Website Validity and the "BackOrder" Thing

[surflyer]

I am most disappointed in HL.
I ordered PZ SUKHOI BNF 26 from HL on 28 July 2009 specifically because they were the only vendor who clearly stated that such was in stock at the time of order.(Indeed the site kept stating the item in order for a few days after the order was placed)
A few days later I enquire on order progress and -- yes you guessed it "its on backorder"
Today website states now due on 15 August or something.
I cant help feeling that this "it was a mistake, sorry its on backorder" approach is being used in the wider context to snare orders.
Can HL please comment on this marketing policy.

Further would HL recommend potential customers check validity of website by sending email first asking if item is "really and truely in stock"

Thanks

p.s. its really not difficult to set you inventory software default output to "out of stock or on backorder" as a default so that when new items are added it takes a concious decision by the operator to change the status, unless this is the case already and it is being overidden.

[surflyer]

HL

If you wish to follow up my order number was:

Hobby-Lobby, Order #18705S090728 (Status: New)

Thanks

[surflyer]

To pre-empt the obvious:

To help avoid the "perhaps you ordered at the exact time somebody else ordered the last one" HL could consider having a stock status counter in bold colour like many other sites do:

e.g. VAMPOWER or (Hobby City for that matter) site actually tells you there are 50 SUKHOI BNF units instock, so the buyer can make an informed decison on the chances of other orders being placed at the same time.

Thanks

[surflyer]

The due date stays at 15 July 2009!
Nearly a month ago.
No update.
Who cares?!

[Flyboone]

We do care and it's not a marketing policy. Our website is not fully implemented yet. With all the new systems we updated in the last few months, we've been focusing on make sure orders get through properly. The website needs a lot of work and we know it. The best bet would be to use our chat function or call in to verify stock status. This is on our radar and we are working to have better inventory status levels indicated on the website. Thanks for the feedback.

Jason Cole
Hobby Lobby