It costs them more to hire staff to answer phones than they'll make in sales. If they don't have it, you don't come in to buy. If they do have it, there's still a chance you won't come in.

And let's be honest, none of us are going to stop shopping at box stores because of customer service. How many mom & pops do you see selling toiletries and cleaning supplies? None. So, for better or worse, we're stuck being their customers no matter how bad the service is.

Are you my MIL? I sat there once while she was ordering a washing machine. Over the phone. And asking a million questions. Yes, we tried to get her to look online which answered all her questions. It took a good 45 minutes.

She’s 85. OP if you’re anywhere under senior citizen you don’t need to be calling about stock questions. The internet is a wonder. Try it grandma.

Anonymous wrote:Pro tip: If you download the target app, you can look for anything the store carries, see how many are in stock, and exactly where it’s located in the store.

Many other store including grocery stores have this too.

This isn't right all the time though. I will often choose items when they say they are in stock and then find out they are not.

OP, if you really want good customer service, do what I did - during COVID I was ordering a lot from Target and ended up connecting with the same guy multiple times. I tipped really well so he was motivated to grab my orders. Now he's sort of my personal concierge and he'll go to another store (Target or otherwise) if they don't have something I need in stock. He shops for my mom and puts her groceries away for her. I compensate him well for his services and I know I'll always be able to get what I need.

If you want good customer service, you need to pay for it. Target is interested in its bottom line, and they know there is a steady stream of customers who will shop there with or without good customer service, so they don't care if they lose your business. A smaller store like a true local one, even a local chain, will feel different because they value their customers more. So if you want good service, be willing to spend more on dog food at your local pet store. If you aren't, then you're going to get what you get. Money always talks.

Anonymous wrote:You’re trading one giant, evil corporation for another. If you want to impact local people and make a purchase where it will have an impact, shop at small businesses. They care and are grateful for your support.

If you want to find out if target or another big box store has something in stock, go to their website and see if it’s available for pickup. If it’s out of stock or very low stock, you won’t be able to purchase for pickup. It will have you choose delivery. That’s probably as accurate as describing an item and expecting someone to manually check for stock.

+1000

Target and Walmart and Petsmart are barely any better than Amazon. (I use them all, no judgment). If you want real customer service, shop small and local. That's what they have going for them. Same with restaurants - the smaller, family owned places near us are the ones with consistent staff and good service. I don't expect that when I go to Chili's.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What exactly do you need to speak to people about? Repeatedly? This really is a you problem. Most people aren't calling stores.

+1

Don’t you have friends in real life you can pester? (I think I know the answer.)

Below the belt and not appropriate. Yeah, I call my friends and ask them what's on the shelf in the pet aisle at Target. All the time. And they love it. They LOVE it. You?

I don't get why you have this need to talk to someone. Go online and see if it's in stock. Easy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What exactly do you need to speak to people about? Repeatedly? This really is a you problem. Most people aren't calling stores.

+1

Don’t you have friends in real life you can pester? (I think I know the answer.)

Below the belt and not appropriate. Yeah, I call my friends and ask them what's on the shelf in the pet aisle at Target. All the time. And they love it. They LOVE it. You?

Anonymous wrote:What exactly do you need to speak to people about? Repeatedly? This really is a you problem. Most people aren't calling stores.

+1

Don’t you have friends in real life you can pester? (I think I know the answer.)

I hear many younger people under 35 these days have anxiety about just talking on the phone after growing up texting instead of talking.

You can check the stock of major retailers online. You shop for an item online then put your zip code and it lists the local stores availability. No need to call anyone. Unfortunately getting through to a specific store location is increasingly harder for any reasons, but you'd only want to do this if you need customer service, IDK anymore if you even need this outside of some complicated return or exchange or to reach a specific person who works there

What exactly do you need to speak to people about? Repeatedly? This really is a you problem. Most people aren't calling stores.

Anonymous wrote:Pro tip: If you download the target app, you can look for anything the store carries, see how many are in stock, and exactly where it’s located in the store.

Many other store including grocery stores have this too.

I used to use the Target app all the time. I deleted it when I had to return somethng that was not only defective but totally not as described and they made me go inside the store when it was obviously something that was just going to be thrown in the trash anyway. Defeeats the purpose of curbside pickup. Make it convenient for the customer, not the business. I don't use the Target app anymore. I just use Amazon.

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. I almost exclusively buy from Amazon. I spend a fortune on things I really don't need and didn't know I wanted, and I also order all my groceries from them. I deal with their AI and bots all the time. What I want from a store that is in my neighborhood is to interact with a human being. Otherwise -- I already have Amazon. Just give me this one thing that Amazon doesn't have -- speaking with a human being if I call. Just one tiny thing they can do that Amazon can't.

I buy stuff I can’t get from Amazon at Petco, and clothing stores, and all the websites have inventory for my chosen locations.

You don’t need to call.

And stop overbuying at Amazon, you moron.

It's not 1989 Erma. Most business do not 1)have a phone or 2) have enough staff to answer it.

I don't think I have called a store that was not like a tiny boutique in about 30 years. I can't even imagine thinking that the best way to check whether Target had something in the store would be to call the store.

You sound like an unreasonable old man. It’s really easy to see what’s in stock by checking online.