Some internet retailers dealing in large items will order direct from the manufacturer, called drop shipping. This means the retailer doesn't hold the stock. Now in some case's the manufacturers can't or don't always keep their retailers up to date every day with the stock levels. It's impossible. They may have to make 100's of calls just to say one item is out of stock. It may only be out of stock for say a day.The "end user" (final customer) could place the order on line, the internet payment system would take the payment straight away, the retailer could then go and order the product to send directly to the end user, and be told it's out of stock. The retailer should then tell the end user customer. I'm assuming in the posters case they didn't. Now it could be the box was due in stock soon, and the retailer thought by the time I tell them it could be back in stock, sort of thing.
Different on line retailers work in different ways. I think the poster is more a high street retailer and so knows what stock is in the back.
Most manufacturers stock levels turns over very quickly and so if they are out it's only for a day or two. I don't know how this roofbox seller works.
My point was purly to the poster, not to slate a seller in public without knowing the full facts, which he didn't. Yes the retailer should have told him the minute they know it was out of stock, that is bad.
And yes it does take a few days for the refund to go through. Thats the banks and online payment systems such as Streamline/Sagepay/Paypal etc. They send the days taking's to the retailers bank at the end of each day. If a refund is made after that then the retailer has to pay still.
It's impossible for every manufacturer to keep every on line seller up to date on stock. The lady above who stated her payment was taken two weeks after order was I would think the retailer held stock, and set their payment system up for that particular product to hold payment until it is dispatched.
The problem with the original post is unless you are an on line e commerce business, not an ebayer! people don't always know how it works. All they know is "they took my money and it's not in stock" Well, perhaps ever asked the question why? I doubt there are many companies out there who will just take the money and not delivery. Laws against these things.
Some e commerce business don't hold the stock due to space, having money tied up etc this then keeps the prices down for the customer.
I deal with the largest security retailer in the world, Gunnebo who sells products such as Chubb, Secureline, Rosengrens. They have hundreds of on line retailers who they sell to. I'am one. It would be impossible for them to make calls or emails every time a product went out of stock which we don't hold in house. if it is out of stock then it's not for very long, a day or two.Many sites work this way, it's just the customer doesn't know. It only means the product comes directly from maker to end user that's all.
I know retailers shouldn't say in stock when it's not. But it's not as easy as it sounds. For those who run their own ecommerce business as a drop shipping way, then they would understand.
Anyway I'm boring you now! sorry. I understand the posters frustrations, but unless the full facts are known I doubt it's a case of they took my money and weren't going to let me know! Not good for their business.
Thanks
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