How should i keep track of sales/inventory?

[arpalermo]

Hi everyone,

I sell computer stuff out of my house, and im not sure how to keep track of sales. At first i was just selling a couple computers a month so i could remember everything i sold... but now im selling hundreds of items a month and i dont really have an efficient method of keeping track of sales.

I just put stuff in this excel sheet ive made which is just a huge mess now. Anyways, what should i do? I was thinking maybe using open office database? (i dont use MS software) But i dont really know anything about it...

Also, the biggest problem i have with keeping track of things is when i mix inventory. Like i take a part out of one computer and stick it in another and then when i look back at my sales it looks like the one that got stripped sold for way less then it should have sold for... i was thinking categorizing every part in a computer i buy as a different item... but that would take forever! Im so lost!!!

[ahwoogah]

use a free inventory program that create invoices etc

[stlsmoore]

Doesn't Quick Books have an inventory system, I may be wrong though

[EasyAutoSales]

Even though it may take a long time to start, placing every part in an inventory system is probably the best way to go. This way, you can use your system to alert you what parts you're running low on and which ones you need to re-order. When you go to Jiffylube or other shops, you can see on the receipt how many bottles of oils they used, etc.

It takes effort to get organized so it's really up to you if you want to make that effort.