Skip the Buffet Mentality: Smarter Digital Inventories for Movers

One way or another, at some point in our lives, we’ve ended up at an “all-you-can-eat” establishment for the first time. Whether it was a local spot or the famous Bellagio Buffet, the end result was likely the same: the feeling of being overstuffed, heavy, and — paradoxically — hungry two hours later.

And yet, I have friends who live enviably balanced lives and still go to buffets regularly. I asked one of them for insight and got this gem:

“Look, I know what I want to eat, I know how much I need, so I just grab it and walk away happy. It beats going to restaurants, waiting for food, and hoping I get what I want. Besides, good restaurants don’t have the variety I need.”

The Same Principle Applies to Digital Inventory

What’s the number one reason digital inventory rollouts stumble for moving companies? It's the attempt to force crew leaders and drivers to use every single feature the app offers — from residence inspections to form-filling.

But the successful rollouts — the ones that result in hundreds of completed inventories a day — are remarkably simple. They look like this:

1 box  
2 box  
3 box  
4 chair. Scratched (photo attached)

Client signature  
Driver signature

That’s it. Clean, clear, and effective.

Why Do People Overeat at Buffets?

Because they feel they need to get their "return on investment." Ironically, the damage to their health doesn’t factor in.

Similarly, when a completed digital inventory only costs $3, the price tag isn’t the issue. The real concern should be the damage of not having a proper inventory — missed items, disputes, lost trust.

Keep It Simple. Make It Work.

So, ditch the buffet mindset. You don’t need to consume everything just because it’s there.

Focus on what works. Keep it minimal. Stay consistent. And enjoy the benefits of a digital inventory system that actually delivers.

Try it. See it working for yourself.