Shannon,
I agree with you that Target's return policy is very restrictive, having had a recent encounter with it. I no longer shop at Target because of this...either for myself or for others. I have found that life without Target (and the corresponding, if only occasional hassels related to their return policies) is quite doable, as well as desirable. There are many retail stores who will gladly take your money and appreciate your business. The great thing about this country is that we all can feel free to do business with a company or not, and if we feel that a return policy is too restrictive, then we have that right. For others who feel that this is not a problem, more power to them. Let me tell you that Burlington Coat Factory has done a 180 on their restrictive return policy and are presently running television ads to get the word out...I guess they finally realized that their restrictive policy was costing them business, so they decided to revisit this issue. This is the power that we have as consumers...just simply refuse to do business with those whom we don't agree with their business policies. I believe that, in time, Target, like Burlington, will see that their bottom line is being affected and they will decide to rethink their position on this.
I think that some people who are responding to these posts, fail to relize that these are posts about a personal experience with a company, as well as their own personal opinion about that experience... and in your case, you own personal opinion about Target's return policy, and your personal decision to shop elsewhere because of this. An opinion is just that...it doesn't mean you are right or wrong. It's just your opinion. I find that the personal attacks to be, not only unjustified, but unwarranted as well. By the way, based on my personal experience, written return policy notwithstanding, even various Target employees, from cashiers to middle and upper management, can't agree on their return policy.