A couple weeks ago I drove myself mad looking for a Nintendo Switch.
I checked store after store12 in totalusing the available in-store listings you find on retailers websites as my guide.
So I began to wonder if you could ever really trust a stores website for item availability.
The answer, it turns out, is a resounding nope.
Im not an idiot.
If I really wanted a Switch, I should have preordered like everybody else.
But this highlighted a problem Ive had many times in the past.
Why do stores offer you insight into their store inventory if it never seems to be accurate?
Does that Target have the cough medicine I need?
Yep, tons in stock.
Retail systems arent perfect, so their services cant be perfect either.
After all, the less accurate they are the less useful the service is.
Walmart: Updates every night at 12 a.m., according to the Walmart website.
So, the later in the day it is, the less likely that item count is accurate.
So, like Walmart, the later you check the less accurate it is.
To double check, I called Target.com customer service.
The rep I spoke with said an item listed as available for in-store pickup should be there.
Best Buy: BestBuy.coms help sectionoffers even less information about in-store inventory.
The external programs such as the website are updated 10 minutes after said new hour.
Always call ahead anyway.
That said, dont place your pickup order and rush out the door!
Home Depot: The more doing stores online inventory works similarly to Toys R Us.
If an item islisted as available for pick up in-store its probably there.
Staples: Same as Toys R Us and Home Depot.
If it says pick up today for your store, its probably there.
Andif it says pickup today in just one hour!you could be sure the item is on hand.
Still, wait for that ready for pickup email just in case.
it’s possible for you to then click reserve to get them to hold it for you.
Gamestop: The major video game retailer does things a little differently.
Bottom line,you should always call before you go anywhere.
Or,at the very least, use the in-store pickup features and wait for your confirmation.
Dont even leave your house until youve double-checked.
You probably already sort ofknewthat.
You are literally gambling with your all-to-precious time and energyand the house usually wins.
Do yourself a favor and just pick up the phone.
Because youre probably the thousandth person to call asking that day.
But hey, at least youll save yourself some time, and that awful drive of shame home.
The information above has been changed to reflect that new information.
