I work for Evans and to be fair my shop carries 3 types of waterproof pants. Now the problem is each shop is given a rating for what everything from tools to clothes. This rating from abcd will effect what stock they carry an what brands they stock.
But in 2 years working at my store I don’t think I have ever sold a set of waterproof pants they just don’t sell that we’ll.
With regards to the gear cable most shops only get stock replenishment once a week so you may of called in before they received that which is unfortunate but its not viable to deliver replenishment everyday.
Also paying for the item to be delivered can be a pain but there is a cost in transporting the goods and if you order 10 and take one there is 9 items left to be returned to the wearhouse where shipping docs have to be created by the store re packaged and sent off. Now I know it’s not ideal but what else can Evans do? It’s like I had a guy order in a £6k super six just to size himself up that could of got damaged on the way and he had no intention of buying it. It’s all swings and round snouts