Which of the following is not a component of dispatch handling?

Dispatch handling involves a series of operations that prepare products for shipment to customers. These operations typically include picking items from inventory, packing them securely for transport, and managing freight costs to ensure that shipments are both cost-effective and timely.

Picking is the process of locating and collecting the items that need to be shipped, while packing involves arranging those items in a way that protects them during transit. Freight cost management pertains to calculating and controlling shipping costs to optimize expenses related to transportation.

In contrast, inventory purchasing is not part of dispatch handling. It refers to the acquisition of goods that are intended to be stocked for future sales. This function occurs before dispatch handling and is focused on maintaining appropriate inventory levels, rather than the logistics of preparing that inventory for shipping. Thus, inventory purchasing is completely separated from the actual dispatch process, making it the correct answer to identify as not being a component of dispatch handling.