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Adding a Buy to the Queue

Adding a Buy to the Queue When a customer arrives with items to sell, you need to add them to the Buy Queue. BuyerKiosk provides a stepbystep wizard that wal...

Written by Ryan VanVuren

When a customer arrives with items to sell, you need to add them to the Buy Queue. BuyerKiosk provides a step-by-step wizard that walks you through the process in four steps: customer lookup, customer details, verification, and buy preferences. This guide covers every step.

How to Open the Add Buy Wizard

There are two ways to start adding a buy:

  1. Sidebar Quick Action: Click the Add Buy button (plus icon) in the Quick Actions section of the left sidebar navigation.

  2. Floating Action Button (FAB): On some layouts, tap the gear icon in the bottom-right corner to reveal action buttons, then tap the plus icon.

Both methods open the Add Buy modal, a 4-step wizard that guides you through the process.

Step 1: Customer Lookup

The first step gives you two options for getting the customer into the system.

Option A: Send a Mobile Sign-In Link

This is the fastest method when the customer has a smartphone.

  1. Enter the customer's 10-digit phone number in the Send a Mobile Sign-In Link field

  2. Click Send Link

  3. The customer receives a text message with a link to enter their own information

  4. They appear in the queue automatically once they submit their info (in the Remote section)

This option saves time because the customer fills in their own name, address, and contact details.

Option B: Add Manually

If the customer does not have a phone or prefers not to use the link:

  1. Enter the customer's 10-digit phone number in the Add a Buy Manually field

  2. The system automatically searches for this phone number in the customer database

  3. If a match is found, you proceed to Step 3 (existing customer verification)

  4. If no match is found, you proceed to Step 2 (new customer entry)

Note: The phone number must be exactly 10 digits. If you enter fewer or more digits, a warning message will appear: "Phone number should be 10 digits."

Step 2: New Customer Entry

This step appears only when the phone number was not found in the system. You need to enter the customer's details.

Required Fields

Field

Requirements

First Name

2-18 characters, letters only

Last Name

2-16 characters, letters only

Home Address

2-60 characters, letters and numbers

City

2-22 characters, letters only

State

Select from dropdown (defaults to your store's state)

Zip Code

Up to 5 digits

Optional Fields

Field

Notes

Email

Customer's email address for receipts and communications

All required fields are marked with a red asterisk. The form validates each field as you type:

  • A yellow warning bar appears if any fields need correction

  • A green success bar appears when all fields are valid

Once all required fields are filled in correctly, click Next to proceed to Step 4 (Step 3 is skipped for new customers).

Step 3: Existing Customer Verification

This step appears when the phone number matched an existing customer record. The system pre-fills the customer's name so you can verify it.

What You See

  • First Name and Last Name are pre-populated from the customer record

  • A green "Customer Found" header confirms the match

What to Do

  1. Verify the name matches the customer standing in front of you

  2. Update the first or last name if needed (for example, if the customer changed their name)

  3. Click Next to proceed to Step 4

This step ensures you are adding the buy to the correct customer profile, which matters for their purchase history and any loyalty programs.

Step 4: Buy Details

The final step lets you set the specifics of this buy before adding the customer to the queue.

Number of Containers

Select how many bins, bags, or containers the customer brought. Options range from 1 to 15. This number is used to:

  • Calculate estimated wait time (containers multiplied by MPC)

  • Track progress as items are sorted and processed

  • Display on the queue item for staff reference

Text When Buy Is Complete

Choose whether to send the customer an SMS notification when their buy is finished:

  • Yes (default) -- Customer receives a text when the buy is complete

  • No -- No text notification is sent

Select Yes for customers who plan to leave and come back, or who want to shop while they wait.

Designer Brands

Indicate whether the customer's items include designer or premium brands:

  • Yes -- Flags the buy so buyers know to look for high-value items

  • No (default) -- Standard buy

Returning Later

If the customer is not staying in the store and plans to come back:

  1. Toggle the Returning Later switch to ON

  2. A time picker appears, defaulting to 2 hours from now

  3. Adjust the return time as needed

  4. The queue item will display the expected return time

This helps staff plan their workflow and prioritize customers who are physically waiting over those returning later.

Completing the Wizard

After filling in all details in Step 4:

  1. Click the Next button (which changes to Submit or Add Buy on the final step)

  2. The customer is added to the Queued section of the Buy Queue

  3. The modal closes automatically

  4. The new queue item appears in real-time for all staff viewing the queue

Navigation Within the Wizard

Button

Action

Next

Move to the next step

Back

Return to the previous step

Cancel

Close the modal without adding a buy

A progress bar at the top of the modal shows your current position (Step 1 of 4, Step 2 of 4, etc.) with numbered dots and a fill indicator.

Tips for Efficient Buy Entry

  • Use the SMS link when possible. It is faster and reduces data entry errors since the customer types their own information.

  • Always verify returning customers. Phone numbers sometimes change hands. Confirm the name matches before proceeding.

  • Set the container count accurately. This directly affects wait time estimates shown to other customers.

  • Mark designer brands. This helps buyers allocate more time and expertise to high-value buys.

  • Use Returning Later for drop-offs. Customers who leave their items should be marked as returning later so the queue prioritizes in-store customers.

Common Questions

What if I enter the wrong phone number?

Click Back to return to Step 1 and re-enter the phone number. If you already submitted the buy, you can delete it from the queue and start over.

Can I add a buy without a phone number?

The phone number is the primary lookup key. If the customer does not have a phone number, enter a placeholder and fill in the details manually in Step 2.

What happens if the customer is already in the queue?

The system will warn you if a customer with the same phone number already has an active entry in the queue. You can choose to proceed (for a second buy) or cancel.

How do I change the container count after adding?

You can adjust the container count directly from the queue item using the up/down arrows on the right side of the entry.

Related Articles

  • Buy Queue Views: Classic, Enhanced, and Kanban

  • Mastering the Queue: Your Complete Guide

  • Navigating the Admin Panel

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