What does "Processing Your Order"mean?

[Stu W]

Unfortunately brick and mortar stores don't exist anymore and most of my shopping is done on the internet. I love it when you order something, from some company or on ebay, and you inquire about your purchase and you're told "your order is being processed". What does that mean? I purchased a tool on ebay, and after a month of "order processing" I stopped payment. I just purchased a cd for my mom, an album I remember her listening to when I was a kid. Well, a week later and they tell me the order is being processed, and it can take 5-21 working days? The guy who recorded the album has been dead for 20 years, so I know they're not waiting for him to record me a special edition. When I hit the "buy it now button" I didn't wait 21 days to pay. I paid right away. I'm not talking about an isolated incident here either. Quite a few things I've purchased took weeks to "process". I think when the electric company sends me my next bill I'll tell them I'm processing it. Stu

[John Rountree]

Obviously the answer to your question lies with the sellers. But, in the case of the album you bought for your Mom, it is very possible (even probable) that the "store" does not have the disc in stock. They will order it from their suppliers and ship it to you when it arrives. That would be "processing your order."
To some extent your question is of your own making. Brick and mortar stores need to keep merchandise in stock, display it, and then sell it. If you walked into a store with only a dozen CDs chances are you would assume they are not seriously in business. An internet "store" can be little more than a filing cabinet in someone's bedroom.
By your own admission you no longer shop at brick and mortar stores so it is obvious that you don't care too much about whether these stores survive or not. I must also add that I sincerely hope you do not use a brick and mortar store to examine, compare, or fondle an item and then go buy it for a few dollars less on the internet.

[Stu W]

John, I don't use brick and mortar stores anymore because they don't exist-even here in NYC. The last real camera store around my neck of the woods closed down a year ago. The owner, who I was very friendly with, actually stayed in business for several years not earning any money. He is an older gentleman, and his rental income from several other buildings on the same block kept him open. Manhattan used to have tons of photo stores-almost all gone. If you enjoy Leica than Adorama is about the only place to find a selection of used gear-and I have made several purchases from them. I do think your explaination of the nature of some internet stores makes sense. However, I think the waiting period should be explained in the advertisement. Thanks for listening. Stu

[John Rountree]

Sorry Stu, my intention wasn't to jump on you. I have no stake in retail business either.

[Dr. Strangelove]

Originally Posted by Stu W

John, I don't use brick and mortar stores anymore because they don't exist-even here in NYC. The last real camera store around my neck of the woods closed down a year ago.

I see that you live in Brooklyn, but do you mean that there are no camera stores even in Manhattan? I find that hard to believe, since I know people in the UK and France who fly to New York, buy bunch of DSLRs and lenses and then sell them in Europe and still make profit despite the flight costs. Cameras are so much less expensive in the US and the currently weak US dollar makes them even cheaper for Europeans. Such business is of course technically illegal, but most of the time the customs officials are more worried about drugs smugglers and terrorists.