Why did Liquor Barn in KY remove the inventory tab from their website?

[393foureyedfox]

They did this weeks ago, and I know I'm not the only one who used it to see which store I wanted to go to to get what I wanted. Granted, if it was a low stock item you had better call first anyway, but it usually was a pretty good indicator of where to find whatever you wanted within the state. I'm wondering what the logic is behind removing something from the site such as this. Anyone know?

Doug

[theglobalguy]

I asked them on FB, was told they had inventory accuracy issues with it in one store. Taken offline with no ETA to repair. Seemed like a marketing spin on;

- they couldn't get it to work

- competitively sensitive info

- it showed how much rare product they were holding back for friends

I only put that last bullet in there due to feedback from some of their Springhurst/Louisville staff. Pissed that the web showed stock resulting in folks asking again and again even though the product in question was locked in the managers office and they couldn't sell.

[393foureyedfox]

- it showed how much rare product they were holding back for friends

I only put that last bullet in there due to feedback from some of their Springhurst/Louisville staff. Pissed that the web showed stock resulting in folks asking again and again even though the product in question was locked in the managers office and they couldn't sell.

this is what I expected to hear, but not from them....it did seem to happen around the time people were frantically searching for the late-year releases of highly sought stuff. I'd had that issue with them before, personally; site showed stock, but it never was actually there (or was, but was being held for another customer - remember my ECBP rant over the summer).

I wish theyd put it back online, but I can see how it may create problems for them at times.

[theglobalguy]

this is what I expected to hear, but not from them....it did seem to happen around the time people were frantically searching for the late-year releases of highly sought stuff. I'd had that issue with them before, personally; site showed stock, but it never was actually there (or was, but was being held for another customer - remember my ECBP rant over the summer).

I wish theyd put it back online, but I can see how it may create problems for them at times.

Transparency can be a great thing, if you have processes and a culture that align with it. If not, does neither the customer or the business any good.

[mbroo5880i]

I asked them on FB, was told they had inventory accuracy issues with it in one store. Taken offline with no ETA to repair. Seemed like a marketing spin on;

- they couldn't get it to work

- competitively sensitive info

- it showed how much rare product they were holding back for friends

I only put that last bullet in there due to feedback from some of their Springhurst/Louisville staff. Pissed that the web showed stock resulting in folks asking again and again even though the product in question was locked in the managers office and they couldn't sell.

I think the last bullet is exactly the reason. I recall seeing GTS and VWFRR at the Springhurst store and calling. They told me that the system incorrectly listed bottles that they used for "tastings." The inventory search button disappeared shortly thereafter.

Edited January 2, 2014 by mbroo5880i

[theglobalguy]

I think the last bullet is exactly the reason. I recall seeing GTS and VWFRR at the Springhurst store and calling. They told me that the system incorrectly listed bottles that they used for "tastings." The inventory search button disappeared shortly thereafter.

I'll admit their tasting bar is a cool addition this year. There would have to be a much better way to account for inventory than leaving it on the books and telling people to ignore it. Their other locations seemed to do so just fine, it was only Springhurst that seemed to have the overages.