Is it bad form to call ahead to reserve?

[Europhyllia]

I was just thinking of all the different threads we had about what's tacky and what's acceptable.
I think I am a lot of times with the tacky people (like I used to show my MAAST card. lol - now I don't need to because people recognize me).
A new thing I've started is to call ahead, ask if they have in stock what I want and then give my credit card info over the phone so it doesn't get sold before I get there.
It's very convenient for me because many stores don't open till noon (nap time for the 1 and 3 year old) and all are about 40 minutes away from me. I hate to load the kids in the car and then drive all the way for nothing.
But I haven't really thought about perhaps that being tacky too?
Does it cost the store owner more to run the credit card like that (rather than swiping it)?
Does it take the sport out of livestock shopping?
Is it a bother?

[cbianco]

I would say that a problem would be...

Asking a retailer to hold an item for you and never coming to get it and no calling to cancel.

But...

If you're paying for the item upfront, that's a guarenteed sale for the retailer. They have your money and at that point as long as you set an agreed upon time to pick it up, it shouldn't matter that they are holding it.

JMO.

Christopher

[ShAgMaN]

I don't think its tacky at all. The only thing that sucks is if you get there and don't like what you held/paid for. However, I think most the guys we do business with understand.

But I have one for you that's worse. Is it tacky to ask an owner if he can get you something, but then you find it at another store and purchase it instead of waiting? I'm not talking about paying for it before hand with a commitment, but still...

The thing is you don't know if they are going to get it, and if they don't your stuck waiting for who knows how long.

Regardless, I have my fav. stores and will be back to each of them spending my $ on this addicting hobby.

[Europhyllia]

But I have one for you that's worse. Is it tacky to ask an owner if he can get you something, but then you find it at another store and purchase it instead of waiting? I'm not talking about paying for it before hand with a commitment, but still...
The thing is you don't know if they are going to get it, and if they don't your stuck waiting for who knows how long.

I see what you mean. I had Ed look for something for me (several different things actually) and when I did find it somewhere else I just PM-ed him saying: "hey I got xyz but I am still interested in this and that."
I think it's just fair to let him know he can stop looking for a particular item.
He also PM-ed me when he did find the other stuff (before he ordered it) to ask: "hey I can get xyz this week for you. Are you still interested?"
So I think both sides need to communicate in situations like these.

Right now I am hoping J at Reefs2u can get me something I'm after. If I were to come across it and decided to buy it elsewhere I would PM him to let him know to stop looking (although of course what I want is super duper cool stuff and would sell in a heartbeat anyway )

[Gseclipse02]

i don't see anything wrong with what your doing ... its annoying to go to a store and them have nothing at all that you like esp. with how far you drive .... i tend to only go when i need food or a part...


im sure stores know you now and dont mind holding stuff for you knowing what kind of drive you have to do to make it there

[Jarob]

not tacky at all! I was up in Dallas over christmas break and reserved some amazing mushrooms and paid for them, when i came back 3 days later to pick them up they sold them!!! THATS lame! i was refunded and given a freebee so thats ok i guess

[Gseclipse02]

not tacky at all! I was up in Dallas over christmas break and reserved some amazing mushrooms and paid for them, when i came back 3 days later to pick them up they sold them!!! THATS lame! i was refunded and given a freebee so thats ok i guess

that's wack ...

i would be mad ... i like stores who are understanding to people who travel

[Double-O-Zilch]

i tend to only go when i need food or a part...

Thought that was you at AD tonight. You looked to be in a hurry so I didn't want to slow you down. And I think reserving a piece you want when kids and a long drive are involved is OK. Takes me a good 35mins+ to get to the closet store depending on the time of day. I may have to use this reserving technique once I get into the good stuff.

[Europhyllia]

should have posted this in 'ask a sponsor' to see what the store owners think about this ... ;)

[Gseclipse02]

Thought that was you at AD tonight. You looked to be in a hurry so I didn't want to slow you down. And I think reserving a piece you want when kids and a long drive are involved is OK. Takes me a good 35mins+ to get to the closet store depending on the time of day. I may have to use this reserving technique once I get into the good stuff.

tonight i wasnt there .... we all look alike lol


i went by during the day tho .... if you ever see me just stop me i tend to be in out with in five mins or less .... if im going to buy something it will catch my eyes real quick