[Barry-ct]

No one can anticipate what the demand is on a product. But with inventory control, it will show a trend in sales of an item. you can order based on that trend. Maybe he has to order a minimum of an item, but that is part of retailing. They all sell wholesale between each other and that can break up the minimum.
I last worked for a small Ford dealer that did 2 million annually in parts sales. I was in charge of ordering what we needed. I would run a suggested order off the computer and adjust it as these programs tend to over order. I had to check the shelf on everything it wanted to order and see what was there and check the trend on the sales. Ford's back order ratio to available parts was very low. We could order small amounts as our facing depot was nearby and we had daily deliveries at 5 AM.
I realize BD does not have that kind of back up we had from Ford. But if you're going to have a sale to boost your sales, you need to have stock to fill orders. He can't have everything all the time, but reading here, there are items he continually has on Back order. Gas tanks come to mind. That's where trend analysis would help. If you have the sales of an item, order a higher amount. I think he waits until he reaches a minimum amount he needs to order, then orders. If that's the way he does it, call the item, "special order item". Then it's not a back order. I know he can't label all the items that way, just maybe the bulky things like gas tanks, for instance.
No one knows his business plan but Bob. It just seems there is a high amount of back orders vs in stock items.
Boy, I opened a can of worms on this subject. I only posted to vent my frustration on the item labeled as in stock and it wasn't. I am grateful he is there to have stuff made for us to help get our projects done. Time to put the thread to bed!