What's with the all false "In-stock" companies?

[Abq-Defense]

I am building up a new gun and have had to buy the gun, and numerous parts.

I was hoping to get everything shipping and installed (myself) for an upcoming match. So, I made sure to only order items that were listed as In-Stock.

What I have run into on some of the parts is that the company doesn't have it in stock. They "think" the company they buy it from has it in stock. Some of these items have taken a week and a half to 2 weeks to longer to ship. Theses are IN_STOCK items. WTF?

Have other people run into this? I haven't seen this in the gun industry (or any other) until now. I am only the only one that thinks a company has to be very low-life deceitful to list things in stock, that they don't have in their warehouse?

I like shooting, but it's getting to be a real pain buying things. Don't the gun/parts suppliers know that the harder they make it to buy, the less we will buy? I know I will think twice before building up another gun.

 

[Guy Montag]

Re: What's with the all false "In-stock" companies?

Demand for ALL things shooting related is through the roof, you been shopping for ammo lately!!

 

[spamassassian]

Re: What's with the all false "In-stock" companies?

Yeah, that is a pet peeve of mine, too. I've taken to calling beforehand to check specifically whether or not they *actually* have it there, ready to ship. If not (and I need it quickly) I look elsewhere. It can be very annoying.

 

[fadin'fast]

Re: What's with the all false "In-stock" companies?

I call before hand if the item I want is local, and when they say yes we have it in stock, I ask them " to whom am I speaking?"
When they tell me their name, I usually say, " I'll be down to get the part, and if it's not in stock, I'll know who to talk too."
Usually there is a pause, and then I usually get, "let me double check that."
Many times I hear, "gee I'm sorry I thought we had that in stock." then I get the do you want me to order it for you? If I can get it elsewhere, I say no thank you.
It also works on the phone. Once they know your holding them responsible, their attitude seems to change.
Try it, it might just work for you. Enjoy!

 

[Abq-Defense]

Re: What's with the all false "In-stock" companies?

Fadin,

I guess you are right. I hate to have to treat adults like they are kids or morons, but if the gun buyers allow vendors to get away with intentionally listing things as in-stock, when they aren't, then I guess we have no choice, but to take the time to call and ask "is that item that is listed as In-stock, really In-stock"? And, "ok, you have it in stock, but when will you get around to shipping it"?

One example is MidwestHuntersOutlet.com They showed an item I need as in-stock. After a week and a half I try to call them. The numbers are their website say they don't do phone support any more. When I searched the web, I find that they don't stock anything. They simply order from their suppliers when they get orders.

I ordered a gun from BudsGunShop. It was listed as In-stock. It also is taking a week and half to 2 weeks to ship. They say they are busy. Hell, if business is that good, hire more folks for the warehouse. People didn't just start buying guns last week. ;-)

 

[cavscout1983]

Re: What's with the all false "In-stock" companies?

You need to realize that many companies only drop-ship and carry very little on hand.

What this means is they run through a distributor and the distributor is often the one who isn't telling the company X item is no longer in stock. The company can only go with what they were last told.

Depending on everything, this might result in the company not being aware that your item is OOS or not shipped if the distributor has not made them aware, or you haven't.

It's not necessarily an issue of laziness or bait-n-switch, just the reality of internet business that doesn't maintain a warehouse of product weighing down their books.

 

[Abq-Defense]

Re: What's with the all false "In-stock" companies?

CS1983,

I understand the reasons for not carrying a lot of stock. I just don't see how the vendors get away with saying they have the items In-Stock, when they don't.

In-Stock means the vendor you are buying it from has it now. Not that the vendor's supplier may, could, or should have it in stock.

 

[old95b10]

Re: What's with the all false "In-stock" companies?

I spent 3 months getting a barrel and bolt for one ar15 build.
Was told 3 times that we have that and it is yours and will be shipped on such date.
Had a rep call me 2 times a few weeks later and say they didnt have what I bought and they wanted to let me know.
Sounds bad but I kept busting their balls and upgrading (on them) everytime they dropped the ball. I ended up getting a set up worth about twice what I payed for it.
I all ways ask for and write down the name and ext of those that take my orders, and ask them to spell it for me so they know I'am doing so!

 

[Abq-Defense]

Re: What's with the all false "In-stock" companies?

Yeah, I ordered a gun from a BudsGunShop auction 9 business days ago. The item was listed as in stock and they still can't tell me when the item will ship.

I hope 6.5 Creedmoor ammo is still available by the time get my *$#(* gun.

 

[SICARIO]

Re: What's with the all false "In-stock" companies?

I've been trying to buy a spikes upper, and half of the places would let me place the order, but then later emailed me that they were on backorder, frustrating.

 

[daybreak1199]

Re: What's with the all false "In-stock" companies?

I have had really bad luck with getting product fulfillment from Crye Precision. I had a thread opened up talking about all the shit I and others have gone through just trying to get something we have paid for. I just don't understand that, they take your money, then never hear from them for months on end, and then only because you hunted them down and would not allow them to get off the phone until some resolution was reached. I don't know how else to call it other than to say it is just plain old theft. Taking someones money and not providing a service or good which was paid for is pretty much theft anyway you look at it.