I use plastic bins and a spreadsheet. All of the bins have an identifying letter, and as soon as I list something it gets put in a bin. I then go to my spreadsheet, list the item and note which bin it was put in. items that are too large or cumbersome to store that way go on an 8-ft table, and it’s all in the spare bedroom so it’s out from under my feet.

Since this area is earthquake prone and I sell a lot of fragile items, everything gets bubblewrapped once it’s listed and before it goes in the bin. That way it’s protected and, bonus, it’s pretty much ready to put in a box and ship without a lot of extra work once it sells.

I keep Excel spreadsheets with all my inventory with item description, when I bought it and what it cost. I also assign it an inventory number and location number (see paragraph three – storage tubs).

As I sell through more that one venue (online and through an antique mall) inventories are kept on separate spreadsheets, so that I know what is where. I also have an inventory sheet for items not on sale and my own personal collection.

Storage is in 18 gallon plastic tubs with lids (acquired at Walmart for best price) which are numbered. This tub number goes on the line of the item on the spreadsheet to show the location of the item. These tubs are stored either in my garage or a storage room.

When the item sells, I pull it up on the spreadsheet, I know exactly where to go find it.

Green Creek Farm Antiques and Collectibles

Very nice system ANightOwl – I also have a similar system and it does work well.

I keep all my items in one room, if you have a spare bedroom it is great because if you sell clothes it is good to keep most of them hung in the closet. I also have an old china cabinet that I keep all my beauty products so they are visible to me and don’t have to hunt through bins. If you do use bins, the clear ones are the best, you can also put labels on the bins too – so you don’t have to spend time hunting. Keep all like items together – everything runs more smoother when you are well organized :)

If you have lots of small items and shelves for storage, you can buy the plastic stackable drawers sold at places like Wal Mart and large chain home stores. The come in lots of different sizes, so depending on you items you can mix or match and stack the drawers. Label accordingly. For your items waiting to be mailed, dedicate a large box or plastic tote for these.

I have 6 bookcases in my office as well as stackable bins and boxes that copier paper comes in. Everything is separated by product type. The only thing I struggle with are my books, because they are all kept in large bins which are incredibly heavy. It is cumbersome to keep lifting them to access the ones below when I am trying to find a book. Of course, it is never in the top bin.

I have a very small space so organization is of most importance.

For larger items, I use cardboard file storage boxes. I buy them by the carton (10 or 12 boxes) at the Sam’s Club or Costco, but reuse them over and over again. Since they are all the same size, they stack great on top of one another and snugly side by side.

On the outside of the box, I create a short code that describes what is in the box, like DC for Decorative Collectibles, or TH for Toys & Hobbies. If I have more than one box of that type, I just number [URL removed] DC1, DC2, etc.

When I create a Bonanzle listing, I include the box’s code number in very small print at the end of the item description. When the item has an inquiry or sells, this leads me quickly back to the correct storage location.

I also make an itemized list of contents that I leave inside the top of the box. This is handy for when I forget to write the code in the listing. I make this list on the computer so I can put it in alphabetical order. This makes it easier to scan the list to find an item. Plus, my handwriting isn’t the best, so computer print is a quicker read for sure.

For postcards, small photos and greeting cards, I’ve found mini file cabinets work great. I find them at garage sales and see them sometimes at the local Goodwill store. They’re made of steel and meant for index cards. Some have one drawer, some have two. You can usually get them for a buck or two, but not more than $5. A pack of index card dividers might even be included; if not, they are cheaply gotten. You can customize the dividers to suit your needs. For my postcards, for example, the dividers are alphabetical by US State, then by countries of the world.

There’s nothing worse than that sinking feeling you get when you sell an item, but then you can’t find it to package it. The first horror that comes to mind is, “Did I already sell this?” followed by “No. Oh NO! WHERE IS IT?!?!?”

Buying some cardboard file boxes and a couple of index card cabinets saved the day for me. While it isn’t perfect, it’s reduced those “OH NO” moments considerably.

I try to keep like items together like books in one box, video games in another, toys in a storage bin, etc. If you can have a dedicated space to store items it makes the " inventory clutter" more manageable. Or at least that’s what I try to tell my husband. :)

Luckily, I have a large, older home.
Plenty of closets and furniture with doors.
Attics are nice to have too.

Because my items are small and need to be stored flat, I use the drawers/cabinets that Architects use to keep their drawings in. These are great to find things as you don’t have to stack items…

I’m using much the same as most appear to be using – drawers and boxes.
I did find it advantageous to start a system of spreadsheets for each
drawer, box or bin, each with a number, as the quantity grew.
Makes it easier to manipulate the inventory as needed.

Since I sell jewelry it’s pretty easy. I bag each piece in a zip lock bag and then bag all if them in one big plastic bag.

I buy large Rubber Maid bins and place each item carefully in them.Each bin had a posted on the outside with the name of the item. I have 12 bins so this helps me locate the item easily. Those bins are stored in a shower of a third bathroom that I have. The shower curtain hides the bins. I also have a spare bedroom that has a large shelf. I store bigger items and t-shirts on them. I cover the items with large plastic bags so they do not get dust on them. Fine china is stored in my china cabinet.

I sell mostly lingerie and nightwear as well as This n That. So I go between bins, baggies and the closet. The ThisnThat is shelved but visible. Everything is in the spare bedroom altogether.

I use baggies for each item, print or write out an item#, specifics like size and name etc. Then I put each baggie in appropriate bins divided by size…- panties S/M/L/XL+… bras by size / camis by size / nightwear hangs in closet again by size. PJs in a bin of each size if I have enough inventory for such.

Take the time up front to organize and it will save you hours in the longrun.

I only keep a week on hand at a time. Sorted by size and colour. A better question is where do I keep my screens in the shop. OMG..Shelves and shelves of them spilling out into ever spare space as I keep making the ruddy things. Yesterday I noticed I have enought floaters that I can now almost fill another 6 foot shelf so I am going to put one up this week.

I try to sort those by content but that never seems to last I always find myself flipping through them like LP’s looking for the screen I need.

Oh well part of the fun.

Now that is a question. In about 1990 I started giving inventory numbers to items and entering those item numbers on to my own developed inventory sheets that are kept in three ring binders. I am close to 17000 inventory numbers now. That is not the number of items which would be vastly much more in number, as multiple items may have the same number such as LP records or a “lot” of books. For Bonanzle listed items they are marked with there inventory number using a tag or postit or easy off sticker. Then that same number is used in the item description. The the items are packed in boxes labeled Bonanzle with a outside postit listing all numbers and a little description in that box which is then and stored on shelving units. As an item is sold price it is entered into the number item line. The same numbering process is used for Flea market and Antique Mall items. All items are given a number before putting out for sale

I have wall to wall, ceiling to floor cabinets with doors in what was once a double car garage. All my china inventory goes into the cabinets and stays pretty much dust free.

I keep spreadsheets with the items’ mfg, pattern, cost, location, etc on 1 sheet. Makes it easy to inventory for tax purposes because it’s all in one place. And for figuring state sales tax on sales.

Another sheet has sales and is linked to the inventory page. I back it up a LOT as I would be so lost if it crashed!