CRIKEY!!! Do we have to go through with this with every new person who shows up here?!?
Two words of advise ... CUSTOMER SERVICE ... that's what they're for. They would be more than happy to explain why this sometimes will happen ...
... or 'Search the Boards'.
Admin has explained this here several times ... and here is one of them:
Author: keith@cigarbid
Date: 09/21/2001 06:48 PM
Yes, it may seem odd that an item up for auction is out of stock. It's fairly rare, but from time to time the inventory numbers in the computer don't match what's on the shelf. Or it got damaged or dropped in the humidor. We do our best never to let that happen but a mistake like that occasionally does. Thanks for your patience.
Here is another:
Author: Trish@CigarBid
Date: 01/27/2003 02:23 PM
Slim, Eric and everyone else interested:
I found Gonz's post from about 6 months ago. Here goes....
Here an attempt to explain what has happened here (I'll be the sacrificial lamb for you guys, so bring it on):
We inspect every box as it comes into our inventory. We then take a physical inventory of product as it is posted for auction. (Unfortunatley we can't open each box and inspect every single stick.) Orders then come in up to a week after an auction closes (with our weekly shipping option.) So, it could be up to 2 weeks since the auction was posted and the order is ready to go out the door. So, how does that explain why a backorder happens? Good question, I'm glad you asked. Let me give you an example.
Our system says "10 boxes Acid Root". When it comes time to actually pick the 10th box (which could be a week later for our weekly shippers), you find either:
1. It's damaged for whatever reason (crushed box, opened box, etc.)
2. It's missing (or missing sticks) b/c our CSRs sent Joe Customer an Acid Root yesterday b/c he said the box he opened was stale.
We work very hard to keep every customer 100% satisfied with our service and try to react to any issue immediately. Unfortunately, backorder situations happen for a variety of reasons that are either out of our control or a direct result from an attempt to keep our customers satisfied.
I can also assure you that it's a fairly uncommon occurrence as a percentage of all the products we sell on this site. I'd be happy to investigate any backorder situation for anyone if you wish. For those of you that know me, I'll tell you like it is, no sugar-coating. If we screwed up, we'll make it right. Just let me know if I can do anything.
Gonz
[email protected]