I have rung stores before. Not very frequently, but I have done it (particularly when I was at school and my ability to go to different shops was limited). When i got my car/started working at Target it was easier to drive around, and the phone calls were reduced.

Like Griffin said, if they've got a cordless phone on them, they can walk around and describe a product to you. I've never really had any problems with ringing, though that is probably because I've been fairly exact, and progressive in my details.

Not: Do you have deluxe Tracks?

Instead: I was wondering if you had a particular Transformers figure. It's a Deluxe figure, in the yellow packaging. It's name is Turbo Tracks. It should be a blue sports car.

The bits in bold are the individual identifiers, and can of course be changed depending on what figure you're looking for. By guiding them through, you often get a better result. It's their job to work the toy department, but that doesn't mean that they are going to learn the names and basic qualities of every toy that they stock.

I work in the games/movie department of my local Target. Doesn't mean I've watched every movie or played every game that we stock.