Known limitations when using GoQwik with our app

Overview

This document outlines the known limitations and implementation quirks when using GoQwik checkout with our Shopify Functions-powered application. While GoQwik integration is functional, several caveats exist due to GoQwik's inability to natively identify discounts applied through Shopify Functions.

Background

Our application leverages Shopify Functions, a native API that allows for custom discount logic and cart modifications. However, most third-party checkout solutions, including GoQwik, lack direct integration with Shopify Functions discount identification. This results in workaround implementations that can cause discrepancies between expected and actual behavior.

Known Limitations

1. Discount Display Inconsistencies in Order Management

Issue: Free gifts and discounts appear differently in Shopify Admin order pages depending on the checkout method used.
Orders created by Native Shopify Checkout :

• In shopify admin & invoice Free gift line items display as $0.00
• Original price shown as strikethrough text
• Clear indication of applied discount at line item level

Orders created by GoQwik Checkout:

• In shopify admin & invoice Free gift appears as a regular paid line item at full price
• Compensatory order-level discount applied for the free gift amount
• Final order total remains accurate, but line item representation is misleading

Impact:

• Order management confusion for staff reviewing orders
• Potential discrepancies in inventory and sales reporting
• Misalignment between customer expectations and order documentation

2. Tax and Accounting Complications

Issue: Free products appear as taxable items in accounting systems due to misrepresentative order structure.
Problem Description: Since GoQwik displays free gifts as regular paid line items (with compensatory order-level discounts), downstream accounting software may incorrectly calculate taxes on these items.

Specific Risks:

• GST Miscalculation: Accounting systems may apply GST to free gift line items at their displayed full price
• Tax Compliance Issues: Potential over-reporting of taxable transactions
• Audit Complications: Discrepancies between intended free gifts and recorded taxable sales
• Financial Reporting Errors: Inflated gross sales figures before discount adjustments

Example Scenario:

• Customer receives a free ₹1000 product through Shopify Functions
• Native checkout: Shows ₹0 line item (no GST applied)
• GoQwik checkout: Shows ₹1000 line item + ₹1000 order discount
• Accounting software: May calculate 18% GST on the ₹1000 line item, creating ₹180 tax discrepancy

Impact:

• Requires manual intervention in accounting processes, or modify the system so that free products are marked free by accounting suite
• Potential tax over-payment if not caught

Technical Root Cause

The core issue stems from GoQwik's inability to directly interface with Shopify Functions discount logic. When Shopify Functions apply discounts (such as free gifts), GoQwik cannot detect these function-generated modifications in real-time during checkout processing.
As a workaround, GoQwik implements the following approach:

1. Processes the cart at full price for all items
2. Applies compensatory discounts at the order level
3. Ensures mathematical accuracy while losing semantic meaning

Updated on: 11/06/2025