What is the experience method of inventory valuation?

The experience method of inventory valuation, often referred to as the specific identification method, is designed to value inventory based on the actual costs of particular items sold. This method is highly suitable for businesses dealing with unique or high-cost items, such as automobiles, real estate, or fine art, where each item can be distinctly tracked throughout its lifecycle and attributed to its specific cost.

Using this method, when an item is sold, the exact cost associated with that particular item is matched against the revenue generated from the sale. This provides a precise picture of profit margins for each transaction, rather than averaging costs or relying on market fluctuations.

In contrast, methods that focus on market prices, average costs, or disregard specific item costs do not capture the uniqueness of each item's cost structure and therefore would not yield the same accuracy in inventory valuation as the experience method does.