How To Fix WU096 - The start of sale must not be earlier than &

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WU - Promotion management messages

• Message number: 096

• Message text: The start of sale must not be earlier than &

What causes this issue?

The starting date for the sale of promotional merchandise must not be
before the current date.

How to fix this error?

Correct the date.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WU096 - The start of sale must not be earlier than & ?

  The SAP error message WU096 ("The start of sale must not be earlier than &") typically occurs in the context of sales and distribution processes, particularly when dealing with the management of sales documents, pricing, or availability checks. This error indicates that the system has detected an attempt to set a start date for a sale that is earlier than a defined or permissible date.
  Cause:
  
  Incorrect Date Entry: The user may have entered a start date for a sale that is earlier than the allowed date set in the system.
  Configuration Settings: The system may have specific configuration settings that define the earliest permissible start date for sales activities, which could be based on business rules or product availability.
  Master Data Issues: The master data for the product or customer may have restrictions that prevent sales from being initiated before a certain date.
  Sales Document Type Settings: Certain sales document types may have specific date constraints that need to be adhered to.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check the Date: Review the start date you are trying to enter and ensure it is not earlier than the allowed date. Adjust the date accordingly.
  Review Configuration: If you have access, check the configuration settings in the SAP system related to sales documents and ensure that the date constraints are set correctly.
  Master Data Review: Verify the master data for the product or customer involved in the transaction. Ensure that there are no restrictions that would prevent the sale from being processed.
  Consult Documentation: Refer to the SAP documentation or help files for specific details on the error message and any related configuration settings.
  Contact Support: If the issue persists and you cannot identify the cause, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting with an SAP expert for further assistance.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes that may help in troubleshooting, such as VA01 (Create Sales Order), VA02 (Change Sales Order), or VA03 (Display Sales Order).
  User Exits and BAdIs: Check if there are any user exits or Business Add-Ins (BAdIs) that might be influencing the date validation logic.
  SAP Notes: Search for relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error message or provide additional context on how to resolve it.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the WU096 error and implement a solution to resolve it.