Bobster
11-11-2010, 04:52 AM
Recently I was in LA on the release day for special event items. The visit almost turned into a disaster. We made a few mistakes and learned a few things about special events at the LA Volks store.
In person: The first mistake we made was only getting there 20 min before opening. This put us quiet a bit back in the line. At this store they recently changed the process to allow only 3 people at a time into the store. In the past they just opened the door and let the rush begin. The problem turned out that all of the items were already sold out by the time we got to the sales floor. It looked like some of the first ones in got several of every item for those further back in the line. Going forward, we intend on getting to the store a few hours before they open if we really want a specific item.
One of the best tips if you get there late like we did is to wait around. Hover around the event table. We eventually got 2 of the special items as people who had grabbed them decided they did not really want them. We had to wait an hour for this to happen, but it was worth it.
The next best tip is to have a smart phone with you that has a web browser and a data plan. While I was waiting around with empty hands, I found out that the sales floor stock is separate from the online stock. The sales floor stock is limited to just a few pieces of each item. The bulk of the stock is in the store room for online sales. They will not bring it out even if you ask, so be ready to place an online order for the items while at the store. I did this and was able to pick up 2 more items that were on my list. If I had known, I would have placed the order when the doors opened and just asked for them when I got upstairs.
The next tip did not happen to us, but did happen to 2 people while we were there hovering. 2 people had credit cards denied and were unable to complete the sales immediately. I was actually embarrassed for them. Bring cash or a good credit card. One of the people had traveled with out alerting the card issuer and had the charge denied as a possible fraudulent charge.
At the end of the day, we were able to get the items we came for, but might not have if we had not waited in the store for an extended time after we got in and were not able to place an online order while waiting. Happy hunting.
Bobby
In person: The first mistake we made was only getting there 20 min before opening. This put us quiet a bit back in the line. At this store they recently changed the process to allow only 3 people at a time into the store. In the past they just opened the door and let the rush begin. The problem turned out that all of the items were already sold out by the time we got to the sales floor. It looked like some of the first ones in got several of every item for those further back in the line. Going forward, we intend on getting to the store a few hours before they open if we really want a specific item.
One of the best tips if you get there late like we did is to wait around. Hover around the event table. We eventually got 2 of the special items as people who had grabbed them decided they did not really want them. We had to wait an hour for this to happen, but it was worth it.
The next best tip is to have a smart phone with you that has a web browser and a data plan. While I was waiting around with empty hands, I found out that the sales floor stock is separate from the online stock. The sales floor stock is limited to just a few pieces of each item. The bulk of the stock is in the store room for online sales. They will not bring it out even if you ask, so be ready to place an online order for the items while at the store. I did this and was able to pick up 2 more items that were on my list. If I had known, I would have placed the order when the doors opened and just asked for them when I got upstairs.
The next tip did not happen to us, but did happen to 2 people while we were there hovering. 2 people had credit cards denied and were unable to complete the sales immediately. I was actually embarrassed for them. Bring cash or a good credit card. One of the people had traveled with out alerting the card issuer and had the charge denied as a possible fraudulent charge.
At the end of the day, we were able to get the items we came for, but might not have if we had not waited in the store for an extended time after we got in and were not able to place an online order while waiting. Happy hunting.
Bobby