Because Mei-ling has had such a successful first few months, she is considering other opportunities to develop her business. One opportunity is the sale of fine European mixers. The owner of Generous Supply Co. has approached Mei-ling to become the exclusive distributor of these fine mixers in her state. The current cost of a mixer is approximately RM575, and Mei-ling would sell each one for RM1,150. Mei-ling comes to you for advice on how to account for these mixers. Mei-ling asks you the following questions.
1. "Would you consider these mixers to be inventory or should they be classified as supplies or equipment?" Why?
2. "I’ve learned a little about keeping track of inventory using both the perpetual and the periodic systems of accounting for inventory. Which system do you think is better? Which one would you recommend for the type of inventory that I want to sell?"
3. "How often do I need to count inventory if I maintain it using the perpetual system? Do I need to count inventory at all?"

1. "Would you consider these mixers to be inventory or should they be classified as supplies or equipment?" Why?

The mixers will be part of merchandise inventory since Mei-ling is purchasing them and will later resell them at a higher price and hopefully make a profit. Products classified as supplies or equipment are used by the company in their day to day activities and are not meant for resale.

2. "I’ve learned a little about keeping track of inventory using both the perpetual and the periodic systems of accounting for inventory. Which system do you think is better? Which one would you recommend for the type of inventory that I want to sell?"

The perpetual inventory system is much better than the periodic inventory system, but it is also more expensive to use. Depending on the number of mixers that are going to be sold, you can do it hand or use a computer software which would make things much easier, but you need to spend time (labor) and money to do so.

If Mei-ling is expecting to sell only a small number of mixers, then she could use a periodic inventory system which is much more simple and is only updated every certain period of time (monthly, quarterly, semiannually or annually). This is a cheaper system but it is the best alternative.

3. "How often do I need to count inventory if I maintain it using the perpetual system? Do I need to count inventory at all?"

Even if you use the perpetual inventory system, you will eventually need to physically count your inventory in order to make sure that the records have been properly made, but you could do it once or twice a year. Again it depends on the total units that she expects to have in inventory.