Right, so instead of hacking the hell out of VM, why not disable the VM "Check stock", and just modify your VM Template to show the # in stock. Just make that number very big, and next to the "add-to-cart" button so they can't miss it!
Much simpler and cleaner. They can still order, but they will know what is in stock and what is not. You can make template so:
0 in stock.
You may order out of stock items,
or order more than what's in stock,
but delivery will be longer in such cases.
ADD-TO-CART-BUTTON