An inventory exception list is a practical way to bring unresolved issues to a person's attention. It should identify a specific product, a documented condition and someone responsible for deciding the next step.
Define useful exceptions
- Available stock differs from the quantity expected from the last reconciled record.
- A shipment's account status does not match its carrier or receiving documentation.
- A supplier changes a production, preparation or delivery commitment.
- A product has stock that cannot be sold because of its condition, expiry or listing status.
Record the marketplace, SKU, report timestamp and source beside each exception. Amazon notes that inventory reports are snapshots, so a difference should be investigated against intervening orders and movements before it is treated as an error.
Close the issue with evidence
Assign an owner and write the next question to answer. That may be a supplier confirmation, a shipment document or an account case. When the issue is resolved, retain the corrected record and the action that explains the difference.
Keep unresolved exceptions visible in the next account review. Keep each exception open until the supporting record explains the discrepancy and the responsible person records the next step.