Lowes Out of Stock Scenario
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I've never done an out of stock with them but I have frequently found that items are not available at my local store. So, for example, I am in Florida and if I want an item unlikely to be stocked locally, I would look for a snow shovel. Indeed my options show up down the side of the page for 'parcel shipping', 'store pickup' and 'Lowes Truck delivery'. My local store shows the item as 'currently unavailable' and indeed it is 'currently unavailable' at my 5 nearest locations. (The joke here is that I actually do use a snow shovel daily to clean the barn and there is nothing better for it!)
Another item that I have not found at any of my local Lowes is a variety of ceiling fans with lights and remotes. They usually have one or two on display but nothing like the 171 on their website.
Another item that I have not found at any of my local Lowes is a variety of ceiling fans with lights and remotes. They usually have one or two on display but nothing like the 171 on their website.
I have had good success in the cleaning aisle. There is always some type of mop head that is out of stock.
Kim
There is always a light bulb missing as well. Never fails me and I have done over 50 of these.
It has been my experience to have at least 2 out of stock items on the visit. For instance, I asked about one particular item and was led to a clearance area where it had been marked down. Of course I purchased it, as it was marked down by over $30! It became the product that I purchased for the visit.
However, I had to find another item that was out of stock. lesson learned!
Happily, hubby was pleased with that purchase!
However, I had to find another item that was out of stock. lesson learned!
Happily, hubby was pleased with that purchase!
One thing they usually do not have in stock are garage doors...the expensive ones. Another time, I asked for a screen for a garage door (where your vehicle enters) so you can keep the door open but keep the bugs out. Yes, they do exist but never in stock.
The shop which requires you to find an out of stock item requires it to be an item that is supposed to be in the store. Looking for a snow shovel in Florida would not count unless there is a shelf location for it, a price tag, and a empty spot on the shelf where it is supposed to be. If you find an item online and then go to the store and it is in stock (as Tatjana related), you are instructed to find an outof stock item in the store. I go to the store, find an out of stock item, wander a bit, then ask for that item. Once in a while I still get tripped up because they have stock somewhere else, but not often. For anyone who has not done one of these recently, you are now required to specify the out of stock item you asked for in the store, so I provide the number that they use to look it up so that there is absolutely no doubt about what I asked about.
Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008
Thanks. It's been awhile since I've done these shops. Live and learn, eh? 
I don't go to the store and look for an empty display spot. I go online in advance and find three similar products out of stock, for example ceiling fans. I print those out, trim off everything except the picture and the stock numbers, and I'm ready to go.
Another item I've used is bathroom sinks, another item is vanities. I've never had a report rejected because there was no empty display slot in the store. For me it's quicker to find it on line and print out the info. Also I don't have to write down a stock number or price in the store because I already have it.
Another item I've used is bathroom sinks, another item is vanities. I've never had a report rejected because there was no empty display slot in the store. For me it's quicker to find it on line and print out the info. Also I don't have to write down a stock number or price in the store because I already have it.
Mary Davis Nowell. Based close to Fort Worth. Shopping Interstate 20 east and west, Interstate 35 north and south.
That's what I did, Mary. Exactly the same thing as you. I was wondering about the other poster's post. Oh well, live and learn AGAIN, eh?hahaha
I flip through their ad and make a shortlist of the deeply discounted/sales items that week. Once at the store, I can quickly find one which sold faster than they could stock.
Almost never fails that there is at least one thing out-of-stock. In the summer, it's typically a variety of BBQ briquettes or smoking chips, sometimes their patio furniture, planters, etc. Winter, it's typically the space heaters, weather-stripping, totes.
If that fails, I can always find something OOS in the household/cleaning product section. Normally one of their candle or oil plug-in fragrances.
Almost never fails that there is at least one thing out-of-stock. In the summer, it's typically a variety of BBQ briquettes or smoking chips, sometimes their patio furniture, planters, etc. Winter, it's typically the space heaters, weather-stripping, totes.
If that fails, I can always find something OOS in the household/cleaning product section. Normally one of their candle or oil plug-in fragrances.
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Plan the work. Work the plan.
Plan the work. Work the plan.
Bird - I you already know the suspect departments by season, why bother looking in the circular? Just go to the department and look for an empty spot. In the summer around here, I can count on at least one ceiling fan to be out of stock. In the cooler weather, lights for bathroom vanities seem to go on sale and be out of stock, so I just go and look there.
Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008
Myst, my stores often have multiple displays of the sales items. It's typically only when they are in the appropriate season AND deeply discounted, that I can luck out and find something out-of-stock. Then again, I live in a military town where people are operating under pretty tight budgets, so they tend to wait to purchase until a really good sale. Checking the sales ad first and narrowing it down to 3-5 items saves me from wandering the store.
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Plan the work. Work the plan.
Plan the work. Work the plan.
Thank you all for the helpful comments! I found an item online and the note next to it stated that I could pick it up in the store on 9/28. I assume that means that they currently don't have it, so I'll go with that! If that plan fails, I'll go with some of the other suggestions from this forum.
While we're on the topic, I saw in the evaluation form a question inquiring if I would be interested in completing this shop in the future. They also offer several date options from which to select availability. If I mark "yes" and choose a specific date, will I be automatically assigned to do the shop then (presumably at a non-bonused rate)?
While we're on the topic, I saw in the evaluation form a question inquiring if I would be interested in completing this shop in the future. They also offer several date options from which to select availability. If I mark "yes" and choose a specific date, will I be automatically assigned to do the shop then (presumably at a non-bonused rate)?
cirmi2000 Wrote:
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> While we're on the topic, I saw in the evaluation
> form a question inquiring if I would be interested
> in completing this shop in the future. They also
> offer several date options from which to select
> availability. If I mark "yes" and choose a
> specific date, will I be automatically assigned to
> do the shop then (presumably at a non-bonused
> rate)?
Yes.
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> While we're on the topic, I saw in the evaluation
> form a question inquiring if I would be interested
> in completing this shop in the future. They also
> offer several date options from which to select
> availability. If I mark "yes" and choose a
> specific date, will I be automatically assigned to
> do the shop then (presumably at a non-bonused
> rate)?
Yes.
MDavisnowell Wrote:
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> I've never had a report
> rejected because there was no empty display slot
> in the store.
How do you answer the question as to whether the associate walked with you to the item's location if it doesn't have a designated location at the store?
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> I've never had a report
> rejected because there was no empty display slot
> in the store.
How do you answer the question as to whether the associate walked with you to the item's location if it doesn't have a designated location at the store?
The shop specifically says that it has to be out of stock in the store and the intent is that they use a terminal or an app to find the shelf location it is supposed to be in. Then they are supposed to suggest that you install the app on your smartphone so that you can check stock before you get to the store and know exactly what aisle and spot it is supposed to be in.
So I don't understand how anyone can justify picking an item that the store isn't supposed to stock (I think one poster indicated that they look for snow shovels in Florida). That having been said, the first one I did this year, the employee told me about the app for my cell phone and how easy it was to use and even showed it to me on his own cell phone. That was the first and only employee to do so. But they all look it up on their handheld device (which one of them told me was a iPhoneswathed in an inch of rubber to resist falls) or on their terminal. Even knowing that it is out of stock, 9 out of 10 times they walk me to the empty spot.
So I don't understand how anyone can justify picking an item that the store isn't supposed to stock (I think one poster indicated that they look for snow shovels in Florida). That having been said, the first one I did this year, the employee told me about the app for my cell phone and how easy it was to use and even showed it to me on his own cell phone. That was the first and only employee to do so. But they all look it up on their handheld device (which one of them told me was a iPhoneswathed in an inch of rubber to resist falls) or on their terminal. Even knowing that it is out of stock, 9 out of 10 times they walk me to the empty spot.
Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008
Just as a matter of my own interest, have any of you Lowes mystery shoppers had the Lowes employee talk about the smart-phone app?
With the shops I've done, the smart-phone app has been mentioned infrequently if at all.
With the shops I've done, the smart-phone app has been mentioned infrequently if at all.
As I mentioend above, the very first employee I encountered on my very first shop this "summer" talked about it and encouraged me to install it. After that, no.
Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008
Tatjana, I think myst4au is the only one, who has had this unique experience. The closest I've come is that they look on their own phones, but don't say a word about the smart phone app.
(heart)
(heart)
I intend to live forever. So far, so good.
StillLearning, maybe they just assume that you don't have a smartphone.
I've never had them not mention the app.
I've never had them not mention the app.
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Plan the work. Work the plan.
Plan the work. Work the plan.
Actually, I have had my smart phone in my hand on several occasions and not a single one has talked "app" to me. So you have? I'm amazed and have to think that maybe the mystery shoppers are making a difference.
(heart)
(heart)
I intend to live forever. So far, so good.
They may think you already know about it, then.
That's how most of mine start. "So, do you have our app? Because there's a feature on the app which allows you to...."
That's how most of mine start. "So, do you have our app? Because there's a feature on the app which allows you to...."
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Plan the work. Work the plan.
Plan the work. Work the plan.
Although, in my head, I keep rooting for them, "App" has never been never spoken.
(heart)
(heart)
I intend to live forever. So far, so good.
stilllearning Wrote:
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> Although, in my head, I keep rooting for them,
> "App" has never been never spoken.
>
> (heart)
I do the shop at least 4 times a month and I have never been asked about my phone or an app.
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> Although, in my head, I keep rooting for them,
> "App" has never been never spoken.
>
> (heart)
I do the shop at least 4 times a month and I have never been asked about my phone or an app.
****************
Motivation increases when we assume large responsibilities with a short deadline.
Motivation increases when we assume large responsibilities with a short deadline.
I was very impressed the time it happened, and since it was the first time, I figured it would keep happening. Nope.
Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008
No one has ever mentioned the app to me. I now hold my phone in my hand to maybe give them a nudge. It hasn't worked.
MDavisnowell Wrote:
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> I don't go to the store and look for an empty
> display spot. I go online in advance and find
> three similar products out of stock, for example
> ceiling fans. I print those out, trim off
> everything except the picture and the stock
> numbers, and I'm ready to go.
> Another item I've used is bathroom sinks, another
> item is vanities. I've never had a report
> rejected because there was no empty display slot
> in the store. For me it's quicker to find it on
> line and print out the info. Also I don't have to
> write down a stock number or price in the store
> because I already have it.
Ditto! That is exactly what I do. I have never had a report rejected either. I usually look up the over the hood microwaves, or garage floor paint.
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> I don't go to the store and look for an empty
> display spot. I go online in advance and find
> three similar products out of stock, for example
> ceiling fans. I print those out, trim off
> everything except the picture and the stock
> numbers, and I'm ready to go.
> Another item I've used is bathroom sinks, another
> item is vanities. I've never had a report
> rejected because there was no empty display slot
> in the store. For me it's quicker to find it on
> line and print out the info. Also I don't have to
> write down a stock number or price in the store
> because I already have it.
Ditto! That is exactly what I do. I have never had a report rejected either. I usually look up the over the hood microwaves, or garage floor paint.
Not my circus - Not my monkeys @(*.*)@
~Polish Proverb~
~Polish Proverb~
I've done 72 of these this year. Not only am I holding my phone, but I actually read the item number to them off my phone's notepad. I've had just one person mention the app.
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