Digital BW, The Print

Is it your experience when you order online that stock statuses are incorrect, 
or no stock status appears, or you receive notification of backordered items 
after completing the order or upon receipt of a partial shipment?  

I was working on a project recently and had to place orders with 4 different 
vendors, one for mats, 2 for paper, another for ink. In each case, I placed my 
order online, as I do for all my non-photo orders, using the convenient web 
order form. In all cases, the orders were not complete (see reasons in 
paragraph above.) 

The intent of this inquiry is not to bash any vendors but to find out if:
-your experience is the same
-in your experience, it is better to call rather than order online
-this is just the way it is and I should live with it

It just seems like if a web form is provided, there could be more up-to-date 
status info. It's helpful to know upfront especially when you're working on a 
project with a deadline and are counting on supplies to arrive in time.

Just wondering.
Betty