To think ‘in stock’ should mean ‘in stock’.

Was it John Lewis by any chance?

John Lewis make it clear when you order of it is in stock .
Woolovers are the worst. When i ordered and later phoned to ask, the items weren't even in the country.

Claire’s Accessories reduced me to a lot of foul cursing before Christmas.
Three times I ordered ‘sparkly blue lipstick’ (yes, I know, but it was a little extra present for a Gdd of 6 who’d asked for some) - it was coming up as in stock online - and three times they sent me a pack of pink and yellow.
Grrrr!
An email complaint was never even acknowledged, let alone answered.
I ended up passing one of the packs to an ex colleague with a Gdd of around the same age.

I had this problem with JoJo Maman Bebe (I know - first world problems). Not only was the item not in stock, but the status was changed on their website to something like "Order Processed" after a few days. They argued that this meant they were ready to send it as soon as they got in into stock.

Vanessa59. Unfortunately JL annoyed me no end when I was trying (that being the operative word) to replace my laptop. Listed as being in stock, proceeded to order, went off to get my card, came back completed the order only to be informed that the order could not be completed as item was now out of stock. 3 Days later was back in stock but by then I had ordered elsewhere, received the next day.

Forgot to mention the laptop was supposed to have been in my basket.

It is annoying.
I booked tickets for a show, went off to get my bank card and they had gone when I came back.

Perhaps being a little bit more mature we don't move fast enough

I pursued and ordered a dress three times in Phase Eight last year. Each time it was in stock, although it said 'low stock'; apparently it means they usually have one, a return, and although an assistant checked it was available, it was not. The third time i gave up.

I think the problem arises when shoppers put the item in their basket and leave it for a while but do not eventually purchase.

I do this myself, especially on a clothes site, I put everything in my basket and then choose what I am actually buying.

I like the 'buy later' facility. I pop things in there and wait until I have sufficient quantity to qualify for free post.

it s a well known store beginning with a N isn't it?!

It was actually Matalan. Just seemed crazy that I was able to reorder and it was despatched on the same day that I got the email to say it was out of stock. ...Mind you I am still waiting for it!

When I purchase modern stuff I always have a list so I can go to plan B it A is out of stock.

This is the annoying thing about having to troll off for your card. I get increasingly irritated with sites which dont accept Paypal because I always have money in my PP account. Also I dont have to faff around searching for cards and typing in numbers.

Very annoyed with the white Company today. Received their new catalogue this morning and tried to order some seat pads for outdoor furnishing as shown in their 'Alfresco dining.'
Not available; apparently all have disappeared in between the catalogue being printed ten days ago and being distributed today. Clearly last year's stock.
I have several vouchers to spend otherwise I wouldn't bother, as their goods are becoming increasingly overpriced.

Worst I ever had was an item I wanted in a hurry from a company not renowned for being cheap, since we were going away, so paid extra for express next day delivery.

Waited in all the following day - no delivery.

Phoned the next morning - ‘Oh, sorry, it was unexpectedly out of stock.’
And this was a website where you were obliged to give a phone number.
‘So why on earth didn’t you phone to let me know, instead of having me wait in all day for nothing?’

There was just a ‘sorry’ reply.
?
I was mad enough to write in and complain, and they did eventually give me a fairly substantial voucher, so it was worth the bother of a written complaint.

I bid on and won some items in an auction company. Having taken the payment direct from my card then then informed me that the items I won were "not available" and offered me alternatives which I did not want. I told them to refund the payment to my card.

On doing a little more research I find that this company is a "virtual" auction house. That means that they do not have the items in house as a normal auction house would do. Items are consigned to them virtually and may sell on other platforms before the actual date of the sale. This is what happened to me.

I have since seen other negative reviews citing this from other diappointed purchasers. They were quick enough to take payment from my credit card before bothering to confirm that the items were not available. If they havnt refunded within 2 weeks I will call my card company and get them to do a chargeback.

Selling items (by mistake) when you have run out of stock or the item is missing or broken is unfortunate. Selling items you never had at all sounds like fraud.