Allocating stock between sales channels

[cubzworld]

I've searched on this forum and found similar problems but not solutions.

I sell on my own website, ebay and amazon and it is becoming a real nightmare managing our stock between these channels. I'm dreading what Christmas will be like!

What I need is something that will link the stock between the 3 so if something sells on Amazon and it is the last one in stock - it takes it out of stock on Ebay and the website (or just reduces the stock level)

Here is the crunch I do not have the budget for a bespoke all singing product so does anyone know of any package or service that will do the job?

Many thanks
Tracy
Tots n Toys

 

[TotallySport]

Why not ask your ecommernce provider to write a plugin for your site?

 

[michellew01]

I have this problem too,

and the easiest way I have managed to keep on top of it is through excel stock spreadsheets, with columns for stock level, listed on ebay, listed on amazon and listed on website, i manually change it when i sell something,

can be a little time consuming but this is the easiest way i have found to do it and it works for me,


I also find these stock sheets invaluable for annual and stock value for my annual return, as the information is already in the spreadsheet

 

[Page]

Only starting looking at it but don't programs like channel advisor do this.

Not sure how they would integrate into your current shop.

If you do some research let us know how you get on.

 

[i234i]

Maybe we should all split to get a program to fit all of us haha
I have the same problem knowing how much to list on each etc and keeping note of it all.

Does anyone use EBid?? They are doing a lifetime member ship for £50.
also free to list items and 3% Final Value, i dont see why not? Not started yet tho (just too much on the stock just now)

 

[cubzworld]

Thanks for all your advice.

Totally Sport - good idea I am pursing that one.
Michelle - I do something similar but it is so time consuming and doesn't work when I sell too many of the same item at a similar time in different marketplaces.
Page - I think Channel Advisor costs about £300+ a month, can't really justify this sort of cost.

If I find a solution I'll let you all know!

Regards
Tracy

 

[michellew01]

yep Tracy, it can get quite difficult when you only have 1 item left in stock and it is listed on 3 selling channels, and you can always guarentee that it will sell on 2 channels at the same time especially at christmas time

 

[YoRock!]

Yes keeping track can be a nightmare. I do something similar to the spreadsheet way, but I alter the amounts with pencil/rubber as it is quicker!

 

[Page]

Nope not £300 a month - I am pretty sure.

But a base cost and then a % of sales.

Give em a ring and let us (me) know. It will save some time.

 

[worlddom]

The MD of channeladvisor is a member of these forums. It sounds like exactly the service you are looking for, why not email him for advice.

 

[michellew01]

Yes keeping track can be a nightmare. I do something similar to the spreadsheet way, but I alter the amounts with pencil/rubber as it is quicker!

yep that's what i do too

 

[Quizarea]

We Use Channel Advisor for selling in the UK & US on our own website and ebay in both countries.

If you sell a lot of items you will find the service invalubale.

The way in which it manages the stock automated email systems and all the reports that you can produce are worth the £300 per month plus 1% of all sales.

Downsides IMHO are slow customer support,lack of product pages, poor SOE and a mulity page checkout not a one page system which our customers dont like.

There is a think tank here this is what CA customers are asking for.
http://thinktank.channeladvisor.com/
Pete

 

[247 Top Seller]

I am from 247 Top Seller and we offer a multi-channel ecommerce solution for eBay, Amazon, own website and other channels including Google Product Search (free to add). We are very cost effective and would love to try and find a solution for you.

We are quite new to the market but not new to selling online. Our solution has been developed with sellers in mind and it includes everything needed to streamline your operations and make life easier for you all round.

Our support is excellent (email, Skype and our resolution centre) and we are a very friendly bunch.

If anyone would like to find out more please check out our website (Google 247 Top Seller) or phone 020 7016 7774