topic Re: How Do You Explain This? in Community Chat

How Do You Explain This?

wismiss — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 06:47:23 GMT

Our local Wal-Mart gets a little shipment of tp about once a week and if you're not there when it comes in, you are out of luck.

However, a city about 50 miles away has all kinds of it and all different brands. I have checked on Wal-Mart site for over ten days now and this town is always listed as the nearest town for me to find tp. Has Charmin, Cottonelle, Angel Soft, and Great Value. No Scott or Northern, though.

It's my understanding that as the item goes through the checkout the inventory is adjusted, so I don't think it's just a matter of someone not updating their inventory. So, how can one Wal-Mart have so much and another so little?

Re: How Do You Explain This?

SydneyH — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 07:18:40 GMT

? Storage, volume and tracking plays a big part in what any particular store recieves for sale to the public. There's no consipiracy involved.

Re: How Do You Explain This?

Preds — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 07:22:13 GMT

Our Kroger stores are the same. They are near each other, but seems when one has something the other one is out. Neighbors let each other know thru FB what is where and when.

Re: How Do You Explain This?

Desertdi — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 09:34:24 GMT

It depends on the SIZE of the stock room

Re: How Do You Explain This?

on the bay — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 10:05:32 GMT

@wismiss -

could it be management?

not estimating the demand for the community?

not able to get enough at the time supplies?

I do think the last time I went to Walmart weeks ago that they had done an admirable job in trying to get as much as they could as fast as they could and stocking it as well, even though there were many things missing, they did an admirable job.

I wanted to applaud them. I felt so grateful, and felt they were all trying their best.

I don't know why some are able to get more than others.

Re: How Do You Explain This?

CalminHeart — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 11:59:11 GMT

i worked in a grocery store, part of a chain, for a few years after retiring. I was in customer service so heard it all and was privy to some information that other employees weren't.

The biggest problem is that hoarders have depleted supplies everywhere. Manufacturers haven't been able to keep up so there is less available.

In addition, chains have warehouses and computer systems that determine what each store gets, usually based on prior store sales. Stores can keep asking for more but that doesn't mean they'll get it since overall supplies are gone.

My favorite store gets small shipments 2-3 times a week. Last week, each were just a couple of cases. They put half out in the morning and half out later in the day.

Re: How Do You Explain This?

Kachina624 — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 18:29:01 GMT

@wismiss You're asking US why Walmart operates as it does? Why don't you as THEM?

Re: How Do You Explain This?

Grouchomarx — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 18:38:30 GMT

Nobody understands the mystery of missing items in one store, plenty in another. I cannot wrap my head around it. And online shopping has gotten weird. Something is available and 3 seconds later it's not. I find it stressful. I've been using Freshdirect for grocery delivery and snagging TP on their website is an olympic sport. Most times none is available. Sometimes one is available, I put it in the cart and checkout and then it tells me it's no longer available. Today one was available I put it in my cart and it actually let me checkout with it. However, I am putting at the top of the list of things I know I won't actually get, which is what they've been doing for weeks now. Something wrong with their inventory program I guess. I hate it as I'd just rather know I'm not getting something than have to wonder which 5 items will be missing. One week it was all my proteins so I just had a bunch of side dishes! So I still have to go to the store for the missing stuff. But it's better than doing a massive trip in the store and only having to manage a few bags. Honeslty we've been eating a lot of takeout lately. It just makes life easier.

Re: How Do You Explain This?

Tinkrbl44 — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 18:44:30 GMT

@wismiss wrote:
Our local Wal-Mart gets a little shipment of tp about once a week and if you're not there when it comes in, you are out of luck.

However, a city about 50 miles away has all kinds of it and all different brands. I have checked on Wal-Mart site for over ten days now and this town is always listed as the nearest town for me to find tp. Has Charmin, Cottonelle, Angel Soft, and Great Value. No Scott or Northern, though.

It's my understanding that as the item goes through the checkout the inventory is adjusted, so I don't think it's just a matter of someone not updating their inventory. So, how can one Wal-Mart have so much and another so little?

@wismiss

My Ralphs (part of Kroger chain) seems to never have TP. I mentioned this in passing to one of the security guards, and she said they have TP every single day when the store opens at 7am. Problem is, since it's limited to 2 per customer, couples come in and shop separately and go home with 4 packages! Makes me wonder if they are re-selling it.

Re: How Do You Explain This?

lovescats — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 18:45:17 GMT

Aren't some of the walmarts supercenters and other ones aren't?

Also if you shop at stores where they list an item out of stock in the store they might have a small amount of that item in stock at your store that is too low to show in stock

Re: How Do You Explain This?

GabbyAnn — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 18:52:28 GMT

I just heard on the news that Walmart is selling as many paper goods in 3 hours that use to take 3 days to sell. I suppose the system is beyond overwhelmed.

Re: How Do You Explain This?

Zernia Rose — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 19:08:16 GMT

I recently read a report about the factors affecting the amount of toilet paper available. Here are some of the key points:

1. Two markets exist: commercial/institutional and consumer (homes).

2. Each type is different and made from different fibers, compositions, etc. That explains why the paper you find in restaurants, gas stations, schools etc. is rougher and single ply. The paper intended fror home is softer and embossed.

3. Different factories and machines are used to produce each type.

4. The materials required to produce are huge/bulky and require too much warehouse space to store. Data and logistics are used to determine how much is produced.

5. The commercial/institutional market has declined considerably while the consumer has increased drastically as people use more at home rather than what they used throughout the day at school, work, etc.

6. Hoarding is also a factor as people purchase toilet paper the way they would milk and break during emergencies.

Yes, some people are hoarding but this explanation provides some insight. I don't recall where I read this; It was a part of my postings from different news organizations. There are several articles and news reports online about this topic.

Re: How Do You Explain This?

pigletsmom — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 19:19:06 GMT

I don't think they're set up to actually track minute by minute. When I check the website for TP which store has it can change by the day and honestly I'd assume that just because it says it's available right now oesn't mean it would be on the shelf when I get there.

If people would just get back to their normal buying habits this would all even out.

Re: How Do You Explain This?

Porcelain — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 19:26:34 GMT

I think individuals should be limited to only purchasing once a week. If some enterprising group of people shows up and buys the max amount every morning, that wipes out the stock for everyone else. Some sort of increased rationing is going to have to happen if supply chains don't catch up soon.

Re: How Do You Explain This?

wildcat fan — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 19:29:27 GMT

I learned last summer that the actual online inventory doesn't necessarily match what is listed on Walmart's website. I planned to buy some things from lawn and garden department. When I looked online, it said the items were in stock, but when I got there they were sold out. I had to drive to about 10 different Walmarts to get what I wanted even though according to the website all of them had the items in stock.

Re: How Do You Explain This?

drizzellla — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 19:37:25 GMT

Last year Nestle came out with Mickey Mouse ice cream, similar to the ice cream they sell at Walt Disney World. It was a popular item.

Many people were saying they were able to buy it at ShopRite. We looked and looked never was in any ShopRite near us. Finally after 6 months we asked the Frozen Food Manager if he has ever gotten the ice cream in. He said every week he orders it but never gets it. It seemed like the people in New Jersey were able to get it at their ShopRite. I live in Pennsylvania.

Well, it is almost a year and finally we saw it in our local ShopRite. No idea why it took almost a year for it to appear. I am sure there are many reasons behind the scenes.

Re: How Do You Explain This?

geezerette — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 19:38:24 GMT

My Walmart is often out of goods for extended periods during normal times, let alone now.

I'm beginning to wonder if mine has just quit selling toilet paper all together. They've replaced the entire toilet paper aisle with Easter supplies.

Re: How Do You Explain This?

Lipstickdiva — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 20:12:03 GMT

Something is definitely wrong all the way around with many stores. My grocery stores are all limiting milk and yet there is definitely NOT a shortage of milk. Dairy farmers are dumping milk because they have such an excess but yet most limit milk to 2 gallons. Dairy farmers are having an awful time.

That aside, my Giant Eagle never has TP either except for their own brand and even that is super scarce. But yet I can go to other stores and they are fully stocked and loaded. I was told by a cashier that the trucks are coming in for deliveries and they are half full only. I'm not sure if our store is considered smaller or what is going on. It's almost impossible to shop there anymore because of lack of inventory on everything.

Re: How Do You Explain This?

Maggie Nolia — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 23:01:05 GMT

All too frequently, online indicates stock in local store but there is none.