AIBU to expect a shop to actually sell the clothes displayed in the window?

[ThatFraggle]

I was walking past Zara. A dress in the window caught my eye (the whole display had two women's dresses, some kids outfits and one Men's outfit). I went in. I wandered around. Couldn't see it. I asked a shop assistant where I can find the pink dress in the window.

"It's only for display."
"That's fine. I don't want you to take it off the mannequin. I just want to know where about in the shop I can find it. Or if you have sold out, when might it be in again to try on, or what it is called so I can look on the website."
"It's only for display."
"So you're telling me that the dress in the window display is not a dress this shop sells anywhere."
Shrug.

So I just left her to it.

I tried looking online but there are thousands of dresses and after about 5 minutes (searching by 'featured' or the main colour (it is patterned).I still couldn't find it.

AIBU to expect a shop to actually sell the clothes they have in the window? Yes, they run out of stock. That's normal. But for it to exist somewhere in their inventory is not unreasonable? Right?

Bloody weird not to even sell it online.

Weird! Was it nicked from another shop?

Completely agree with you op.
Why have clothes in the window but not in the shop... guaranteed disappointment!

The point of displays is to draw people in to buy the outfit surely?
I wonder if she just didn't understand what you were asking?

I went back today, spoke to someone else and got a much clearer answer.

The dress is part of a 'limited' range. It had sold out in store and also online. Well, she said 'this morning we had two left and there's one left (not my size).

She gave me the product code to look for it online. Sometimes there will be more. Sometimes it's a case of 'once it's gone, it's gone.' They are not told which it will be.

I KNEW this was Zara

Seems to be their Facebook marketing ploy as well - show you something you love - click on the link - actually it's not available YET but what about these other things!

Zara website is sooo ridiculous

YANBU. Tip for the future though. Google Lens is brilliant at searching based on a picture. That might be more helpful than the shop or their website search capabilities.

I didn't even think of Google lense! Great tip.

I take a screenshot of the label with the product code etc on it - then easier to hunt online

YANBU. I had this with new look when I was looking for maternity clothes. Went into town specifically because they were advertising maternity clothes in the window. Turns out they didn't stock them in that particular store

It was in the window so I couldn't see the tag.

I need to see the dress.

I work in women's retail , the window dressers go round an area and the stuff in the mannequins always sells out straight away ( the power of suggestion! )

I always offer to order though and if it's sold out I give them the code to keep checking the website ..

Zara is a weird shop , boiling hot and everyone is Spanish .! ( where do they come from? ) weird in the towns I frequent !

Zara is is a dispiriting shopping experience in person and online.

Thought this was going to be Oxfam. Ours don't let you buy things until they change the display, you have to reserve them.