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Running out of stock
 

How do you guys keep from running out of stock? This may seem like a dumb question but it's seriously a issue for me. I'm always running out. I try to start small and take the profits and order more. But I'm always waiting waiting waiting. Steady pulling money to pay for shipping, fees, packaging then barely have enough to increase my order size. So I order another 10 and I'm right back to square 1.

Sometimes I feel like I'm just not getting anywhere with Ebay. Can you feel my frustration? Lol

I need to grow my order sizes to 10-20-50-80-100.

Or Maybe I just need to bite the bullet and order 100 right off the bat.

Re: Running out of stock
 

running out of stock is always better than stocking them for one more year until the next season

Re: Running out of stock
 

Yea I guess that's the other extreme which I don't think I will have that problem lol.

Re: Running out of stock
 

I have an excel spreadsheet that lays out all my full plan as far as net profit with fees, shipping, packaging all laid out as well.

Re: Running out of stock
 

Nice, I do the same....and I have the same problem as you do. What I have I done to fix my issue is to borrow some cash and just buy a really large quantity of product....when I get half of it I just order more right away.

Re: Running out of stock
 

Yea I may just do that. I can easily pay back what I borrow. I just hate borrowing or using credit.

Re: Running out of stock
 

cash flow issue. im in the same boat and refuse to borrow from anyone as this is years of my own hard work to get to this point and any a-hole who gives me money is going to want a piece of my empire. problem is any payment processors other than PP and AZ Pay take weeks to pay me. are you EB/PP only?

Re: Running out of stock
 

Buy 300 at a time replace at 100 allow delivery time from China at it's easy peasy

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Re: Running out of stock
 

It's a good problem to have, it's either you raun out of stock, wait for a week to get the new stock and not make profit, or you risk having dead inventory.

If you play it smart, and think in the way of "Make the most money, and lose the least",
so you stock enough that you won't have a dry day and when the item doesn't sell anymore, you are left with minimal dead stock, I think it's the best way

Re: Running out of stock
 

A few years ago I got a bit of a cash bonus, I put it all into inventory, it's really worth it, no more sweating if my orders will arrive on time, no more running out of product, and if I get that super-large order I can meet it without an issue, it's added up to a lot less stress and a lot more income.

It worried me but it's worth it, now every time I get a bit of extra income I tuck some away for hard times and roll the rest straight into inventory. I've got enough inventory to last six months without ordering more, worst case scenario.

My product sells steadily and I can't see that changing, but certainly depending on your product you do have to worry about unsellable items, so it won't work for just anyone.

Re: Running out of stock
 

Good idea! I will bump my quantities and once I get to a a curtain quantity, I will re-order. Esp now that I have reputable suppliers I can start this. I do not want to run out esp in Oct and Nov as orders increase.

Re: Running out of stock
 

I think once I get my cash bonus from work I will invest most of it in products. I swear this is better than the stock market haha.

Re: Running out of stock
 

Yea, knowing how much money to use for personal and how much to put back towards products.

Re: Running out of stock
 

Cashflow - You didn't mention if your taking money out of the business i.e. nice salary etc.. From the sounds of it your growth potential seems lucrative (for the products in question), and with the busy period round the corner, I would minimise taking any money out of the business, just reinvest everything. :)

Borrowing money, Im in the same boat as you. Slower growth, slower returns, lower risk - for me is a much better option. The worst case scenario with borrowing is buying a large amount of stock, and for whatever reason getting stuck with it.

Re: Running out of stock
 

stock is like tools for the job if you dont have them work stops ok

Re: Running out of stock
 

yes compound the money back into the business to buy stock it will give you the potential to double your business

Re: Running out of stock
 

It sounds like you have hot enough product to not have to really worry about not selling the items. I would push the envelope if you feel it is an established product.

As for capital issues, I like to use a cash covered credit system. Which basically means every bit of borrowed capital I take out, I have the cash to kill off the debt. With this system, if you have good credit card benefits (points/cashback) you can actually earn a small paycheck from buying. BUT the key is to have a product that turns over faster than the 25 day accrual of the interest on the credit card so it does not negate your rewards. You would be amazed at what companies will give you to make them money. Even greedy credit card companies.

Re: Running out of stock
 

I've found this method to work well.