Forum

Managing Loads of Inventory?
 

I just got about 2,000 pieces of a certain item, with about 10 different color variation, in boxes.

I am using sticky-notes to notate what's in each box, and using Priority Mail shipping labels to ship.

Problem is: It's hard to keep track of my inventory, easily grab products, and match them with the Priority mail labels.

The pro's use barcoding and such, but what can I do as a small-time seller?

Do you guys print packing slips, then pull from a shelf or something? How do you stay organized and efficient?

I print my labels with the item name on the bottom of them. Very few mistakes ive made since I started doing it this way.

I print of the invoice though eBay onto paper that has two second that peel off, one the buyers address and one the return address. The eBay invoice contains all the information I need to find the exact product sold. I then find the product, pack it up, insert the eBay invoice, attached the buyers address and frank the mail, then place it in the days out box. I then use a SQL based database and reduce quantity by one. I then ensure the remaining amount on eBay correlates with the SQL value. Next to each of my boxes of stock I have a tally, I add one to that tally to match having just removed on. Has been working pretty well for me for about a year or so now.

Seems like a great system; but not so great if you're doing stealth since you're logging into eBay to print your invoices. Or am I wrong?

I log onto eBay from a different user account ensuring IP has not been used before to print off the invoices, the entire days at a set time each day for each account. Takes a while tbh. Another alternative is using a service like InkFrog to print them off, but for now this way serves me well.

Very simple solution. For each variation , create a # that goes with the variation and print up labels. Place label on box. Voila

I have those heavy duty large storage shelves for my items.

I have a clip board hanging on each unit with my stock, what I paid for each item and how many there are.

I do a lot of antiques so not many duplicates of any item.

I do this as well with my new items.

If they are small I have a plastic tote with what is inside each tote on them.

If I have 10 of an item and sell 5 Sunday night, when I go to the warehouse on Monday to pack I mark off the 5 so I always know how many I have left.

If it is an antique or collectible items I mark through the list so I know it has been sold etc.

I'm kind of confused. Are you saying print up separate labels (not shipping labels) and attach them to the boxes?

Yes exactly. U can buy some Avery labels at staples for your printer (make sure to choose right between inkjet and laser) and print away.

You can also use the hand held label printer if you want to make it easier.

Prints smaller labels but is very convenient to use.

Great idea Sandy! Thanks

You are very welcome!

I do auctions only so i have a very complex system of making piles of items based on day of the week.... i normally have 6 or 7 piles of things. ;)

So no Buy it Now? What if the auction item doesn't sale? Does it then go into a "Not Sold" pile LOL. Lots of piles my friend

yeeep, unsold get recycled back into the mix. :typing: its a science i tell you.