Why Don't Stores

[emmie]

have websites where you can look at the items on offer to see if it's in stock in your local store. I have been trying to buy an item, but i can't find out except by contacting the store direct by phone, e mail or going there in person, if the item i want is in stock. Wouldn't it be simpler all round, if they had a database of what's in stock. Or is that too simple. I know that you can with say Argos local stores, the database tells you, x amount in stock, but this doesn't seem to apply to the big stores like John Lewis, Marks...

[rockyracoon]

Some shops do click and reserve for store pickup. Have a look through the order process for options.

[Old_Geezer]

You should send then a stiff e-mail saying what you think of their website deficits.

[emmie]

but you can't tell if it's actually in stock. If you are in Argos, you click on the console, it tells you immediately that the item is in stock or out of stock, and as far as i can tell that doesn't apply to these other stores. I don't want to open accounts, nor register with them, just buy an item i saw on line...

[Old_Geezer]

Some websites do. I guess not all.

[boxtops]

Argos will tell you if it's in stock in stores near you, I've used that facility, not only in your local store.

[emmie]

would be simpler i reckon. Click on your local store website to see if item in stock, if it is, then tick box to reserve, order, collect, pay...
Argos isn't the best store i must admit, but that system seems to work ok.

[emmie]

I wasn't referring to Argos, but to big stores like John Lewis, M&S, Debenhams

[arwyn]

em10 The bit I hate is when the Assistant says "oh we dont know what new stock we are getting in it just all arrives on a thursday".

I say " YES YOU BL00DY DO BECAUSE SOMEONE SOMEWHERE HAS ORDERED IT"

I'm sure they think it comes by magic.. I worked for 12 years in a department store and we knew everything that was expected and were able to keep our customers informed. This was before we all shopped on line like ha ha..

[I_Hate_Infinity]

supply and demand ~ not enough demand to merit the supply of said service :)

[Old_Geezer]

"Look ! You're the fiftieth person I've had to tell this morning: there is no demand for us knowing what stock we have or what's coming in !!!"

[I_Hate_Infinity]

expense at the cost of the company vs. return of profit to business...

... also, store's often have promotions on certain items so that they entice you into the shop, where you're then exposed to all their other products. This technique is used in the extreme quite frequently, for sometimes the item on 'sale' or 'offer' will be sold below cost price so to attract maximum interest in 'bargain item' to incentivise customers to come into store. This is called a 'loss leader' and quite successful :)

[bednobs]

if you saw it online, with john lewis you can ask them to deliver it to your local store

[arwyn]

lol @ old geezer.

[emmie]

but that's the problem isn't it, how do you know the item is in stock, it doesn't tell you online. You click on the relevant shop, item, nice picture of x, but no where does it say it's in the stock, store now.... Also from what i can glean you have to register to order an item, so yet another loop,
Argos as poor as their stuff often is, gets this one right.

And you are right about the in store service, " sorry if the item is not on shop floor we don't have it... ah

[emmie]

OG, best answer....

[EvianBaby]

The problem is though Em that it might just be doomed to fail and really P customers off.

Somewhere like M&S has tons of stores so there's need to be some clever system that can immediately know when something has been sold in all stores (which is probably relatively easy) but there's nothing stopping another customer picking up that same item 2 minutes after you check it's in stock so you end up with a wasted journey as it's sold out between you checking and arriving at the shop. They'd have to employ someone just to go round taking items off the shop floor to hold back for you. And there's always a chance you change your mind and don't bother going in for it.

And Arwyn, in all the retail chains I've worked for previously the store staff do not order anything in. It's all down to head office and the staff have no clue what's coming in until it gets there.