Yesterday my sister (my actually sister not my ‘sister’) asked me to help find a good computer for our father. My partner and I had purchased a new desktop computer and she wanted something similar. I looked online and found what I believed to be a good system at a good price, so good that I decided to buy one for the Chamber (we need new technology). The computer was an HP a6700f PC. I was especially happy because, like the system that I had purchased for myself, it was an HP. Since HP is a corporate member of the Chamber and an overall good corporate citizen I was happy to be able to purchase their product.

I’d like to that I’m not stupid. Sure, other might disagree, but this is how I like to think of myself. On the Fry’s website the computer was ‘Unavailable for Delivery’ but “Available” for store pickup. Bright and early this morning a head over to Fry’s just to be told that the computer is not available, that they haven’t carried that model for ‘a while’ and that I could order it online.

A little bit annoyed I got back in my car and drove to the office. Once online I found the item, added it to my cart and began to check out.  At this point they website asked for my zip code and showed me which area stores had the item in stock for pickup.  Hooray! The store on Market Place Boulevard in Irving had what I wanted. My faith in Fry’s had been restored. Well, at least for a short time. The email confirmation arrived showing that the computer was ‘not available in the store at this time’. I was not happy.

Besides getting this off my chest is there a point to this story? Well, really, I just wanted to vent, but in hindsight there is a point, a very good point. I’m not saying that the good people at Fry’s have broken any laws, but they have broken their customers’ trust.

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