I sit on the board of an 850-member charity. We use a lot of paper towel and usually order it from Wal-Mart. We have been unable to get the brands we wanted and asked the store manager about it. "We are having a hard time getting some paper products lately, I don't know whats going on...We have never had this problem before"

Any other retail types that are having the same problem with paper products?

-- BiGG (supersite@acronet.net), July 01, 1999

Answers

Not that I am aware of. I would like to pass along info about a conversation I had with the manager of the Orscheln's store we deal with regularly (farm supply, national chain). I was complaining about their continuous lack of stocked products. He shook his head, looking down and then finally put his arm around me shoulder and quietly offered his explaination, all the while scanning around him looking for any others who might overhear. "The parent company decided to begin using their own brand name of various feeds and products, some time ago. When they took this new project on, the computer systems they had been using where upgraded to fix this y2k thing at the same time. I haven't been able to process an inventory order properly since. I've complained on numerous occasions and haven't recieved any workable solution. I'm ready to just throw in the towel." I reassured him that I knew exactly what he was talking about and responded by wishing him luck. I then proceeded to the cashier to pay for the supplies that I *was* able to find. She was unable to properly scan three of my items, asked another employee to please conduct a price check and exclaimed, "this just isn't getting any better".

I would appreciate knowing if this is simply a 'localized' condition or if anyone else has some knowledge of this company's problems. The fact that this chain decided to take on their 'own' brands of feed, has me curious as well.

-- Will continue (farming@home.com), July 01, 1999.

We've noticed that paper goods (toilet paper, paper towels, plates, napkins, etc.) in general are not being stocked in as great of quantity, nor with the same frequency as we had been accustomed to seeing. We started noticing this phenomena earlier this winter. We've seen this at 5 or 6 WalMarts. Usually, the paper goods aisle would be well stocked, and reserve cases of stock would sit on top of the shelving still in the box, to be taken down to the 'customer level' by a stock person if the 'reachable' stock became too low. Many times we've seen little or no toilet paper (especially the multi-packs), paper towels, etc., with only one or two 'reserve' cases up on the high, top shelf.

We asked a store manger if they had a shortage of stock people, and were told no. I asked him if there was a reason it looked consistently bare in this aisle and he told me they have not been consistently receiving their 'normal' stock levels of these products. Some weeks they are OK, others they are low.

Now mind you, this isn't *every* time we go shopping, but it's happened with frequency enough that we *have* wondered about it.

Something we *have* seen consistently absent from the shelves of WalMart is the gallon bottles of water...most of the time there are only 2 or 3 gallon jugs on the shelf, if any. Sometimes you can find a few bottles of distilled, but the regular drinking and spring water is somewhat hard to find. And yes, this *is* consistent in the 5 or 6 stores we visit rather frequently (and at all hours of the day).

-- Wilferd (WilferdW@aol.com), July 01, 1999.

Try at Sam's Club. Went there last weekend, and they had LOTS of paper stuff. (added another case of TP; up to 350 rolls now... Hurry up & get yours - before *I* do!)

-- Dennis (djolson@pressenter.com), July 01, 1999.

I have seen no shortages and no problems at the stores. I expect them. Just haven't seen them.

-- Mara Wayne (MaraWAyne@aol.com), July 01, 1999.

BiGG just the other day, after nearing completion of my "session on the throne", i reached for the old roll and alas, it was empty. think the problem is more wide spread than Wil or Mar are willing to admit.

its back to the sear's catalog for this red-faced cowgirl.

-- corrine l (corrine@iwaynet.net), July 01, 1999.

Paper towels are selling for .25 a roll and tp .50 for a four roll pack in my local grocery store. I only need enough to last until September 11, 1999.

-- Carol (glear@usa.net), July 01, 1999.

OK, I'll ask: Why September 11, 1999?

-- Jack (jsprat@eld.net), July 01, 1999.

That's the day of her elective colostomy.

-- Prometheus (fire@for.man), July 01, 1999.

You haven't heard about September 11? That is the day of the RAPTURE! If you want to read about how 'they' know follow the link below:

http://www.watch.org/showart.php3?idx=7981&rtn=/articles.html&showsubj =1&mcat=1

This is the first prediction I would give anything for it to be right!!

The colostomy quess was very witty.

-- Carol (glear@usa.net), July 01, 1999.

car sure you don't mean s--tty.

-- corrine l (corrine@iwaynet.net), July 01, 1999.

Sometimes when I'm wondering why I ever bother to log on to this forum, I read something so funny it would be great in stand up routine in LA. Prommetheus it doesn't get any better than your reply. LOL

-- gilda (jess@listbot.com), July 01, 1999.

in madison,my mega-corporate-grocer where I get my grub has been selling out of wood matches since the new year.things that make you go hmmmm.

-- zoobie (zoobiezoob@yahoo.com), July 02, 1999.

zoo, hmmmm. whoa you're right. hmmmm, happened again. amazing.

.

-- corrine l (corrine@iwaynet.net), July 02, 1999.

The quality of trolling has really gone up. Prometheus did well on this thread, (he's scored poorly on others though), and Corrine was better than normal too - and she is usually very good. I remember old Y2Kpro who was nasty AND stupid and I have to say I much prefer nasty and witty. Corrine, my email is legit, please let me know if you're single, female and between 17 and 59. No joke.

-- Gus (y2kk@usa.net), July 02, 1999.