Second:  Occasionally M-TL allocates orders and even when we order additional quantities beyond our Auto-Ship quantities on the first day of orders at 7:00am we do not receive all we ordered.  If this happens this month, we may be forced to allocate to our reservations based on timing of the reserve. If the customer requests multiple copies of an item they may be limited.

Inventory is a fluid commodity.  It changes by the hour (sometimes by the minute). To retain our pricing structure we maintain stock levels designed to turnover 6 times each year. We cannot guarantee stock status till we have an order in hand. All product is subject to prior sale. If we confirm that we have it, and, while we are waiting for the order it sells, you would be upset that we did not hold it.
We used to hold items but learned a VERY EXPENSIVE lesson. When we held items for customers’ orders, the order never materialized 80%+ of the time.  We lost out on the orders placed while the item was on hold.  Also we wasted staff time that could have been used to pull actual orders.
Since we are well known for finding older stock the fact that it may not be on our shelves at this minute does not mean we can’t get it. So, as we spell out on our terms pages, we don’t do it anymore. You may, however, call in and we will tell you if the items are available and if possible attempt to locate what we don’t have while you are on the phone.