4 ms·

TIL you can call American stores. Why do people do that?

by orthoxerox 7y ago

jrowley 7y ago
For example to check inventory/stock before going there.
- Scoundreller 7y ago
  Even with online checks, I’ve had to call the store. Walmart always lists under 6 inventory counts as « low stock » with no guarantee. Since I was looking for a particular auto battery that never has more than a few units in stock, I had to call for them to check.
thaumasiotes 7y ago
For other stores, generally to ask if a product is in stock. For a grocery store, all I can think of would be to ask if it's open.
- metildaa 7y ago
  Calling is handy to ask what price an item is and whether it's in stock, or order something prepared by the deli or bakery that you want on a certain date/time.
kingkawn 7y ago
To find out something about the store; hours, events, product availability, etc
asveikau 7y ago
The only time I've done that in the current century is to confirm holiday hours when not made explicit on the web. eg. If it's New Year's, "are you open today, what time will you close?" If the store is clever they will leave a pre-recorded message announcing holiday hours.
gniv 7y ago
I called a few times to ask the pharmacy hours, which are shorter than the main store's.
sam0x17 7y ago
If you are picking up catering from say Whole Foods, being able to call is essential. Also helps a lot to call and see if X item is out of stock that is almost always out of stock.
denimnerd42 7y ago
call and ask if they have a rare produce item in stock like Rhubarb or something..
- mattlondon 7y ago
  Wait what, not only is there someone to call in US stores, but also rhubarb is considered rare?! This whole thread is just a constant TIL/am-I-taking-crazy-pills moment :)
  - denimnerd42 7y ago
    just an example from my childhood like 20 years ago. maybe supply chain for rhubarb is awesome now, i don't know, i don't buy it..
freeflight 7y ago
To ask if they have something specific you are looking for without you having to physically get there and check yourself? With products that are in high demand, you can even get stuff reserved. I'm not even American, and I've done both of these.
- beatgammit 7y ago
  And for some reason, stores rarely have an online system for checking inventory. I really don't understand that, because it's literally the main reason I go to a given store, and it's already digitized so it wouldn't cost them much.

TIL you can call American stores. Why do people do that?

jrowley 7y ago

For example to check inventory/stock before going there.

Scoundreller 7y ago
Even with online checks, I’ve had to call the store. Walmart always lists under 6 inventory counts as « low stock » with no guarantee. Since I was looking for a particular auto battery that never has more than a few units in stock, I had to call for them to check.

thaumasiotes 7y ago

For other stores, generally to ask if a product is in stock. For a grocery store, all I can think of would be to ask if it's open.

metildaa 7y ago
Calling is handy to ask what price an item is and whether it's in stock, or order something prepared by the deli or bakery that you want on a certain date/time.

kingkawn 7y ago

To find out something about the store; hours, events, product availability, etc

asveikau 7y ago

The only time I've done that in the current century is to confirm holiday hours when not made explicit on the web. eg. If it's New Year's, "are you open today, what time will you close?" If the store is clever they will leave a pre-recorded message announcing holiday hours.

gniv 7y ago

I called a few times to ask the pharmacy hours, which are shorter than the main store's.

sam0x17 7y ago

If you are picking up catering from say Whole Foods, being able to call is essential. Also helps a lot to call and see if X item is out of stock that is almost always out of stock.

denimnerd42 7y ago

call and ask if they have a rare produce item in stock like Rhubarb or something..

mattlondon 7y ago
Wait what, not only is there someone to call in US stores, but also rhubarb is considered rare?! This whole thread is just a constant TIL/am-I-taking-crazy-pills moment :)
- denimnerd42 7y ago
  just an example from my childhood like 20 years ago. maybe supply chain for rhubarb is awesome now, i don't know, i don't buy it..

freeflight 7y ago

To ask if they have something specific you are looking for without you having to physically get there and check yourself? With products that are in high demand, you can even get stuff reserved. I'm not even American, and I've done both of these.

beatgammit 7y ago
And for some reason, stores rarely have an online system for checking inventory. I really don't understand that, because it's literally the main reason I go to a given store, and it's already digitized so it wouldn't cost them much.