Target - Returns & Exchanges

Jennifer of Stevensville, MD May 22, 2008

Jennifer of Stevensville MD (05/22/08)
We are expecting a child in a matter of weeks. My family and friends just gave us a baby shower. Prior to the party, I registered at Target, as well as Babies R Us for baby gear and essentials. I have been on the registry site countless times, to update my list and make changes. At NO TIME did I see a notice stipulating the gift recipient must have a gift receipt or original receipt, should they receive the same gift twice- and wish to have store credit issued- this policy is NOWHERE to be found while registering. Furthermore, not one of my guests was aware of it while purchasing thousands of dollars of product from Target.

I have shopped Target for years, and spent countless dollars there- and never in my life have I been so disgusted with a store! After receiving a simple baby bouncer chair twice- off my Target registry (Babies R Us does not even carry the same item)- I tried to take it to the store, and have a store credit issued (1 hour drive from my home!!!!)- at which time I was told without the gift receipt, or original receipt- there is nothing they can do. For argument's sake, I did have the clerk scan the item to verify it was purchased at Target- which she did- and STILL I was told there is nothing she can do- no store credit, nothing. She went on to tell me had the item been 20 or less, she could issue a store credit. So... despite I'd deepen Target's pockets even more, I said fine, I'll take the loss, and the item cost 30, but I'll accept the 20 credit- only to be told AGAIN she could not do this. WHAT???????

So, here I am with 2 of the same item- and Target's only answer is for me to ask my guests for the receipt. I am terribly sorry, but I was raised with class, and I flat out refuse to return to my guests and request a receipt- it is incredibly tacky, and there has to be another way!- Especially when the item scans as a Target product, when the item was not listed on any other store's registry, and when the item clearly is exhibited on my Target registry. I simply don't see the mystery here. What I do know is I have told everyone I know of this incident- and believe me- TARGET- an unhappy customer tells 9 times (on average) more people than a happy customer. So what your company sees as a revenue saving policy has lost you some customers. I have many, many friends and acquaintances who are expecting children- and of child-bearing age- and I will never stop telling them of this inexcusable experience- all over a 30 product- and to register at a finer, more customer-friendly store like Wal-Mart or Babies R Us- where they will gladly issue a store credit for merchandise bought in their stores.

Lost trip of 2 hrs (with gas at 3.90/gallon)- and 2 gifts bought for 30/each- which have gone to waste.

Odanis of Pembroke Pines, FL May 21, 2008

Odanis of Pembroke Pines FL (05/21/08)
On 05/20/2008 at around 8:45 pm i went into the store with my family to purchase a few items and at the same time return a pair of shorts that cost my hesband 27.00 dollars but did not fit, the purchase was made in cash and we did not have the receipt. the clerk took my license and told me it was not good that the system was rejecting it and so on, when the manager finally showed up I explained to him that I didn't really want my money back but to exchange the item or get a store credit, this guy was so rude he made me fell as if I had walked out of the store without paying for the item and was trying to make some fast cash, he actually told me that I was stock with the item...

I usually visit target 3-4 times x per (used to)I will never spend my money there again and I will tell everyone I know not to buy anything from target ever again.. I might even go out there this weekend to protest.....join me!!!

Gl of Tucson, AZ May 19, 2008

Gl of Tucson, AZ (05/19/08)
I received a dress as a gift. The giver did not keep the gift receipt (or even know it was part of the receipt). I was told I could not return it because it cost 29.99.

I was so angry I told them to keep it and walked out.  My regret is that I didn't keep the dress and donate it to a good cause.

Lynn of Newcastle, WA May 19, 2008

Lynn of Newcastle, WA (05/19/08)
I received a margarita machine as a birthday gift at the end of January, 2008. I did not use it until the end of March at which time I found it was broken and did not work. I looked it up online and found that there were several complaints about this product. I called the friend I received it from and she said she thought she had bought it at Target.

I took it in to Target at the end of March, 2008 and was told by the employee that it did not come from Target. She even said she had bought one online and had to return hers. I called my friend back and asked where else it might have been purchased from. She located the receipt and indeed it was purchased at Target. She sent me the receipt and I again returned to Target to return the machine and was now told the receipt was expired. If I had been told the first time I was at Target that this was from their store and that I needed a receipt, I could have expedited the process.

If you happen to see me driving down the freeway with my DO NOT SHOP AT TARGET sign on my car, give a wave.

Ali of Monterey, CA May 16, 2008

Ali of Monterey CA (05/16/08)
I will never shop at Target again and will tell everyone I know about my unpleasant experience. My sweet husband tried to buy Mother's Days gifts at Target. He tries to buy things he thinks I will like...but.... anyway, he forgot to save the receipt (lost it, not sure?). We tried to return a pair of 24 materity pants AND had the debit card with us that was used to make the original purchase. We were told the debit card wasn't the one used to make the original purchase. the employess were VERY rude and we were planning to buy a vacuum cleaner, stereo, etc. (got tax refund back this week).

I have NEVER heard of not allowing a store credit when a perfectly good item is returned without a receipt...not only that, the ATTITUDE the employees had was PATHETIC. I told my husband to never buy another thing in that store..then called my mom and told her the same thing. I am very disappointed in Target's policy...especially when we had the debit card which enables them to pull up the original receipt.

We traveled less than two miles down the road to the Super Target to try again, hoping for a nicer person behind the counter. He swiped the debit card. we got our money back...and off we went...same company...same policy...same system....I know Target is a popular store..but I can assure you that I'll never be back! Will make the extra ten minute trip to Wal Mart...worth the extra gas money!

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