I worked with C-systems for 5 years, it was good but pretty steep learning curve. I have gotten to play a tad with Ideal and I like how it integrates with PartSmart and I was able to pick it up pretty easy just in the limited amount of contact I've had with it. I'm outta the biz now so I hardly ever get to play anymore. You cannot reasonably expect to run an OPE biz and not have some kind of inventory management. Sorry you've run into such a mess. We used to lock the doors for two to three days and do a manual full-count inventory audit annually. Now they can do it during business hours. And Ideal has a few nice perks on the customer side too. Their system will txt me automatically as soon as my complete order is received. And it e-mails my invoices to me which for me is much easier than shuffling paper copies.
Thanks for the info! I have made it very clear that for any kind of success we have to have some kind of inventory management system. I am going to see if we can send majority of the current inventory back to the suppliers. Even at a 20-30% restocking fee will be worth it vs storing parts that have not been sold for years and will sit for who knows how long.
If you unearth vintage stuff, I'd be looking to the forums and see if anyone would be interested in it as a lot. Particularly Gravely parts.
I honestly don't know yet. Still doing triage on customers that have been waiting for parts and or repairs.
what a challenge!!! CoreyB Good luck with the inventory. These days I consider an electronic inventory program a requirement rather than a luxury. consider triaging the inventory. Could use immediately or return to supplier or ebay or private sale option. consider using a student to do all the internet and shipping work for a commission on the ebay sales. that would at least get your inventory down to basics to build on.
Good luck! I'm looking to get out of my current position, and change careers / pseudo retire. Always love to hear the "new job" stories.....
