Inventory Resourcing

[katzrul15]

When you're out widgeting/resourcing/junking (whatever it is you call it)

......And you run across a "deal".  Do you take them "all"?  Or do you leave some for the others huddled around the area whose antennae have gone on full ALERT that there is a lady shoving armloads into her cart?

[wastingtime101]

Have you ever traveled by airplane? There's a reason they tell you to to put on your own oxygen mask during an emergency before you help the people around you, including kids. If you don't take care of yourself, then you can't help others. I have no problems clearing out stock so I can put food on my table and a roof over my head.

Of course there are exceptions like the situations mentioned above (keeping peace with a fellow reseller that's there at the same time, avoiding essential items, not buying out stock of items in high demand and short supply like the latest gaming system, etc), but for the most part I don't see a problem picking up all of what's there.

The OP bought a basket full of towels and I'll bet they were not the only towels in the store. They were probably the only towels in those brands, but I'm sure not the only towels. You really want towels for $1? Go to the Dollar Store. This is a society overflowing with stuff. As you said, there's plenty to go around. There's no reason one person can't take all of what's at one location because there are 20 other locations nearby with the same/similar thing.

Not that it's anybody's business, but I spend a lot of hours every year doing volunteer work, and I send in some monetary donations, too. I could not do any of that if I didn't take care of myself first. If that means cleaning out stock on an item then I see no reason to feel guilty about it. You may argue that someone else also needs to put food on their table. I respect that, but if I get there first that's what counts. I have no way of knowing if/when/who will come along next, nor do they know when they're ahead of me. Call us selfish all you like, but I will respectfully agree to disagree.

[chapeau-noir]

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@nuclearomen wrote:

i magically conjure bunch of incoherent words and my stock appears 😆
seriously, idk, i don't "widget or junk" (or flea market, garage sale, army and navy, pawn shop...) but the answer is no, i don't normally take all, unless all is only a few then yes. 

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I also always leave something for someone else unless there are only a couple-three items, then I'll take them all.

I guess I just don't think it's all about me and life isn't a zero sum game. 

[bigdeals.etc]

I see where you are coming from. There's no need to apologize (to anyone) for making an honest wage or pay. And that's how I see what most of these things are. These items are non essential common or luxury items that are plentiful in the generic sense. Doing these things when I was younger allowed me to put myself thru college while not having to be tied to a 5 day a week 9-5er. I was able to choose when to work, and choose when to study or go to class. I'm fairly certain my wife and kids are glad I did that.

[downunder-61]

The store got the price marked on them and your money is as good as anyone elses.

The customer who complained, should have been quicker.

Great buy, keep doing it without fear or guilt 😊

[katzrul15]

It is a discussion board, so I respect differing views.  Many of us use e-bay to support our families, shore up out livelihood.

My husband was laid off last March after 28 1/2 years and 5/1 his position eliminated permanently.  In March, we had 2 in college.  Right now, we have 1.

We lost a lot of inventory in the warehouse flood and while I need inventory, that thrift day won't impact what we sell a great deal.  

I am sorry my purchases upset the cashier.  Never my goal.   During covid, inventory was scarce for many.  Appreciate the insights.

[Anonymous]

So you are somehow better than everyone else commenting ?

Hmmm......what's the common denominator here.

I'm sure you typed that comment with a straight face, full knowing and aware of the gouging prices you have on your items. 

It's okay that you don't like our methods, I don't like yours......it's a wash.

We all have our methods and do what we have learned works.

You don't have to like it and we certainly don't need your approval.

Thanks for expressing your opinion, but realize that it is just that.

[nuclearomen]

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@chapeau-noir wrote:

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@nuclearomen wrote:

i magically conjure bunch of incoherent words and my stock appears 😆
seriously, idk, i don't "widget or junk" (or flea market, garage sale, army and navy, pawn shop...) but the answer is no, i don't normally take all, unless all is only a few then yes. 

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I also always leave something for someone else unless there are only a couple-three items, then I'll take them all.

I guess I just don't think it's all about me and life isn't a zero sum game. 

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@chapeau-noir the issue isn't with me that I wouldn't take them all, but it's kinda impossible is what I meant. I don't acquire stock from stores, garage/yard sales, etc...etc... well some things i do if it's something I like and good price but other wise my inventory comes direct from the labels and other distributors and it's not physical shopping, it all done online and there is no way to know how many they have unless you try to add xx amount to cart and it won't let you means they don't have that quantity. But I don't need 300-1000 copies. I generally stock between 1 and 5x of something. Past year it's more like 1-2x on most everything since wholesales have gone up and so has shipping (i have to pay that too). 

In any case, my point is I don't really get stock like a lot others do by hitting stores. Also, everyone seems to feel that everyone who goes to store is a 3rd party seller....likely they are the only one buying to resell. To top it off, someone else always has what you have, it's a big world, nothing is only available where you got it, some else can get it also, unless it's a very limited/special thing or has sold out on pre-orders. 

[katzrul15]

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@downunder-61 wrote:

The store got the price marked on them and your money is as good as anyone elses.

The customer who complained, should have been quicker.

Great buy, keep doing it without fear or guilt 😊

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I think what was said UP thread, is really important.  

If you're taking essentials and profiting from them or taking more than you need for your family in these unprecedented times, that is clearly wrong.  The fights on the news this week again as Costco limited toliet paper is insane.

However, covid has pushed a lot of folks into fight or flight mode, survival mode, etc.  

I am glad Dottie posted.  While I do not think taking them all was "selfish" (I was just in acquisition mode), I truly did not anticipate the reaction from the cashier.  That part still really bothers me that I upset her, as typically paying for something does not elicit that response.

Offering her the 3 towels likely made it worse.  Guaranteed was not my intent.  And the truth is, I have no real frame of reference of what constraints prompted that cashier to lash out at me.  And likely why the manager stated that "I did not get it".  

I really would like to learn from this experience, so if you have suggestions on how better I could have replied to this cashier, or the manager, please share that.  I am confident I am not the only one who has encountered these types of issues or comments, etc.  

If I lived closer to there, I would go apologize in person.  Should I call the manager and apologize to him over the phone?  Thanks in advance.

[chapeau-noir]

@nuclearomen  I was actually agreeing with the 'how much do I take' in that I don't take everything unless its basically just a few things left.  If there's 100 widgets, I may take the majority, but I never take them all. 

[nuclearomen]

@chapeau-noir i know, just wanted to say that i don't usually obtain stock like many others do, going to physical stores and buying what is cheap or on sale. Not that i haven't, just not for my main category as I said, i get majority of that wholesale, i'd never pay the B&M retail prices and most record shops don't have what i deal in, they will have the popular "metal" mainstream and new age "metal" and even there I tend to cringe at the sight of it. So no thanks, I'll pass. There is nothing wrong however with taking all of something on a shelf or in the store. Your paying for the items at the price they are selling it, no business is going to complain that someone came in a bought every one of something, most of them will be grateful. I just usually don't even when I do, I take a few. I don't like buying up things that may sit around for ever and that is the type of stuff in stores usually, everyday common things 10,000 other sellers are peddling - have no interest in it unless it's something very limited, very collectible, in demand, hard to get and I know can turn profit on immediately then it's game on 😆 but I'll leave the 50x+ (insert item name here) just because it's "great price" alone. 

[chapeau-noir]

It's not infrequent that buying up everything means one ends up with a lot.  Once it was curling papers.  Boxes and boxes of them, vintage, made by a local company which was long out of business.  There were about 100 boxes - I think I took about 60 of them.  Amazingly, they all sold down through the months.  But I wasn't going to take all 100 of them - (1) it goes against the grain, (2) dollars to doughnuts I'd be left without 25 of those hummers left sitting around, anyway.

[strugglinlikeyou]

Grab and go. Don't see a problem. A quick sale is better than sitting on inventory. 

[toysaver]

You really want towels for $1? Go to the Dollar Store.

Microfiber towels from the dollar store can't even dry a spoon.

[nuclearomen]

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@toysaver wrote:

You really want towels for $1? Go to the Dollar Store.

Microfiber towels from the dollar store can't even dry a spoon.

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😆funny, but true, the microfiber towel/towels made in china etc... that don't dry is everywhere. Lindell's towels are great, got some as a gift few months ago, I'm thinking of ordering. 

[nuclearomen]

well, there is one exception I have @chapeau-noir - boxes/packaging supplies... "if the price is sweet my pockets are deep" 😆 - seriously, I just bought staples out of packaging tape the other day, not Duck brand I usually use, but Scotch brand, 6 rolls a box for $12 and change...that's cheaper then Amazon for same amount (22.2 yrd per roll.. I usually use Duck 50/60 yrds... but the price was great and no shipping cost), then got coupon from that for $10 off $20 of more...went right back to the isle and grabbed 3x shipping popcorn and used it....didn't buy it out, but I'm fine with deals and coupons if they benefit things I use/need on constant bases. Funny part is I didn't even plan going to staples...my wife had something she needed to get copied and I was in the car so i went in for hell of it.