I think you're being a bit unreasonable considering the product in question. Certainly "In Stock" should mean in the store and on the shelf either up front or in the back. I've got no argument with you there.

But you're talking about a particular product, which everyone purchases, from multiple vendors, and all have a varying measurements. Impossible to keep every variant on the shelf in the store.

To a tireshop, "In stock" probably means they have it in the local warehouse (or perhaps in your case a regional one)and can get them same day or over-nighted for a next day or 2nd day appointment. Should there be an "in inventory" option for them? Maybe.

But you have to balance what's common vs. what's not when you stock your shelf. Take the Michelin Model XGV tires, size 75-R-14. The most popular size of the most popular tire. They're going to keep those "in stock" for those that stop by without an appointment because they can most likely help them.

For everyone else, they're going to need an appointment so they can get the tires from stock (which are in stock, just not in the store). I don't think that's unreasonable.

Well, concerning 225/45 R17 is the most common 17" tire, and the General G-Max AS-05 is a fairly common tire, you would figure someone would have a set on had.

Walmart, carries several flavors of General Tires, they usually have the G-Max AS-05, in store, last week I was in the Automotive Center of the local Wal-Mart to get windshield washer fluid and they had just the tires I'm talking about. General G-Max AS-05 in 225/45 R17.

Well anyway, it's a fairly common size, and a fairly common tire. Out of 20 places, you figure someone would have a set.

Now, more fun. My appointment was today. I get there early, they promised it done in an hour, they took the car right away, which gave them an extra hour for the promised time.

Had a little trouble with the alignment, but still had plenty of time to get it done in the promised time. Oh, did I mention that a previous life this is what I did, I know how long it takes to mount and balance a tire.

So, here I am waiting on a car, at my appointment time, with a promise time to completion and my car is setting, while they are working on a drop-off, all three guys. Finally one guy starts on my car, then says to me that they only have time to mount (1) one tire on the rim with the blowout.

I told him that he needs to at least get both the fronts done, that I'm not going to drive on one new tire, besides my car is AWD, and all 4 needs to be done, but the 2 on the same axle will do for the short term, I'm thinking the next day, only to be told that Friday would be the soonest they could get to it. Which really puts me in a real bind, I'm going out of town for work, and I need to get home to take my pup to her puppy setters and I have a very short window to do this in.

This whole thing has been a shit show of epic propositions.

I spoke to the owner, he was there talking to me about my car, he was telling me that he wanted to get a WRX.

I told him that I wasn't happy, and why. He apologized but that was it, no discount, cracking the whip to get the car completed on the promised time.

I have done business with them numerous times, because they usually do good work, go above and beyond, and though they don't have THE best prices all the time, they are close enough and for the usually excellent service was worth it. Not so much today.

So, to recap "IN STOCK" doesn't mean in stock. And promised time of competition doesn't mean it will get done on time, even with an extra hour and a half, because I was almost an hour early, and they started on it just after I got there on the alignment part.

I guess I'm expecting to much. You know in stock, being actually there, and an promised time of completion, the job actually being COMPLETED in the time promised.


ARman