Storage and inventory
Every part gets a stock number (SKU) and a shelf location the day you bring it home, and that same number goes on the part, the shelf and the listing. Without that, you'll sell parts you can't find, and cancellations are the top route to eBay probation (Car-Part.com).
Your space. Sturdy metal shelving in a garage, shed or storage unit; parts dry and off the floor. Use clear bins for small parts and keep listed and unlisted stock in different colored totes (Scavenger Life forum).
Location codes. Label racks, shelves and bins: "B34" = rack B, shelf 3, spot 4. Put the code in eBay's Custom Label (SKU) field so it prints with each order.
A SKU format that works: YYMMDD-YARD-COST-LOC. Example: 261029-CHES-42-A23 = pulled Oct 29, 2026, Chesterfield, $42 cost, rack A shelf 2 bin 3. Cost and date in the SKU let you see your profit the moment it sells.
Track every part (a spreadsheet works; ChopBot's shelf does this automatically)
| Field | Example |
|---|---|
| SKU / location | 261029-CHES-42-A23 |
| Part and part number | ECM, \[part number\] |
| Donor car | 2012 Lexus IS250, 98,000 miles |
| Yard cost | $42 |
| Listed / price | Oct 30 / $129 |
| Sold / price | Nov 6 / $119 |
| Fees, shipping, supplies | $16.58, $11.20, $1.50 |
| Net profit | $47.72 |
Aging stock (FlowLister)
| Days listed | Action |
|---|---|
| 30 | Check views, title, photos and sold comps before cutting price |
| 60 | Small markdown, if your minimum profit still holds |
| 90 | Bigger markdown, Best Offer, promotion, or bundle |
| 120+ | Clearance, sell locally, return cores, or scrap the metal |
Bulky parts eat shelf space, so put them on a shorter clock.
General education, not legal or tax advice. Fees, carrier rates and rules change; check the linked sources before you rely on a number.