What is an Inventory # / SKU?

Modified on Thu, 25 Apr 2024 at 04:22 PM



Inventory Numbers / SKU


A unique record number is assigned to each listing by the seller. "SKU" stands for "Stock Keeping Unit". 


An inventory number is also sometimes called a record number, listing ID, dealer book ID, book number, or item number. You are welcome to assign your inventory numbers according to any scheme that works for you. Assign a unique ID to each listing you offer for sale, one that is not assigned to any other books in your inventory, past or present. We do not recommend re-using record ID from sold listings. This can cause serious data problems in the future.


If you are adding your listings to Biblio's database one at a time using the Add Product Listing page, the box for entering an Inventory # / SKU will show you a default inventory number that you are welcome to change or use. Subsequent listings will automatically show the next number up.


You will not be able to search for your inactive/sold listings by any criteria other than inventory number.


Never Reuse an inventory number! 


We strongly recommend assigning a unique number to each listing you offer for sale, one that is not assigned to any other books in your inventory, past or present. We do not recommend re-using record numbers from sold listings. Doing so can cause problems with assigning photos, processing purge files, etc. 


In addition to these potential problems, reusing SKUs can negatively impact sales. Google will sometimes ban items from feeds that re-use an SKU. We like to keep our Google feeds as strong as possible, so please keep your SKU's unique to each item.