Inventory
How to count damaged stock
Separate damaged or unsellable units from sellable on-hand units during the physical count. Source context ↗
Written by Sandeep Bhandari · Sources checked
Set the counting rule
Damage is a condition, not a different physical item. A damaged unit still exists, but it may not be available to sell.
Put the rule into practice
A box with 18 intact cups and three cracked cups needs two recorded quantities.
Counting away from your desk? Use the iPhone app for widgets, history and quick actions.
Steps for a reliable tally
- Make two named counters for the same SKU, one for sellable and one for damaged.
- Note the location and follow your inventory system's adjustment process afterward.
- Compare the combined physical total with all units expected, then compare the sellable total with what customers can actually order.
Why this detail matters
The damaged number may need a later write-off, repair or return workflow, depending on the store. The tally tool does not decide that accounting treatment. Record a brief reason and keep the damaged units physically separate so the next person does not count them again as sellable.
On the shelf
If a unit is damaged but still saleable at a discount, follow the store's own condition categories. Do not decide its status from a generic tally page. The key counting task is to make sure the same unit appears in exactly one condition category at the cutoff time.
What can go wrong?
Combining both states into a single saleable total can cause an order you cannot fulfill.
Common questions
What should one tap mean for how to count damaged stock?
Separate damaged or unsellable units from sellable on-hand units during the physical count.
What is the most common error in how to count damaged stock?
Combining both states into a single saleable total can cause an order you cannot fulfill.
Can I keep a copy of a inventory tally?
For how to count damaged stock, use Export CSV after the last observation. The file records your counter names and current numbers.