How to pre-order a wig or topper that's not in stock

My favorite wig is always sold out — how can I make sure the next one is mine? It's the most common message in our inbox, and I take it as the sincerest compliment. Our pieces are made by hand, in small batches, by a small team across our Sydney atelier and partner workshops. When a particular color or length finds its audience, the limited stock we have on the shelf disappears within days. The kind way to make sure you don't miss out is to pre-order — and the process, despite how the word sounds, is genuinely simple.

Stock, pre-order, and custom — the three ways to buy

Before we get into how pre-ordering works, the lay of the land. There are three ways to take a piece home from us, and knowing the difference saves time and disappointment.

In-stock pieces. A meaningful portion of our pieces are made in advance and stocked in our Sydney and Doral, Florida boutiques and on the website. If you find a piece marked in stock, it ships out within a few business days of your order — the fastest path to your wig.

Pre-orders (backorder). When a popular piece sells out, the product page shows it as available for backorder. You place a normal order, the piece is built or finished for you next, and it ships when ready. The wait depends on whether your specific piece is already in production or needs to be started from scratch.

Fully custom orders. A new color, a non-standard length, an unusual base size, or a combination we don't currently make. Custom orders are quoted by email and built specifically for you, on a longer timeline than a standard pre-order.

Why our pieces sell out so quickly

Every Goldylost wig and topper is made from premium Brazilian or European Remy human hair. Each cap is constructed by hand — hand-tied wefts, silk tops, lace fronts — and each piece is then custom-finished by Steve, our senior hairdresser of more than thirty years in alternative hair, in our Sydney salon. None of those steps can be rushed without quietly compromising the result, and we won't compromise the result.

The honest consequence is this: we make beautiful pieces, but we don't make them quickly, and we don't make many of any given style at once. When word gets around that your favorite shade has come back into stock, it tends to leave again before the week is out. We are always working on the next batch — but if you wait for it to appear on the website, you may well be a few minutes behind another customer with the same idea.

What "pre-order" actually means

The simplest way to picture a pre-order: when you place the order, your name gets written next to the next piece coming off the production line in the style and color you've chosen. If we're already in the middle of making that piece, your name is added to it on the spot, and it ships to you the day it's finished, color-matched, and quality-checked. If we're not yet making it, it goes on our schedule with your name attached, and we build it from there. Either way, the next one is yours.

It is not a deposit, and it is not a waitlist — it's a confirmed order, with your name on the bench. You'll know a piece is available for pre-order when its product page shows it as out of stock but available for backorder. From your side, the experience at checkout is identical to ordering an in-stock item.

What "up to 12 weeks" actually means for you

The honest answer to "how long will my pre-order take?" is: up to 12 weeks, often considerably less. The variation comes down to a single question — is the piece you've ordered already being produced, or does it need to be started from scratch?

If your piece is already in production (which happens often, because we make pieces in batches), your name is written next to it the moment your order comes in, and the piece ships as soon as the production, styling, and all the rest of the magic is complete. The wait can be a fraction of the 12-week window.

If your piece needs to be started from zero, plan on the full 12-week window. The hair has to be sourced and prepared, the cap hand-tied, the piece colored and finished, and quality-checked — and we won't rush any of those steps.

If your piece is fully custom (a new color, an unusual length, a non-standard cap), 12 weeks is a fair estimate, sometimes longer for particularly bespoke requests. We'll quote a realistic timeline by email before you commit.

If a specific date matters — an event, a wedding, a treatment milestone — please write to us before you order. We'll have a quick look at where your piece sits in the schedule and come back with an honest estimate. We'd rather over-quote and surprise you with an earlier delivery than under-quote and disappoint.

How to pre-order, step by step

Step 1: Find the piece you want. Browse the wig or topper collection in the usual way. If your favorite is currently out of stock, the product page will tell you whether it's available for backorder.

Step 2: Add to cart and check out. A pre-orderable piece can be added to your cart and paid for exactly like an in-stock item. Use Afterpay or pay in full — the choice is the same as on any other order.

Step 3: We get to work. Once your order is placed, your piece moves onto our production schedule. There's no further paperwork on your part.

Step 4: Updates along the way. If your piece needs the longer end of the timeline, we'll keep you posted. If we're ahead of schedule, you'll know that too.

Step 5: We email you when it ships. The moment your piece is finished, color-matched, and quality-checked, it leaves the salon — and you'll receive an email with your tracking details on the same day.

Pre-order vs waiting for a restock

Some clients consider waiting for the next restock rather than pre-ordering. Both work, but they're not the same.

Pre-ordering guarantees the piece is yours. Your name is on the schedule, your color and customization are noted, and the piece ships to you when ready — with no risk of it selling out to someone else first.

Waiting for a restock is a gamble. When a piece returns to stock, it often sells out again within hours. You'll have to be online at the right moment with your details ready — and even then, the most popular shades can be gone before you reach checkout.

For most clients, pre-ordering removes a small piece of stress that turns out to have been quite a large one. You stop refreshing the website. You stop wondering. The piece is being made for you, and that's that.

Customizing during a pre-order

Pre-ordering is also the right moment to ask for customization. If the standard listing is close but not exactly what you want, write to us before checkout (or in the order notes) and we'll let you know what's possible. Common requests we handle on pre-orders.

Color adjustments. Steve hand-finishes every piece. Send a clear photo of your hair in natural light and we'll color-match the piece before shipping.

Density adjustments. Standard density too heavy or too light? We can hand-thin the cap before it ships, no charge for the standard customization.

Length adjustments. If you'd like the piece pre-cut to a specific length, send us the inches you have in mind.

Bangs or face-framing layers. Bang cuts run $50–$70 USD regardless of style; face-framing layers are typically the same.

Shadow root or root smudge. Pricing for dark roots and low lights is listed directly on our website at $220–$375 USD / $300–$450 AUD.

For anything more bespoke — contrast bangs, money-piece highlights, balayage — please send us a note for a quote. All pricing is subject to change with market and labor cost shifts.

“Pre-ordering is the kindest way to shop with a small atelier. Your name gets written next to the next piece coming off the line, and the piece ships to you the day the magic is complete.”— Clementine, Goldylost

How pre-ordering works — in 60 seconds

The short video below explains pre-ordering exactly the way we'd talk you through it in person: when you pre-order, your name gets attached to the next piece coming off the production line, and it ships to you as soon as the styling and finishing magic is complete.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a pre-order normally take? Up to 12 weeks. If your piece is already in production, considerably less. If it needs to be started from scratch, the full window. Write to us before ordering if a specific date matters.

Can I cancel a pre-order if I change my mind? Yes, provided we haven't already begun work specifically on your piece. Once cutting, customization, or color-finishing have started, the piece is yours — please choose carefully and lean on our consultations if you're unsure.

Do I pay extra for a pre-order? No. The price is the same as an in-stock piece. You're not paying for priority — you're simply reserving the next piece in line.

Will the pre-ordered piece look identical to the photos? Each Goldylost piece is hand-finished, so very small variations between pieces are part of the craft. Your pre-order will be made to match the listing as closely as possible. If you have a specific reference photo, please send it and we'll do our best to honor it.

Can I use Afterpay on a pre-order? Yes. Pre-orders can be paid with Afterpay just like any other order. The first installment is taken at checkout, and the piece enters production once that first installment clears.

What happens if you can't deliver in 12 weeks? We will tell you well before the deadline if there's any delay. You can choose to wait, switch to a different in-stock piece, or cancel for a full refund — whichever suits you.

Will I get updates during the wait? Yes. If your piece is on the longer end of the timeline, we'll keep you informed. We'd rather over-communicate than have you wondering.

Can I add bangs or a shadow root to a pre-order? Yes. Bang cuts run $50–$70 USD regardless of style. Dark roots and low lights are $220–$375 USD / $300–$450 AUD as listed on the website. All pricing is subject to change.

Can I change my color or customization after I've placed the pre-order? Yes, provided the piece hasn't already been built or finished. Email us as soon as you decide and we'll update the order if we can.

Will I be notified before my pre-order ships? Yes, on the day it leaves the salon, with full tracking details.

Can I pre-order a piece that's been discontinued? Sometimes. Email us and we'll let you know if your specific shade or style is still buildable. Some discontinued pieces can be re-made on a custom basis.

A closing word

The honest reality of buying from a small atelier is that we cannot keep every shade and length on the shelf at every moment. What we can promise is that, when you reserve a piece in advance, that piece is being made for you — and the wait is rewarded with something that has been genuinely cared for at every step.

If your favorite is sold out today, please don't quietly walk away. Send us a note, ask the timing question, and let us reserve the next one in your name. It's almost always the better path.

Whenever you're ready, send us a note at contact@goldylost.com, reach us via our Facebook page, write through our contact form, or book a consultation. We're always on the other end of it.