Gene wrote:
On Sat, 15 Aug 2009 16:07:14 -0700 (PDT), Tim
wrote:

But they always seem to be back ordered because some bean counter told
them they were stocking too much inventory. So just about every time
I'd place an order the parts or units weren't on the shelf.

Sounds like West Marine.

"Sales associate", beaming.... "Sir, we don't have any in stock, but
you can order that online!"

Me, scowling.... "Why the hell would I have driven 50 miles and be
standing here in your store, if I wanted to buy that online? You can't
sell me what you don't have."

"Sales associate", now assuming the deer-in-the-headlights stance....

I keep a Defender Catalog for punishment.....




Up here in Yankee-ville, we have telephones, so I call one of the three
local stores *first* to check inventory, and if that store doesn't have
it, the clerk on the other end can check via his computer to see if
either of the other stores do.

Of course, I don't restrict that sort of phoning ahead to boating supply
stores...

:)