"sorry sir it's out of stock" who's in charge of stock control i ask

I am sure this is not a cultural thing that i am not aware of
I think it is cultural..
Quite often they dont know what it is we are asking for.. Other times they don't know where it is.
Either way they are far too proud to admit their failing and save face by telling us firmly "Out of stock"..
Stock control?? Are you kidding?
When I ask them if I can order an "out of stock" item,they look at me as if I am an alien from the planet Zog.