Target - Returns & Exchanges

I purchased a pair of Converse sneakers. They ended up being the wrong size so I took them in to exchange the size. The girl at the returns desk told me that because I didn't have my receipt, she had to ring them up for the price they were now (about $20 less than what I paid) and I would have to pay the difference. This would have been fine if I was switching the shoes for something else, but I was exchanging for the exact same shoe, same model, same color, same brand, same everything just a half size difference. I officially despise Target.

I bought 3 shirts at the new Target in Little Rock. They shrunk so much after the first washing that I couldn't wear them. When I tried to return them, they said they couldn't take them back because they had been washed! I asked how I was supposed to know they would shrink 2 sizes without washing them and the clerk simply said "that's our policy." I wound up giving them to a homeless man hanging around the front of the store. The first question that occurred to me as I walked out of the store was, "why on earth did I shop at Target?"

I purchased a $250 Bose docking station for my iPod at Target. I was so excited, but when I got home, my expectations fell very flat. (Sorry, Bose.) I was not impressed, and if I hadn't been looked down the nose by employees while trying to really test it in the store, I likely would not have purchased it.

Less than 18 hours later, I went to return the Bose to Target. I was told by the rep that she could not approve it because they usually don't do refunds on opened electronics but that instead, they would issue a gift card. I politely asked if I could speak to a manager. Whoa! A manager with a complete attitude! I was flabbergasted! I explained the situation and that I was not happy with the sound, etc. In an exaggerated voice, as if to let the whole line know the policy, she said to me, "I will do this for you, just this one time. But in the future, I suggest you shop around a little bit more and find the right product to suit your needs. We basically lose $250 now, just because you didn't like it because we can't put this back on the floor."

I was floored! I graciously said thank you and how much I appreciated it, while she was crediting my ATM card. As soon as I had the credit receipt safely in my hand, I let the little ** have it with unbridled abandon! How dare her tell me how to shop and you lose $250 because you sell inferior products is my problem. How?! And even if you did issue me a gift card, you still lose! I told her that her attitude and raised voice was completely unnecessary and out of line. You are a manager, I get it. But at the end of the day, you are still nothing but a simple retail robot! Okay, so perhaps I was a bit mean, but I was pissed off! There was no reason for me as a paying customer to be spoken to or treated like that. It will be a long time if ever that I spend another dime in Target!

I have been an agent for many years, and have worked closely with intellectual property counsel on publishing, film and video projects. So, when a Target staff, purportedly a GM, informs me that a simple honest request for a new-item exchange, credit or refund is against the law, I become very, very angry. This unscrupulous strategy is one Target has used to disparage honest customers who purchase defective, prerecorded products for which the same store has no replacement item. It's easy on Target. It's a royal pain for the customer.

Simply stated, I purchased a CD with deep scratches on the play side. They evidently occurred during manufacture. Next, I exchanged this disc for the identical item, which had the identical defects. Clearly, these issues originated on either the glass master or occurred during the production or packaging process. I tried to exchange the second defective disc for a third identical disc, and was told the store was permanently out-of-stock, and that they would not refund or credit my purchase. Instead, they suggested I drive to one of several stores to find other copies. If they worked, great. And if not, what recourse does the customer have? Chalk it up as a loss.

What made me furious was the fact that a manager suggested that my request for a non-identical exchange, credit or refund was impossible, because it was illegal. He then said, "How do we know you didn't just take the disc home and burn it?" I told him to look at the purchase time on the exchange receipt, and he refused to do so. As an honest consumer who respects copyright law by profession, I was seriously offended. Target is now my last resort retail choice. When all was said and done, I made a 25 mile trip to a store with one remaining copy of the disk which, of course, had the identical defect as the first two. Target's robotic telephone customer service line simply quoted company policy and suggested I contact the manufacturer or distributor. Alas, this is America 2012. The copyright holder no longer responds to media complaints on CD. The local distributor has a switchboard number, but restricts all other information. And all for an item priced at $4.99.

This is a textbook case of the ways in which stores such as Target have taken over the retail landscape. With their real estate strategies, they challenge small businesses and soon become monopolies in their communities. They are hardly a discount store, and with the exception of their superb pharmacy at our local Super Target, they have been a customer service nightmare more than once for us. Guest, indeed. The principle is simple. A retailer must stand behind its products. If they do not, consumers should desert them. Prerecorded media customers aren't all thieves, and it is egregious indeed, that Target's policies and staff treat them that way. It's worse that a manager should make comments which suggest rubbish to a customer who has really given them too much business. I've tolerated Target's arrogance today for the last time. There are options, and I encourage customers to explore them.

I ordered (online) a car seat for my daughter-in-law's baby shower. What I received was some kind of outdoor chair in a huge box. The packing slip indicated that the box had a car seat in it. I called customer service (and I use that term lightly). The first person I spoke with told me it would be my responsibility to return the wrong item to them before I could get the car seat. The whole problem is that the car seat arrived on a Thursday and I needed it by Sunday. There was no way they would get me a car seat by Sunday for the shower. Even though the mistake was their fault, they would not "expedite" ship the correct item. They were going to make me order the car seat again (not to be delivered until the following Tuesday) and then wait for days after they had received the chair I didn't order before they would credit my account with the first car seat. Needless to say, I am going to the shower empty-handed, thanks to Target. I will never buy another thing from Target or ever step foot in a Target store again. I will certainly be advising others not to shop at Target either.

I took back a $120 Keurig coffeemaker. I did not have the receipt, I only wanted to exchange it. I understand the reason for policies. However, customer service allows, in most cases, for those policies to be circumvented. I spoke to the manager, the manager in charge, three different people in the "guest services" call center. They all said no, there was no way to help me and I could send the product back to the manufacturer. I work 17 hours per day. I don't have the time to deal with these things. I know it can be done at store level, I know it can be done today. But alas, I was wrong. One of the folks on the guest services line even said to me "well anyway sir" while I was trying to explain what I wanted.

It was their unwillingness to budge that mad me angry. As a side note, I went to Walmart and told them I bought it from Target, that Target would not help me. They said no problem and returned the item, gave me a gift card for $127 and I turned around, bought another Keurig and spent $250 there. In an economy where every customer should count, Target fails to show that they care about their guests.

I received an order I placed on Target.com yesterday valued at about $100. Some items were too small and a couple, I just didn't like. I paid with Paypal and it said that all items could be returned in the store. Today I went to return 4 of the 6 items I bought and was told since I paid with Paypal, I had to get a gift card for $57.00. I told them I didn't want a gift card because Target had been paid for the items. I wanted to either get cash/refund to debit card or as a last resort, credit on a credit card. They said I could only get a gift card, no exceptions. I was returning unopened items one day after receiving them and with a receipt, but could not get cash or refund on any card.

They told me it says online that if you use Paypal, you will get a gift receipt if you return it. I did not see anything like that when I bought the items. I feel cheated and angry that they treated me this way. They made it clear that they do not care for their customers one bit and could care less if I ever return to spend any more money there. I called Target Customer Relations and spent 45 minutes (called 3 different times and spoke to 3 different people) trying to talk to someone who spoke English clear enough for me to understand. That is after listening 3 times to the call tree that did not offer me a selection for my particular problem. I had to keep guessing and punching different selections until I was finally able to get a person on the line - very frustrating.

When I asked Customer Service person #1 if I could speak to their supervisor, he put me on hold and no one came to the line and picked up my call. I hung up and called back. When I told Customer Service person #2 that I could not understand her and asked to please speak to someone who spoke better English, I understood enough of what she said to hear "hang up and call back". What kind of customer service is that? I was so frustrated with Target that I went home and got the other 2 two items from my order (that I am going to keep) and returned them, for another gift card of course. I also pulled out all receipts from Target that I still had within 90 days and returned everything. I will never shop there again. I feel violated and taken advantage of.

Target does not care about customers and they were all rude and obnoxious. They all said there is nothing they can do and there are no exceptions. After I got home I called Target and asked if I could return something that was a few days past the 90-day deadline. They said yes, but it will be a gift card even if you paid cash in the store and you will not get a full refund. Someone will decide what you get back. I was told, "Say you spent $13.00, you will probably get about $9 back even with a receipt showing you paid $13.00." Something to consider before you shop at Target again.

About 2 years ago I vowed to never again shop at Target after a lady charged my debit card double on a $200 purchase. So I was charged $400 and they would not give me an instant refund. I had to go to the bank and get a notarized copy of my bank statement showing two charges that were identical, and return to Target Customer Service to prove it was charged twice. Then I waited several weeks for the credit to show up in my account. It was extremely inconvenient for them to tie up $200.00 of my money for a long period of time but no one at Target seemed to care. I was furious and vowed never to step into a Target store again. I wish I had kept that promise to myself.

I bought an iPad 2 32G 4G (Verizon) from them on 2/29/12. Although the top of the receipt says it expires on 5/29/12, half way down the receipt, it says "Return by 4/14/12." Because shortly after buying I realized that the IPad3 would be out soon, I was advised by Target employees to return for the newer model. Target stores in South Florida have not had the IPad3 in stock for several weeks after it came out. Because my daughter was ill, I returned to the store on 4/16/12 and was told by Customer Services and several corporate representatives that although the store manager wanted to accept it for an even exchange, they would not do so due to their policy of not accepting returns after 45 days in electronics.

This practice is wholly unacceptable. They claimed they're unable to make an exception. They did not have the product in stock prior to date when I tried to return the unopened iPad 2. I will never shop there again. It is a horribly run business. They care nothing about their customers. People at Guest Services--Amanda, James, Peggy and Pamela--were unbelievably unprofessional and rude. Warning: Never buy electronics from Target.

I bought $185 worth of items online at Target. When I returned them to the store, they told me I had to take a gift card as I paid for them with PayPal. I did not want a gift card and they said too bad for me. I send a request to Target Customer Service and they said the same thing. While purchasing the items, nowhere did I see anything about only getting a gift card for returns. This is rotten customer service. They had my money no matter how I paid and should have refunded it in cash.

I bought my 10 yr. old son a pair of shoes at Target in Auburn on Feb. 20, 2012. He wore off and on for less than a month, his toes were coming out and the bottoms were worn completely through. I took the shoes and receipt back to Target in Auburn on Friday, April 6. The man behind the counter said absolutely not. I took it back to the manager and he also said the same. I said I will strike Target from ever shopping at their stores again since they do not back the merchandise they sell. They also have a terrible customer service or should I say "no" customer service. His response was "so be it". Target should be banned from ever being able to sell anything with an attitude like that.

I tried to return scale that was purchased with debit card two days ago. The customer service had trouble matching the scale I brought back to the receipt even though it was only two days old. They treated me like garbage in front of other customers and then I got mad. I demanded a manager and my cash, not store credit, because I would never set foot in their store again. The ETL - Guest Experience, Christian **, kicked me out of the store.

Last fall, during the back to school sales, I purchased a Chefmate waffle maker (model # WM-77). About a month ago, I was making waffles and the "non-stick coating" came off in the food and, thus, making my food inedible. After contacting Target, they say I needed to call the manufacturer. They did provide a phone number for Target customer service and they in turn gave me the phone number to Select Brands who made the waffle maker. After calling Select Brands, they said, yes, they made the maker for Target but it's Target's problem. No one will claim responsibility for the defect.

I was browsing on Target.com and decided to buy some items. The items that I was purchasing were shoes and clothes. I figured if they didn't work out, I could return them in the store. That is what it said on their homepage in bold print. After the long process of checking out, I saw that I could use Paypal. I thought "Great, that will be easy. They have all my info". Well, when the items arrived, they were ill-fitting and poor quality. No problem, I can return them. So I thought. Since I paid with Paypal, they were only able to give me a gift card. I am so angry and disappointed, I just want a refund the same way I paid. I do not want a $156.00 gift card!

I purchased a purple shark to bring to FL. Since the box looked unopened, I never checked it out until getting ready to shark my floors, only to find that I got a dirty, used shark which is also missing parts. I paid $79.99 and Target will not replace the dirty used shark with what I paid for nor will they refund my money. I have spoken to everyone that they would let me speak to, up to a CEO. I have nothing and they have my $80.00. He would let me go no further.

A Target clerk put the dirty, used, wrong shark in a wrong box and it got back on the shelf. I am now the victim who has nothing and Target has my money. Needless to say, I will not purchase another item in Target and I will broadcast my experience on Facebook, letters to the editor and to anyone else who will listen. When it is a clerk/store error, I sure cannot understand why they won't bend and make me the victim. If you can avoid shopping at Target, I recommend that you avoid them like the plague because if you have an issue, you certainly will not be treated with courtesy.

I bought an iTouch along with a 2 year replacement plan that clearly states it covers "Unintentional or accidental damage from handling as a result of normal use (ADH) for portable computing devices beginning from your date of purchase". My daughter accidentally dropped and cracked the screen on the iTouch. When I called the Target claims department, they said they could not honor the plan because iTouch is not considered a portable computer device. An iTouch has a computer chip, memory, built-in graphics card and can be connected to any other computer and store information. I believe that is a definition of portable computing device. There are also many sites that refer to the iTouch as a portable computing device.

I received a 10-piece cookware set as a gift and decided to return it as I really didn't have the room or the need for new cookware. I reluctantly asked the gift giver for the receipt to return but he had lost it and told me it was purchased from Target. I went into Target (Bethel, CT) fully anticipating a store credit as I did not have the receipt handy. I lugged this big box that was never even opened, items still in the plastic into the customer relations department where the clerk proceeded to scan the item. She told me it was ringing up at $106.21 but the most she can give me back for a return with no receipt was $70. I nodded and said, "Okay, that's fine. I realize I don't have the receipt." She then told me that she can't give me $70 because the item rang up at a higher cost. Now, I am confused. I am willing to take a $40 hit, but she can't do that? I continued to ask why she couldn't give me $70 credit towards an item that was more expensive. Her explanation was simply that it's store policy.

She said my other option was to pick out another item in the kitchen department only. I said I wasn't interested in replacing the return with a kitchen item which is exactly why I was returning it. She said there was nothing more she could do for me. I asked to see a manager. **, manager at Bethel Target, advised me that my only option was to exchange it for an item in the same department. I explained to her that I was not interested in doing that. I wasn't looking for cash back. Is a store credit too much to ask for? She said she absolutely could not do that. I told her I do a lot of shopping there including purchasing of all my prescriptions there and if she couldn't help me I would not continue to shop there. She had a tone in her voice of that of someone who could care less if they lost my business. Needless to say, I took the item back and it is still sitting in the trunk of my car. What a waste of my time and energy.

At the time of purchase of my electronic device at Target in Walnut Creek, CA, I told the sales representative that it was a gift that would not be given until later. As of January 15, 2012, Target Walnut Creek Electronics Department did not have a 45-day return policy posted nor did the sales representative state the policy that was obviously instigated fairly recently. 5 days after the 45-day policy, I opened the present but did not open the electronic device at all. I did not want it. I immediately called guest relations and received a reference code and the person saying that I could return it due to my circumstances. Again, another employee unfamiliar with the strict Target policy. I went to Target Walnut Creek and I was helped by Kimberly and Luana, who made me stand in front and center on the phone to guest relations again, puffing away on my oxygen while I was getting frustrated by being placed on hold because my reference code did not mean anything. I wasn't even offered a chair after an hour.

I did observe how other Target customers could bring in their old, used crap and return it with no problem. I have a zero balance on my Target card (I also canceled it) and I have spent more money in the last 10 years at Target than I care to remember. I sent a letter to Target corporate stating the inaccurate information I received as well as being put on display.

I bought a prepaid cell phone at Target, West Hollywood, CA. Since I had no reception where I was planning to use it most, the following day, I returned it to the same Target store in West Hollywood, CA. A very unprofessional Returns and Exchange Manager (Jessica was written on her name tag) told me that Target doesn't guarantee satisfaction for the items its selling so a refund would be out of the question. My only options were an exchange with an exact same item (useless since the result would have been the same) or a store credit. I took the store credit. Please beware that once you open an item you buy at Target, even if unused or defective, you are stuck with it. You will not get your money back. The best you can hope for are an exchange with an exact same item or a store credit. As I was told Target is not in business to guarantee satisfaction.

I went to this Target store on the morning of Sunday, February 5, 2012 and purchased a Nikon camera (Model # S5200) for my daughter in the amount of $183.59.

I picked out this Nikon camera, the male clerk got a box out of a locked cabinet, and then I purchased the camera in the electronics department. The male clerk rang it up there and I left the store. When I got back to my car with my wife and daughter, I opened the box up to inspect the items to make sure that everything was there.

As it turned out, there was a different camera in the box. I immediately returned to the store, went to the customer service desk and told them what had happened. They called a store manager (by the name of Janira) who then took the camera back to the electronics department and spoke to the clerk that had sold me the camera. When she returned, she asked me if I wanted another camera. I said yes.

She and I went back to the electronics department and the male clerk said that they did not have any more of that particular Nikon camera and did I want to choose another style. Yes I did, and I picked out another camera of equal quality and price. The manager (Janira) attempted to refund the Nikon camera numerous times but had great difficulty getting the register to take the exchange. She spent a good portion of an hour trying the get the system to refund the camera and to ring up the new one.

She eventually called the Target customer service department but was unable to get the needed help because it was Sunday and the department was closed. In complete frustration, she gave up after almost an hour at trying to exchange the two cameras. I took her name on a Target card and she wrote Janira (she is the store manager).I kept the receipt and she kept the original Nikon camera. I left the store without any product and immediately called Bank of America at 877-366-1121 and issued a claim on this purchase because she did not properly work the issue out and I left without any merchandise

I also called the Target guest relations department at 800-440-0680 and explained the entire story with them. They informed me to communicate with Bank of America in regards to this issue and they could do anything to help me and did not document the report within Target internal affairs as I had requested. I was instructed by Bank of America Claims Department to write this letter of explanation and fax it to 800-306-1079 which I have done. The claim is now in review.

I appreciate all the help you can do in clearing up this transaction. I have been charged $183.59 and was temporarily credited that amount until the case is closed. A final note: the manager of Target (Janira) kept the Nikon camera and has not contacted me as I had requested to clear up the matter.

I bought my daughter a camera with the "replacement plan" for Christmas, which I paid $100.00 on sale, plus the "plan". Then, a couple of weeks later, while taking pictures, the top button fell off! I went to the store, and they would not exchange it, and said that I needed to call the "plan". When I called the plan, they said it's not covered, because it suggests that we broke it, and it's not a malfunction. I did not buy this camera for a toddler, it was for a 15 year old! I am going to have to buy a new camera, and will try Wal-Mart, because of their return policy, but will never, never, buy from Target again, and will tell as many people as I can what happened to me, and will post this complaint on any and every website out there. This is outrageous. Lesson learned, don't buy from Target!

I got a Mr. Coffee, a top-of-the-line digital coffee maker for a gift. I was in the Target store and had pointed it out to my daughter that it was the one I wanted and the color of the coffee machine was red. It quit working in February, and I have no receipt. I tried to return it in the box and told them it was broken and wanted an exchange. They said it was marked down to $4.99 after Christmas. But they didn't have any left. Liars. I shop there often, and it was never marked down to $4.99. The color was discontinued by the manufacturer.

If any one ever sees a Mr. Coffee top-of-the-line digital coffee maker for $4.99, please let me know! Rather than have them give me $4.99, I threw it in the trash. Also had big problems with my daughter's baby registry. No items were added or deleted, and they refused to give her refund on returns from baby showers. It's a ridiculous place to register for baby gifts. And Wal-Mart is worse in the baby shower registry department.

I purchased a $400 gas grill with lifetime warranty on stainless parts. After the Target 90-day (very limited) policy, Target refuses to honor product limited warranty after supplier will not because parts are not nor will they be available. I bought the grill from Target, not their supplier, and in view of the facts, Target is ultimately responsible to back the items they sell. I have tried for over a year to resolve this issue and have been played by Target HQ personnel. What a commentary for a major US company. They need to take a look at Wal-Mart and their continued domination of the retail scene. Goodbye Target!

I bought 3 rugs online. After receiving them, they were not what was described online. I returned them to a Target store with receipt. They would only accept the 2 smaller rugs, not the large. After getting approval from their headquarters, they accepted the rug and told me that my money would be credited within 2 to 7 business days. It has been 20 days since. After calling the headquarters several times and being told each time that they are showing that it has been processed, I still have not received it.

On September 27, 2011 I purchased from Target in Sewell, NJ. I purchased Solo Beats by Dre headphones. On Feb 15, 2011, the headphones started to play music in one of the headphones on and off. I went to the manufacturer's website to fill out a claim since it has a one year warranty. The website advises you to look on the headphones or the box for the serial number. The headphones nor the box have neither.

I went to Target, but since it was already past 90 days, there is nothing they can do. The manager was very helpful, but she advised me that the computer will not allow her to exchange or return the item after 90 days. She referred me to Target's 800 number where there are Indian representatives that just repeat everything you say and then transfer you. The manager scanned the product to confirm that it is their headphones, and the serial number should be where the SKU is. This is leading me to believe that the headphones are fraudulent.

I live in KS. My grandchildren live in TX. My 12 year old grandson wanted a Kindle for Christmas. So I went to the Target store here in Salina, KS and purchased a Kindle 3G on 12/13/2011. He was tickled pink. He was downloading and reading books one right after the other. We were so happy with the Kindle. And then it quit working a couple of weeks after Christmas. We knew Target was not going to return without a receipt so I sent the original receipt from KS.

Of course, when my daughter went in to exchange it, they told her it was past the 45 day warranty by Target. They actually went in on Feb. 4th. I am so angry that my grandson is now without a Kindle that I will never step foot in a Target store again.

The product did not hold up to use. The strap broke. It nearly damaged my computer when that happened. No receipt = no refund. That's the end of the conversation. I wanted an even exchange. There's no way Target would do that, too bad. Up until now I was a loyal customer. Penny wise of them, pound foolish. Take home message for me is that there are plenty of other places to shop.

I am extremely frustrated with Target's return policy on cameras. It is not reasonable to think that looking through the lens of a camera inside a Target store will come anywhere close to having an opportunity to take it home with the option of returning it for a full refund if it did not meet expectations. I was told that if I returned the camera, it would be considered used and a $30 restocking fee would be taken. This leaves no resolution for consumer dissatisfaction and even removes any opportunity for a customer to upgrade to a more expensive model. I suggest the following:

1. Make it mandatory that your Customer Service Reps clearly understand and clearly explain your return policy to your consumers. I was given three versions from three reps today. Basically, if the seal on the box is broken, it is a used product and, if returned, it will cost $30.

2. Change the Target advertisements and signage to include, "Returns subject to $30 restocking fee or no returns".

3. Appreciate your customers and do right by all of us. I wanted to buy today and had several hundreds dollars of gift cards, but you lost a deal.

I got a Karaoke machine 2 days ago and because it was open they wouldn't allow me to return it. I'm going to try again when there is a different worker. I didn't ask for manager. Should have. There is no reason I can't take a Karaoke machine back. The speakers were horrible. It was $60 and pretty cheaply looking for the price. I was able to return my Xbox 360, so why wouldn't I be able to return this? I shop way too much there because it's convenient. It's close and it has everything I need. So on average I spend $50 a week probably there, but, oh well, apparently they don't need business because they have enough.

Baby shower registry at Target did not work right. Four baby bathtubs arrived at baby shower. Mine was one of them. Yes, we all did print up registry and yes, we all had cashier scan registry paperwork. There was a glitch in their system and I sure hope they fix it or get rid of their registry system because it does not work. I am very disappointed with Target!

I purchased a game for my Xbox 360. I opened it and attempted to use it. It did not work. I put it back into its case and went to return it a few days later. In the mean time, my husband goes to Walmart to buy the same game because he is too impatient to wait for me to return it. He opens it, it plays just fine. So, off to Target I go. I ask to return it. At first it was, "No, we don't return opened items. " I explained that it does not work. but that did not seem to convince the sales girl.

I asked for a manager and they sent over a lady and she informed me that since this item was opened and "supposedly" doesn't work they can exchange it for the same one. I then informed them that my husband already bought another one. It did not matter. They kept telling me it is a state law that they cannot return an open game due to piracy. I asked where it said this on the receipt, in the store, on the game, anywhere. She had no answer for me only that it was a law. She went on to state that I can walk back to electronics and get a new one so I can exchange it. That is all they are willing to do.

I explained to her that she can walk back there and get it because this game is under lock and key and I am not purchasing it again just to walk back up here and exchange/return two games that I don't need. Anyway, I couldn't return it and now I am stuck with two games. I did a bit of research and there are plenty of laws against piracy and copyrights. However there is absolutely nothing that states that they cannot accept an opened return. This is their excuse to say no to customers. Great customer service, Target. At least, now I know where to not go for my high dollar ticket items like games, DVDs, televisions and computers.