Check the store’s website
The easiest way to find out if a store has an item in stock is to check the store’s website. Most major retailers like Target, Walmart, Best Buy etc. have up-to-date inventory systems linked to their websites. You can search for the specific product you’re looking for and it will tell you if it’s in stock at your local store.
Some things to look out for on the website:
– There may be a “Check store availability” link or button on the product page. Click this and enter your zip code to see real-time stock at stores near you.
– It may list the number of units “In Stock” at your selected store location or note that the item is available for in-store pickup.
– An “Add to cart” or “Buy now” button means the product can be purchased online for delivery or in-store pickup.
– A “Sold out online” or “Out of stock online” message indicates it may still be available in physical stores.
– A “Sign up to be notified when back in stock” option lets you enter your email to get an alert when the product is available again.
Call the customer service phone number
If you can’t find the inventory status information you need on the website, your next step should be to call the store’s customer service phone number and inquire about stock directly with an employee.
Explain what specific item you’re looking for and provide your zip code. The employee can look up real-time inventory data and let you know if their system shows it in stock at your local branch.
This is useful if inventory levels aren’t visible online or if the website and in-store systems aren’t fully synced up. There may be some leftover stock sitting on shelves even if the website shows it as out of stock online.
Use store inventory checker tools
Some retailers provide inventory lookup tools on their websites or mobile apps specifically to let you check if an item is in stock in real-time.
For example, Target has a Store Item Finder tool you can access on their website or via the mobile app. Just enter your zip code and the specific item number or barcode and it will show you current stock levels at your neighborhood Target.
Home Depot has a similar Inventory Checker on their website. Input your zip code and the item number and it will display a grid showing you how many units are available at each nearby Home Depot location.
See if your preferred retailer offers an inventory look up tool like this to get precise in-stock data.
Check product listing pages carefully
Often the most accurate real-time inventory data can be found directly on the product listing page of a store’s website.
Pay close attention to any inventory status labels, notifications, or alerts on the page. For example, if it says “Only 3 left in stock” or “Limited quantities available” then you know they have some on hand but stock is running low.
Click through all the options and dropdowns on the page as the inventory count can vary based on color, size, style, and location.
If the page says the product is available for in-store pickup today, that’s a definitive sign they have it physically on the shelves at that store.
Call your local store directly
You can always call the individual store location directly and speak to an employee at that specific branch.
Let them know you’re inquiring about the availability of a particular item. Provide the exact product name, description, brand and any model numbers or SKUs.
The employee can look up the status in their system or physically go check the shelves, backroom stock, and recent inventory shipments. This will give you the most up-to-date picture of what’s available at that individual store.
Just be aware that inventory levels can change frequently as items are sold and new stock arrives. So even if you call, the inventory situation may still fluctuate from hour to hour. Calling gives you snapshot availability for that moment.
Visit the store in person to check
Heading to the store yourself is the best way to see 100% definitively whether a product is in stock and physically sitting on the shelves.
You can go directly to the relevant department or aisle and scan the displays yourself without relying on inventory databases that may not be perfectly accurate.
The downsides are you have to travel there yourself and deal with things being out-of-stock once you arrive. You also won’t know for sure they have it until you walk in the door.
But if you’re planning a trip to the store anyway, it never hurts to look for items in person. That will eliminate any guesswork involved with online stock data.
Ask an employee for help when you arrive
When you get to the store, ask an associate for assistance checking on the availability of the specific product you want.
Explain in detail the exact item name, brand, colors, sizes, style or model number. The more details you can provide the better.
Store employees have access to the most up-to-date inventory counts and shipments. They may even know exactly where the last few units are located or when more are expected to arrive.
If the item shows as limited stock or out-of-stock in their system, ask the employee if they will check supply in the backroom, storage areas or upcoming shipments. They may be able to locate additional inventory that’s not listed as available.
Check major online marketplaces
Sites like Amazon, eBay, Walmart.com and Target.com act essentially as large online catalogs for a huge variety of brands and products.
If a store doesn’t have something in stock, you may be able to find it available via major marketplaces that aggregate inventory across many different sellers and suppliers.
The product listings will clearly indicate if the item is “In stock” along with estimated delivery dates. This is the easiest way to source an out-of-stock product from another seller.
Just keep in mind that 3rd party sellers may ship from various locations, so delivery dates can vary. Prices might be higher too compared to the main retailer.
Sign up for restock notifications
If the product is temporarily unavailable, most large retailers give you the option to sign up to be notified when it is back in stock.
Look for a “Notify Me” button or link on the product page, enter your email address and they will send you an alert as soon as it is available again for purchase on their website or in stores.
This way you don’t have to continually check manually. Instead you’ll get an automated email the moment that item becomes available again in their inventory system.
Some stores like Best Buy even let you select specific preferences like color, model, storage capacity to pinpoint the exact version of the product you want restock updates for.
Check competitor retailers
If a particular retailer is out of a product, check if competitors that sell similar items have it in stock instead.
For example, if Target is out of a specific TV model, look on Walmart or Best Buy’s websites or visit their stores to see if you can find it there.
Review circulars and ads from other retailers selling comparable products in the same category. Sign up for their inventory alerts if it appears they expect to get more soon.
A bit of extra research can help track down the item at another retailer when your first choice is out of stock.
Ask about rain checks
Some stores offer rain checks on out-of-stock sale items. This allows you to purchase the product at the current sale price after it comes back in stock.
Ask the store employees if they offer rain checks for the specific product you want that is temporarily unavailable or sold out.
If so, request a rain check and they will issue you a certificate that reserves the sale price, allowing you to return and buy it later once it is restocked.
Just be aware that rain check policies, issue timeframes and validity periods can vary greatly by retailer. But it never hurts to ask!
Look for product alternatives
If an item is out of stock with no clear restock date, consider flexible alternatives that would serve a similar function or purpose.
For example, if they are out of your first choice of television, look at comparable models in the same price range and features from other brands. Or size up or down within the same product line.
Letting go of a specific model can open up more available options. Being flexible opens up your possibilities and increases your chances of finding something in stock.
Wait for special sales or events
If a product is hard to find and constantly out of stock, consider waiting for an upcoming sales event when retailers are more likely to have higher inventory levels and special promotions.
Holiday weekends like Black Friday, Memorial Day, and Labor Day are inventory-boost times. Retailers know in-demand products will sell out fast, so they stock up in advance.
Look for ads and flyers announcing special savings and increased stock on the item you want. Get to the store early during sale events for the best selection before quantities run out.
Check frequently for restocks
With some persistence and regularly checking back, an out-of-stock item you want is bound to come back in stock eventually.
Don’t give up too quickly. Keep checking online listings, inventory tools, or swinging by the store every few days to see if the product has been restocked.
Things sell out fast during peak seasons, but inventory moves quick. If it’s a hot item, more stock will keep coming through.
Consider checking at different times throughout the day as shipments arrive and inventory levels can fluctuate hour to hour. You never know when the stars will align and you’ll get lucky with a restock.
Conclusion
Finding out if a retailer has an item in stock can take a bit of detective work, but there are many tools available to determine real-time inventory status. Online listings, website trackers, store inventory finders, calling customer service, asking employees in store and good old fashioned legwork can all help you hunt down precise stock levels.
With the right amount of effort, flexibility and persistence, you should ultimately be able to locate that hard-to-find product you’re searching for at a retailer near you. Just utilize all the inventory tracking options at your disposal and don’t give up the search too easily. With the right approach, you can track down even the most elusive out-of-stock items.