Item numbers

[Toddw440]

I stock Appliance parts on my truck  for running service calls. I stock a number of parts that are interchangeable with others, for instance Dryer belts. There are several belts that will replace others so I just stock one of them. Is there a way I can set up a part and assign multiple crosses for it? Maybe assign the number I stock it under and type in a cross and the system cross it over to the number I stock it under and keep up with inventory for that main number. 

[TheRealChipA]

Hi @Toddw440.  Currently, Square items don’t have cross-references or shared inventory, which is what I believe you are asking for.  I was going to suggest that you use the Options feature during item setup, but that would required to maintain separate inventory for each option, so I don’t think will work.

The best work-around I can come up with is to create a required modifier list.  In it you will list all of the part numbers or descriptions that use this belt Then all of those crosses will share the same inventory for that generic item.  I am pretty sure this will get you the functionality you need quickly without a lot of hassle.

Otherwise, submit a feature request here for the POS you are using (Square POS, Retail, etc).  The product team will review it and let you know if it is something either planned or that they might want to plan.  That’s rarely a quick process, though, as you can imagine.

Let me know if I missed something in your original post.

Regards,

[CFMobile]

I need something similar, Did you find a work around?

[Candlestore]

@Toddw440 , @CFMobile, 

I have an Idea that may work but might be a lot of work till Square can get something that does the Cross reference for you.

Put the Item Number in or the Name of the belt whatever works for you as the Item Name..... For the SKU put the Belt number SKu of belt etc.

Variations put in the Other Belt number, but for the sku put the number in you STOCK

  Here is what I mean  

         Item Washer Belt (STOCKED)                                            SKU 123456789        in stock 50

                       Variation    Maytag Washer Belt 85414034        SKU 123456789        in stock 0

                       Variation    Kenmore Washer Belt ken56789      SKU  123456789        in stock 0

You could even Drop the Kenmore Washer Belt  to just the variation being the Belt part number.

  So now your on a call    What belt for this Maytag Washer......

  In the search field you type in Kenmore Washer........ all belts for a Kenmore washer pops up

  In search you type in Washer Belt and you get a list of all washer Belts with the Belt code and machine as the name and the SKU of the Belt.   The ONLY hick up is You need to Check to add the Washer Belt (STOCK) to keep track of the Inventory in Square.   Even though they all have the SKU, the Item Number and the Token is different so it will make your Variation    Kenmore Washer Belt ken56789      SKU  123456789 stock count go to a Negative if you choose this one instead of the one WITH Stock behind it.   Good news is if you get an inventory report showing   Variation    Kenmore Washer Belt ken56789      SKU  123456789 is negative (-1), you can adjust Quantity back to 0 and subtract the negative number from your Stock count.  @TheRealChipA Do you think this would work for only Keeping stock of the one item then?

I have learned using Square the Search for an Item can look up partial words, Part numbers, SKU, GTIN.    So say I have Red Rose 2157    with SKU  8765695     and GTIN of 65488976732 for example the Search can look up  2157 and find that item, or Red or Rose, Now if I have 30 Items that has Rose in the Item name I will get a list of 30 Items to choose from.  I use multiple GTINs in my Catalog for when someone wants one of my Custom jars.   The GTIN is of the jar, and the SKU identifies both the Jar and the Scent.  So when someone wants a Blueberry  Pumpkin jar which I do not stock, I can scan the GTIN of the empty Pumpkin Jar Display and then All 155 scents popup for me to scroll to find Blueberry.  Then in my reports it shows -1 Blueberry 70oz Candle was is inventory and 1 was sold for the time frame example.  

You will have a Popup warning you that the SKU is already used or the GTIN was used etc but its a warning and does not break Square as far as I can tell.  

[CFMobile]

Keith thank you for taking the time to answer that. I am surprised that Square being as big as it is does not have some of these features. I am on a trial run so not completely tied to them yet. Unfortunately you do not find the issues until you actually try it...

[Candlestore]

@CFMobile ;

Since you are just Trying Square right now, add one of your Items the way I said previously. Add a Variation as described, then Export your CSV Catalog from Items.   Add a Bunch more Variants Quicker in the CSV then reupload it to Square.  Then try using Square to find any of those variants and see if it works or not.  

Good luck at getting this to function like you want and let us know if it works or if you have stumbling blocks, maybe this forum can help you out again   🙂

[TheRealChipA]

@Candlestore honestly, I’m going to have to create a test item with variations and see what this does.  I’ve never used variations, since I don’t need them for ice cream!  But your suggestion has me thinking about the possibilities for future work-arounds, too, if it works.