Partial Shipment Invoice -- SOLVED

[James Gruetzner]

Well, I *think* it's solved.

Basic problem:  vendor requires advance payments on orders, including
shipping charges.  Shipping charge amount is provided after order is
placed.  Vendor will also often do partial shipments with backorders.

Solution:
(a) Create Gnucash invoice only on and when items received.
(b) Make advance payment to Liability account for vendor

Example.
1. Placing a multi-product order with VendorValerie.

2. VendorValerie gives cost, including shipping, at $105.

3. Write check for $105 to VendorValerie, offseting Liability:
   Decrease:  Assets:Current:Checking by $105
   Decrease: Liability:Accounts Payable:VendorValerie by $105

4. VendorValerie makes partial shipment with $60 of product (and shipping
charges).

5. Create vendor invoice detailing the partial shipment, offset by
Expenses:Purchases (COGS).
   Increase: Expenses:Purchases(COGS) by $60
   Increase: Liability:Accounts Payable:VendorValerie by $60

Similarly process any further shipments.  Canceled orders (e.g., items no
longer carried) never get entered.

Comments and feedback appreciated, as always.

   James