Online Shops and Display of Products

JessyM

Hello!!  I was looking for a dress for my daughter to wear for an upcoming wedding.  I was browsing John Lewis and followed a link to an article about summer dressing.  The article was headed with a pretty dress that I thought would be suitable for my daughter, however..... using the filters provided (neckline, sleeve length, dress length, pattern and other options) did not find it.  Sort by Price, Recommended, Newness, In Stock, Out of Stock all to no avail.  So I contacted Customer Services to find out how to purchase said frock (you would have thought that the picture itself might have revealed some detail, but no).  I was beginning to become a wee bit intrigued to see if they displayed goods that are not available to purchase...  Three JL emails later, the issue is with the Buying Officer for their specialist advice.  
I am intrigued as to why a large online presence would use space to promote something that is not available to purchase.  I wondered what you all thought?

 JL haven't yet been able to advise how to purchase the frock (10 days and counting), and an outfit has been purchased elsewhere.

jon81uk

Summer started months ago, so they may of had the dress back in May or whenever the article was written and no longer do. Also the article is just that often, examples of outfits in photos shot on location and they then link to things they have in stock.