One of the joys of shopping in the pre-computerized days was dealing with a salesperson or shopkeeper who really wanted to help you and could do it. Now, retail salespeople are limited by their computers. The can't think without them, they can innovate, and they can't respond. As a result, they lose an immediate sale, the consumer suffers, and their brand takes a hit. How much easier and more customer-responsive it would be to think outside the box - the computer box, that is - and make some decisions.
Last night, I determined what I wanted to buy after a little online research, and I also determined where I wanted to buy it - a store I like shopping at. Their website said it was out of stock, but I offered to purchase it anyway and take advantage of the sale price and take delivery whenever it was back in stock. The salesperson agreed - until the computer wouldn't let him place an order for something the computer believed to be out of stock. The computer is boss; therefore, no sale. I was willing to pay today and do without the item (and the money) for a few days to possibly a couple of weeks while it was on order. The salesperson was willing also. We had a meeting of the minds - until we were vetoed by the computer.
So I called another store and placed my order for a little bit larger model (at a higher price) than the one I wanted to buy originally. All was good, and I was looking forward to getting and using my item. That lasted about a half hour. I got an email that it was out of stock and my order was being cancelled - by the computer. No appeal. Again, I was willing to wait. Keep my money, just send me the product when it comes back in stock. Mean old computer says no.
Then there was today when I needed a part for a simple repair. Called the parts store. They looked up the part on their computer - computer does not recognize it. It can't be purchased. I went online and found the part. I called back and gave them the inventory number of the part - still can't find it. They suggested I call their "800" number. Did that and was told that my local store carries it. Not only that, they emailed the store, had the item pulled, charged my account, and had it waiting for me when I arrived to get it.
Computers are fantastic. I couldn't have written this post without one. It's when retailers and repair places become slaves to their computers that we all lose. That's why we have the power to reason and solve issues. Just because the computer doesn't recognize something or know wheere it's filed doesn't mean that we have to accept it. What did we do before computers? It's time we took charge of the beasts and ruled them instead of being their slaves.
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