Inventory software?

[OldEnglishD]

Anyone using something other than Access or Excel to keep track of their cards?

I see there are some programs available (free and pay). Are they worth looking into?

I use Excel every day at work, so it wouldn't be hard for me to gin up a spreadsheet, although I wouldn't call myself a super user.

Any feedback is appreciated.

Dave

[familytoad]

What era of cards do you collect, Dave?
And do you collect sets or target specific cards?

I have a spreadsheet with some prewar sets and the Topps era sets (included some Bowmans land some FB that I collect)

It does some very basic calculations on what percentage of every set you have/need and is very easy to filter.
If you'd like, I'll email the template version. Tell me what sets, and I f I have checklists, I will add them too.
It's nothing super tech, but it has helped me make sure I don't buy too many cards I already have, and easily see the ones I still need.
Add it to google docs and you have it practically everywhere you go mobile.

[gnpaden]

I copied & pasted checklists into Excel then added a couple columns. I use card #, name, quantity/condition, grade (if applicable) and serial #. I track the serial # if God forbid my collection gets stolen.

Brian--your software seems very interesting.

[Brandon554]

I use OneNote. You can create your own checklists from excel and add scans, notes, & links to references.

Its free and cloud based so any changes are carried over to each device you have it installed on. I have my checklists, references, and photos on my phone and/or tablet wherever I go. Really happy with it so far.

[dlfallen]

I assume you are a user (like most) so you want advice about specific existing solutions, such as Excel (requires some programming on your part) or a stant-alone solution. About the only way to know what will work well for you is to try them. Having said that, the biggest factor is your dedication to keeping the inventory list current.

I never found a canned application that worked well for me, so I wrote my own interface using the SQLITE engine built into most android devices. I have one database for WANTS which allows me to quickly display needed cards by any criteria -- usually by sets such as Obak, Zeenut, Seattle Popcorn, Union Oil, etc. I keep a separate database for T206 cards.

I have not interested anyone else in using my approach but it works very well for me. I guess my point is you just have to see what works for you.

Good luck Dave - and enjoy the journey!

[OldEnglishD]

Thanks for the responses. Doesn't sound like there is much (or any) use of the canned software - which doesn't surprise me.

I spent a weekend a few months ago learning Access and actually track my complete sets with a database I set up. Didn't work so well for single cards as the programming (canned searches) gets much more involved since there are many more tags (at least the way I set it up) on singles compared to sets.

I'll give Excel a shot for the singles. Just need to figure out a good way to link card scans in. the rest should be straight forward.

Dave

[TistaT202]

Dave,

I use an Excel spreadsheet and I just make the player name a link to the image in my photobucket account. I have set up each image in photobucket so it includes the card front and back in one image. Seems to work fine.

Mike

[begsu1013]

I use the psa registry system. really is the best thing out there in my opinion. can break down your inventory into several different facets, keep track of items sold and for how much.

cards don't even have to be in psa slabs...

[Moyni]

Take a look at Zistle.

[glchen]

I just use an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of my inventory. I use different tabs for each of the major sets that I collect, and then generic tabs like "W Cards" for random cards that I have. I also have different tabs for when I sell cards, and how much they sold for etc, and also to track submissions to TPG's. Here's a tab of my inventory for the 1933 Goudey set, which I used to collect, but I've been selling off.