Why aren't my bundles breaking down at checkout and how to solve it (V2.0)

There are a few reasons your bundles might not break down correctly at checkout. One common cause is that the Cart Transform function isn’t running. When the Cart Transform function fails to execute, the parent bundle won’t break down into its individual SKUs during checkout. As a result, your Shopify order will only show the parent bundle instead of the full list of bundled items.

Why the Cart Transform function may not run

The Shopify Cart Transform function used by Simple Bundles only works for orders processed through Shopify Checkout. If it isn’t running, the order likely comes from a source that doesn’t support Shopify Checkout, such as:

Subscription orders (e.g., processed through subscription apps)
Third-party sales channels (e.g., external marketplaces)
Third-party apps importing orders from another platform

How Simple Bundles handles it: Order editing method or single-sku inventory sync

To keep these orders processing smoothly, Simple Bundles automatically used a fallback method called order editing. This method adds the child SKUs to the order after checkout so your fulfillment and inventory stay accurate.

Difference between order editing vs. cart transform

If Shopify doesn’t allow the order to be edited, Simple Bundles will automatically create a new associated order that includes the bundle contents.

How to handle orders that cannot be edited on Shopify

If you prefer not to use the order editing fallback, you can enable the single-SKU inventory sync option. This method keeps only the parent bundle visible in the order and does not add individual SKUs after checkout. Instead, it simply updates inventory levels for the bundle components when the bundle is purchased. You can also show itemized child items on your packing slips for fulfillment.

How to adjust fallback settings

You can manage these settings under:

Settings → Advanced settings → Order editing and Cart Transform fallbacks

Order editing vs. Cart Transform vs. single-SKU inventory sync

Method	When it’s used	What it does	Visibility at checkout	Best for
Cart Transform	When Shopify Checkout supports the Cart Transform API	Breaks down the bundle into individual SKUs during checkout	Shows all SKUs in the cart and order	Merchants who want itemized SKUs visible during checkout
Order editing	When Cart Transform can’t run (e.g., subscription orders, third-party channels)	Adds child SKUs to the order after checkout	Parent bundle shows at checkout; SKUs appear post-purchase	Merchants who want accurate fulfillment and inventory for unsupported checkouts
Single-SKU inventory sync	When you prefer not to break down the bundle.	Keeps only the parent bundle visible and adjusts inventory counts for all child SKUs automatically	Shows only the parent bundle in cart and order. Option available to itemized bundle child SKUs on packing slips for fulfillment.	Merchants who don’t need itemized breakdowns but require synced inventory for each individual SKU when the bundle is purchased.

Method

When it’s used

What it does

Visibility at checkout

Best for

Cart Transform

When Shopify Checkout supports the Cart Transform API

Breaks down the bundle into individual SKUs during checkout

Shows all SKUs in the cart and order

Merchants who want itemized SKUs visible during checkout

Order editing

When Cart Transform can’t run (e.g., subscription orders, third-party channels)

Adds child SKUs to the order after checkout

Parent bundle shows at checkout; SKUs appear post-purchase

Merchants who want accurate fulfillment and inventory for unsupported checkouts

Single-SKU inventory sync

When you prefer not to break down the bundle.

Keeps only the parent bundle visible and adjusts inventory counts for all child SKUs automatically

Shows only the parent bundle in cart and order.

Option available to itemized bundle child SKUs on packing slips for fulfillment.

Merchants who don’t need itemized breakdowns but require synced inventory for each individual SKU when the bundle is purchased.

What you should do

Review the order to confirm that the fallback aligns with your workflows and fulfillment process.
Notify your fulfillment team or partners so they understand how to handle these orders.

If you have questions, contact our support team.

FAQs

Is there an alternative to the order editing method?

Yes. You can enable the single-SKU mechanism instead. This method keeps only the parent bundle visible in the order while still updating inventory for the child SKUs. This can be enabled in your settings. You can also show itemized child items on your packing slips for fulfillment.

Why was a new order created with an “A” suffix?

This occurs only when the original order cannot be edited. In these cases, Simple Bundles creates an associated order marked with an “A” suffix instead. This new order contains the bundle components to keep your fulfillment and inventory accurate.

From a technical perspective, why didn’t the order break down at checkout?

Simple Bundles V2.0 uses Shopify’s Cart Transform API to break down bundles during checkout. Some use cases are not yet supported by this API. When this happens, the app automatically falls back to the order editing method, the reliable approach used in Simple Bundles 1.0, so your fulfillment and inventory remain accurate.