WhatsApp template for stores: answer stock inquiries in seconds
Have you ever posted an item to your story and gotten flooded with “is it available in M?” With this template you'll respond quickly, with style, and without repeating yourself fifty times a day. Copy it, adapt it, and start selling more.
Hi {{1}}, thanks for writing 😊. Yes, we have the {{2}} in {{3}}. I can hold it for you for 24 hours if you'd like. Should I send it to you or will you pick it up at the store?
What goes in each variable
- {{1}}: the name of the person writing to you (e.g., “Maria”).
- {{2}}: the name of the product or item they're asking about (e.g., “black dress”).
- {{3}}: the size or available variant (e.g., “size M”).
How to load this template in WhatsApp Business
- 1Open WhatsApp Business and go to the “Quick replies” section (in Settings > Chat tools).
- 2Create a new quick reply with the shortcut /stock and paste the message with the variables.
- 3When you get an inquiry, type /stock and fill in the details in seconds.
- 4If you use Wando, load the template in the panel and the AI will use it on its own when appropriate, always with your approval before sending.
Message variants
More formal: “Hi {{1}}, thanks for your inquiry. We have the {{2}} in {{3}}. Would you like me to reserve it for you, or do you prefer to arrange delivery?”
Closer: “Hi {{1}}! Yes, we have the {{2}} in {{3}} 😍 Should I set it aside for you? You can pick it up or I can send it to you.”
Important: this message is transactional (it responds to a customer inquiry), so it falls under Meta's “utility” category. If you use it to promote something (e.g., “The new jeans are here!”), you need a Meta-approved marketing template and customer opt-in. Approval can take up to 48 hours.
Why use an AI-powered template
Responding with templates saves you from the repeated “is it in M?” but if you want to go a step further, Wando learns from your real responses and suggests automatic replies that you approve with one click. That way you reply in seconds, at night and on Sundays, without losing control or the personal touch.
When to send this message (and when NOT to)
This message is for specific stock inquiries: “is it in M?”, “do you have the black dress?”, “how much is the jean?”. Reply as soon as you see it, ideally within the first 10 minutes, because in stores the sale is lost if you delay.
DO NOT use it if the customer has already said they want to buy and gave you their address: in that case, go straight to coordinating the shipment. Nor should you use it to promote offers or new products: that is marketing and requires another Meta-approved template. And if the message comes from a number that is not from Argentina, do not assume shipping is the same: ask before promising.
What to reply if the customer asks about another size
The most likely response after your template is: "And do you have it in S?" Don't start writing from scratch: use this variant.
"Hi {{1}}, we don't have it in S right now, but I can let you know when it arrives. Should I put you down? Also, if you want, I can send you photos of the {{2}} in {{3}} so you can see how it looks."
If the size they're asking about is not available, offer them the option to reserve the one that is available or put them on a list to notify them. Never leave the conversation at "no, we don't have it": always leave them a door open.
- If they ask about another size: offer to notify them when it arrives.
- If they ask about another color: "in black no, but in blue yes, should I send it to you?".
- If they ask about price: "the {{2}} is $X, but I can reserve it for you today if you want" (fill in with the actual price).
How to know if the message worked
The message worked if the customer replies something like "okay, reserve it for me", "yes, I'll pick it up" or "how long does shipping take?" That's a conversation moving toward a sale.
If they reply "thanks, I'll write you later" or don't reply, it doesn't mean it failed: they might be comparing prices or waiting to get paid. What is a sign that something didn't close is if they ask something the template didn't answer, like "does it have a warranty?" or "how long does it take?" In that case, the template wasn't enough.
In Wando, the statistics show you how many messages were answered and in what time. If you see that many conversations die after your response, try changing the offer: instead of "should I send it to you?", try "I'll reserve it for you for 24 hours, does that work?".
Why Meta may reject this template and how to avoid it
Meta reviews templates to prevent spam. Since this one is transactional, it is usually approved quickly, but it may be rejected if:
1) You include promotions or links to your store (that is marketing). 2) You use misleading language or promises you cannot fulfill (e.g., "free shipping" when it is not so). 3) You do not include the {{1}}, {{2}}, and {{3}} variables correctly, or you use them for something that is not name, product, and size.
If it is rejected, fix the text, remove anything that sounds like a promo, and resubmit it. Approval can take up to 48 hours, so do not leave it to the last minute.
Formal variant and casual variant: when to use each one
The formal variant is for customers you do not know, brands that sell expensive products, or when the customer writes to you in a serious tone ("Hello, I would like to know if you have the product in size M"). Use it in those cases.
The casual one is for customers who have already bought from you, write to you with emojis, or are from the neighborhood. There, formality is unnecessary and closeness sells.
If you do not know which one to use, start with the casual one: in stores, people buy from those they like. But if the customer writes formally, mirror them: if they are formal, you should be too.
When to send this message (and when NOT to)
This message is for specific stock inquiries: “Is it available in M?”, “Do you have the black dress?”, “How much is the jean?”. Reply as soon as you see it, ideally within the first 10 minutes, because in retail the sale is lost if you delay.
DO NOT use it if the customer already told you they want to buy and gave you their address: in that case, go straight to coordinating the shipment. Also, do not use it to promote offers or new products: that is marketing and needs another template approved by Meta. And if the message comes from a number that is not from Argentina, do not assume shipping is the same: ask before promising.
What to reply to the three most likely customer responses
After sending the template, the customer usually responds with one of these three things. Have them ready so you don't have to write from scratch again.
If they ask about another size: “Hi {{1}}, we don't have {{3}} right now, but I can let you know when it arrives. Should I note you down? Also, if you want, I can send you photos of the {{2}} in another size so you can see how it looks.”
If they ask about the price: “The {{2}} is at $X. I can reserve it for you for 24 hours if you want. Should I send it to you or will you pick it up?” (fill in with the actual price).
If they ask about shipping: “We ship nationwide by mail, it takes 3 to 5 business days. The cost depends on the postal code, but I'll confirm it before sending. Should I reserve it for you?”
- Ask about another size: offer to let them know when it arrives.
- Ask about price: share the info and offer to reserve it.
- Ask about shipping: explain the delivery time and cost, and offer to reserve it.
How to tell if the message worked
The message worked if the customer replies with something like "okay, reserve it for me," "yes, I'll pick it up," or "how long does shipping take?" That's a conversation moving toward a sale.
If they reply "thanks, I'll write you later" or don't reply, it doesn't mean it failed: they might be comparing prices or waiting to get paid. What is a sign that something didn't click is if they ask something the template didn't answer, like "does it have a warranty?" or "how long does it take?" Then the template wasn't enough.
In Wando, the statistics show you how many messages were replied to and in what time. If you see many conversations die after your response, try changing the offer: instead of "should I send it to you?", try "I'll reserve it for 24 hours, does that work?"
Why Meta might reject this template and how to avoid it
Meta reviews templates to avoid spam. This one, being transactional, usually gets approved quickly, but it can be rejected if:
1) You include promotions or links to your store (that's marketing). 2) You use misleading language or promises you can't fulfill (e.g., "free shipping" when it's not). 3) You don't include the variables {{1}}, {{2}}, and {{3}} correctly, or you use them for something other than name, product, and size.
If it's rejected, correct the text, remove anything that sounds like a promo, and send it again. Approval can take up to 48 hours, so don't leave it until the last minute.
Formal variant and friendly variant: when to use each
The formal variant is for customers you don't know, brands that sell expensive products, or when the customer writes to you in a serious tone ("Hello, I'd like to know if you have the product in size M"). Use it in those cases.
The friendly one is for customers who have already bought from you, write to you with emojis, or are from the neighborhood. There, formality is unnecessary and closeness sells.
If you don't know which one to use, start with the friendly one: in stores, people buy from those they like. But if the customer writes formally, mirror them: if they're formal, you be formal too.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use this template to answer stock inquiries in WhatsApp Business?+
Yes, you can save it as a quick reply in WhatsApp Business and adapt it with the {{1}}, {{2}}, and {{3}} variables for the person's name, product, and size.
Do I need Meta to approve this template?+
If you use it in WhatsApp Business as a quick reply, no. If you use it with Wando (which connects to the official WhatsApp API), this message is transactional and falls under the utility category, so it doesn't require prior approval to answer inquiries.
How do I get Wando's AI to use this template?+
You load it in the Wando panel and the AI will use it when it detects a stock inquiry. Still, it always suggests it and you approve it with one click before it's sent. That way you don't lose control.
Can I use this template to answer stock inquiries outside business hours?+
Yes, if you load it in Wando with scheduled auto-replies, the AI will automatically suggest it when an inquiry comes in, and you approve it when you're back. This way you don't lose sales even while you're sleeping.
What do I do if the customer asks about a product I don't have?+
Don't just say 'we don't have it.' Offer an alternative: 'We don't have it in M, but we do in L, should I send it?' or 'I'll let you know when it comes in, should I note you down?' Always leave them an option.
Does this template work for answering on Instagram or Messenger?+
Yes, you can use the same message on Instagram and Messenger if you have Wando connected to those channels. Only the medium changes; the response is the same.
How do I get Wando's AI to learn to use this template better?+
Every time you approve a suggestion, Wando learns from your response. The more you use it, the more accurate it becomes. You can also load variants in the panel so it has more options.