What is a cutoff date in subscriptions?
How does a cutoff work?
A cutoff sits a set time before a billing or delivery day. Before it, the order is open; after it, it’s locked. New sign-ups wait for the following cycle, and the upcoming order can no longer be changed.
Example (made up): a weekly box bills every Friday, with a cutoff 3 days before. A subscriber who swaps a product on Monday gets the new product this Friday. One who tries on Wednesday finds the order locked, so the change can only go into next week’s box.
Why does a cutoff matter for subscriptions?
Every subscription business with fixed production or packing days needs a moment when the list is final. Without one, last-minute changes collide with orders already placed with suppliers or already packed. A clear cutoff, mentioned in your reminders, lets customers plan and lets you work from final numbers.
How does Zubs handle cutoffs?
Zubs covers both cases: new sign-ups close to the billing day roll into the next cycle, and you can lock upcoming orders for changes a few days before they bill. How that fits a box with a changing menu is on the build-a-box page.
Bottom line
A cutoff is the line between “still changeable” and “being prepared”. Zubs handles it for new sign-ups and for changes to upcoming orders.
Frequently asked questions
- What's the difference between a cutoff date and a billing date?
- The billing date is when the order is charged. The cutoff is the deadline before it.
- How long should the cutoff be?
- As long as your production or packing needs a final list. Count back from the day you order from suppliers or start packing.
- Do customers know when the cutoff is?
- They should. Mention it in your reminder emails, so customers make their changes in time.