Target Stores

Target Stores • Returns • Pricing disputes • Customer service • Target Online • Security measures • Portrait studio • Target defenders --- • Target Misses Price Target, Backs Out of Sale • Ruling Against Target May Open Other Web Sites to the Blind • Target Bans the Salvation Army • Customers React to Salvation Army Ban

Their stores are big and bright and somehow more "upscale" than Wal-Mart or Kmart. But behind that chipper-looking exterior lurks a company that can be downright mean-spirited when its customers run into even the slightest problem.

Target's spiteful returns and exchanges policy, in particular, is making it the target of some pretty heated rhetoric from its former customers.

A few of the more recent complaints ...

Basco of Pleaston, NE January 4, 2008

Basco of Pleaston NE (01/04/08)
In a nutshell, I spent thousands of dollars a year at Target. I can say with 100% accuracy that I am in a socio-economic group vastly out earning any Target store manager. Ironically, after spending about 300 at Target.com on my son, I drove down the street to Target to EXCHANGE a vacuum filter that I purchased a few months back when I bought groceries. Anyway, the store manager looked me up and down like I was from the slum or something because I was dressed down. In any case, no more of my money goes to Target.

Wayne of Youngstown, OH January 2, 2008

Wayne of Youngstown OH (01/02/08)
On Sept 12, 2007 I went to the Target pharmacy in Niles OH. I asked to have a VALID, LEGAL prescription filled. The pharmacist on duty refused to fill the script because it was for pain medication. He claimed that he would have to talk to the prescribing physician in person and that couldn't be done until the next day. I was in excruciating pain with a toothache and was TURNED AWAY! I went to a supermarket and had the same script filled immediately. I complained to Target via email. They called me on the phone and said they would look into the complaint. It is now 3 months later and I have yet to hear from them.

I suffered BIG TIME until I was able get the pain medication I needed.

Ryan of Concord, NC December 22, 2007

Ryan of Concord NC (12/22/07)
I wanted to purchase several hundred 4x6 pictures. Their website states they sell them for 0.15 cents. Since this was the lowest price I found in my area, I went ahead and spent several hours uploading 282 pictures. On the last page of the ordering process the price changed from 0.15 cents to 0.20 cents. I called the store and spoke to the manager and he said, "I am sorry, I don't know what to tell you. I have no control over it or know who to tell you to call."

I never would have started uploading pictures to this site if it would have been honest about how much it would cost per picture. I also would have thought that the manager might offer some advice. Isn't it illegal to advertise one price and then charge something else? Now I will go to the other website that claimed they would sell me pictures for 0.19 cents and start uploading pictures there. Five hours of my time is wasted and now my father's Christmas gift is in jeopardy.

Kimberly of Brooklyn, NY December 16, 2007

Kimberly of Brooklyn NY (12/16/07)
I went in today to buy some holiday party supplies and was initially struck by the lack of sales associates out on the floor, and also by the fact that the down escalator was not working. Maybe that should have been a sign, but I grabbed the stuff I need and went to ring out, using my debit card. When the transaction cleared the cash register scrolled out a blank receipt. The cashier's response was, Well, are you planning on returning anything? As if that's the only reason someone would want a receipt! I told her that I simply needed a receipt, and could she call a manager over to see what we could do to get one. The manager, had the same attitude as the cashier, she said that if I really wanted a receipt (as thought this were an unreasonable request) they would have to redo the whole transaction, but I wouldn't see a credit for the voided transaction for 48 hours, and I would just have to take their word for it that it would work out, because I had no receipt!

The whole thing was too ridiculous. I decided to just return everything, and forget it. I was then sent to Guest Services where I was told that the reason the receipt didn't print properly was that the charge hadn't actually been made to my card. I said, Fine, but can I get some documentation that I am actually returning this merchandise to your custody. Again, no luck. Well, needless to say, it is now 8:00 p.m., and a charge for 130 just hit my account. When I called Target I was told that they can't do returns within 24 hours, and whoever I dealt with today should have told me that. But, even though it was their mistake in every conceivable respect, I need to go down to that store again to get the charge credited back to my card. Assuming I'm able to at all, since they provided me NO DOCUMENTATION OF EITHER THE PURCHASE OR THE RETURN! I can't deal with Target anymore.

As of this minute, I'm out 130. I'm talking with my credit card company to try to put a stop on the payment.

Melissa of Cincinnati, OH November 23, 2007

Melissa of Cincinnati OH (11/23/07)
I went to my neighborhood Target Store on Friday 11/23/07, the day after Thanksgiving. I went for 4 things in the advertisement; I got there 2 minutes after the doors opened, and all 4 things were sold out on a two-day sale.

I went to K-Mart; it cost me money and time--and cost Target about 225.

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