It started after they did some remodeling and reorganizing the aisles.  It used to be that something out of stock would be replaced in days; once, after some bad winter weather, I was in the store and the food section was decimated; the next day it was fully stocked again.  But after the remodeling, I found that my not-so-common vacuum bags would take weeks to restock.  And then I started using Swheat Scoop cat litter.

When I first started buying it at Target, I noticed it was usually replaced in a few days, but then it would be weeks.  I noticed that there was no product code on the shelf showing the name and price, or as it's know,  "DPCI" code.  The DPCI is missing, even through the product is consistently stocked in the same spot, and left empty when it's not stocked.

It seems Target is stuck in the rut of a lot of companies that rely too heavily on technology; they don't seem to know what to do when it fails them.  When I first tried to get this resolved, I talked to the Customer Service Desk at the local store; they didn't know what to do beyond trying to order it online.  It's not available for purchase online.  I wrote to Target on their website, and while the response was quick, the exchange of emails was unsatisfying as they need the DCPI code. 

"...We would suggest you keep checking back at your Target store as our stores receive merchandise shipments frequently" and "I’ve shared your comments with our buyers for further review." 

Ultimately, they're telling me sorry, we're can't solve this, you have to make an effort to buy from us. They seem to think I have lots of free time to keep checking in the store.

In this instance, I would have loved to hear that they were going to contact the store and find out about the missing DCPI, as well as sharing the comments with the buyers.  There's no way for them to track what product wasn't available unless someone gets a survey with their receipt. 

You've got to continue to think about problem solving and outside of scripts to keep your customers coming back.  The root problem was that the DCPI code was missing, so it's a store level issue as well as a inventory system issue. 

I prefer to buy it at Target because 1) it's a short walk and therefore very convenient, 2) they are significantly cheaper than other places (by almost $10 than, say, BarknPurr or PetSmart), and 3) I enjoy impulse shopping at Target, as well as the sundries I don't get at the grocery store (Central Market).  But since this problem started, and the unsatisfactory 'resolution,' I've vowed not to buy anything at Target unless the Swheat Scoop is in stock. 

While this won't make a big dent in their profits, I did a quick analysis of how much I spend there in the course of a year, and it's in quadruple digits.  Of course, all this happened around the time they upgraded their POS systems and their new card readers hate my bank card now. Their equipment either won't read the card at all, or gives an error saying they can't process the request and I have to contact my bank (who tells me the attempt to use the card their never even registers on their side).