Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

To think that in stock means - um well in stock

32 replies

Viviennemary · 22/08/2017 18:02

What do you think of this. Prepared for the worst. Saw a light fitting I liked on line rang up the shop (everyone will have heard of it and they have branches in most towns) to see if it was in stock. Yes it was in stock they said. Made trip to said shop, saw light fitting on display, Said to shop assistant we'd like that light please.

She said I don't think there's any in the stockroom. I said well I rang up and you said it was in stock otherwise we wouldn't have bothered coming. Said she yes it's in stock and pointed up at the light - delivery 7 to ten days. I said so it's not in stock then. Yes it is in stock delivery 7-10 days.

OP posts:

SilverDragonfly1 · 22/08/2017 18:06

I would expect 'In Stock' to mean the store had them if I was ringing the store directly. The business could make an argument that they are in stock because they have them at the warehouse, but I think it's safe to say most of us would assume they could be had from the store!

BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 22/08/2017 18:08

If you're speaking to a real physical shop, In Stock means that they have it there to take away

LorLorr2 · 22/08/2017 18:10

Lol, if there are none in the stockroom, surely it's out of stock.

LorLorr2 · 22/08/2017 18:10

Unless they think of 'out of stock' as being that the supplier is empty handed, but that's not clear to the customer

steff13 · 22/08/2017 18:11

If it's in stock, that means you can go there right now, buy it, and take it home with you.

CherieBabySpliffUp · 22/08/2017 18:12

Yep, in stock means available to take away there and then.

caffeinestream · 22/08/2017 18:13

Depends on the shop. Lots of places, "in stock" means available to order now, not we physically have one in store.

FoodGloriousFud · 22/08/2017 18:19

In stock means available to order... We use in store if it's in a store.

solarisIsAClassic · 22/08/2017 18:44

You find morons in every walk of life! YANBU.

caffeinestream · 22/08/2017 18:46

In stock means available to order... We use in store if it's in a store

Yep, us too. We can often order stuff that's in the warehouse but not in store - it's in stock, just not in our shop. In store means we physically have it available for you to take home today.

WingsofNylon · 22/08/2017 18:47

In stock is available to buy not necessarily take home right then. While I would find it annoying it isn't that uncommon.

Original poster

Viviennemary · 22/08/2017 22:26

Thanks all for replying. I did phone the actual branch and said I was coming. And the light was quite portable (for DH anyway!) so just thought I could take it away else I wouldn't have gone. Next time I'll be more clear.

OP posts:

ASongOfRiceAndPeas · 22/08/2017 22:44

If it was in stock then the store would physically have it and you'd be able to take it home same day. If it's at the warehouse wouldn't it be on 'back order' or something?

MumIsRunningAMarathon · 22/08/2017 23:56

Why didn't you ask them to reserve it? Put it away til you got there? One hour click and collect? Next day click and collect?

You had options. It's in stock. Not in store ( unless when you rang it was there and sold in the meantime)

Next time, ask for a physical check before you drive over

Original poster

Viviennemary · 23/08/2017 10:06

I thought I had asked for a check. That's why I rang that branch When I rang she went away and came back and said yes it's in stock. We were there quite quickly within half an hour. If it was sold in that time it would have been my hard luck. But no apology for misunderstanding or wasted journey. Anyway now I know in stock might mean instock at a warehouse miles away. (That's what she said. In stock at our warehouse delivery 7-10 days) Grrr!!!!

OP posts:

melj1213 · 23/08/2017 10:31

In stock=/= in store.

Also some stores have items that are "home delivery only" so no matter how many are in stock they will never physically be in any store. Sometimes it's not clear from the website that it is for delivery only.

So when you rang up the sales assistant probably checked inventory, saw it was in stock for delivery and assumed you wanted to come down to store to check the display matched what you wanted and then arrange for delivery.

Original poster

Viviennemary · 23/08/2017 10:39

There were lots of other lights available to take away there and then. But not that particular one. That's why I phoned and asked if that light was in stock. I assumed she checked that it was available.. It was the lighting department they put me through to. I said great and that I'd be coming to the shop shortly.

OP posts:

Scribblegirl · 23/08/2017 10:41

I would bet my arse this is Habitat (probably won't be now but there you go!)

We had a problem with an 'in stock' item in fact taking 2 months and 2 failed deliveries to arrive after it turned out 'in stock' didn't actually mean they physically had it in their possession.

Original poster

Viviennemary · 23/08/2017 10:43

It was Laura Ashely. I was wondering if anybody would ask because I was dying to tell.

OP posts:

Original poster

Viviennemary · 23/08/2017 10:46

That sounds even more annoying than my scenario. In stock might soon mean in a warehouse in outer space.

OP posts:

CurbsideProphet · 23/08/2017 10:48

How odd! When you said that you were on your way did she think you were popping in for a social call?

EastMidsMummy · 23/08/2017 10:50

Jesus, does no-one remember that "the customer is always right"?

Ordinary customers will naturally assume that in stock means in stock at that store. Why wouldn't they? How hard would it have been for the shop worker to think about her customer and make it clear what she means?

Scribblegirl · 23/08/2017 10:50

It's an epidemic!

I do think some of the 'naicer' chain shops (Habitat, Laura Ashley and the like) expect you to be grateful that they're even doing business with you now. The sort of chains that 20 years ago were a byword for good service and reliability just seem to be coasting on that reputation...

Anyway, back on the subject - I agree, 'in stock' stock should mean 'in the stock room at that location' in my mind.

PNGirl · 23/08/2017 10:52

If you said you were coming to store she should have told you that you wouldn't be able to take it away with you. I would have in my retail days.

Jaxhog · 23/08/2017 11:04

If someone in the shop said it was in stock, then I'd expect it to be in stock when I got there. Unless I hadn't reserved it and someone had bought it in the meantime. I'd be asking for my petrol money!

It is becoming depressingly common though. My husband just ordered, and paid for, an item from a website last week. We just got a call today to say it isn't in stock and would we like something else instead. Err, no!

Flip

1 2

Swipe left for the next trending thread