Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about safety, security, and GhostSync features.
Will this mess up my inventory?
We have a two-layer guardrail system. If a file impacts <20% of your products, we flag it as PARTIAL_FILE_RISK. If it attempts to change >50% of your stock (high volatility), we flag it as WIPE_RISK. In both cases, GhostSync blocks the sync and alerts you before making any changes. You can also run a Dry Run preview at any time. Read more about safety guardrails.
What Shopify permissions do you need?
GhostSync requests only the minimum necessary scopes: write_inventory, read_inventory, read_locations, read_products. We cannot access your customer data, orders, billing information, or store settings. We only read your product catalog and write inventory quantities.
My supplier changes formats often. Will it break?
Our system includes Format Drift Detection. Before processing, we compare each incoming file against the learned template. If column headers change or the structure differs significantly, the sync is paused automatically, and you receive an alert. You can then re-run the onboarding wizard to adapt to the new format without any broken inventory updates.
Can I undo a sync if something goes wrong?
GhostSync stores before-and-after quantity context for completed syncs so you can review the exact changes in the sync log. Guardrails prevent most problematic runs from executing in the first place, and support can help you review bad outcomes from actionable sync logs.
How does the email forwarding work? Is it safe?
Each supplier gets a unique, cryptographically random ingest email address (e.g., supplier-xyz123@ingest.ghostsync.io). You set up an auto-forward rule in Gmail or Outlook. GhostSync validates the sender, verifies the attachment format, and deletes raw uploads within 24 hours. Operational sync history is retained until merchant deletion.
What file formats are supported?
All plans support CSV and Excel (.xlsx, .xls). Pro and Enterprise add PDF parsing and OCR support for scans.
How long does it take for Shopify to update?
GhostSync starts processing as soon as the supplier email is received. Completion time depends on file size, guardrails, and Shopify API limits, but the flow is push-based rather than waiting on a scheduled poll.
Is my data secure?
Yes. GhostSync practices defensive ingestion, deletes raw supplier uploads within 24 hours, and documents every subprocessor publicly. We do not sell merchant data, and our public trust pages explain retention, providers, and support paths in detail.
How do I get started safely?
Start with preview mode and the free plan if you want to validate a supplier workflow before paying. You can inspect the delta, confirm the mapping, and only enable live sync once the output looks correct.
What happens if I outgrow the free plan?
If you need more suppliers, sync runs, or PDF support, you can choose a paid plan from the pricing page. Plan limits are published publicly so the upgrade path is clear before you commit.
How do I cancel or upgrade?
You can manage your subscription directly from the Billing tab in the dashboard. Cancellations take effect at the end of the current paid billing cycle. If you later request account deletion, GhostSync immediately removes core merchant records from the active product database, while some supporting, provider-side, finance, support, and log records may follow separate retention or manual cleanup workflows.
Do you support multi-location inventory?
Multi-location routing is an Enterprise capability. Contact sales if you need location-specific routing and rollout timing for that feature.
What happens if something goes wrong?
Guardrails are designed to catch wipe-risk, partial-file, and format-drift issues before live inventory is updated. If a sync fails or is blocked, you get an email explanation, can review the sync log in-product, and can reach support at support@ghostsync.io. Live GhostSync incidents are communicated on the public status page, and merchant support currently targets a first response within 2 business days.
Can it update prices?
Currently, GhostSync focuses exclusively on inventory quantities to help reduce overselling risk. Price updates are on our roadmap.
How long does setup take?
Most merchants are up and running in under an hour. You simply forward a sample email from your supplier, map the columns (SKU and Quantity), and you're done.
When is GhostSync a better fit than Stock Sync?
Stock Sync and GhostSync solve overlapping but different problems. GhostSync is narrower: it is built for supplier email workflows where the file arrives as an attachment and you want per-supplier preview and guardrails before inventory is changed.
- Workflow: GhostSync is built around dedicated supplier inboxes and per-supplier onboarding for CSV, Excel, and PDF attachments.
- Timing: GhostSync starts processing when the supplier email is received. Stock Sync's public docs describe a broader scheduled feed model, including email-attachment support on plan-based sync intervals.
- Fit: If your suppliers publish stable hosted feeds or you want a broader feed/product sync surface, Stock Sync may be the better fit. If they email messy attachments and you want inbox-first inventory automation, GhostSync is the more specific tool.
GhostSync is not affiliated with SyncX or Shopify. Product references on this page are for comparison only and should be verified against the current public product docs before you choose a tool.
Why not use a Virtual Assistant or Zapier?
A VA handling manual data entry is slow and prone to human error, leaving open a "Risk Window" where you might oversell out-of-stock items. Custom Zapier workflows break easily if a supplier changes their file format or sends a PDF. GhostSync provides instant, fully automated processing with built-in format drift detection and no reliance on human data entry.
What if my supplier has an API?
If your supplier offers a robust, modern API, that is usually the best integration method and you may not need GhostSync for them. GhostSync exists for the other 80% of suppliers who still run their business by emailing daily CSV, Excel, or PDF attachments.