Better Business Bureau
National experts are predicting record numbers in spending on holiday related items. There is also a concern if many of the items on consumer's holiday lists will be available on the shelf or online and are faced with the disappointing words: “Sorry, this item is currently out of stock.” That’s especially true when challenges are still occuring with supply chains.
But does that mean the words “out of stock” is the end of the line? Not at all. With a little determination and some creative thinking, the item might be found and purchased. Here are BBB’s tip for finding items that are sold out in stores.
How to Buy Out of Stock Items
- Try a different store. Avoid limiting the search to
the most popular brick-and-mortar stores. Consider researching multiple
vendors’ websites to see who is carrying stock. If the large chain
stores are out of what you need, try a reputable independent shop or a
different type of store entirely. For example, when toilet paper was in
short supply at grocery stores, some consumers found stock in unlikely places, such as hardware stores, restaurant suppliers, or office supply stores.
- Check websites frequently. If there is an item out
of stock when shopping online, don’t give up hope right away. Bookmark
the product page and check back daily. Many vendors restock high-demand
products on a regular basis.
- Sign up for restock alerts. Many companies offer restock alerts, which are usually sent by email. For example, on Amazon (a BBB Accredited Business), look for an availability alert
on a product's information page. Amazon will send an e-mail when the
item becomes available. Keep in mind, you still have to go to the
website or store to make the purchase once the alert arrives.
- Go straight to the product’s source. If a brand
name item isn’t available from a favorite retailer, check the brand’s
official website to see if it’s in stock there. If not, consider getting
in touch by emailing customer service or reaching out through social
media.
- Take advantage of return policies. If you suspect
that an item will sell out quickly but you aren’t sure if you really
need or want it, review the store’s return policy. If a store gives you
the option to return an item and offer refunds, you may want to purchase
the item as soon as it’s available. You can always send it back if it
doesn’t fit your needs, but you may regret not purchasing if the stock
runs out for good.
- Search for products on resale sites. If a product
appears to be gone for good, don’t lose hope just yet. Some resale sites
may offer the hard-to-find products. That said, watch out for scammers
when looking for this year’s hottest toy
or a product that is very popular. Con artists prey on desperate
shoppers by pretending to have an item that is impossible to find,
accepting payments, and then never delivering the product.
- Consider a personal shopping service. Personal
shoppers can do the heavy lifting if there is a very specific product
you are hunting for. Be sure to read reviews and ask for recommendations
from friends and family members before deciding to hire.
- Try out a subscription service. Subscription
services offer regular deliveries of cleaning products, clothing and
more. If the local stores are running out of fresh produce, for example,
consider a meal delivery service.
- Be patient. Sometimes, despite the best efforts, it just may not be possible to find most popular items. This was the case for many consumers hoping to purchase new PS5 and Xbox Series X+S gaming systems. Restocks have sold out almost immediately every time thanks to limited supplies and bot resellers. If this happens to you, be patient. You may have to wait a few months until suppliers can meet consumers’ demands.
For More Information
Read BBB Tip: Smart Online Shopping and BBB Tip: Shop Safe, Shop Smart this Holiday Season for more shopping tips.
Only make purchases from businesses who adhere to the BBB Standards for Trust. Read more about BBB's Accreditation Standards.