For an open box like that, no. The weight of the box and the variance of the packets make it dangerous to assume anything. Besides, a sealed box should have a count on it to begin with. At least, in a perfect world. Depending on the client’s system, you may also have to break out the different styles/items shipped in the same box.
For bulk bins of things, maybe. You just have to zero the scale for the container you’re using and find the average of multiple pieces to make it work. Amongst our inventory equipment, we have digital scales designed to weight a set number of pieces. It then calculates the average per piece and will tell you how many pieces you place on it. Without it, we would be stuck counting nails for hours. Which is just as much fun as it sounds like.
Also in this vein, never trust whats printed on the box, even if it’s sealed. I remember one time in the bookstore we opened up what we thought was a sealed box full of one particular title in the backroom for returns; we found a completely different title in the box. Someone reused the box and forgot to note what was now inside the box.
I’m loving these tips. I work Sporting Goods and Hardware at Walmart, and our inventory is coming up. I love when the comic is relative to what I’m doing at work.
We may or may not do this where I work (retailer with at least some floorspace dedicated to housewares/kitchen supplies).
Silicone spatulas cost 99 cents and they come in a box of 144. We wrote down what the empty boxes and empty storage bins weigh and just do it all that way. Unless corporate is reading this forum, in which case we count every piece by hand no matter how long it takes.
I used to work for Walmart, last position being IMS, which is basically inventory control. And I can tell you that just because you see 5 rows of 10 boxes that are the same size, you are a fool to assume they are all the same thing. In fact, many, MANY times I have seen in the same case of canned goods, different flavors. Like… a case of 12 Chef Boyardee ravioli, except two of the cans are actually spaghetti & meatballs. For the last inventory I worked there, we double checked *everything*. Even if it already had a count, even if it looked like all the same item in the box. I lost count of how many things were mislabeled, shipped wrong, etc.
So tempting and yet, if well supervised, improbable. Cutting corners is a fast way of getting in trouble and well I learned that the hard way..
Depends on the item.
For an open box like that, no. The weight of the box and the variance of the packets make it dangerous to assume anything. Besides, a sealed box should have a count on it to begin with. At least, in a perfect world. Depending on the client’s system, you may also have to break out the different styles/items shipped in the same box.
For bulk bins of things, maybe. You just have to zero the scale for the container you’re using and find the average of multiple pieces to make it work. Amongst our inventory equipment, we have digital scales designed to weight a set number of pieces. It then calculates the average per piece and will tell you how many pieces you place on it. Without it, we would be stuck counting nails for hours. Which is just as much fun as it sounds like.
Also in this vein, never trust whats printed on the box, even if it’s sealed. I remember one time in the bookstore we opened up what we thought was a sealed box full of one particular title in the backroom for returns; we found a completely different title in the box. Someone reused the box and forgot to note what was now inside the box.
I’m loving these tips. I work Sporting Goods and Hardware at Walmart, and our inventory is coming up. I love when the comic is relative to what I’m doing at work.
The omnipresent Marla strikes again.
Never assume anything in retail. Lethal.
Remember the old joke: when you ASSUME, you make an ASS of U and ME!
Every item must be counted.
Every last item.
Every single, last, @#^$ing item…
How about if there are 5 stacks of 10 boxes, can we assume that there are 50 boxes total or do we have to count each box?
If you already know that there are five stacks of ten boxes, then it’s not an assumption. You’ve counted them already.
Only if the identical boxes have identical SKUs which don’t change for color of item/capacity/model/new!feature etc. ; )
We may or may not do this where I work (retailer with at least some floorspace dedicated to housewares/kitchen supplies).
Silicone spatulas cost 99 cents and they come in a box of 144. We wrote down what the empty boxes and empty storage bins weigh and just do it all that way. Unless corporate is reading this forum, in which case we count every piece by hand no matter how long it takes.
I do that to count inventory all the time. Especially for cheap things.
I used to work for Walmart, last position being IMS, which is basically inventory control. And I can tell you that just because you see 5 rows of 10 boxes that are the same size, you are a fool to assume they are all the same thing. In fact, many, MANY times I have seen in the same case of canned goods, different flavors. Like… a case of 12 Chef Boyardee ravioli, except two of the cans are actually spaghetti & meatballs. For the last inventory I worked there, we double checked *everything*. Even if it already had a count, even if it looked like all the same item in the box. I lost count of how many things were mislabeled, shipped wrong, etc.
You are my hero.
I am…? lol What’d I do to deserve that?
You did the job right! That’s why. : )