It seems like every time I need something for a project or some activity that I'm wanting to do, local stores are out of stock. WalMart is the worst offender, but there are others as well.

I hate going into our local Walmart because it has been overrun by meth heads, 500lb women on scooters who block the aisles, and millennials in pajama pants. But they do carry cheap full-synthetic oil, and when it's time for an oil change, they're by far the cheapest place in town. I can't tell you how many times I've gone in there instead of stopping somewhere else, and found an empty shelf where the 5W30 is supposed to be. Same thing with 22" wiper blades, which is the size I need for both of my trucks.

Yesterday my son and I wanted to go skeet shooting, so we stopped by. Grabbed a box of shells and went looking for the clay targets that are usually on a pallet in the sporting goods section. Nowhere to be found. Associates had no idea where they were, either. Ended up driving across town to Big R (which is where I should have gone in the first place, but Walmart is right next to the range) to get them.

It's not just Walmart, though. Menards and Lowes do the same thing to me on a regular basis. I go looking for an item, and find the empty spot on the shelf where it's supposed to be. Or I need four of something and they only have 3. In the whole store. This turns what should be a 20 minute run to town in the middle of a project into a two hour affair running from store to store to find the item (usually something simple and common that should be in stock) that I need to get the job done.

And don't tell me you can order it. I can order it myself, probably for less money, have it shipped to my house and save myself a trip to the store. The reason I'm standing in your store is because the need is unexpected and immediate. If you're not going to keep what I need in stock on the shelves, then you might as well not even be here.

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:
And don't tell me you can order it.

Now if you want Dapper Dan, I can order it for you, have it in a couple of weeks.

Is somebody hoarding those items or what? 5W30 oil and 22-inch wipers are common.

I like a particular kind of tart cherry juice. There are NEVER more than 2 or 3 bottles on the shelf, and lately there have been none.

I asked an employee about it. His response:

"We can't keep it in stock so we quit stocking it."

I vapor locked and just stood there with my mouth hanging open.

There’s a reason Lowes, Menards, and Home Depot are all within a quarter mile of each other.
If you need several items, you’re going to need to make 3 stops.

Yeah, you would think that they would keep track of what needs ordered/resupplied and when.

Unfortunately, a lot of retailers don't.

Even in my podunk little town, the hardware store is pretty good about stocking even the most obscure items, but occasionally I'll find the bin empty. The response? "We can order it".

So can I, and I'll get it quicker and likely cheaper.

I'm a big supporter of local brick and mortar stores, to the point of paying more for items, but sheesh. When you can't keep the items I need in stock, what's a fella to do?

Which is why I grab three or four when I see an item I will need down the road

Fate, man. What an asshole.

Same thing happens to me at the grocery store. Fresh basil and I have a love/hate relationship because of this issue.

I experience much of the same frustration.

Wallyworld is by far the worst, but I can understand why this is so. We have 2 stores in this area, and they both have the same issues. I think it comes from trying to be the major provider in the region. They do not have room to stock everything that anybody might want. So the provide links on their site where you can buy it and have it shipped to your house or to the store.

Lowe's is doing much the same thing now, too.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:
I vapor locked and just stood there with my mouth hanging open.

My Winchell donut story:
There was a store on the way to work where I often spent long hours. I would stop there at odd times, but wanted one and only one kind: cake with chocolate frosting. Many times, however, that would be the one kind they didn’t have. The cases would be filled with innumerable other varieties with every flavor and color frosting known to man, plus a few extra, but no chocolate covered cake donuts.

I finally asked, “Why are you always out of the chocolate cakes?”
“Oh, that’s because they’re so popular.”

I stopped going there because I was afraid I’d be dragged into a back room and have my brain sucked out like had happened to the people who worked there.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:
I like a particular kind of tart cherry juice. There are NEVER more than 2 or 3 bottles on the shelf, and lately there have been none.

I asked an employee about it. His response:

"We can't keep it in stock so we quit stocking it."

I vapor locked and just stood there with my mouth hanging open.

I've always suspected Sam's Club of this. They want manageable turns.

quote:

Originally posted by BigSwede:
Which is why I grab three or four when I see an item I will need down the road

So you are the reason they are out of oil and wiper blades!!

Over the years I’ve used 9” notebooks to record meetings, phone calls and such. Early last month I ran out and went to Walmart.
The office supplies were in disarray. Empty boxes, material scattered and no notebooks. Staff didn’t know when the supplies would be restocked.
Sadly I know the answer this. Early summer they ship school supplies. That’s when the sales start. Believe me, that’s when I went out of pocket for my students.
It as the same with men’s underwear. Unlike office supplies you’d expect that there would be a pretty constant demand.
In both cases, it’s pretty sloppy. Would it be unreasonable to just straighten up and toss the empty boxes?

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:
And don't tell me you can order it. I can order it myself, ...

I love it when they do that.

Them: "No, we don't stock that, but I can order it for you."
Me: "No need. I can order it for myself, and have it more quickly, for less money."

Hello?!?!

I think some of these companies don't understand the one overwhelming attraction to a brick-n-mortar store: Customers can lay their hands on it now, pay for it, and walk out of the store with it.

92fstech,

I understand your frustration. I work p.t. in retail and tell the bosses frequently that we need items a, b and c because they are popular with our customers. We document every requested item that we carry or customers are interested in, including the number of inquiries.

The boss tells the buyers who are in another state.

The buyers say that we have 100 stores and have to divide up what they are able to obtain between the stores. For this reason some stores never get any product. This is obviously short sighted thinking.

I give customers the corporate phone number and e-mail advising them to contact the company, explaining that if they wanted to order the item, they wouldn't have come to a brick and mortar store. By the way, corporate doesn't want me doing this but I am helping my customers. I have told the regional supervisors to keep us supplied with stock items and I won't have to advise my customers. A customer contacting corporate carries a lot more weight than a p.t. employee.

Unfortunately, some corporations lose focus on the basic desires of customers and concern themselves with how much add on merchandise they can sell. Ex: I came in to buy targets and cleaning supplies, which you don't have in stock. I didn't come here for a Trail Camera or pop!

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:
Is somebody hoarding those items or what? 5W30 oil and 22-inch wipers are common.

Exactly. Which is what pisses me off. It's not like I'm looking for something obscure that they're not going to be able to sell...it's common everyday stuff. And they repeatedly don't order enough to keep up with the obvious demand. So they lose money on sales that they could otherwise have made, plus they reinforce my inclination to shop elsewhere next time since they never stock what I need.

quote:

I finally asked, “Why are you always out of the chocolate cakes?”
“Oh, that’s because they’re so popular.”

I stopped going there because I was afraid I’d be dragged into a back room and have my brain sucked out like had happened to the people who worked there.

five wal marts here, the best one within 20 miles is just ok-so,so,
two are very bad about stocking , one is worse

Drove to the big city to shop for a NOAA radio. Stopped at Cabelas to browse. Was trying to find a price on a Ruger Scout rifle and a Guide gun. Neither was on the racks. As we started to leave a young lady asked me if I needed help. I asked if they had the Ruger Scout or Guide gun in stock. The young lady looked puzzled and said she would ask the firearms manager. She was gone for a few minutes and said the manager says I must be mistaken that there is no such thing as a Guide gun and that we could order a Scout and it would be here in a couple days. I have been to that Cabelas several times over the last couple of months and have never seen the Scout in stock. They must sell pretty quickly.

Years ago, in Austin, there was a tire store that had a huge sign painted on the building that read ”IF IT’S IN STOCK, WE’VE GOT IT”. I used to think that was an attempt at humor. I’m not sure anymore.

quote:

Originally posted by straightshooter01:

quote:

Originally posted by BigSwede:
Which is why I grab three or four when I see an item I will need down the road

So you are the reason they are out of oil and wiper blades!!

Guess he may shop at the same store I do, but I'm shopping for 10W30 and 28 inch wiper blades.