Lowes
You used to be able to search for 'out of stock', but they may have taken that away. I've had good luck in the carpet or tile section-there's always something that's only available online and has to be ordered into the store.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/01/2015 01:54AM by KathyG.
Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. Eleanor Roosevelt
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/01/2015 01:54AM by KathyG.
Kobalt K20 5-Tool 20-Volt Lithium Ion Cordless Combo Kit with Soft Case
This is a discontinued item by Kobalt still showing on the Lowes website.
Check your store to be sure though.
PS: Be prepared for your associate to then try to substitute the "4-Tool" once there after they look in their computer (if they do). It's a good item because the next closest Lowes will also not have it, so you don't have to explain "nevermind" to a scenario where the associate finds it at another close-by store.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/01/2015 02:05AM by tcurione.
This is a discontinued item by Kobalt still showing on the Lowes website.
Check your store to be sure though.
PS: Be prepared for your associate to then try to substitute the "4-Tool" once there after they look in their computer (if they do). It's a good item because the next closest Lowes will also not have it, so you don't have to explain "nevermind" to a scenario where the associate finds it at another close-by store.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/01/2015 02:05AM by tcurione.
I have found good luck in lighting, particularly ceiling fans. I also suggest downloading the Lowe's phone app. When I see an item ?not on the shelf, I can use the UPC scanner and find out if it is available at the store.
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I always find an item in the organization department. Lots of items there and usually pretty quick to find one out of stock.
@89lulalula89 wrote:
I always find an item in the organization department. Lots of items there and usually pretty quick to find one out of stock.
Ahh, the beautiful irony.....
I usually pick one of the obscure Keurigs...they normally only have one or two models in stock, so it's pretty easy to go in and look for, say, the "Platinum Edition"....
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/01/2015 02:13PM by snoopycoupon.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/01/2015 02:13PM by snoopycoupon.
@tcurione wrote:
Kobalt K20 5-Tool 20-Volt Lithium Ion Cordless Combo Kit with Soft Case
Not sure how or why I came upon a Kobalt as my out of stock item, but I used a Kobalt cordless combo kit, too. Can't remember if it's the exact one listed above, though.
I don't think there are any Russians / And there ain't no Yanks
Just corporate criminals\ / Playin' with tanks
Just corporate criminals\ / Playin' with tanks
I always head to the kitchen and bathroom faucets and look for an empty spot on the shelf (if not doing the plumbing scenerio). I then check the phone app to make sure it is out of stock for real (it usually is if it's not on the shelf.)
I tell the associate in my best bimbo voice that I really like it as it is really pretty and act like a diva. They know I really like that one so they don't try to tell me the similar one in another brand or color. They just check the online ordering and tell me I can order it with free 2-3 day shipping. Sometimes they do check the close-by stores too and I just say thanks for letting me know where they are so I'll go there.
I tell the associate in my best bimbo voice that I really like it as it is really pretty and act like a diva. They know I really like that one so they don't try to tell me the similar one in another brand or color. They just check the online ordering and tell me I can order it with free 2-3 day shipping. Sometimes they do check the close-by stores too and I just say thanks for letting me know where they are so I'll go there.
Shopping across Indiana but mostly around Indianapolis.
There is supposed to be an empty spot for it on the shelf in the store you go to. There is updated information from the MSC stating that the former out of stock tool on the Lowe's website is not longer there and they suggest going to the store and finding something that is missing., Be careful. Look way up on the shelves for boxes. I spotted what I was sure was an out of stock lamp last week, and the Associate found it an aisle away, 15 feet up. He knew just where to look. So, I then had to find another department and start over.
I like lbw1000's suggestion to verify that it is missing on my smart phone. I am going to adopt that as my new best practice.
I like lbw1000's suggestion to verify that it is missing on my smart phone. I am going to adopt that as my new best practice.
Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008
Tools tools tools always something out of stock. Would not even waste time on the website.
Shopping Western NY, Northeast and Central PA, and parts of Ohio and West Virginia. Have car will travel anywhere if the monies right.
Back when I was doing 'em, I'd go to the CFL and LED lights area, always something missing. Sometimes for fun I'd go to the nuts and bolts and pipe fittings, usually something kaput there too.
A big thanks to everyone for the helps. I did the shop today and found a ceiling fan out of stock but, one was on order for tonight. I was lucky to find that 'hole'. It took a while.....thanks again.
Lowes shows their OOS on line. Sign in to the store assigned and then you browse items. Currently one of the companies that has Lowes shops jas added. A instruction that if you have problems finding an out of stock item on line proceed to store and find an empty bin and use that as your OOS item.
If you pick a specific item online, then you can see if it is in stock, but searching one item at a time, hoping to find one out of stock at that store would be painful, to say the least. They used to have tool which showed all OOS items in a given department for a given store. That is no longer an option. If I were forced to find an OOS of stock item on line by browsing each item in the lighting department until I found one, I would never do one of these again. I have been to stores in the Spring which had every fan (there are dozens and dozens) in stock. I could tell by looking that there were no empty spots. But to look at each of a hundred fans online - individually - to try to discover one which was out of stock - forget it!
Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008
It's times like this when I lament not having a data plan, but then that would cost me $$.
If you search for 'out of stock' a list of items will pop up. One cycle I chose a carpet that needed to be special ordered, took a screen shot of the item with my phone, and used it for each of the stores. However, I learned the hard way that it's best to make sure you're searching for items at the store you're shopping.
@myst4au wrote:
They used to have tool which showed all OOS items in a given department for a given store. That is no longer an option.
Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. Eleanor Roosevelt
I don't concern myself with whether there are some at nearby stores. I just nod and pretend I will go there. Likewise if they tell me it will be in tomorrow. All I care about is if it's out of stock at the moment I"m there. The guidelines for this quarter say that if the associate happens to find the item you thought was out of stock, simply document the steps they took.
"If the associate was able to locate the out of stock item please check the box most appropriate on the evaluation
and detail their efforts in the comments. Do not leave the box unchecked for Q1"
We are also not supposed to use the same item all the time. I have been using outdoor lighting and ceiling fans but will soon switch to keurigs and coffee pots. They don't have a lot in stock on those. If all else fails I generally wander over to the faucets and look for an empty hole, although there is a risk of the associate finding one on the shelves above.
"If the associate was able to locate the out of stock item please check the box most appropriate on the evaluation
and detail their efforts in the comments. Do not leave the box unchecked for Q1"
We are also not supposed to use the same item all the time. I have been using outdoor lighting and ceiling fans but will soon switch to keurigs and coffee pots. They don't have a lot in stock on those. If all else fails I generally wander over to the faucets and look for an empty hole, although there is a risk of the associate finding one on the shelves above.
I have luck with them being out of drawer pulls all of the time. I go in and head right for hardware.
I have a hard time with Lowes, simply because they sponsor Jimmie Johnson and going there means seeing all this 48 car stuff around. I don't like JJ. He's a lousy teammate. Here's a Q for you. What if you find something online and when you get to the store, they don't have a space for it? ... or worse ... you get to the store, you don't see the item, you ask about it, and while waiting for the clerk to look it up for options, oops - you see one lone one of them stuck next to something else ... lol
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/24/2015 01:51AM by Orrymain.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/24/2015 01:51AM by Orrymain.
@Orrymain wrote:
I have a hard time with Lowes, simply because they sponsor Jimmie Johnson and going there means seeing all this 48 car stuff around. I don't like JJ. He's a lousy teammate.
Pardon the interruption...
Where are all these Lowes' with 48 stuff around? As a huge JJ fan it always annoys me that the Lowes' here don't even acknowledge him! I think all I've been able to get is a Christmas Decoration!
Ok, back to the Lowes Mystery Shopping thread....
LOL I wish mine was like yours! :}
@tcurione wrote:
@Orrymain wrote:
I have a hard time with Lowes, simply because they sponsor Jimmie Johnson and going there means seeing all this 48 car stuff around. I don't like JJ. He's a lousy teammate.
Pardon the interruption...
Where are all these Lowes' with 48 stuff around? As a huge JJ fan it always annoys me that the Lowes' here don't even acknowledge him! I think all I've been able to get is a Christmas Decoration!
Ok, back to the Lowes Mystery Shopping thread....
Resurrecting this thread 'cuz I have what might be a dumb question on it.... There's one with a slight bonus being offered in a town I'm going to be in anyway early this week. (I'd never go out of my way to do this!)
Never done one before. If I'm reading the summary instructions right, it sounds like you are assigned to shop a certain scenario and department, but the OOS item you have to ask for is something from a different department? I think I don't quite understand, and, of course, I can't view the full shop guidelines unless I accept it.
Any clarification is greatly appreciated! TIA!
Never done one before. If I'm reading the summary instructions right, it sounds like you are assigned to shop a certain scenario and department, but the OOS item you have to ask for is something from a different department? I think I don't quite understand, and, of course, I can't view the full shop guidelines unless I accept it.
Any clarification is greatly appreciated! TIA!
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
You've got it right. You pick an item that is out of stock from a department totally unrelated to the department where you have your interaction. I usually choose hardware or plumbing. At least one of those little bins is usually empty. Then, after you've had that interaction, switch gears and head to the scenario department to have the other interaction.
@meghan9262 wrote:
You've got it right. You pick an item that is out of stock from a department totally unrelated to the department where you have your interaction. I usually choose hardware or plumbing. At least one of those little bins is usually empty. Then, after you've had that interaction, switch gears and head to the scenario department to have the other interaction.
Thank you, Meghan, for clarifying this. The instructions aren't totally clear on this (surprise, surprise, surprise). So, as I understand it, you go in, look around in a department not related to your "interaction scenario," ask about an out-of-stock item, and make observations about that. Then you go to the assigned department and do a "regular" interaction.
So, do you think it's worth the now-bonused amount of $15? (Only because I'm going to be driving within a couple of blocks of the store anyway.)
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I find them easy and not terribly long. The "narrative" they want isn't excessive. I can usually do the shop and report in about an hour/hour-and a half. It's not the best or most lucrative shop I've done, but it's not bad either.
OK, thanks! I could use a shop that's not narrative heavy, for a change... I'm getting tired of them 
.
.I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
The instructions say to go to the website and look for an out of stock item. I did that and found five I could ask about. It's a really good thing I did because the store I went to never even carried four of the five items I had planned to use. They were not just "out of stock", they never carried them. Thank goodness they had a very similar item to one I had found and I asked about that. The employee found that it was available at another store and was also available on the website.
I hope your shop is easier than mine was. I had to ask for someone to come to the department I needed twice and waited a total of 22 minutes until someone came. Then it was not the person who worked in that area and he just kept saying "go to the website" to answer my questions. It was a difficult report to write without being negative. The employee did not do almost all of the actions they were supposed to do. Since we are supposed to be objective, I did not state "It was obvious the employee had no interest in selling me anything and I was obviously a waste of his time". LOL
I hope your shop is easier than mine was. I had to ask for someone to come to the department I needed twice and waited a total of 22 minutes until someone came. Then it was not the person who worked in that area and he just kept saying "go to the website" to answer my questions. It was a difficult report to write without being negative. The employee did not do almost all of the actions they were supposed to do. Since we are supposed to be objective, I did not state "It was obvious the employee had no interest in selling me anything and I was obviously a waste of his time". LOL
It was a negative experience so there is no reason to try and write it otherwise. You can still be objective in a portrayal of a negative experience.
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