Why don't sellers know what is in stock?

knightstyle

Bought an item of furniture from seller with good feedback over a week ago, just had a message to say it is out of stock! AAARRRGGGHHH.
Still at least they refunded me promptly.

Myyrrddyn

knightstyle wrote: »

Bought an item of furniture from seller with good feedback over a week ago, just had a message to say it is out of stock! AAARRRGGGHHH.
Still at least they refunded me promptly.

I only sell what I have and stock take it before listing. You know basic stock control. Why other people cannot do this simple thing astounds me.:T

soolin

Drop shippers run a huge risk when they sell with no idea what they can ship, most who operate like that rarely last beyond a year or so when the poor feedback and stars start to roll in.

Myyrrddyn

soolin wrote: »

Drop shippers run a huge risk when they sell with no idea what they can ship, most who operate like that rarely last beyond a year or so when the poor feedback and stars start to roll in.

I tried drop shipping and got let down mainly on the length of time it took for my customers to get their stuff.

soolin

Myyrrddyn wrote: »

I tried drop shipping and got let down mainly on the length of time it took for my customers to get their stuff.

I don't think you are alone, several of the regulars on here have had some pretty awful experiences when a supplier suddenly slowed down or started with the out of stock issues.

It only takes a few unhappy customers and bang goes a good business

toffe

the larger your stock holding the easier it is to make a mistake, even with all the scan in, scan out, electronic stock taking software that is available it is easy to lose track of stock levels, for example a couple of breakages which dont get entered into the computer, an exchange which goes unlogged and your stock is lower than you think.

also alot of sellers who use uk suppliers will often list more stock than they have because if they run out they can get it within 24 hours, that falls down however if your supplier runs out of stock and tells you there is a 5 day wait.

which ever way you look at it, whatever the actual, detailed, reason it usually comes down to same thing in the end, good old fashioned human error,

Myyrrddyn

soolin wrote: »

I don't think you are alone, several of the regulars on here have had some pretty awful experiences when a supplier suddenly slowed down or started with the out of stock issues.

It only takes a few unhappy customers and bang goes a good business

Luckily there was only one and get a negative from them, so anyone reading this don't do drop shipping you will get stung in the end, both buyers and sellers.:eek:

soolin

Myyrrddyn wrote: »

Luckily there was only one and get a negative from them, so anyone reading this don't do drop shipping you will get stung in the end, both buyers and sellers.:eek:

Thank goodness it was only the one :money: we used to have someone post here a lot who had a supplier go into financial collapse over Christmas and just stop fulfilling orders whilst maintaining a facade that all was well.

The poor poster was several negs down before the supplier finally admitted they couldn't operate anymore due to issues, and closed down . Obviously it was far too late for the poster, it made quite harrowing reading.

Myyrrddyn

Yep got a negative, customer got his goods eventually and for some unknown reason the supplier in China gave me a refund.

StaffsSW

Very few of the larger furniture sellers on ebay actually hold their own stock or even the majority of it, and rely on accurate information from the dropshippers.

Dropshipper inventory lists are as accurate as Daily Mail reporting.

knightstyle

Interesting, so when a seller says the item is located at such and such a town is this correct? Or is it in china or on a boat somewhere?