Ordering from Penneys vs. Amazon

[MIGrandma]

I used to have no problems with ordering from Penneys, but lately....

A week or so before Thanksgiving I ordered a new Vellux blanket and a pair of French door curtain panels. Neither one were in stock, and not expected to arrive until after Christmas. I was really hoping to at least have the curtain panels before Christmas since the family is coming here, as one of mine has a large tear in it.

Then, yesterday I was going to order a CPAP pillow for DH and a new pair of New Balance shoes for myself. I can't get the shoes just anywhere, as they are one of the higher numbers so always just order them.

The pillow wasn't in stock.

So, I decided to check Amazon before I clicked the Penneys order button.

Not only is the very same pillow $20 less, but it is in stock and to arrive next week and the shoes were $1 more but coming today.

So, what is up with Penneys that so many of their things are "out of stock?" I could understand if they were popular Christmas items but I don't think those things are.

 

[ChiCat]

Yeah I think it's the season because I was having the same issue with Macy's. Amazon is great but sometimes their stuff is more expensive, so I always double check, do a search and see what place is selling what I want the cheapest.

 

[golfgal]

Companies have cutback on their backstock so that might be the issue you are having. Amazon draws from several different companies so they have better access to merchandise.

 

[Hannathy]

I haven't had any luck with penney's in awhile. They have also become very slow. It used to be if you wanted it to go to the store you could count on 2-3 days, not anymore.
Amazon is faster and more reliable.

 

[rie'smom]

I've noticed all of our local and big box stores are carrying way less merchandise. This year I could not even find tinsel. Wal Mart has 1 row of individual ornaments that look more like Dollar Store merchandise. The thing is the economy here is not that bad.

 

[bicker]

The economy is a red herring in this. The objective is to make money, and carrying a lot of inventory, that you're going to have to sell-off after the holidays at deep discounts, isn't the best way of making money. Neither is never having what people want to buy. The best answer in somewhere in the middle, and as years have gone by all suppliers have learned more and more about how to choose the right level of inventory to have the best chance of making the most money. A lot of the differences you see between retailers (and you wish definitely see differences) are a reflection of each retailers carrying costs, which is related to their buying power and their operating costs. That's one reason, I believe, that Amazon.com is going to be the best for everything on our list, this year, and for many years to come.

 

[surfergirl602]

I always use google shopping or a site like bizrate to check prices before I purchase anything online.