Counting Vessels Into the Van at Midnight
The function is over, the hall is being locked, and somebody is counting chafing dishes into the van by phone torch. Two are missing. Nobody will remember this on Monday.
Out, and then back
Marked out to the event
Handis, cauldrons, chafing dishes, gas bhattis, counters, tables, buckets. What left the store, in what numbers, for which function.
Ticked back on return
The supervisor counts them in from his phone at the hall or the next morning at the store. What comes back is recorded against what went.
Short, damaged or still at the hall
Each is a different problem. A dented handi and a handi left behind are marked differently, because one gets repaired and the other gets collected.
Hired items, and whose they are
What you took on hire from another caterer or a rental shop, with the date it must go back and what it costs you if it does not.
The list that keeps its own count
Anything not back stays on a list with the date it went out and the event it went to.
- Items out right now, by event and by how long they have been out
- What is available before you promise a second function on one day
- Items lost or damaged over a season, item by item
- Hired items due for return, before the rental starts running
Being realistic
The counting is still manual
Somebody physically counts what goes into the van and what comes out of it. There are no tags and no scanning, and a store where nobody counts will lose vessels with or without software.
It will not tell you who lost it
The record shows the event and the date it went missing. Whether it was left at the hall or taken by someone is a conversation for your supervisor, not a screen.
Frequently asked questions
Can the supervisor do this from the hall?
Yes, on his phone, at midnight if that is when the van is loaded. It takes a couple of minutes and it is the only moment the count is accurate.
Can we see what is free before taking a second booking?
Yes. What is out, what is in the store and what is promised to a confirmed event shows on that date before you say yes.
What about vessels we lend to another caterer?
They go out against his name instead of an event, with the date they are due back. The same list catches them.
Tell us what you need.
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