Order Is Delayed
Federal rules protect you when a backordered item takes longer than expected. Under the FTC’s Mail, Internet, or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule, a retailer must ship your order within the timeframe they promised, or within 30 days if no specific timeline was given. If they can’t meet that window, they’re required to notify you and give you a choice: accept a new shipping date or cancel for a full refund.
That notification must include a revised shipment date (or a statement that no date is available), a clear explanation that you can cancel and get your money back, and a free way to communicate your decision, such as a toll-free number or website link. If the revised date is more than 30 days out and you don’t respond, the retailer must automatically cancel your order and issue a refund.
You can cancel a backordered item at any point before it ships and receive a full refund. You never lose the right to back out just because you initially agreed to wait.
Backorder vs. Out of Stock
These two terms look similar but mean very different things for you as a shopper. A backordered item is one you can still buy today, with the understanding that delivery will be delayed. An out-of-stock item is completely unavailable. You can’t purchase it, add it to your cart, or get a delivery estimate.
The practical difference comes down to certainty. A backorder signals that new inventory is on the way and the retailer is confident enough to keep taking orders. Out of stock signals uncertainty, with no confirmed restocking plan. Some retailers will let you sign up for an email alert when an out-of-stock item returns, but there’s no commitment that it will.
If you really want a specific product and see it listed as backordered, placing the order secures your spot. You can always cancel later if you find it somewhere else or decide the wait isn’t worth it.