WhatsApp out of stock templates
A good out of stock reply says the item is sold out, gives a restock date if you have one, and offers a close alternative or an alert when it is back. Below are 10 templates to copy for replying to customers who ask about a sold-out product and for telling customers when an item in their order sold out. AeroChat checks live stock and sends the right one.
What an out of stock message should do
“Sorry, sold out” ends the conversation. Give the customer a next step instead: the date it’s back, a similar product that’s in stock, a different size or color, or an alert when it returns.
When an item sells out after the customer has ordered, tell them before they ask, and give them a clear choice: wait, swap or get a refund.
The WhatsApp rules that apply
If the customer messaged you in the last 24 hours, you can send any of these as a free-text reply. Outside that 24-hour customer service window, a business-initiated message needs an approved template. These messages fit Meta’s utility category when they are about the customer’s own order or account and contain nothing promotional. Meta’s guidelines say utility templates must not promote products, upsell, cross-sell or include offers. A template that mixes an update with a promotion is classed as marketing. See the WhatsApp message templates guide, WhatsApp message templates and template approval.
Source: Meta’s WhatsApp template category guidelines on developers.facebook.com, as of November 2026.
Most out of stock messages are replies to a customer’s question, so they are free-text messages inside the 24-hour window. The messages about an item in an existing order fit the utility category when they contain no offers.
10 WhatsApp out of stock templates to copy
Copy a template, change the wording to match how your store talks, and keep the variables in double curly brackets. AeroChat fills them from your store data when it sends the message.
1. Sold out, with restock date
Use when the customer asks about an item and you know when it returns.
Sorry {{customer_name}}, the {{product_name}} is sold out right now.
We expect it back on {{restock_date}}. Would you like me to message you here when it arrives?
2. Sold out, no date yet
Use when you don’t have a restock date.
Sorry {{customer_name}}, the {{product_name}} is sold out and we don't have a restock date yet.
I can message you here as soon as it's back. Would you like that?
3. Size or color sold out
Use when only some variants are out.
The {{product_name}} in {{variant_name}} is sold out, {{customer_name}}.
It's still available in {{available_variants}}. Would one of those work for you?
4. Suggest an alternative
Use when a similar product is in stock.
Sorry {{customer_name}}, the {{product_name}} is sold out.
A close match is the {{alternative_product}} at {{alternative_price}}, in stock now. Would you like to see it?
5. Preorder available
Use when the next batch can be preordered.
The {{product_name}} is sold out, {{customer_name}}, but you can preorder it now.
It ships on {{ship_date}}. Would you like me to reserve one?
6. Item sold out after the order
Use when an item in a paid order can’t be fulfilled.
Hi {{customer_name}}, we're sorry. The {{product_name}} in your order {{order_number}} sold out before we could pack it.
Reply WAIT to get it when it's back on {{restock_date}}, SWAP to choose another item, or REFUND for {{item_amount}} back to your card.
7. Part of the order sold out
Use when the rest of the order can ship now.
Hi {{customer_name}}, everything in order {{order_number}} is ready except {{product_name}}, which sold out.
We'll ship the rest today. Reply REFUND for that item, or WAIT and we'll send it when it's back.
8. Discontinued product
Use when the item won’t come back.
Sorry {{customer_name}}, the {{product_name}} has been discontinued and won't be restocked.
Customers who liked it often choose the {{alternative_product}}. Would you like the details?
9. Limited stock warning
Use when a customer asks about an item with only a few left.
The {{product_name}} is in stock, {{customer_name}}, but we only have {{quantity}} left.
Would you like me to send your payment link now?
10. Sold out during a sale
Use when sale stock runs out.
Sorry {{customer_name}}, the {{product_name}} sold out in our {{sale_name}} sale.
It's back at full price on {{restock_date}}. I can message you when it's back, or show you other sale items in stock now.
Send these automatically with AeroChat
AeroChat checks live stock in your store platform, such as Shopify, WooCommerce or Wix every time a customer asks about a product, so the reply always matches what you can sell:
- Sold out replies: stock and variants come from your catalog. Restock and preorder dates come from the fields or notes you keep on the product.
- Alternatives: AeroChat suggests in-stock products from the same collection or with the tags you choose.
- Restock alerts: when the customer says yes, AeroChat records the product and variant and sends a back in stock message when stock returns.
- Sold out after the order: triggered when your team marks an item unavailable. WAIT, SWAP and REFUND replies are handled within your limits.
- Ready to buy: for an in-stock item, AeroChat sends a payment link and detects the payment automatically.
See customers asking for sold-out products and stock and back in stock questions.
Related
- WhatsApp stock questions
- WhatsApp back in stock templates
- WhatsApp product recommendations
- Pre-orders in chat
- Customers asking for sold-out products
- WhatsApp returns and refunds
Questions
Should I suggest an alternative product?
Yes, when it’s a close match in stock. In a reply to the customer’s question, inside the 24-hour window, that is fine. Keep suggestions out of a utility template about an existing order.
How does AeroChat know a product is sold out?
It reads live stock from your store each time a customer asks, so it never offers a product you can’t ship.
What if an item sells out after the customer paid?
Tell them before they ask and let them choose to wait, swap or get a refund. AeroChat handles the choice within the refund limits you set.
Can the customer ask to be told when it’s back?
Yes. AeroChat records the product and variant and sends a back in stock message when stock returns. See WhatsApp back in stock templates.
Answer sold-out questions with a next step
Connect your store, and AeroChat checks live stock, offers alternatives and tells customers when their item is back. Start your 7-day free trial. No credit card needed.
On Shopify? Install AeroChat from the Shopify App Store.