Discussions

Smaller businesses have a hard time stocking one off or specialty items. It doesn't make sense to stock an item that 3 people need once a year and make $2 profit off each if you're lucky.  
 
On the other side it sucks when a customer comes in, has you do all the research and then ends up ordering an item from Amazon because they expect you to price match.

Even Walmart doesnt have everything on the shelf that their online store has, same for everybody else, today's market is brutal, if its not the absolute lowest price in your store, people can order it online, from some warehouse that has the whole country as a customer trading area, their going to do the volume, and offer lower prices and selection, the local stores future doesnt look bright, because you save time and money buying online and with next day delivery available in most areas its inevitable even the big box stores are going to be in trouble.

You can always call the business and inquire if they have a certain item in stock, if it can be ordered and how long that generally takes. This way you won't be disappointed to make a trip for nothing or have to come in again in a day or 2 cuz the item is now available. Plan ahead, don't always expect or assume things to be a certain way. We are in an age of phones (landlines/cellular) so if you didn't think to call ahead than you only have yourself to blame for being disappointed not the business. If they knew you were coming in ahead of time (not same day either) than they could have had what you wanted. Sorry