Inventory with the same name, but different stock codes

Thanks for choosing QuickBooks, @AneVenter.

I have some information that should help you in setting up inventory items in Products and Services.

At this time, you should be tracking inventory items in different names since QuickBooks would recognize item that already exists. You may add the stock code as a name extension, so each item differs.

While the feature you need isn't available, I encourage you to send feedback straight to our product developer to let them know you'd like this added. QuickBooks Online is a constantly evolving platform and the voice of users, like yourself, helps steer the changes that occur.

Here's how:

1. Go to the Gear icon.
2. Choose Feedback.
3. Enter your request/product suggestion, then click Next.
4. Select Feedback as the Category.
5. Click Send message.

Additionally, I want you to know that your voice matters and I'm going to submit feedback based on this interaction. Feedback is sent to the Development Team for determining what features and systems to implement for users.

With you being new to QuickBooks, I'd like to leave some helpful articles and tutorial about Inventory in QuickBooks Online:

• https://quickbooks.intuit.com/tutorials/lessons/inventory/..
• https://quickbooks.intuit.com/community/Inventory-and-projects/How-to-set-up-Inventory-and-tracking/....
• https://quickbooks.intuit.com/community/Help-Articles/Use-Products-and-Services-in-QuickBooks-Online....
• https://quickbooks.intuit.com/community/Inventory-and-projects/Introduction-to-categories-in-Product....

That should help you add new inventory items. Let me know how things go once you've tried the steps. If you should need anything, I'm just a reply away. Have a most lovely day.

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@AneVenter wrote:

Good morning,

 

We have a service center where we service and repair vehicles. 

 

Being new to Quickbooks, is it possible to load e.g Oil filter (as product name) and in the SKU, the stock code (Z156, Z25A etc). At this stage, I get an error when I load it like this.

 

Your assistance is appreciated.

 

Kind Regards, 

 

Ane Venter

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QB names have to be different

make a category for oil filters, then use the stock code for the name, thos items would be under the category oil filter

I had the same problem. - I did as you suggested and created a category and then (lets use the oil filter example) listed each oil filter by it's individual SKU since QBO won't let items have the same names. Perfect, though it does create a lot of items when it should be one item quantity "40" and then a list of SKUs.

Now here's my  new problem. Lets stick with the oil filter example but in truth  I have an equipment rental business, so that's why each item is individually coded as I'm checking them in and out.  Let's say I rent out 40 oil filters - the invoice QB produces is several pages long and lists each oil filter individually with it's SKU. That's great for scanning the items in and out by # but it looks ridiculous. I can't send an invoice that long with each filter individually listed! I should be able to put it in once and say "quantity 40" however if I do that, I can't track the SKU numbers within the inventory.  The only idea I can come up with is to NOT list items individually in my inventory, and then keep track of SKUs manually outside of quickbooks in a spreadsheet and then manually input the SKUs into the invoice "description" box. Other ideas? I'd love a best of both words scenario! Thanks in advance!

Hi there, Rebecca83.

Another way to enter this inventory item is to add a number at the end of the name. This way, the product/service name is different. It will also help you keep track of the SKUs properly.

Let me show you how:

1. Click Gear, and then Products and Services.
2. Click New.
3. Click Inventory. In the Name field, type "oil filter1", then "oil filter2", etc.
4. Enter the SKU and other information.
5. Click Save and close.

This article will also help you if you have additional questions with inventory: Inventory links and resources.

You're always welcome to post anytime if you have further concerns.

This is a great answer to the needing different names for the same stock, but picture the invoice you   created as an example but instead of two what if I sold 50 oil filters. The invoice would have 50 lines all of oil filters. I also might sell 40 of another item, (identical but with different sku) so that would make my invoice 90 lines long. I can't send that to a customer's accounting department when it should be two lines, one for each item and then the quantity as 50 and 40 respectively 

Thanks for getting back to the QuickBooks Community, @Rebecca83.

Allow me to step in and help provide some additional information about the Product/Service item in QuickBooks Online (QBO). 

Currently, the option you're looking for to enter identical inventory item with different SKU using only one Product/Service line is not available. For the meantime, you can continue your workaround to manually enter the SKUs into the invoice description box. 

It's our priority to provide products and services that suit your business needs. We'll inform you through this thread once we receive product enhancement update about the availability of this feature.

I'd also suggest visiting our QuickBooks Online Blog regularly. This way you'll be updated with the latest news and updates including product improvements. 

For future reference, you may want to check these articles:

• How to change the account for a product/service item.
• Change Product and Service types.
• How to create and use a products and services list. 

Please know that you're always welcome to post if you have any other questions. I'd be happy to answer them for you. Have a good one. 

This feature is much needed. Take a T-Shirt for example. I will have a SKU for EVERY style, color, size combination. Now I am expected to create a new product for every single combination?

The concept of Products and SKUs is extremely common across every ERP system. I know that Quickbooks is not an ERP system, but to keep customers like me on board, I need basic business concepts such as Products and SKUs to be supported in the correct systematic manner. Multiple SKUs within a single Product Name should and must be supported.

A simple solution: Enforce the unique constraint ONLY if the Product Name AND SKU are identical. This is a very minor change that your development team can development in an hour, test in 1 day, and implement in the next release.

Dear QuickBooks team,

Any update regarding this topic i.e., same product name but different SKU.

I appreciate you joining the conversation and pointing this out, @kevenalbert27.

Right now, able to create the same product name with different SKU is unavailable in QuickBooks Online (QBO). I can see how this feature would be beneficial to you and other businesses. 

While we continue to make your experience with us even better, in the meantime, I encourage you to star our blog to keep up with any product updates or improvements on the online version:  QuickBooks Online Blog.

For more information on adding products and services, check out this article: Adding Products and Services, Customers, and Vendors to Lists.

If there's anything else you need help with, let me know by adding a comment. I'm more than happy to assist you. Have a great day!

@kevenalbert27 

Consider having an inventory management app with the matrix inventory feature to integrate with your QBO.

I have the same situation like you, but If I found any solution then I'll let you know FaceTime PC

We're all barking on the wrong tree. It is apparent that QuickBooks Online is so deficient in its Inventory module that it can't do most of what we deem basic functions. The poor company moderator here can just keep on referring us to the blog that take new function requests, which will never be implemented because QBO concentrates mainly with contractor service accounting, not detail inventory mgmt accounting. After unbelievable amount of hours researching, tweaking, and experimenting, I have come to the conclusion that it is best to just keep "Product/Service" exactly the same as "SKU", and do the usual "product name" in the "Description" field. This way, one can easily export inventory list, modify contents, and import inventory list back in to replace existing inventory records in QBO. I learned it the hard way that "Product/Service" if not unique, system will just keep on churning a new record on every import. My inventory is jam packed with outdated inventory items that I can no longer delete (only inactivate is available). Frankly if I have another choice of doing inventory mgmt and accounting better, I will switch in a heartbeat. The last comment is for QuickBooks mgmt to see.