Out of Stock Item help
Warning: For Full Access Please Log In or Create an Account (Free)
I just did my first one today! I loved it!
I could not find an out of stock item. From what I read in the guidelines, that's not a big deal. I'm actually on that exact part of the report now.
I could not find an out of stock item. From what I read in the guidelines, that's not a big deal. I'm actually on that exact part of the report now.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
Did you just not have that interaction at all?
The website does not make it easy to find an out of stock item. I have done many of these shops in the past. I have the most luck finding an out of stock item in the plumbing area (kitchen faucets), seasonal area (I used this same black clock all spring long. It apparently flew off the shelves so it was always out of stock), and fragrances (candles and bathroom spray.) Always something out of stock in one of those areas. I just go to the store and wander around until I find an out of stock item. And not finding an out of stock item is a big deal. Your shop will probably be invalid if you did not do that part of the shop.
I learned from this forum that easiest way to find an out of stock item is just to walk over to a department other than your main interaction. Plumbing fixtures has been a good one for me. Lighting is also good. Look at the display for a large hole where there is no stock. Look around a bit to make sure it's not way up on top, then find someone and ask if they have more in the back. They'll look, and you'll either be told which stores have them, or whatever. Just report what they say. I have never had to try a second department... I can always find an item that's out of stock the first dept that I check. I haven't bothered checking online.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Shopper in California's Bay Area
That's what I was afraid it would come down to. I also read the guidelines as indicating this was not an optional interaction. Thanks for your advice!
@casper7776 wrote:
I just go to the store and wander around until I find an out of stock item.
Not being sure it is out of stock is risky. Sooner or later the associate will find some. I pull up the lowe's site for that particular location on my phone before I go in. I walk around and find something that looks out of stock. I search the item number on my phone and it will tell me if it's out of stock or not. Then I proceed.
Good to know! Do you look on the website or is there an app?
And would a "shop to store" item work or not?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/24/2016 01:00AM by Threemom.
And would a "shop to store" item work or not?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/24/2016 01:00AM by Threemom.
I have started doing the same as CoffeeQueen and I've found it to work much better. I load the Lowes app on my phone, set it to that store, and then find a department with an associate. I find an empty slot on the next aisle, search for the item number to confirm it is out of stock, and then go straight to that associate. It has cut down my shop time considerably.
ah, okay...I have the wrong DIY store.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
I have had success looking for a cabinet knob. They usually don't have it, but they will also suggest that I try looking online.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/24/2016 04:47AM by pammie8223.
****************
Motivation increases when we assume large responsibilities with a short deadline.
Motivation increases when we assume large responsibilities with a short deadline.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/24/2016 04:47AM by pammie8223.
I always pick something used in my house and search on the website. Then I pick the most expensive thing in the category. Most times, that item will be a special order and not in stock.
Some days you just have to create your own sunshine.
@mystery2me wrote:
I have started doing the same as CoffeeQueen and I've found it to work much better. I load the Lowes app on my phone, set it to that store, and then find a department with an associate. I find an empty slot on the next aisle, search for the item number to confirm it is out of stock, and then go straight to that associate. It has cut down my shop time considerably.
This is a great idea. I have never thought about it, but its a great tip. I have only once thought an item was out of stock but it was actually stored up high 2 aisles over. I just went to another department and found an out of stock item there to use. I have not had a problem yet, but I will keep your tip about the app in mind just in case I ever need it. Thanks!
I have found different packs of light bulbs not in stock, wandered down the tool aisle and found different attachments not in stock, sandpaper...Seasonal aisle will always have something missing - garden flags....Basically any aisle that has a lot of little stuff you can find something that's not in stock.
Kim
Since it's so easy to find something not in stock, I've never bothered with the app. If the associate is able to find the item in stock (in the warehouse, in another section, etc), then it's easier for me to just go to another section far from the one I was in, and find another out of stock item and re-do the OOS scenario. That's what I tell myself anyway: I've never actually needed to go to a second department. The obviously out of stock item has always been truly out of stock when I've done these shops.
Shopper in California's Bay Area
Thank you all for all of the tips. My first allegedly OOS item had two on the shelf. I found an empty spot, checked the app, and the rest went according to plan. Fortunately (?), I was not offered help in the department, so I had plenty of time to make a new plan. Great idea to just start over in a different department if the OOS turns out to be in stock.
I found its easiest to not waste your time looking online. Just go to tools as there is always an out of stock item there. If tools is the scenario department than almost any other department should have something.
Shopping Western NY, Northeast and Central PA, and parts of Ohio and West Virginia. Have car will travel anywhere if the monies right.
The out of stock item was an issue for me in the beginning; then I happened on the solution. While walking around, checking out the store and looking for an inexpensive item to purchase(remember new requirements state not to buy snack items from the register area), you hunt for empty peg hooks or holes on the shelf.
As mentioned above: locations to find OOS's is kitchen or bath items, faucets, hand tools, etc. I tend not to use everyday items, why would you inquire about a product that could be bought at a general merchandise store for less money if they are out of it. (this would be a dead giveaway of an MS)
I one time chose an item that was OOS in one location only to have the associate walk me two aisles over where it was cross merchandised.
As mentioned above: locations to find OOS's is kitchen or bath items, faucets, hand tools, etc. I tend not to use everyday items, why would you inquire about a product that could be bought at a general merchandise store for less money if they are out of it. (this would be a dead giveaway of an MS)
I one time chose an item that was OOS in one location only to have the associate walk me two aisles over where it was cross merchandised.
Shopping Southern Georgia, Valdosta, Waycross, Quitman, Thomasville and North Central Florida I-10 & I-75.
Find an item on the shelf where there's only one left, hide it behind a neighboring product or somewhere else close by, then ask about that product. Voila.
Unless they have 20 more on the end cap.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/28/2016 08:54PM by Threemom.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/28/2016 08:54PM by Threemom.
@snoopycoupon wrote:
Find an item on the shelf where there's only one left, hide it behind a neighboring product or somewhere else close by, then ask about that product. Voila.
Have you done this shop? I don't think your scenario gets at what the client wants to know when we complete this scenario. Also, it just seems needlessly complicated. There are usually easily found out of stock items without having to disturb the client's inventory and make more work for the associates.
Shopper in California's Bay Area
@snoopycoupon wrote:
Find an item on the shelf where there's only one left, hide it behind a neighboring product or somewhere else close by, then ask about that product. Voila.
Why mess with their shelves? Why not find an empty space on the shelf and use that empty space? I have never had a problem finding empty spaces on their shelves.
@snoopycoupon wrote:
Find an item on the shelf where there's only one left, hide it behind a neighboring product or somewhere else close by, then ask about that product. Voila.
One of the points of this scenario is that they want the associate to check inventory on the computer. That check would show that there is one in stock. Therefore the associate would waste time looking for it, instead of doing one of the other things they want him to do.
No, a "Ship to Store" item will not work, unless it is supposed to be stocked in the store and it is simply out of stock. There needs to be a physical location in the store where the item is supposed to be, so that the Associate walks there with you, finds it empty, and then offers an alternative (which might be after they check stock at other stores). Some Associate do not walk to the empty shelf location, and that is alright, just report it that way.
@Threemom wrote:
And would a "shop to store" item work or not?
Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008
I get the point of this part of the eval. Out of all of the shops that I've done, I think that the associate has actually bothered to look up the item on the computer twice.
@Threemom wrote:
Good to know! Do you look on the website or is there an app?
And would a "shop to store" item work or not?
There is a Lowe's app. I like it because there is an optical scanner.
✿´¯`*•.¸¸✿✿¸¸.•*´¯`✿
☻/ღ˚ * ˚ ˚˚ ˛* ღ˛° * ° ˚˚ღ
/▌ ☆Happy Shopping☆
/ \ ღ˚ * ˚ ˚˚ ˛* ღ˛° * ° ˚˚ღ
✿¸¸.•*´¯`✿ ✿´¯`*•.¸¸✿
☻/ღ˚ * ˚ ˚˚ ˛* ღ˛° * ° ˚˚ღ
/▌ ☆Happy Shopping☆
/ \ ღ˚ * ˚ ˚˚ ˛* ღ˛° * ° ˚˚ღ
✿¸¸.•*´¯`✿ ✿´¯`*•.¸¸✿
90% of the time I find a light bulb out of stock. If I cannot use that department, the other 10% of the time I find one of the Command products out of stock (empty pegs) in the hardware department. I found looking online was a waste of time.
I had a nightmare shop today where the associates kept finding the item . Finally on the third try... Thank. God it was well bonused.
Tools, and lighting I always use. Just look for that huge missing pneumatic drill on the shelf. 
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.