How do I check a subscription box’s inventory of leftover products?

Leftover products often appear when a box is over-ordered or a theme ends. Ask the seller for a full list: item, quantity, cost, purchase date and intended box. Then visit the storage space and compare what you see against the list.

Think about how each item can be used. Some products suit any month, while others are tied to a season, a collaboration or a limited run. Ask whether the seller has a plan to use them and whether past leftovers were sold off at a discount or given away. Check condition. Look for damaged packaging, faded print and expiry or best-before dates if the products are consumables. Items that cannot be sent cannot generate revenue. Ask how the seller decides what to do with items that no longer fit any box, and whether the store sells them in a shop, at an event or in a clearance box. A clear habit here reduces the chance of repeated leftovers.

Ask how stock is counted in the accounts. Old stock carried at full cost makes the accounts look stronger than they are. Your accountant can say whether write-downs are overdue. Finally, ask how ordering decisions are made, so you can see whether leftovers are a habit or a one-time mistake.

Key takeaways

• Get a leftover list with cost, date, condition and intended box.
• Inspect the storage and check consumables for dates.
• Ask how leftovers are valued and whether any write-down is overdue.