am i unhappy with this retailer?

[strongpoint]

i'm purchasing a fairly expensive shotgun component from a retailer that happens to be a site sponsor (we don't need to name names yet). the component, made by a well-known and respected manufacturer in its field, is listed on the retailer's website as "8 units in stock." i've seen this number change over time, so i suspected it reflected actual inventory rather than being a static piece of the product listing. i know from an email exchange that the manufacturer is backordered on the product.

i placed my order yesterday. today, the retailer emailed me, saying that the item is backordered (not "in stock," obviously) and will be drop-shipped from the manufacturer in mid-august.

i'm not in some kind of time crunch here, so it's not life-or-death that i have the component in hand quickly. but i had also ordered several other complementary parts from other sources, and i ordered from this retailer because of the "in stock" claim, hoping that delivery would coincide so i could do a bunch of assembly this weekend or next.

so now i have to wait at least (couldn't resist). how unhappy about this should i be? should i feel entitled to some form of redress from the retailer? thanks in advance for wise counsel, CGN.

[Rallyfan]

Cancel the order.

[djleisure]

Cancel the order.

This.

Just call them up and let them know that the only reason that you ordered from them (if it is) is that their site indicated they had it in stock. If there is an inventory number on their site, then you have a very reasonable expectancy that it is a factual indicator of their stock.

If they charge you a re-stocking fee or some bull*hit, THEN you can be unhappy and out them here.

[CHS]

Are you unhappy with them? I don't know. You didn't say whether or not you were, and I'm not a mind reader.

Sooooo.... Are you?

[stix213]

Inventory systems can get out of sync with actual inventory numbers for several reasons. For example, damaged goods or theft. Don't get too bent out of shape over it, as it happens to every retail business. Either cancel your order or wait it out.

[strongpoint]

Cancel the order.

Just call them up and let them know that the only reason that you ordered from them (if it is) is that their site indicated they had it in stock. If there is an inventory number on their site, then you have a very reasonable expectancy that it is a factual indicator of their stock.

If they charge you a re-stocking fee or some bull*hit, THEN you can be unhappy and out them here.

this would be an acceptable option if there were ANY other retailers with a competitive price who had the part in stock. i've emailed the only other one i know of (another CGN sponsor), and that seller has it on backorder as well.

Are you unhappy with them? I don't know. You didn't say whether or not you were, and I'm not a mind reader.

Sooooo.... Are you?

i thought the thread title did a fairly good job of reflecting my own ambivalence on the subject. it's not like i was conned out of my life savings, but i do feel somewhat misled by a seller -- a site sponsor, no less -- that seems to have a good reputation around these parts.

what i was really hoping for was that the CGN community would rise as one in a chorus of either "they done you wrong!" or "quit whining, ya big baby." it's sometimes easier to decide whether i agree or disagree with the zeitgeist. instead, everyone's gotta be all reasonable for once.

Don't get too bent out of shape over it, as it happens to every retail business. Either cancel your order or wait it out.

i'm going to wind up waiting it out, but i did want to ask whether this is to be expected when ordering from small retailers. i suspected that it's just how things are sometimes, or else i would have been more inflamed from the start.

[cabinetguy]

I would cancel the order and ask to be notified when it is in fact in stock. look around and see if you find the part for a similar price, call and verify it is in stock, and order the part. Im not in retail, but I would suspect the online numbers dont quickly reflect the walk in customer purchases.
i would be mad if I didnt get a full refund. It is admiral to support the local gun store and cgn advertisers, but you are free to buy anywhere.

[vintagearms]

Anything less than 10 items in stock and I make a courtesy phone call just to make sure it is in stock before I place the order. Sometimes inventory doesnt catch up in the systems.

[berto]

Cancel, don't fall for any restocking nonsense, check stock before ordering next time.

[cmichini]

i'm purchasing a fairly expensive shotgun component from a retailer that happens to be a site sponsor (we don't need to name names yet). the component, made by a well-known and respected manufacturer in its field, is listed on the retailer's website as "8 units in stock." i've seen this number change over time, so i suspected it reflected actual inventory rather than being a static piece of the product listing. i know from an email exchange that the manufacturer is backordered on the product.

i placed my order yesterday. today, the retailer emailed me, saying that the item is backordered (not "in stock," obviously) and will be drop-shipped from the manufacturer in mid-august.

i'm not in some kind of time crunch here, so it's not life-or-death that i have the component in hand quickly. but i had also ordered several other complementary parts from other sources, and i ordered from this retailer because of the "in stock" claim, hoping that delivery would coincide so i could do a bunch of assembly this weekend or next.

so now i have to wait at least (couldn't resist). how unhappy about this should i be? should i feel entitled to some form of redress from the retailer? thanks in advance for wise counsel, CGN.

If you called them soon before you ordered and were told they had them in stock, then when ordering soon after they were out they either sold what's left and that's just life or they were full of chit or lazy and you can be irritated.

If you just looked on the interweb, you ASSUMED the number was up to date and shouldn't feel any ill-will to them.

Plus you don't say what time frame you've seen the number move. Could be they don't update automatically, or at least frequently.

Doesn't sound like too much of an issue.

Unless you SPOKE to someone and were assured they'd have it in stock, I'd say you deserve nil in redress. The computer told you they had it. Computers can only spit out what's put in. They could also rightly say 'we're a gun shop - not IBM. If you want inventory status - call us.' and rightly so.

Just MO

[jamesob]

where else are you going to get it? everyone is out of stock and normally suppliers will fill dealer orders before they fill retail orders.

[B Strong]

I recently went through the same deal on some motorcycle parts, put the price was so good I put up withthe delay.

If it's a question of "now" or "later" I'm willing to go later for less dough.