Con or Clever Tactics?

[Govangirl]

I'm in a ranting mood today.
I'm getting totally frustrated by the ever-increasing practice of businesses advertising brilliant offers that are 'out of stock' when you make a journey to get them!!!!! Supermarkets are notorious for it, especially Tesco. All last week they had Baileys advertised for £7 a bottle and every time my friend and I tried to buy it, it was out of stock. The worse by far is Argos. I can't tell you the amount of times they have done this. Up until yesterday they were advertising a brilliant offer on their i-Pod Touch but it was never in stock at any of my local stores. Last night I tried 20 random stores and surprise surprise Chuck - none available! Of course, once they have the consumer in their shop . . .

I'm asking: is this a complete con or just modern business practice?

[four eyes]

con

[Tosh]

If Tesco are out of stock you just ask at the desk for a rain check voucher.

[Govangirl]

Tosh, does that mean you can get it for the special price when it comes in?

[Tosh]

That's the idea though some stores don't seem to know about it.

[Sheik Yir Erse]

You should try buying a Wii or Wii Fit at the moment, it's a nightmare trying to find anyone who has any wii fits actually in stock. You sometimes find the Wii Fit in stock, but only available to purchase as a bundle with a whole load of keech they can't normally shift.

So to my amazement I found one shop selling a Wii console and Wii Fit as a bundle AND with in stock. Price was high, but result!!!! So placed order, card debited, order dispatched, only to be followed up by an email the following day to say everything was in stock except the Wii Fit They will dispatch that when they get them in

Oh, and before anyone says I'll be needing a re-inforced Wii Fit board, it's for Little Miss Sheiklet and not me

[Govangirl]

Oh, and before anyone says I'll be needing a re-inforced Wii Fit board, it's for Little Miss Sheiklet and not me

That gave me a right laugh, Sheik. You're so funny! But seriously, I recognise your frustration as I've been there in the past - in the guise of Playstation, Tracy Island, Telletubby Po, Buzz Lightyear, Furbies, etc. It's a cruel world out there!

[A Horse called Juan Face]

My children would make their own toys, and bloody well like it. And once you're in the store, just shoplift. They were asking for it.

[Bobh]

Agree with said comments esp GG. Tesco, whisky £17 for £10. Been three times and out of stock. Bit of a con if you ask me because once you're in you spend.

[£3.73]

always read the small (microprint) disclaimer on the advertising ... (it's there somewhere ... although it may be subliminal, in Braille or Morse code)

companies like Land of Leather (LoL), DFS, Aldi & LIDL have been advertising like this for years ... to name a few ...

[Govangirl]

I find Argos the worst culprits of all. I complained this week but they only send a standard letter in return. I've decided not to return to any of their shops now.
As I get older, I turn into more of a grumpy old woman.

[Bobh]

GG, as i get older (46 yrs) i realise i'm becoming a grumpy old man. Cheer up, these things happen to the best of us. More people should vote with their feet re ARGOS.