I wanted to buy something - I check the usual stores online for local availability. I find what I want but it's not really local - 40 minute drive each way. Shipping would take 2 weeks so if I wanted it before the new year, I'd have to go to the store.

I coupled it w/ another errand in the general area and so it would only be a 30 minute detour.

WTF - the item shows in stock online but when I get to the store, they say it's not available for sale. The item is for in-house use (the store provides installation services and so that is what the product is used for; not for standalone sale).

What kind of stupid store website shows a product in stock and available for sale but is actually just for store use? How hard is it really for a programmer to just have a number visible to employees to show what's available for in-store use and another number for customers to know what's on the shelf available to purchase?

So, if the services department uses hammers, screwdrivers, cordless drivers, bits, tape, nails, screws, etc, that also appears as stock even though it's not really available for sale to customers?

Who the fuck writes this software? Is it just me or does this seem utterly stupid?

Not just you. It's a couple steps beyond "utterly" on the stupid scale. A grumpy district attorney might charge them with a bait-and-switch crime.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:

Who the fuck writes this software?

Probably outsourced to the lowest bidder in India or Pakistan?

Or, if done here in the U.S.A., probably written by H!B Visa holders.

Retired from that industry (software development) in 1999. Saw a shitload of crap software when big companies started using H1B cheap labor imports.

Blade HQ has to be the worst. Probably 70% of their links are not available. At least you can now view by what’s available.

There is an FFL that I have been to that lists all their used inventory online on their website.

That inventory oftentimes includes things sold but not removed from the online inventory as well as broken or otherwise non-functional guns and receivers or frames that they are not selling. All have pricing and are on the website like they are for sale and can be purchased.