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5 Common Mistakes Dealerships Make with Parts Inventory (And How to Fix Them)

Managing an accurate parts inventory is essential for profitability, but many dealerships unknowingly make costly mistakes. These errors lead to accounting discrepancies, lost sales, and unnecessary expenses. Let’s break down the five most common mistakes and how to fix them. 1. Not Reconciling Parts Inventory to the General Ledger (GL) Regularly Many dealerships only reconcile parts inventory at month-end, leaving…

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Why Use a Third-Party for Parts Inventory Counts?

When it comes to automotive parts inventories, accuracy and efficiency are critical. Dealerships face the constant challenge of maintaining precise stock levels while ensuring that their financial records match the physical inventory. One of the decisions dealerships must make is whether to perform inventory counts internally or hire a third-party service. While internal counts can be cost-effective, third-party inventory counts…

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Buy/Sell Agreements: Managing Parts Inventory During a Dealership Transition

When a dealership undergoes a buy/sell transaction, the accuracy of its parts inventory valuation is critical. Failing to properly audit parts inventory can result in financial discrepancies, disputes, or unexpected losses for buyers and sellers alike. Conducting a thorough audit ensures transparency, protects investments, and helps facilitate a smooth transition. Why Parts Inventory Audits Matter in Buy/Sell Transactions Accurate Valuation:…

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The Hidden Costs of Parts Inventory Variance

Inventory variance is a persistent challenge for dealership parts departments, often leading to financial losses and operational inefficiencies. While minor discrepancies may seem insignificant, they can accumulate over time, affecting profitability, customer service, and even compliance. Understanding the hidden costs of inventory variance is crucial for dealership managers and accounting teams. 1. Financial Losses Due to Shrinkage One of the…

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What are best practices for a clean parts inventory?

PartsCount by Total Dealer Solutions (TDS) was established in 2003 to meet the automotive dealers’ need for an unbiased, professional third party parts physical inventory. We specialize in the automotive industry exclusively because with specialization comes expertise. Here are some tips and best practices to follow to maintain a clean parts inventory.

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What is a parts physical inventory?

A parts physical inventory is a process where an automotive dealership physically counts its entire parts inventory. It is recommended that a parts physical inventory be conducted every year. Why should I do a parts physical inventory? Physical accounting of the dealership’s parts assets is critical in managing a dealership’s capital investment. A physical inventory is also essential to keep…

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