enough with the what-ifs. As Eric said, there is a tone and a way used when inquiring that can give away your motive. I think if you were strictly a customer, you ask if the store has a product and if not, you go to another store. Sure, if your daughter has cancer and has 3 days left and you know this store is supposed to carry a product that will completely get rid of it, you might ask to talk to higher level management to know what the chances of getting it soon are..but were talking about a stain remover here, not life or death.