During receipt, how should you handle a short item?

• A. Document the shortage, verify count, report to supervisor, and initiate corrective action (requisition or backorder)
• B. Ignore the shortage and issue the rest
• C. Return the item to vendor without reporting
• D. Mark the item as issued and adjust later

Answer: (A)

When you receive stock and find a shortage, the first step is to document the discrepancy and verify the actual count against the packing slip and purchase order. Then you report the shortage to your supervisor and initiate the appropriate corrective action, such as generating a requisition to replace the missing quantity or placing a backorder if the item isn’t immediately available. This keeps inventory records accurate, maintains accountability, and ensures the item is re-supplied so stock levels reflect reality.

Ignoring the shortage leaves the inventory incorrect and can disrupt operations. Returning the item to the vendor without reporting bypasses proper controls, breaking the chain of custody. Marking the item as issued and adjusting later hides the issue and creates an unreliable record.