How do I check a marketplace seller’s inventory stored at the platform’s warehouses?

Stock in someone else’s warehouse is hard to see, so start with the platform dashboard. Sit with the seller and look at units on hand, units inbound, units reserved and units flagged as unsellable. Download the reports and keep copies. Ask when they were last reconciled with the seller’s own spreadsheet.

Then look for problems. Items that have been sitting a long time may carry extra storage charges or need to be removed. Lost or damaged units may be owed reimbursement, and claims may have deadlines the platform sets. Ask whether stock has been written off in the books and how the seller values what remains. Your accountant can compare the reports with the balance sheet.

Finally, think about the handover. Who owns the goods at closing, and how will the count be agreed on the closing day? Ask whether you will get inventory at cost or at some other basis, and put the method in writing. Ask for a recent supplier invoice for a few key items to confirm they were bought and paid for. Include any unpaid fees from the platform in your questions. Ask last about the plan after closing: whether you will keep sending stock to the same warehouses, and how any removal orders or returns will be paid for. Those costs can surprise a new owner.

Key takeaways

• Review the platform’s inventory reports live and keep copies.
• Look for aging, stranded, damaged or lost units.
• Compare the platform’s counts with the balance sheet.
• Agree in writing how stock is counted on closing day.