Ordered an item from a well-known police supply site the other day, saw “in stock” and assumed (yes, I know who to spell it) it was – get this – in stock. Got an instant confirmation, life is good.

Nope. Got another email, it’s listed as “BO.” I wrote to ask “WTF?” Their reply:

Hello, The typical time frame given to us by the manufacturer is 2-4 weeks for the backordered item. As of January first, we can no longer contact the manufacturer for ETA updates. Instead of us contacting them, they'll let us know when their gear is on extended backorder and we'll be able to update our website. This means that our website will start showing more accurate timeframes and customers will be able to check the ETAs online. We are currently working on our website so that it can show this information. Unfortunately, this means that I cannot inquire about your backordered gear. I apologize for any inconveniences this may cause. Please let me know if you'd like to continue waiting for this order or if you'd like to make any changes to it.

I canceled the order and found a site that REALLY has the item in stock. How hard is that???

Inventory control software called JIT (Just Outta Time) usually runs rampant. Lousy supply chain management likes it because there is little overhead.

Their MO is to get your order and then charge you a 20% cancellation charge if you cancel when all the sudden "in stock" means "indefinite backorder". I've learned the hard way that a few companies do this on purpose vs. just lack of good inventory management. Impact Guns is one...the other, we apparently can't say on this forum but they're notorious for this.

I hate this myself. Seem like a there is more of this stuff going on.

quote:

Originally posted by PGT:

Their MO is to get your order and then charge you a 20% cancellation charge if you cancel...

I got a full credit.

And the replacement company will ship tomorrow.