Need help keeping my online inventory sync'd with my distributors

[GunsForLess]

I'm currently in the process of starting up an online guns store, my knowledge to this point is very limited. But I'm trying to figure out what company/s or game plans are logical for what I need to do.

So the problem I foresee happening is.. I'll have over 100,000 products from my distributor, and due to the distributor having multiple companies selling their products, I see myself running into the problem of people ordering guns from my site, that are not actually in stock with the distributor. What do you do about this?

Like I said, my knowledge in online based business is very limited at this point.. I've called around to companies like volusion, e-bridge connection and atandra but none of them seem to be able to provide me an answer of this specific question.

Any input on this matter would be greatly appreciated!

[Thabefil]

Check out: http://www.wrnty.com/

+ YouTube Video

[robjones]

This is probably a gimme, but I'll ask just for the sake of bumping your thread.

(1) Do you have an FFL.

(2) Have you made contact with an attorney knowledgeable in 2nd amendment law to make sure you dont have any surprises?

Given our current administrations attitude about guns, having the attorney chat up front might help you avoid getting baffled with BS that isn't *really* the Feds right to ask/demand... but legalities dont always stop guys with federal badges from giving it a shot. You're getting into a business where the more success you see the more likely you'll hit the radar and be challenged on some aspect. It's not a matter of IF you'll need good counsel, but when.

---

No idea on your inventory question. I see ads all the time that say "out of stock" beside them. My thought is... why the hell is the ad there?

[webcosmo]

many companies provide an inventory file updated every x days/hours. you should talk to them if they offer this.

if they do have this sort of thing all you have to do is code your system to get the file and update your system periodically.

if they dont offer it you are up for manual updates or depend on them.

[GunsForLess]

Originally Posted by robjones

This is probably a gimme, but I'll ask just for the sake of bumping your thread.

(1) Do you have an FFL.

(2) Have you made contact with an attorney knowledgeable in 2nd amendment law to make sure you dont have any surprises?

Given our current administrations attitude about guns, having the attorney chat up front might help you avoid getting baffled with BS that isn't *really* the Feds right to ask/demand... but legalities dont always stop guys with federal badges from giving it a shot. You're getting into a business where the more success you see the more likely you'll hit the radar and be challenged on some aspect. It's not a matter of IF you'll need good counsel, but when.

---

No idea on your inventory question. I see ads all the time that say "out of stock" beside them. My thought is... why the hell is the ad there?

Thanks for the response. Yes I have my FFL and also I already have a store, I am just wanting to expand into the online aspect of the business. I have not spoken with an attorney yet, but I will definitely look into that before going online with the store.

[GunsForLess]

Originally Posted by webcosmo

many companies provide an inventory file updated every x days/hours. you should talk to them if they offer this.

if they do have this sort of thing all you have to do is code your system to get the file and update your system periodically.

if they dont offer it you are up for manual updates or depend on them.

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I've done a little more research and I guess this is really the only option to take without having to shell out thousands of dollars, I guess my next quest it to figure how to handle backorders on such a massive scale, but that is for another post!

[merici]

suppose use zencart online store where exist the inventory counters.
let all of your resellers to order in your zencart online store.
as per people buy, the stock counter would deduct accordingly.
then, everyone can see from the balance stock amount online as per order happened.

seems you have the idea needing a crm, zencart's backend is almost like an crm. for the beginner, which is a good online store to get learn from operating online of the businesss.