How do I wind down special orders at my massage supply store before closing?

Begin with a complete list. Pull every open special order from your records, noting the customer, the item, any deposit taken, the supplier, and whether the goods have shipped. This list becomes your working plan, and it keeps anything from slipping through as the closing date approaches.

Then sort the orders into three groups. Those already received can be delivered. Those not yet shipped may be cancelled with the supplier, so ask how and by when. Those that cannot be filled need a refund or a replacement offer. Tell customers early and plainly, and give them a way to reach you afterward.

If a buyer is taking over, ask whether they will honour the open orders and put that in writing, including who handles deposits. Hold customer money apart from daily cash until it is resolved. Ask your accountant how deposits and refunds should appear in your final books, and ask your lawyer about any supplier terms that affect cancellations. Think about practitioners who rely on a particular product too. A short note offering to help them find another source shows care, and it often protects the store’s name in the community during its final weeks of trading.

Key takeaways

• Build one list of every open order and its deposit.
• Contact customers and suppliers early rather than at the end.
• Get any buyer’s promise to honour orders in writing.
• Record every refund or transfer so nothing is disputed later.