Everything’s out of stock!

[Maryann1975]

I get that this is a really first world problem and that with everything else going on, it’s totally minor, but I’m really struggling, all the main presents I’m wanting to buy are all out of stock everywhere! Xbox, iPad and the big new Harry Potter Lego set.
I can get an iPad delivered in January, but don’t know if I should do that or risk waiting to see if they come in stock elsewhere before then. I know there has been massive demand fo this type of product (which is why we want one, it feels much better to give it to her for Christmas rather than for no reason).
And as for the xbox, what were Microsoft (or whoever makes them) thinking? Why have they not made enough, did they not foresee that there would be a massive demand for them? Or is that part of the master marketing plan that I don’t quite get. Keep them restricted to keep people talking about them, but in the end there will be enough for everyone?

Anyone else struggling to get items they want or is just me? Are you accepting that some gifts might have to be late or holding out for more stock to appear in the shops in the next couple of weeks?

@DumplingsAndStew

And yet people still mock those who have their Christmas shopping done in September

And will still do that even while they struggle to get what they want in time and complain when delivery is in January.

@Collaborate

There are massive delays in the port of Felixstowe. Google it. Due to a number of factors but it’s only going to get worse after Brexit. Basically we’re stuffed because some wankers wanted a different coloured passport, and everything derided at the time as project fear becomes “we wanted that all along.”

Yep. People voted for this! Enjoy.

A lot of warehouse space is already taken up with companies stockpiling - medicine, food, other essentials because of Brexit. Delays at ports also probably a factor.

Ee have ipads on contract if you would consider that. They rang me the other day but I already have an ipad.

I bought an iPad on AO yesterday (2020) they might have some left

I don’t think this is anything to do with pandemic. New games console have always had this problem. Remember it throughout my kids growing up in the 90’s and 00’s . they release just before thanksgiving/Xmas and then all the kids/gaming adults want for Xmas. You end up doing daft things like trawling through obscure sites on line to predict which shops will get stock and when. Or buying console in very odd shops that have had a few delivered but no one thinks about going to.

@TwelveLeggedWalk If it makes you feel any better, I bought DD1 some HP pjs this year (she'd grown out of all of hers) and sent them back as they have unbelievably itchy waistbands. I clocked this as soon as I unpacked them, as DD1 is notoriously fussy about how clothes feel, but DD2 (who will generally wear anything if it looks good!) found the same. Having looked at the reviews, it seems lots of people said the same.

On the Christmas shopping in Sep point, leaving aside the Autumn birthdays we have to contend with, what do you do if they change their minds? Mine are still coming up with stuff now .

It’s not a new problem, happens every year, many years ago I remember queuing for the first Xbox refused since, Curry’s seem to be releasing the PS5 in stages and updating their social media pages as they come in.

I gave up and bought the Xbox one s rather then the new one & hope it wasn't too silly a decision - but January or later is no good! Not ideal but it's what list of Ds's peers have as nouns can get the new one anyway.

No one not nouns!

With tech stuff, we buy usually via John Lewis because of their level of support and 2 or 3 year guarantees. We got 4 new laptops (chromebooks) in the past year- which we have needed. The kids have all their presents bought, but nothing very high tech specifically for Xmas.

Would they be okay with other sorts of games and tech bought at a different time?

PS Attack on the Burrow 89.99 at Smyths really good price (though I know my DS doesn't want that one) here

Attack on the Burrow RRP is £89.99
I’m guessing it’s Diagon Alley? Have you tried stores? They’ll be open again at the end of the week.

I've been looking at getting matching pjs for months (first Christmas with our first baby) and literally they have been out of stock since being released or popular sizes have. Like don't people have better things to do than sit waiting online. Honestly don't get it.

There’s quite a few used Diagon’s on eBay. They will be good condition as it willbe AFOL Lego enthusiasts who bought in September when it came out, have built once, dismantled and are selling for their next build.
Glad I bought it early

soz camelcamelcamel fail there, it seemed cheap when I looked it up

We bought all our presents in September/October. This happens every year it isn’t a new problem due to COVID.

I don’t know why people leave things so last minute?

I guess it’s because children change their minds?
DS always has to do his letter to Santa in September. Last year I told him Brexit might delay the post. This year Covid might delay the post.
If he changes his mind it’s too late as the letter has been sent already.

As has been said, pandemic related supply chain issues for electronics, compounds led with warehousing issues. You can’t get warehouse space for love nor money in the U.K. currently because of Brexit. And (as has been said) the ports are backed up. All of these have also led to the U.K. being deprioritised for stock, because why send stock here to be held up when it can be sent to the US and sold?

But also with the lockdown in England a lot of people have done much more shopping online, so for things like pyjamas online stock has sold but there is still stock sat in shops. You might have more luck in bricks and mortar shops over the next few weeks (probably not M&S though, as they also source from stores for online).

I’ve just bought an iPad Air at the online Apple store, delivery confirmed 10 days

@papaelf

Has everything to do with covid and knock on effects! Not just games consoles....

[quote MrsShelton]@papaelf

Has everything to do with covid and knock on effects! Not just games consoles....[/quote]

No it really doesn't. This is commonplace for major releases of new consoles. I'm not saying covid isn't an added factor but the shortage of these things are quite intentional.

Intentional? I haven’t been able to get a fridge/freezer we need since April now!!

And I work in the supply chain and know for a fact it’s covid related. I’m sick of explaining this to our trade customers! It’s getting worse not better for some niche products

Intentional? I haven’t been able to get a fridge/freezer we need since April now!!


We are not talking about fridge freezers though; we are discussing new relate gaming consoles. That's said, I can only assume you mean you cannot get the fridge/freezer you want, because there are plenty available for those who need.

And I work in the supply chain and know for a fact it’s covid related. I’m sick of explaining this to our trade customers! It’s getting worse not better for some niche products

'I know for a fact' - oh. Ok then.

I just got a gold 32gb ipad 2020 from Argos. Pick up Saturday. Fingers & toes crossed....