> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.flowerbuddy.co/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.flowerbuddy.co/reference/inventory/purchases.md).

# Purchases

The **Purchases** tab is an internal queue for items that need to be bought and put away. It does not create a purchase order, charge a card, contact a vendor, or change a recipe.

## Follow the inventory stages

Add a shortfall to **Shopping List**. When the purchase is arranged or paid outside FlowerBuddy, use **Purchased**. When the delivery arrives, use **Receiving**. Move received pieces to **In Stock** only after they are ready to use. Each stage changes the tracked quantity and writes an entry to **Log**.

For example, a studio needs 12 more bud vases. Add 12 to the shopping list. Mark 12 purchased after the supplier order is placed, receive 11 when one is missing, then stock 11 after they are shelved. The missing piece reduces Total rather than appearing as available stock.

Use [Manage the shopping list](/reference/inventory/purchases/manage-the-shopping-list.md) to create or remove the request. Use [Record purchases, receipts, and stock](/reference/inventory/purchases/record-purchases-receipts-and-stock.md) for the action dialogs and consequences.

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="https://2616748322-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUtdSEPutB4SrRwwUMOIx%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-a441facb225c2cbfa984fbc29687b3e608bc7154%2F03-purchases.png?alt=media" alt="Purchases tab with inventory purchase stages for Additional Needed, Purchased, and Receiving." width="550"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

## In this section

* [Manage the shopping list](/reference/inventory/purchases/manage-the-shopping-list.md)
* [Record purchases, receipts, and stock](/reference/inventory/purchases/record-purchases-receipts-and-stock.md)