# Missing Product Linking

## Challenge

Despite having 0 inventory in both HotWax Commerce and the Shopify store, the pre-order option is unavailable for a product. The root cause is the absence of proper linking between the product in HotWax Commerce and the Shopify store.

## Description

HotWax Commerce encounters difficulties in showcasing products for pre-orders on the Shopify store when there is no linkage between the products in HotWax Commerce and the corresponding Shopify store. This issue commonly arises when a retailer manages the same product catalog across multiple Shopify stores.

## Explanation

**Products within Shopify**

Retailers streamline their operations by employing a unified product catalog across multiple Shopify stores. Consequently, products obtain distinct internal IDs on each store, while retaining a consistent and unique identifier, typically the SKU. It's important to note that not all stores carry the entire product range; instead, a hierarchical structure is established with one store functioning as the master catalog and others as child catalogs, each tailored to specific product offerings. This approach facilitates efficient management and customization of product availability across diverse Shopify storefronts.

| *Product*   | *Store1 Internal ID* | *Store2 Internal ID* |
| ----------- | -------------------- | -------------------- |
| **SKU1234** | 1543                 | 1462                 |

**Products in HotWax**

In instances where a common product catalog is employed across multiple Shopify stores, HotWax adopts a structured approach. It designates one specific Shopify store as the master catalog, responsible for comprehensive product information. The same set of products is then associated with other Shopify stores, considering them as child catalogs. To establish a connection with HotWax, a product must be initially configured in the parent store and subsequently linked to the corresponding child store. Failure to follow this setup process inhibits HotWax from establishing a connection with the Shopify store and transmitting updated product information. This systematic approach ensures a cohesive and organized integration between HotWax and the various Shopify stores within the shared product ecosystem.

**Association in HotWax Commerce**

| *Product*   | HotWax Internal ID | *Store1 Internal ID* | *Store2 Internal ID* |
| ----------- | ------------------ | -------------------- | -------------------- |
| **SKU1234** | SKU1234            | 1543                 | 1462                 |

## Troubleshooting Steps

**Step 1: Verify Product Association with the Shopify Store**

1. **Locate the Product in HotWax**
   * Navigate to the [Pre-order Catalog](https://preorder.hotwax.io/catalog) within HotWax Commerce.
   * Open the Audit page and examine the Shop listing status card to check the stores to which the product is currently listed. If it's not linked to the desired store, proceed with the following steps:

**Step 2: Link product to Shopify store**

2. **Access the Find Product Page**
   * Visit the Find Product page:https\://{instanceName}.hotwax.io/commerce/control/FindProduct.
   * Open the detailed page for the specific product.
3. **Inspect the Shopify Shop Product Section**
   * On the detailed page, review the Shopify shop product section to identify the store with which the product is currently connected.
4. **Establish the Connection**
   * Initiate the connection by clicking the `Add` button.
   * Select the Shopify store designated as the Shop in OMS.
   * Input the Shopify product ID and Inventory ID (extracted from the product on the Shopify store).

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**Step 3: Refresh products to reflect changes**

5. **Execute Jobs in the Job Manager App**
   * Within the Job Manager app, initiate the following jobs: `Auto refresh pre-order catalog` and `Sync variant details` by searching them from the pipeline page.
6. **Review products in Hotwax and Shopify**

By following these steps meticulously, you ensure a seamless and accurate linking of products, ultimately improving the functionality of the pre-order option on the Shopify store.