> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.churningtracker.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Buying group orders
> Record a buying group order by hand, follow its status from ordered to paid, and understand the profit math.
A buying group order is something you bought to ship to a group for a payout. It carries the group, an expected payout per item, tracking numbers, and eventually the payouts you received. This page covers entering one by hand; imports are covered under [Importing orders](/imports/csv-imports).
## Add an order
On the **Buying Groups** tab, click **Add order**.
The order date defaults to today. Type the order number, pick the retailer, and pick the retailer account if you use more than one login there. If the retailer is empty, a recognizable order number fills it in: Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Apple, HP, and Home Depot formats are detected.
One row per product: quantity, unit price, expected payout per unit, description, and model number. Up to ten lines. If you'd rather enter one total, switch to the **Subtotal** tab, or **No Purchase** for a deal that needed no purchase.
Tax and discount can be entered as a percentage with the % toggle. The summary below shows the total, expected payout, card earnings, cashback, and expected profit as you type.
Choose the group, or a custom one from the **Manage** option. Status defaults to Ordered. In Subtotal mode, enter the expected payout here instead of per line.
Under **Shipping**, add tracking numbers now or later; see [Shipments](/shipments). Under **Additional Details**, pick the credit card. Its default earn rate fills in and can be changed for this order. Cashback, redemption codes, tags, and notes have their own sections.
If the order has tracking numbers, it's saved as Shipped rather than Ordered.
## Expected payouts
The expected payout is what the group promised per unit. It drives expected profit and the 3% rule that marks an order paid. On paid plans, leaving it blank on a new line item lets Churning Tracker fill it from the group's live deals when the model or UPC matches; see [Deals](/buying-groups/deals). You can also set it later from the table, or for many orders at once with the **Update expected payouts** bulk action.
## Statuses
| Status | Meaning | Set by |
| - | - | - |
| Ordered | Placed, not shipped | Default |
| Shipped | Has tracking numbers | Automatic when tracking is added |
| Partially Delivered | Some shipments delivered | Automatic from shipments |
| Delivered | All shipments delivered | Automatic from shipments |
| Partially Received | The group has received some of it | You |
| Received | The group has received everything | You |
| Partially Paid | Completed payouts cover less than the expected payout | Automatic from payouts |
| Paid | Completed payouts reach the expected payout, within 3% | Automatic from payouts |
| Issue | Something needs attention | You |
| Cancelled | Not going ahead; excluded from spending and profit | You, or an email cancellation |
Automatic changes only move forward. You can set any status by hand from the table.
## How profit is calculated
* **Total cost** is subtotal plus shipping and tax, minus discounts.
* **Expected profit** is expected payout plus card earnings plus expected cashback, minus total cost.
* **Actual profit** is the payouts you've recorded plus card earnings plus posted cashback, minus total cost. It stays empty until the order has a payout.
* **Card earnings** come from the order's earn rate and the card's program valuation; see [Credit cards](/cards/credit-cards#earn-rates-and-card-earnings).
Hover a profit cell on the table to see each line of that math.
## Next steps
Submit tracking to the group from the orders table once the package ships; see [Submitting tracking](/buying-groups/submitting-tracking). When the money arrives, record a [payout](/payouts).
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