Most resellers think of spot-checks — quick counts of a portion of inventory — as just another boring task. But here’s the truth: spot-checks don’t just prevent mistakes, they can actually boost your sales. By keeping your inventory accurate and uncovering hidden opportunities, this small habit can put more money in your pocket.
In this post, I’ll explain why spot-checks matter, how they impact profits, and how you can add them to your reseller workflow without spending hours.
What Are Inventory Spot-Checks?
A spot-check is when you randomly pick a group of products (like one shelf or bin) and compare the physical count to your records. Instead of doing a full audit — which can take days — you’re sampling small portions regularly.
Example: Every Sunday, check 10–15 SKUs in your storage area and compare them against your spreadsheet or inventory system.
Why Spot-Checks Boost Sales
1. Catch Overselling Before It Happens
If your system says you have 5 units left but you only have 3, you risk overselling on marketplaces like Amazon or eBay. Overselling leads to canceled orders, bad reviews, and lost trust. Spot-checks catch errors early so you can adjust listings before problems occur.
Example: I once found I was “overselling” two toys because my spreadsheet hadn’t been updated after a last sale. Spot-checking saved me from having to cancel an Amazon order and risk a negative review.
2. Keep Fast Movers Always Available
Your best-sellers are the lifeblood of your business. If they’re incorrectly marked as out of stock, you miss easy sales. Spot-checking fast movers ensures they’re always live and available.
Pro Tip: Make a list of your top 10 products and prioritize them in your weekly spot-check routine.
3. Improve Marketplace Rankings
Cancellations and shipping delays hurt your seller metrics. Marketplaces reward reliable sellers with higher visibility. By reducing mistakes, your listings stay higher in search results, which means more organic sales.
Example: A reseller who added weekly spot-checks reduced order cancellations by 50%. Within two months, their eBay search rankings improved noticeably.
4. Identify Hidden Stock
Sometimes products get misplaced or mislabeled in storage. Spot-checks help uncover “lost” items that can be relisted and sold.
Example: One reseller found $300 worth of inventory sitting in a mislabeled bin. After relisting, the items sold within a week. That’s money that would have otherwise stayed locked up.
5. Build Buyer Trust
When customers receive exactly what they ordered, on time, they leave positive reviews. Spot-checks minimize the risk of shipping mistakes — like sending the wrong variation or realizing you’re out of stock at the last minute.
Pro Tip: Strong reviews = higher rankings + repeat buyers.
How to Add Spot-Checks to Your Workflow
- Pick a schedule: Weekly works best for most small resellers. Block out 15–20 minutes.
- Start small: Check 10 SKUs at a time. Expand as you get comfortable.
- Focus on high-value items: Begin with your most profitable or fast-moving products.
- Record adjustments immediately: If you find errors, update your spreadsheet or system on the spot.
- Rotate checks: Over a month, you’ll cover your entire inventory without doing a full audit at once.
Bonus: Use Technology to Support Spot-Checks
While spot-checks are hands-on, tech can make them easier:
- Use barcode scanners (or even a phone app) to confirm SKUs.
- Automate reminders so you don’t skip your weekly check.
- Combine spot-checks with tools like ByteConn’s Inventory System to get alerts when numbers don’t match.
FAQs About Spot-Checks
Q: How often should I do spot-checks?
Weekly is ideal, but even bi-weekly is better than once a year. The key is consistency.
Q: Do I need to check my entire inventory?
No. The point of spot-checks is to check small portions regularly. Over time, you’ll cover everything.
Q: What if I only sell a few SKUs?
Even with a small catalog, spot-checks prevent mistakes. For small sellers, a monthly full audit may be enough, but weekly spot-checks add an extra safety net.
Final Thoughts
Spot-checks aren’t just about preventing mistakes — they’re about creating sales opportunities. By keeping your counts accurate, you avoid cancellations, improve your rankings, and even uncover hidden inventory. In short: spot-checks = more sales.
Start this week: pick your top 10 SKUs, set a 15-minute timer, and run your first spot-check. You might be surprised how much value is hiding in your inventory.
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