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I nearly pitched a fit in DSW the other day. I walked in, glanced down the rows and rows and ROWS of shoes in every conceivable size, and saw no W’s at all. So I asked the manager if they’d stopped carrying wide width shoes, and he said, “We still carry them. They’re the ones with W on them (Yes. I know). But we don’t get many. I can order for you, however.” Gee thanks. Because that’s why I go to an actual store instead of the internet, so I can order the product I need in a less convenient way, not so I can try it on to see if I like it. Ahem.
I know this sounds like another of my rants about the agony of having size 11 wide feet (my walking shoes are an 11 4e), but it’s not. It’s a rant about retailers who can’t see the forest for the trees. Aren’t we in the age of computers, when retailers can track your every click on their pages? Why can’t they tweak their ordering using a computer? What am I missing? Because it seems to me fairly obvious that if you actually CARRY something and it sells out immediately (like, for example, wide shoes), then YOU DON’T HAVE ENOUGH OF THEM! GET SOME MORE!
But apparently, this is obvious only to me. For example, my favorite clothes store is Chico’s, but when they get something in that’s really popular, it sells out right away and they never order any more. Never. It seems to be a business practice with them. I bought some travel pants and went back a week later to get one in another color, and they were all gone. When I bought them, they were brand new in the store. The website had comment after comment by consumers saying how great these pants were, but there were none to be had already. Apparently, the old rule of supply and demand doesn’t function the way it used to, not at Chico’s, anyway.
And it doesn’t just happen with attire . I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked for an item in the grocery, found it sold out, and asked about it, only to be told, “Yeah, those are really popular. You have to get here on the day we stock the shelves to get them.” Seriously? They’re “really popular” so instead of ordering more to fit the demand, you’re asking customers to SHOP ON A DIFFERENT DAY??? What’s wrong with this picture?
The story about the shoes does have a happy ending. The good news is that in desperation I went online to the manufacturer of the one pair of sandals I have that DOES fit me (the ones that I’d worn out), discovered that they still have them, and ordered one in each color. Take THAT, DSW! But I was lucky. That rarely happens.
Am I the only person who has this problem? Are my needs THAT strange? Or do I just not understand how retail works? What item do you have to jump through hoops to purchase because retailers can’t be bothered to keep up with demand?
104 Comments on “Retail Hell”
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i hate when they do that with food. They order food X, it gets sold out right away, and they don’t order more FOREVER! FORFREAKINGEVER. And I have to go in every supermarket in the city to look for whatever I want. And rarely find it.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 4:25 am.
I know! Drives me nuts!
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 7:19 am.
Retail Hell is such a good title. I cannot stand retail, yet it is part of my job. I know exactly what you mean. We get plants in and sell them out in no time. Instead if getting more my lovely bosses just ignore the situation! I don’t think your needs are strange at all. I just believe the only ones that understand retail are the ones…well, no never mind. Nobody understands retail.
It’s one of those evil necessities. Thankfully I can’t think of much that I have to jump through hoops for other than a certain coffee creamer. It used to be worse, but now when I do find stores that carry it they usually have quite a few. I’m glad you found your shoes!
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 6:01 am.
Kelly, this is the problem. They don’t listen to the market (or their employees). So they rest of us suffer!
I have a favorite coffee creamer that I have to go to a special store to get–Coffeemate caramel flavored. Only our local Lowes grocery carries it–I don’t know why!
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 7:21 am.
I am a nightmare to fit with my shoes, my dance shoes had to be properly fitted due to being somewhat wide. Seriously, I am a 6.5D and even then they hurt my feet (I think that it also may have something to do with the fact that they are proper leather). Then there is fitting me for bras. I am an 18D and the nicer more pricey shops only go up to either a 14D to maybe a 16D but that is in the less attractive bra range since they seem to think that big girls don’t like wearing nice bra and panty sets. I have resorted to buying certain books online since my favorite shop can’t get them in due to them not being in print. Also, please don’t let me get started on the disgrace with regards to boots for women with muscular carves. I don’t think that your needs are weird at all.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 6:49 am.
Boots! I’m not skinny and I can never find tall boots that I can zip! There is a huge market for these boots for larger women (or, like you, women with muscular calves) that’s not being served. I know they exist somewhere (probably Nordstrom) but I ca’t afford to pay $200 for a pair of boots. Ah well.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 8:43 am.
Kelly, I have the same problem with calves (sadly, they’re not muscular–they’re just BIG). I gave up on boots long ago. Even if I could find them to fit, it wouldn’t be an attractive look.
When I was in high school, my mom took my sis and I shoe shopping, and we bought the only two pairs of shoes that fit us in the whole mall. I was a size 10 then, and sis was an 8 1/2 D. We actually had more trouble with her D width shoes. Now that I’m a D (at least, depending on the shoe), I sympathize with her.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 8:43 am.
If you’re comfortable with shopping for boots online, I present http://www.widewidths.com/! Granted, lots of their shoes are quite pricy, but they exist for nothing other than to provide boots with wide calves!
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 11:49 am.
I think everyone who shops has that problem. Only the customers understand retail which may explain why the economy is so bad. When customers can’t find what they want they quit shopping in stores and head for the internet. You notice that Amazon is doing well. My special needs son was looking for a walkman cassette player. He wears the headset to his sheltered workshop. He went to Target, Best Buys, etc. I ordered them from Amazon.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 6:54 am.
We used to use a cassette player for MY special needs son! At first, he didn’t like the iPod at all. I couldn’t get him to listen to it. But he has adapted, thank goodness, because it is REALLY hard to find cassettes and cassette players. The last one we bought him was at Target, and that was several years ago.
My husband STILL likes cassettes. He has CD players, but for digital he’ll only listen to loss-less. His hearing is pretty acute, sadly. Makes it hard for him to listen to compressed formats.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 8:46 am.
When I see you next, I’ll give you the technical explanation on why Chicos can’t just have more pantsnext week.
But the shoes situation could be that DSW doesn’t track lost sales. I’ve only worked for one retailer who did. When you measure how many days you are sold calculated against how many you sold in how many days, you realize how many you could have sold and start ordering more.
Do you have a Nordstrom in your area? You should ask the store manager to connect you with a great clienteler there who will call you when the 11 4es are in and put aside they styles the know you’ll like. If you hope to find that great person on the sales floor and establishing a relationship organically, you’ll be waiting a long time.
Ok sorry for the “defense of retail” because I fully agree with you, as the customer you shouldn’t need to know this stuff.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 7:06 am.
What a great service from Nordie’s. Now if only i could afford to shop there!
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 8:38 am.
Fresh, are you going to RWA this year? Because I would LOVE to hear your technical explanations (Claudia probably has a good one, too, since she used to work in retail as a buyer).
I didn’t know that about Nordstrom’s. I went there once to be fitted for bras, and really loved it, then made the mistake of letting a friend talk me into going to Victoria’s Secret instead for the next set (because they “fit” you, too). Yeah, right. I’m going back to Nordstrom’s next time. It was worth every penny to have the service.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 8:49 am.
I’ll see you there as I’m incorporating into a work road trip. Lessons will be held at South coast plaza – Mecca to shoppers
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 4:13 pm.
I know a good bra fitting shop near RWA Nj ‘s hotel. Nordstrom and my company are good at this too but we don’t have a shop near you.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 4:42 pm.
Same problem here. I have 7.5 feet. Very popular. Good luck finding those. I order almost all my shoes from Zappos.
Same problem as you at Chicos. They usually only have one of whatever in my size and if I’m not there the first day forget it.
Bookstores. Aargh. A few copies of a book these days and then they’re gone. They say they’ll order me a copy. I can order MYSELF a copy. I drove an hour to the bookstore to hold one.
Cutting their own throats if you ask me.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 7:14 am.
You’re exactly right–cutting their own throats. I don’t understand it.
Believe it or not, I tried Zappo’s for dressier shoes, out of desperation. Of the maybe 8 pair I ordered, only one fit. Sigh. Never mind whether they looked good on my feet. That ceased being a consideration eons ago.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 8:53 am.
Sabrina, I feel your pain! Except my problem in shoes is the opposite. I need a AAA heel. Yeah, good luck finding that. Even Nordstrom, that mecca of shoe seekers, doesn’t much run to that. Like you, I have no patience with offers to order the right width. I’m here today. I’m looking for shoes today. I don’t want to put my mission on hold for a week or two with no guarantee the fit will be right when the shoe comes in.
I also need jeans for tall people. Not uber-long jeans I have to wear stilettos with, just jeans I can wear with sneakers and not look as though I’m waiting for a flood. It’s the same deal, “Oh, those sell out really fast. We had some, but I guess they’re gone.” I actually found a pair at Chico’s, but for years I’ve ordered them online, where I can get the fit and inseam length I want without a hassle.
*sigh* Customer service in general isn’t what it used to be. If you’re not in whatever the store considers the broadest customer base, they don’t seem to care whether they get your business.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 7:55 am.
I understand about the narrow heel. I have wide feet with narrow heels. Try finding THAT in a comfy shoe. I’ve gotten pretty used to my feet coming out of my shoes in the back sometimes. *G*
I generally don’t have TOO much trouble with jeans, except that my butt is bigger proportionally than my waist, which makes the jeans sag at the waist. C’est la vie.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 11:01 am.
My gripe is bras. I wear a large cup size. I’m short, and while not a skinny person by any means, I have a small frame compared to my cup size. So, I went to where I found my last set of bras, and got the exact same size. I didn’t notice when I bought the new ones that the manufacturer went from four hooks to three. Dude! The Girls need more support than 3 hooks!!! Now, the new bras cut into me and rub weird because of one less hook. So, I don’t know where to go for bras that actually fit, provide support and don’t rub blisters with regular movements. I did try a new store near us, but they only had leopard printed bras in my size with two hooks in the back. The skinny sales lady had no idea why I was asking if they had something with more support (no offense to skinny people).
So yeah, manufacturers don’t understand that we all don’t fit into the same mold. I loved Eddie Bauer jeans until they decided to lengthen their petities by 2 inches. Yeah. Like I suddenly grew another two inches as a 30-year-old.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 8:33 am.
LOL about the petites!
I had a sales girl at Victoria’s Secret who looked like Twiggy. When she said to me that “enhanced” bras didn’t necessarily give you more support, so maybe I didn’t need to be considering them, I had to point out that I am disproportionately smaller up top than below, which means clothes don’t fit right. The enhanced bras were not a support thing–they were a “clothes don’t look good when they sink in up top” thing. That went right by her. She was the same up and down, so she didn’t understand the problem.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 11:05 am.
I am so glad to hear someone else shares my dread of shoe shopping. I too wear wide width–size 6W. Finding shoes that fit is nearly impossible. When I lived in North Carolina, I would hit the Wide Shoe Warehouse in Smithfield. Now that I am back in Texas, it’s pretty much luck of the draw.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 8:34 am.
We had a Wide Shoe Warehouse here in Raleigh, but it closed. I didn’t know they had one in Smithfield. That might be worth a trip!
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 11:06 am.
I actually enjoy the process of shopping, if I don’t NEED something in particular, like shoes for a trip or a particular bra. Because, for sure the I won’t find it and I just get aggravated.
I admit I buy everything in bulk now, from Costco and Amazon, and ifninfind shoes or bras or whatever that are hard to fit, I buy several.
And I share your pain on the wide shoes. My childhood nickname was “gunboats”.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 8:36 am.
Aw, Barbara, that’s an awful nickname! I’m surprised I didn’t have it myself!
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 11:07 am.
I find that the more I love a product, it’s more inevitable that I’m the only person on the planet that does and it will eventually be discontinued. The thing I don’t understand about how everything we do is tracked electronically are those grocery store specials that either spit out at the register or are emailed and are marketed as products “just for you” but are NEVER products that I use. Want to make me happy…give me a coupon for something that I actually buy!
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 9:00 am.
I know! They see that you’re buying X cereal, so they offer coupons for Y cereal. Like you’re going to switch because you got a coupon. Although i suppose that’s the rationale.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 11:08 am.
I can relate to shopping for shoes and for clothes. Even thought I work in retail I have a big problem when I cannot find anything. Shoe are the worst. I wear a size 5 Yes a Kids shoe but I don’t what a kids shoes and some time the they have a ladies 5 but the are the ugliest thing in the world. And don’t get me going on clothes. I wear a size 4 petit and I am to old to wear what is out there in a size 4. I don’t like to look like and old slut but that is what is out there in that size. Just hate it, when the sales ladies look at me like I have a big wort on my nose when I ask if they have anything in that 4.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 9:09 am.
It’s always a problem if you’re in the extreme end–either smaller than the norm or larger. But given that lots of people have this problem, I don’t understand why the stores can’t calculate how fast the merchandise is selling and then order accordingly.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 11:09 am.
Nah, not strange at all. However the upper end stores like to keep that cache of always having something new…never getting stale.
Now if you went and got your shmata at Walmart, you would see that all plus size women(not that you are one, just a statement about the size) obviously want to wear elastic pants and tops with huge flowers or in colors not found in nature or ruffles or lace or….stuff no one would wear. It’s the punishment for being plus size. I used to HATE that, and I stand for all plus size women from a former plus size woman!
Oh! and don’t get me started about putting a bow where not woman of plus size wants a bow!
BTW, to avoid this go to dress barn. They have the larger size of approximately the same style as the smaller sizes, bless them.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 9:11 am.
WalMart also thinks plus size women look good in the same fashions as juniors, and everything is polyester. There have been a lot of improvements in polyester, but comfort in a hot, humid summer isn’t necessarily one of them!!
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 10:11 am.
I know exactly what you mean. I was a former plus size woman, and yes, it’s hell out there if you are. Although I do like Catherine’s and Lane Bryant. The problem with Lane Bryant these days is that everything targets the very young. I don’t want ugly clothes, but I can’t wear crop pants and tanks. So it can be a problem still. The only thing I’ve ever bought in Plus size from Walmart is swimsuits. Everything else is ugly or doesn’t fit well.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 11:27 am.
Ugh, yes! on both bras and shoes! I wear a 6ww and they are so hard to find and forget anything with heels. I must always wear old lady shoes it seems. They always suggest I special order but then I can’t try them on to be sure they fit. Bras are worse! I wear a 36DD and they seem to be convinced that if you have large breasts, clearly you are overweight and need at least a 42 rib size. Oh and if you have those large breasts, you also only want to wear plain white with no trim because you clearly wouldn’t want to look attractive. I end up going to some specialty store and paying 4 times as much as normal!
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 9:14 am.
Is your speciality store a chain, because I have the same problem–big boobs and a small frame. At this point, I’d be willing to shell out quite a few dollars extra for support.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 1:11 pm.
It’s true–if you do happen to be out of the norm, even if they have your size it’s unattractive. I don’t get that. Do they think that if you’re bigger anywhere, then you have no taste? What’s up with that?
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 2:15 pm.
Bra shopping is my living hell. My daughters are a 32DD and 38DDD. We have spent hours at the mall looking for ones that don’t look like bullet proof vests. Salesclerks always say “yes we carry that size.” 15 minutes later, they tell me to go to the web-site where they sell extended sizes. Argh. If I wanted to go on-line I would have. Bras are like freaking shoes, the size sometimes you have to try them on to make sure it does it’s job. Argh! I freaking hate bra shopping!
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 9:32 am.
I have the same problem! I found that the only place I can buy a bra “on-site” is Lane Bryant–their lingerie section is typically separate from their store–and carries a variety of extended sizes.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 9:45 am.
I’m so glad that bras aren’t a big issue for me. I think it’s the only area where I am painfully normal, except that I’m too small proportionally, so I need those … ahem … push-up bras. *G*
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 2:17 pm.
Ironically, it all comes down to money. In this economy nobody wants to go out on a limb and order tons of green handbags (let’s say) because that is going to be the next fad. If they are wrong they are overstocked and the buyer might lose their job and the company might go out of business. So they play it safe. You would think if customers are consistantly buying these green handbags the company would increase it’s production. Companies would rather be out of stock than have too much stock. It happens all the time. I think it is a stupid way to do business.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 9:40 am.
I do understand the economics of it. But they don’t think about the fact that when a customer has a bad experience in the store, they DON’T go online to order. They just find another store.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 2:19 pm.
Oh, this is so true! I have that problem as well, especially with dresses. My size typically trends to one size larger than what the store carries in house (however, if I would like–I’m sure the larger size for me would be available online at our website)–forget that! That’s the whole point of SHOPPING is instant gratification.
Based on the comments, it looks like we’re in good company.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 9:41 am.
Yes, very good company. I wonder why “companies” don’t get that.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 2:20 pm.
Girl, you are SO not alone…. Unfortunately it seems that whenever I find something I like, they invariably discontinue it. Hmmm…it’s sold out when I look for it EVERY time, but yet it gets discontinued. I simply cannot understand that ‘logic’ at all. For example, the Greenhouse scent at Yankee Candle. I loved the light scent and the gorgeous green color, and could rarely find it in the store…and it’s discontinued. Being a Texas Longhorn fan, there is an OPI color, “Lighten Up, You’re Two Pence” nail color that is perfect for football season around here, and…yep, it’s discontinued too. *sigh*
My deal with shoes is that I have narrow ankles, but the balls of my feet are wider, so it’s really difficult to find shoes that don’t flop off my heels, so I MUST try them on, and in this increasingly ‘online’ age, it’s becoming more and more difficult. It’s really a pain to buy something online, then have to send it back. Yuck…
Pants, skirts and shorts are another issue. My waist is disproportionate to my rather rotund booty, so if I get pants to fit over my butt, there is the gaping hole in the back and they look ridiculous. If I wanted to fit my waist, I can barely tug them over the butt. I have started buying pants with a slightly lower waist and that has helped some, but it still happens.
Oh, and bookstores are such a pain anymore. They only carry one or two of each title, no matter how popular it seems they are…but they can order them for you. Good grief, if I wanted it ordered, I’m perfectly capable of ordering it online myself. I wanted to drive to the store, shell out my money and leave with it in my hand that second…not wait for 5-7 business days or pay extortion for overnight delivery.
Sometimes I wonder if the retailers are wanting to keep the demand up, so they keep the supplies low on purpose, and they order only a few to keep people coming back. I guess their way of thinking is that, even if you don’t find what you came in for, you will buy something else. Not me. If I’m looking for something specific and they don’t have it, I leave, but maybe that’s just me. But you are definitely not alone in your retail frustrations! One of these days, a frenzy of dissatisfied women are going to complain enough to hopefully change their warped way of thinking…in a perfect world.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 9:44 am.
And the t-shirt issue/bra issue–goodness. My shoulders are fairly narrow, but the girls are definitely present, so it’s really hard to find tops that fit correctly because I have to get a size larger to house the ladies, and the seam is off the edge of my shoulders. And, why don’t they make pretty bras to house larger breasts?? I do wear v-necked shirts, etc. and the full coverage bra is NOT workable with that unless I want everyone to see my bra that day. I don’t want them tumbling out into view, mind you, but is a little cleavage, combined with good support, too much to ask??
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 9:49 am.
I have the shirt issue too- wide shoulders, large breasts, but narrow hips, so large top, medium bottom. So for a top, to get the shoulders and breast area wide enough, it ends up flapping like a tent around my waist. If I buy a dress is it always either choking the girls or a tent around my hips.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 10:37 am.
Mine is the opposite–no breasts and big hips. So I have to buy padded bras just to make the clothes fit right!
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 2:30 pm.
I don’t have narrow ankles by any stretch, but I have narrow heels, if that makes any sense. I had a shoe salesman tell me that this was a common problem with women, but no matter how much they told this to the manufacturers, they didn’t adjust how they made the shoes. Argh!!
I have that same problem with pants, too.
Don’t get me started on the book supply issue. For an author, it’s crazy-making!
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 2:23 pm.
They may be using the popular item as a lure to get people to buy other things
When I worked in retail there was this item that was great, but wasn’t on our sales push list. Almost everyone who I had try on this item bought it, yet sadly it was discontinued because it wasn’t one of the items they wanted to push the sale of.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 9:45 am.
Yes, that’s an issue, too. They do want to get you to buy what THEY want you to buy, probably because the mark-up is higher. I’m assuming, anyway.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 2:23 pm.
What really pisses me off in retail stores is when they re-size their clothes. For example what was a medium last year becomes a large. I stop buying brands that do that.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 9:47 am.
I just wish there were some consistency to size. I remember, even YEARS ago, when I was my thinnest, I went into a store and bought a size 9 pair of pants, a size 11 pair of pants, and a size 13 pair of pants, and all three of them fit. That’s just crazy!
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 2:25 pm.
Exactly Sabrina!!! I love the line, “The truck comes on Tuesday, it might be on there.” Really? Might? Didn’t you re-order. I’m talking about staples like over the counter allergy pills, white atheletic socks for my son and Bisquick…these are not exotic items.
And Sabrina I too have wide feet. My real shoe size is 8W but because no one ever has it, I am usually stuck with 8 1/2 or 9 or 9 1/2. The one place that has Wide regularly is Payless although their selection is somewhat limited, at least you can find something if you need it.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 9:59 am.
My hubby suggested that I go a size up to counter the width issue. After I stopped laughing hysterically, I said, “Sweetie, size 11 is about the biggest you can find anywhere for women. They don’t offer them bigger.” Sigh.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 2:26 pm.
I somewhat enjoy shopping for kitchen things and bath stuff, both of which I have pretty good luck in not going through that.
Clothes? Shoes? fuggedaboutit. I order almost all shoes from zappos when I need to replace some worn out shoes.
Clothes shopping? ugh. hate it.
Now.. add into this that I have moved from LA to a town of 15000. I. Am. In. Hell. Gone are the days of being able to shop any day of the week and find just about anything. Half the town is closed on Sunday and they shut down around 6 weeknights.
Aside from a small JCP and Target (I don’t shop at Wal-Mart) the nearest stores are 60 miles away. So I have to allot 2 hours of a day just to get there and back – so when I can’t find what I need, I am doubly irked. And let’s not go into how for the SECOND time, one store did not remove the security tag thing from an item I bought, so I get to spend 2 hours on the trip just to get the damned things removed since no store here has a magnet that will remove it.
So yeah, I am ordering even MORE online now with an additional bonus of the UPS guy is rather handsome, so I get that little bonus when my stuff arrives.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 10:53 am.
Hey! You have definitely got your priorities in order, Sheridan! Handsome UPS guy wins every time!
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 11:34 am.
Hey, at least you have a cute UPS guy!
I don’t know if I could take living in a town that small. When we were in England, the shops closed early in the smaller towns and THAT was a pain. *G*
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 2:28 pm.
Being in the shoe business, I understand your frustration!! Next time you come to Richmond, come see me…your size is one of the most popular in the store!! Why hunt for wide shoes when everything in the store is a ladies wide width??
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 11:27 am.
Nancy, believe it or not, I was thinking about you as I wrote this. Next time I’m in Richmond, I am DEFINITELY coming to the store. Not sure when that will be, but I’ll let you know. I’m so tired of hunting for shoes that fit!
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 2:31 pm.
Please, spill the beans on what the store is in Richmond that has wide widths?
Posted on October 9, 2012 at 1:56 pm.
Okay the Walmart vest in the photo cracked me up! Where can I get one???
Being a department manager at our local Walmart I can definitely understand your frustration. And you are SO right about many members of upper management not listening to their employees OR the customers. Fortunately, my store manager made the mistake of telling me to run the bakery as if it is my own business. And every time she complains about my ordering I remind her of that! I know what my customers buy and I even know what days they buy different items. The last two years the ordering system has put blocks and limits on when and what I can order. What do I do? I lie. I lie to the computer system and it sends me what I want! But many department managers are content to stock the shelves with what the system sends them, keep it there until it goes out of date and then get rid of it. The buyers base their orders on a regional average or a national average with NO CLUE as to what sells on a daily basis in the Walmart bakery in Podunk, Alabama. I’ve managed this bakery for nearly 8 years and I KNOW what the people who shop here buy. More important, I know what they don’t buy! If these businesses would consult with the people in each store before they buy for that store they wouldn’t have to worry about Amazon breathing down their necks!
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 11:41 am.
Actually, I stole the pic from a site that does parody images. They had several for Walmart. *G* Here’s the link: http://www.retailhellunderground.com/my_weblog/pacified_associate/
Just don’t blame me for the … er … obscene ones.
As for ordering systems, the frustrating thing is that many stores that USED to adjust ordering for local preference are no longer allowed to do so by their corporate masters. I don’t get that. Why don’t they want to sell stuff?
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 2:35 pm.
The excuse they give us is “Inventory Control,” but if I didn’t cheat they would “control” my department out of everything people want to buy!
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 3:04 pm.
I am right with you on this one! I wear a wide shoe (9 1/2)and can never find a wide in any store I go in. “Yes, we have them but they are sold out.” Very, very frustrating. It happens with clothing. Excuse me, all you have are extra small and smalls, no large or extra large? “We did have them.”
I hate to order online but am doing it more and more these days. Retailers are cutting their own throats. They wonder why business is not as good as usual. Hummmmm……
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 11:48 am.
Exactly!!! Maybe we should all start telling the managers that say these things, “Very well, then you force me to order online. And since you couldn’t accommodate me here, I might as well order online from someone else.”
Maybe we could start a movement. *G*
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 2:37 pm.
It’s not that they are “sold out”…they didn’t have them to start with, and their salespeople tell you just to wear a longer shoe…WRONG! I have a wide-width ladies store in VA, and I wear a wide width. Some of our customers tell us their experiences looking for shoes in other stores, and it totally boggles the mind.
Posted on July 8, 2012 at 9:55 am.
Nope, you’re not weird! I’ve seen this happen myself, too.
As a fellow big foot girl (or should I say big feet), I know exactly what you mean. It’s rare for me to even find shoes in my size, and they are not always the most comfortable and very rarely are they anything even remotely cute looking. Why is it that most stores/companies will not make or sell shoes beyond size 8 that are “cute”?
And buying online sucks because I like to see my shoes first, try them on, not just click, buy and hope they work. *SIGH*
Enjoy!
TBQ
TBQ’s Book Palace
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 12:37 pm.
You HAVE to try shoes on–there’s no other way. Zappo’s IS great for that, but I swear I’d bankrupt them if I ordered from them all the time.
By the way, glad you liked A Hellion in Her Bed!
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 2:40 pm.
I wear a 7 shoe, which is a popular shoe size. It’s hard to find shoes in that size. Add my skinny ankles and high arches, it’s difficult to find shoes that fit well. Nearly all my dress shoes are 1940s vintage because they fit better and are made better than shoes today.
What’s the deal with all the pants having ridiculously long inseams? I’m not wearing heels with every.single.pair of jeans I own. I’m 5’4,” which is the same height as the average American woman. I recently found a pair of jeans that fit and make my butt look good, but they have a 34″ inseam – and they’re not even tall! They’re the regular length. Fortunately, I can hem these ones without messing up the cut of the jean, but that’s not always the case.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 12:55 pm.
I had a blog about how long all the pants are. Guess what I learned about some of them? They shrink! They are uber long so that they will be normal length after they are washed. Um, how about telling me that so I don’t hem them!!!! I find it is the ones with spandex that shrink the most.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 1:39 pm.
That’s when you dry them half way, then step on the hem and “pull up” to stretch them back out again.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 4:50 pm.
I’m really bad with jeans (I’m the same height as you). If they’re too long, I either roll them up or just let them bunch up at the bottom. I hate hemming things!
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 2:42 pm.
Take ‘em to the dry cleaner to hem. My time is worth paying someone 8 bucks to do it for me.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 5:35 pm.
That’s exactly what I do!
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 7:19 pm.
Oh, I do for most things that really need hemming. But I generally don’t have a problem with just letting them pool a little around my shoes. *G*
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 8:04 pm.
They assume you can just get them hemmed. If they don’t make it for my height I don’t buy them. I usually have good luck with Luckys, Levis and Mavi jeans.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 5:34 pm.
I’ve lots of Lucky jeans – I love them because I don’t have to hem them. Every now and then I’ll find a pair of jeans at TJMaxx that are too long, but look good.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 7:22 pm.
Shoes are something that I must try on. Online buying just does not work. Fortunately I have a pretty standard size and can usually find something in the stores. But I know what you mean about not ordering enough. It drives me nuts that clothing stores seem forced to buy a dictated spread of sizes, no matter what they actually sell. So they run out of my size but have gobs of another that languish forever. I think some groceries work that way too—the vendor sells an assortment, and the chain can’t cherry pick the one product that actually sells and get more of it
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 12:58 pm.
That’s it exactly. It’s a one size fits all mentality that says every store must carry what X store would carry. It doesn’t work, and it seems as if it would drive retail stores out of business. IMO.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 2:43 pm.
BTW, this is why books have returns. The publishers would send out more than might be needed, so there would be enough if they WERE needed, then take returns on what did not sell. The whole goal was to have enough out there of any given title. The rule of thumb for distributors used to be, 10 years ago, that if they sold 80% of the number received of a title, they had ordered too few and lost sales in some of their outlets. Just sticking this in so everyone knows it was not just idiots being wasteful.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 1:01 pm.
It’s still true that you need a certain number, but that’s a matter of display. You can’t display one copy effectively. You need a pocket’s worth. And the only way to do that, and provide a variety, is to order more.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 2:44 pm.
Yes, many stores do not carry wide width shoes, which is very frustrating to me. I then have to get the next size up! When a store routinely does not carry wide widths, I figure they do not need my business, and take it elsewhere.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 1:17 pm.
That’s what I’m going to do!
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 3:32 pm.
You near Virginia?? Have I got a store for you!
Posted on July 8, 2012 at 9:57 am.
That is interesting. I’ve often thought the same thing while watching QVC. They say they’re selling out, but wouldn’t you think that manufacturers would be happy to take orders for MORE of whatever it is that’s selling out? I suppose they need to create a sense of urgency on TV so that people don’t hesitate to buy.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 1:29 pm.
Sometimes they have a waitlist, and can get more. But I guess sometimes it is a product that can’t be made on a quick turn-around? It amazes me when they have gotten tens of thousands of something and it sells out in the early hours of the day it is a special. They probably hit their heads against the wall when they see how much profit they “lost.”
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 1:36 pm.
I never buy on QVC, but I have so many friends who do, I should probably try it out, right? Though I don’t suppose they can solve my shoe problem…
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 3:33 pm.
QVC and HSN normally have really good size selections. The wides sell out first, I think. But if the shoe is made in wide they normally have them.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 4:44 pm.
Look what I found:
http://www.justwideshoes.com/
They categorize by manufacturer too, so if you know some company’s lasts fit you, you can find more. (There used to be a company called Joyce that used lasts that were like custom made for my feet–instant comfort– but they went out of business.)
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 1:51 pm.
Ooh, cool! I am bookmarking that site.
Ironically, I went looking for a site like that a year ago and nothing turned up. They would say they sold wide shoes and then they’d have none in stock. Thanks for finding it! I guess it’s all in how you search.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 3:35 pm.
Oh Ms.Jeffries,I have ran into this problem the most with purchasing books. I went into my local B&N bookstore not sure what I wanted to read and told the sales clerk I was in the mood for a book similar to “Gone With The Wind” or “The Thorn Birds” and the sales clerk’s reply to me was “Lady,I don’t read them I just sell them” WHAT? undaunted,I asked to speak to the manager and told her my request and what her sales clerk said and she said to me “Look around ma’am if you don’t see it we can order it for you” In total shock I stood there and asked her how long it would take to find the book and get it here she said Once I find a book it usually takes 10-14 days to get it depending on the book. I went home Looked up “Gone with the wind” on amazon they have a list of similar books to it. I chose a book and had it in my hand in 2 days with no charge for delivery(I am a member of amazon Prime) at one third the price that B&N charges including delivery and they wonder why stores are closing. So, Ms.Jeffries do you know any books similar to “Gone With The Wind” or “The Thorn Birds:
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 2:16 pm.
Boy, that’s frustrating. And I completely understand why you feel forced into ordering online, because I’ve had to do that several times myself.
As for books like those, I guess Forever Amber would fall into that category. Oh, and you might like The Shell Seekers. I loved that book. Let me know if either of those suit you!
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 3:37 pm.
I have said before that I basically have “Hobbit” feet minus the fur, short, wide and flat. I wear between a 6 and a 6.5 wide, depending on the manufacturer. I absolutely MUST try on the shoe prior to purchase, especially since one foot is wider and longer than the other (runs in the family). Needless to say, I hate shoe shpping with a passion!
As for clothing, try being a plus size woman with a 27″ inseam. Yeah, I’m 5’4″, but most petite plus size pants and skirts don’t fit without alterations because the idiot manufacturers seem to think all women my size are 10′ tall Amazons!! I’m petite, for crying out loud!! I don’t need my skirts to be 32″ long!! This length doesn’t place them mid-calves like on the not so petite model in the catalogue, but instead leaves me dragging an extra foot or so of material around with me. One “petite” skirt that could not be altered due to a pattern on the tiered design, was even so long that I had to wear it under my arm pits in order to get it off of the floor!!!
I’m not demanding an “ultra-petite,” mind you, but I WOULD like the manufacturers of plus size clothing to be more realistic in their sizing. It would probably help if they used real life plus sized women to model their clothes as well instead of the skinny size 8 super models who have no business modeling in a plus size catalogue!!
Sorry for the vent, but this is one of the main reasons I despise clothes shopping!!
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 3:49 pm.
I’m 5’4″, too, and since when is that “petite”??? I guess we should be glad we’re not 5′! I know exactly what you mean about having skirts up under the armpits–been there, done that!
And I too hate it when they don’t use plus size models for the plus size catalogues. Seriously, what is wrong with them??
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 4:09 pm.
Ugh, you are SO right. I have so much trouble finding shoes that fit! I have wide width feet (size 9W) and I have wide calves! Thankfully, stores like Lane Bryant and Torrid both carry wide width shoes and boots. They don’t have a wide selection, but they often have a few cute options, and you can try them on in the store, yay! Lane Bryant and Torrid have sizes 10, 11, and 12 also, if that’s relevant. And since I’m younger, I often shop there for clothing as well, but I hate wearing tank tops… I tend to buy more clothing in the fall and winter because it is more the style of clothing I like to wear (covers at least part of my arms…).
Actually, on the subject of clothing, it makes me mad when I go into a huge clothing store, only to find that they have a handful of things, or nothing, in my size, or that if they do, it’s all giant neon colors with huge prints on them – that isn’t flattering! Why would I wear that? Why would anyone my size wear that? Ugh.
I am a plus-sized woman. I was an even more plus-sized woman once upon a time, but even though I am slimmer now, I will never bee a “normal” woman in the view of department stores, because I am extremely well endowed. No standard XL clothing fits me properly. I have to go to specialty stores and sometimes I have to tailor the clothing myself to keep it from looking ridiculous. And I cannot buy bras at a normal store – How many places carry a G-cup? Not many! Lane Bryant for the rescue again on that one! And twice a year, they offer buy 2, get 2 free sales. The bras are typically $35-$40 each, but when it’s buy 2, get 2, then you spend $80 for four bras, which is perfectly acceptable.
Anyway… I totally sympathize.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 3:50 pm.
It would never have occurred to me to shop for shoes at Lane Bryant, although I buy clothes there all the time. Thanks for the tip! Of course, it doesn’t help that I’m really picky about shoes, especially sandals. I like to have a back strap, and I can’t stand the post between the big toe and other toes. That really limits me with sandals, since I can’t wear most of the, especially flip flop types.
I too have to cover the upper part of my arms, which is why tank tops just aren’t an option.
You have my sympathies on the G cup. I have a friend who wore a K cup before she had reduction surgery. I didn’t even know they MADE a K cup! she always had such a rough time with buying clothes.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 4:15 pm.
I know what you mean Sabrina. I find myself shopping for large sizes just for the comfort and finding only small or xs. really no m or l to be found. I was at Kohls recently found a pair of yoga pants I really liked went back the next day to get another pair and they moved them. Really thanks Kohls. Drives me nuts.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 4:25 pm.
Yeah, that’s another issue–stuff being moved willy-nilly. Drives me crazy, too!
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 8:05 pm.
For length of jeans, petite fits great. But I can’t hardly button them. I need medium to button and they drag on the floor.
I had to get wide width shoes many years ago. 7 1/2W is very popular in my area.
We prefer Western Family brand Salad Dressing (aka Mayo) to make our own salad dressing, macaroni salad and potato salad. It is found at Super 1 Foods or Rosauer’s Grocery. Dad wanted me to buy more before the company came June 15th because he only had one left. The shelf was empty at both Super 1 stores in town. Management said there was a recall.
Have you ever heard of a recall for mayo? I tried the other two Super 1 stores in the County. Also gone. Last Saturday, I tried Rosauer’s. They had a shelf full. I bought 8 jars. Dad about had a fit, said it would never get used before the Good By Date. I reminded him that we converted a friend to its use and she is supposed to be here in August, and she usually takes 5 jars home with her every time she visits.
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 9:55 pm.
That’s so weird–I mean, if there had been a recall, you’d think you wouldn’t have been able to get it elsewhere. Sounds like someone was trying to pass the buck and told you a fib!
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 11:30 pm.
I think we ALL have retail problems. I hear you about “W” shoes. I have small feet, and I also require a “W”, given that there is a certain part of my feet that is wide. That’s why I love crocs, brand or no brand. They have “W” and they fit me well. Otherwise, I go one size up so that my feet can fit in the shoes.
I’m also short. I don’t like taking too much time looking for the petite clothes, especially jeans. I really need some pair of jeans that I’m comfy with. The ones that I have I just wear them and I’m not in ‘love’ with them. Except for this one pair of jean that I absolutely like (not ‘love’ but BIG like). The only problem is a certain area of my body has gotten “bigger” and I don’t want to wear my ‘like’ jeans that much due to that body problem area.
Posted on July 7, 2012 at 3:42 am.
Ohh, isn’t retail fun. Welcome to the joys of Retail Chains.
Unfortunately the answer to your question, “Can’t they just order more when they start to sell out?” is usually a big resounding “NO.” Most big retail chains don’t allow anyone at the store level to do any of the ordering, outside of operational supplies (ie. paper, pens, cleaning supplies, plastic bags). It’s all done at corporate headquarters. Each winter I have lots of fun selling winter coats here in Hawaii (though you might be surprised at how many of those I sell). I’d love to bring in more of that pair of shorts that sold so well, or keep a supply of double xl shirts, since the local men wear them baggy, or carry underwear. Can you imagine a town where no one sells underwear (mens, womens, or kids)? Unfortunately I don’t get any say in that.
My least favorite part of retail is the stores where all the female clothes are in “teen sizes.” I wear a 36d bra, so I usually wear women’s 12 or 14 tops. Most of the local shops only carry teen sizes, which means that there is no way that I am squeezing into an XL.
Posted on July 8, 2012 at 7:12 am.
Jen, I run across this problem in bookstores, too, but I really don’t understand the rationale. Why CAN’T stores order to suit their local preferences? That just seems dumb to me.
Posted on July 16, 2012 at 4:07 pm.
This is good information. Thanks for the post!
Posted on August 11, 2012 at 9:11 pm.
Would you be keen on exchanging hyperlinks?
Posted on April 9, 2013 at 11:45 pm.