David Bruce: How to find 'sold out' holiday items

Halloween candy remains stashed in several bins at my house and the Thanksgiving tablecloth hasn't been brought down yet from the attic.

But Christmas shopping season has already begun, thanks to worldwide supply-chain issues that spurred people to start buying presents even before the leaves turned color.

Now the rest of us are starting to see that most-dreaded of shopping phrases: "This item is out of stock."

But finding empty shelves in stores or an "out of stock" phrase on a retail website doesn't mean your search for that special Christmas present has ended with a whimper.

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The Better Business Bureau offered several tips for finding items that are sold out at your favorite online or brick-and-mortar store.

Try a different store. Expand your search to multiple retailers, and check both their websites and actual stores. You can usually have a retailer ship an item to their brick-and-mortar store for no extra cost.

If you are having difficulty with the chain retailers, try an independent or specialty store. You might pay a little extra, but finding the "perfect present" this year could be worth it.

Revisit websites frequently. Many online retailers restock their high-demand products daily, according to the BBB.

If there is an item out of stock when shopping online, don't give up hope right away. Bookmark the product page and check back daily.

Sign up for restock alerts. Many companies offer these alerts, which are usually emailed to customers.

For example, on Amazon look for an availability alert on a product's information page. Amazon will send an e-mail when the item becomes available. You still have to go to the website or store to make the purchase once the alert arrives.

Go to the product's source. If a brand-name item isn't available from a favorite retailer, check the brand's official website to see if it's in stock there.

If not, consider emailing customer service or reaching out through social media.

Take advantage of return policies. If you suspect that an item will sell out quickly but you aren't sure if you really need or want it, the BBB suggested reviewing the store's return policy.

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If a store gives you the option to return an item and offers refunds, you may want to purchase the item as soon as it's available. You can always send it back, but you may regret not purchasing the item if the stock runs out permanently.

Search on resale sites. If an item appears to be gone for good, don't lose hope. Some resale sites may offer those hard-to-find products.

But watch out for scammers when looking for this year's hottest toy or a product that is very popular. Con artists prey on desperate shoppers by pretending to have an item that is impossible to find, accepting payments, and then never delivering the product.

HERE to HELP: Have a consumer question you'd like us to help you with? Leave a message with David Bruce at 870-1736, send an email to [email protected] or send mail to 205 W. 12th St., Erie, PA 16534.