Target has The Worst Return Policy Ever

i know you wrote this years ago...but you are whats wrong with
society. You can honestly sit there and say that you are/were upset
with target because they would let you take something else in return
(of equal value) instead of the gift (something that was bought
somewhere else, regardless of auditing issues etc [i am aware thats
not your problem, but it makes the company do more work, which they
have to pay for which they force you to pay later on overpriced shit]

and to top it off, you were happy that walmart (who had NOTHING to do
with the target products, not a damn thing) took the products, and
gave you store credit...which is eactly what target was doing but in
different words. and that upsets you.

Really lady, you need to stop this bullshit before you destroy the
world and attempt to change things that don't matter. You are most
likely the type of woman that would freak if someone said Fuckin' Shit
on the tv, because you let your kids watch south park instead of
parenting them properly and telling them what to watch like a
communist.

Clearly you need to re-think how you portray things, and this is
clearly shown with your "ranting" about nonsense. enjoy

I purchased two electronic items totaling 100.00. I tried to return
them a day later but lost the receipt. I was told there was nothing
they could do!

They made me wait 1/4 hour for A MANAGER. The manager did nothing but
have me call a customer rep on the phone "for a code". The customer
rep made me wait at least 10 minutes and then told me they would not
bend the policy.

Not only do they try to make you feel low for demanding to talk to a
manager---they try to make you feel like a thief. I felt like I was
in a communist state!

I will never shop in another target again! What kind of policy is
that? What kind of customer courtesy? I was appalled!!!! I sent an
email to everyone I know telling them to beware when purchasing at
target because of the policy!

I see Target closing many stores in the near future. There is nothing
target sells I cannot get somewhere else...and somewhere with kinder
customer service and more customer appreciation.

On 10/26/08 my sister went into target electronics department and
asked for a DVD player which would play Divx. They referred her to a
Sony model for $49.99 which the sales member stated played everything
including Divx. Well I got this as my present 10/31/08. Read the box
and new right away this was not a divx player. Looked and online site
and seen she should have been referred to the Phillips dvp5140 $39.99.
I asked my sister for receipt which she could not find. So I thought
no problem it is unopened has target stickers on it and I only want to
exchange because they referred wrong DVD player. At the time my
sister (former target employee years ago stated they are very strict
with returns). Everyone at the party agreed that would be absolutely
crazy if they would not exchange, and I would have no problem. Well I
made it to target and guess what my sister was right. The sales
person said with a big smile sorry no receipt no exchange. When I
asked why she said because I could have purchased somewhere else. I
asked do other people also put these labels with target logo's all
over their DVD players too. This was ridiculous I just wanted to
exchange for what my sister should have been given in the first place.
Terrible customer service, and terrible exchange policy. Would never
expect something like this from this big of corporation. So I am
stuck with a DVD player I don't want and with a longer drive to
Walmart for all my shopping needs! At least they appreciate the
business. Checked online and the number of online post is growing
significantly about this terrible policy, well mine will be right
there with them. Change your policy I understand my sister should have
not lost the receipt but were human and it happens. At least an
exchange for a unopened product with your label on it. Common
guy's!!!!!! I would have even taken sale price if there was one.

I agree that Target has the WORST policy! I received a RED microwave
for a wedding gift and actually wanted WHITE. My very generous sister
in law did not have the receipt for me to exchange it and paid cash
for it. I tried to exchange the RED for the WHITE and Target REFUSED
to let me do so. How REDICULOUS is that!! I didnt register at Target
but was happy with the gift and just wanted a different color. I even
called the customer service hotline and got NO WHERE with them either.
They told me that they "understand that people may receive gifts that
will need to be returned, so they allow up to TWO returns UNDER 20
dollars per year." Not to many people will get a wedding gift for
under 20 bucks! Now i am stuck with a RED microwave that i have no
idea where to put!

Just yesterday I went with my best friend to do her baby registry
at Target. I asked about the return policy since I knew she would be
getting many gifts without receipts. Target...by far has the worst
return policy ever. We were told she could only return 2 items per
year and she would be stuck with the rest. So...you indirectly take
things away from an unborn infant who has nothing....this is very
disturbing. Target should accomodate its customers...they seem more
concerned with lining their wallets. The gentleman who commenetd from
another country said they do not offer return policies....well here
they do, and the person who made the nasty comment about Karen being
dishonest...what are you a Target employee? We are going to cancel the
baby registry because its going to be more of a hassle than its worth.
With monopolizing Walmart...Target needs to realize they are not the
"big boys." Karen...way to go with the boycott, we have discussed this
amongst our circle of friends as well. Do unto others as you would
have done unto you...be fair!

What I'm mostly concerned about is that Karen seems to think it's okay
to return products to stores that she knows they didn't come from. I
don't think this is reasonable in any circumstance, and in fact it is
just plain dishonest. Also, it's not like she was returning something
to Target that she bought herself without a receipt, she was returning
GIFTS, things other people nicely GAVE her son. And she had the
option to EXCHANGE the items, but that wasn't good enough either.
This whole complaint just reeks of greed and dishonesty and I think it
is really sad. Hopefully her children will grow up to be a little
more thankful than their mother.

I'm a foreigners.... I would like to let you know that America is a
great country, if you go to south east asia, we don't have a return
policy. When you buy something is FINAL! No returns... Can you relize
that you are lucky living in this country that provide return policy
in almost every stores, but still you are not satisfied, do you relize
how greatful you are here... that everything you need is there for
you. If you don't want paying full price you can go to thrift
stores... Over there, we don't even have a thrift stores.... Please
think about it... You are live in a great country eventhough is not
perfect (well, nobody is perfect)...

Every store has the policy that there are only so many
returns/exchanges a year. The reason we do that is because of FRAUD.
Lots of people try to take advantage of the system. Keep your
receipts, its really not that hard to do or find a friend to return it
for you if you are so scared to ask for the gift receipts.

I totally agree and will not at Target on and off line. I bought two
already assembled dorm chairs from target.com and had to return them
because they were too big and the color was not as I expected. So
Idragged two big boxes to a local target store and found out that I
could only return them by mail. Now how in the world would I know that
is the only return option. It's only when I wanted to return them that
I was given the information. So I had to drag the heavy bags to my car
and had to ship them UPS and pay shipping to boot. I should have
learned that the ploy behind their tricky return policy is for you
shoppers out there to keep the items that you can't use so that they
can earn more profits.
Target is over-rated and I am happy to shop somewhere else now.

From no more Target customer,
Dee

Target must die! Let kill Target!!! Never shop at target.

I agree with you.I had bought a Schwinn bike at target a while
back.eventually the gears wore out,so i went back for the same bike.I
was trying them out,and the slaesperson say not to ride the bikes in
the store.WEell.i asked a guy who works there if the Schwinn women's
ranger stayed the same year after year,and he said they stayed
consistent.Well,i bought one,and it wa s difficult to ride.i compared
it wirh the bikes of 2 people who had the same model and year as my
old one,and the new one was AT LEAST 2 INCHES BIGGER!!!!!!!.No
wonder,then at my discomfort.Well,i went to return it,and the sales
girl said they don't take back bikes that are "used"--she pointed out
the tires were "dirty".Well,That's why you're supposed to let people
try out bikes brfore they buy them!!!!!Where was i SUPPOSED to test
it----in the living room of my mansion???Well,the manager cmae and let
me return it,but gave me this big guilt trip about how they have to
"throw the bike away" becasue they have "a strict policy" on this.But
I didn't even get a CASH refund!!!Because i used my target charge
card,I could only get a credit to my account!I really needed the cash
to buy another bike elsewhrer.target should get a clue about customer
safety and find a way to let custoners trest ride bikes.Adults don't
"grow into" them the way kids can.They could have a security guard
escort you outside to try them,and give an I.D. first.I meAn,come on
people!

Target BLOWS!!!! Most of their crap is in a big red target box but you
still have to have a receipt for everything. Even with a receipt,
there are too many restrictions. Everyone, STOP shopping at TARGET.
Too many other stores to blow your money at. Target just opened, two
years ago in my area. Can't wait until it closes.

Karen - I sympathize with you 100%. I had a very similar experience
at Target as well.

On December 28th I attempted to EXCHANGE 4 items of clothing at the
Target Store in Salem NH. I did not have a gift receipt as they were
gifts received at Christmas that did not include the gift-receipt.

The customer service rep told me I could not return without a receipt.
I told her that I did not have a receipt and I just wanted a
store-credit so that I could purchase something else from their
store. She told me that I could not do this. She then told me that
I could return 2 of the 4 items using my ID if I had not already done
so within the past year. She checked my ID, I had indeed already
returned my limit of 2 items for the year.

I was not happy at all since I shop frequently in this store and the
items were CLEARLY from Target. They made me feel like a criminal
that was attempting to return something that I had stolen from the
store.

Bottom line and to make a long story short. I was livid and left the
items at the counter with the clerk - maybe they were able to return
the items using their IDs.

I then submitted a report to the New Hampshire State Attorney General.
I suggest everyone to do the same and maybe Target will change their
return policy.

This is why I give gift cards.

Sears Roebuck used to be so good about customer service and returning
things from Christmas, however now if you try to return it without a
receipt, it is balked on and not only that they will only give you the
price of what the item is worth now, if it is on sale now and a sixty
dollar item and the sale price is twenty dollars, then that is all you
get, you lose the real price of the item, they are sticklers for you
getting something out of the same department you got your gift from
too.Also in some areas, i have been penalized as much as five dollars
for no receipt and just having a return, isnot that hideous?

Try returning something to walmart without a receipt at christmas
time, they wont give you the price of the item even on a gift card,
and if the item that was given to you as a gift and is on sale now,
they will only give you the sale price on a gift card, so if the item
regularly cost $40.00, they deduct five dollars cause you have no
receipt, and if it is now on sale for 20.00, then that is all you get,
oh and if you have no receipt, you will only get 15.00 on a gift card.
So you see all these stores have their own little ways of getting more
money back then they deserve from YOUR GIFT, regardless. If you
didnot know this, target isnot any worse then the rest of them, and by
the way walmart has a limit to how many things you can return a year
also without a receipt.If you look into various stores polices, you
will probably find alot of the same policies in their stores too. Fred
Meyer is still the best when it comes to returning merchandise without
a receipt, they will take their merchandise back without a receipt, no
questions asked and politely give you back the price, that is if the
item isnot on sale now, then you will only get the sale price back,
that is the way it is, there is nothing us customers can do about it.
so Suffer like the rest of us are doing, this is the world today.

I worked for Target for many years. I get crabby at one aspect of the
policy--having to purchase an item in the same department--which btw
has nothing to do with "evening" out the sales. That does not even
make any sense if you know how they track inventory. Otherwise Target
is actually the EASIEST retailer to return something if you don't have
a receipt and you purchased it yourself--more challenging for gifts I
admit though. I always purchase with a check or charge at Target
because they can zip your check or card through the scanner at the
service desk and look up the item you purchased if you don't have a
recipt. You do have to have the UPC intact or in the case of clothing
have the item numbers. WHICH--another great Target thing--are often on
the labels of the clothing or inside shoes so the tags can even be
missing in many cases. Target tries very hard to make it easy on the
consumer and on the service desk person. Believe me, they want you to
be happy. Years of dishonest people have forced them to change
policies but also put programs into place that will reward the good
customers, such as storing purchase info. I remember when Target took
back everything--pretty much no argument-stuff we knew was several
years old, nasty underwear, used clothing, and appliances. Yuck.
Widowers would clean out their wives stuff when they died and bring in
loads of things still in packages! Old things in packages. We would
have to take back Kmart or Walmart specialty label items and then just
throw it away since we could not sell or guarantee a brand we did not
carry. It would make us crazy because we hated that people were
getting away with stuff. It became ridiculous--everyone would take
back items from other stores because Target was so lenient. Then with
internet sales it became worse because who wants to mail something
back when they can just return in locally. So why is Target tough now?
Because of people like this letter writer. They take advantage and
then get mad when rules are put into place to stop them!
Oh--and the same-department return policy has been in place for
several years. My dad complained to me about it three Christmas' ago.

There's a shoe store at the mall where I tried to return a pair of
snow boots and I was brutally attacked by the cashier and woke up
several hours later in a dumpster with my left kidney missing and
several medical complications due to loss of blood. Also I only got
store credit.

I would have to say that they deserve the title of "Worst Return
Policy Ever".

without a receipt, I would kindly say "I am sorry, we don't accept
returns or do exchanges without a receipt."

I can't understand why any store WOULD, from a business perspective.
Kindness of the heart is not a business plan, as cold as it sounds.

A relative of my mother's started sending clothing to her in the last
few years of her life at Christmas. She bought the clothes at Sears.
None of it was suitable, to be kind. My recollection is Sears gave
credit for it without a receipt. The sad part is, my mother couldn't
find a stitch of clothing at Sears to replace the stuff she was sent.
So, I ended up using the credit after she died (I did buy a wash cloth
for her before she died) to buy tools.

I personally think giving clothing with or without receipts isn't the
best idea, unless the size and the tastes of the recipient are known
for sure. I know this is a common practice, that's just my opinion.

I don't think Target will be upset if they lose a customer who spends
a lot of time at the returns desk demanding to return a bunch of stuff
without receipts. Stores are in business to sell goods to people who
need them, not people who may need them. Only 2 returns per year? I
don't think I have returned more than two items to Target in 6 years.
And I had receipts. I keep receipts for everything. If I buy
something as a gift, I always keep the recipt. Then I can also prove
how much I have showered on the recipient, if necessary.

Today I was at Walmart returning some things and two people ahead of
me in line there was a guy trying to return something. He didnt have a
receipt so the cashier asked if he had an ID. He didnt have that
either so she flat out told him "No receipt, no ID, no return".

So this theory that Walmart will take back anything for any reason
without a receipt is going to quickly going to change it seems.

OK, if your son got pants that you CLAIM don't fit, shouldn't you get
him another pair that do?

"Every other decent store" does not take unreceipted returns for full
value for any merchandise in the store. WalMart does in some
instances, but all stores don't. Consider yourself fortunate and let
it go.

The reason you don't want to ask for the gift receipt is because you
don't want to be exposed as the ingrate you really are and are
teaching your child to be.

You and your son got what you wanted - you exchanged the gifts that
your relatives were KIND enough to pick out for you and you felt
weren't good enough and exchanged them for things you wanted.

Next time just tell everyone to send you gift cards so they don't have
to waste time putting any thought behind your gifts.

This year I did all my shopping for toys on Amazon.com. I found many
great deals many at half the price of TRU, Target or even Wal-Mart.
Plus; I got free shipping on almost all of it. With that said, I
ended up spending a great deal for my kids. All of it was great and
delivered.

Unfortunately, my parents, who live in another state, drove down with
a bunch of toys for my kids (They spoil them rotten, I'm their only
son). They are not into the internet. So they bought all their toys
at Toys R Us.

Come Christmas time, the kids opened their toys. And we had our fair
share of duplicate toys. I asked my parents how much they paid for
them. And the prices where nearly double of what I paid. I then told
my mother that I could take the toys she brought at TRU and get a
refund. She told me she didn't have a receipt with her, nor did she
think that she kept it.

Not knowing, the new BS Toys R Us policy, I took all those toys there
to get a refund, credit or what ever. They flat out told me that they
couldn't. My mother who was with me, got upset because she paid good
money and told the lady that she lived in another state. And that she
drove down with all these toys that she purchased at their store where
she lived.

The lady didn't budge and said no. There was nothing that they could
do for us because of no receipt. I had to drag all those toys back to
my car and go back home.

My mother, who is a very gentle person, lost it. She was so angry. I
never in my life see her like this. She felt insulted as if the lady
was calling her a liar in that she didn't buy the toys from Toys R Us
(because the lady made a comment on "how do we know that you bought it
from us").

She nor I will ever go to Toys R Us. Geoffrey the Giraffe could kiss
my a$$ good bye.

And for what, I got my toys at half price on Amazon. Shopping at Toys
R us surely isn't on price. And now, we know it surely isn't on
customer service. Never again.

Am I the only one to notice this letter was written before Christmas
day?

Actually, believe it or not, TOys R' Us is even worse. My 7 month old
daughter got 2 of the same toy for Christmas and when I looked the toy
up online to find out where I could return one, the only place I found
it was Toys R' Us. When I took the toy there, I assumed I would be
allowed to return it for storecredit since I didn't have the receipt
(BECAUSE IT WAS A GIFT!!!!!), but was told without a receipt, they
won't even issue store credit and would not accept the toy at all. So,
now I am stuck with a $26 toy that we don't need and I will NEVER shop
at Toys R' Us again as a result! THere reeally is no need to shop
there anyway because they are often overpriced and many of their toys
(although sadly, not the one I have apparently) can be purchased
cheaper at Wal-mart or Target.

Thesse policies are not customer friendly at all and with all of the
online shopping opportunities these days, if the store policy trends
continue in this direction, there will be no need to actually go to a
store to do your shopping anymore.

~Julie M.

I posted this on yet another Target letter, but I will post it here
too:

I am so SICK of all the people complaining about Target's Return
Policy. It seems like we can't go a week with out something in the
Top 20 about it. And all say about the same thing.

Tried to return something.
Didn't have a receipt.
They said I had to buy something THAT DAY in THAT DEPARTMENT.
Didn't want to do that.
Got Mad.
Complained to the Manager.
Still didn't get what I want.
Vowed I will never come back.
Told everyone I know not to shop there.
Came to PFB to Complain.

Sound about right? People are still going to shop there. I am still
going to shop there. Just because someone says to your face they will
"never" go there, does NOT mean they will follow through. Also, I am
wondering just how many of the people that have written a letter to
ANY store (Target, Wal*Mart.... WHATEVER!) saying they "Will NEVER
spend another dime" there, are right back there the next day. I hear
about it all the time.
"Oh, I hate going to such and such store. They never have what I want,
their prices are too high and I don't like their return policy." Then
in the next breath, "Oh, I am going to such and such store tonight."


I think I am one of the few that when I said "I am NEVER going back to
a Fred Meyer again!" I followed through. I said that about 3 years
ago, haven't been in one since. And I NEVER will! I got tired of
never finding what I wanted. Buying something there then finding if
cheaper somewhere else the next day. And, to top it off, being
harassed the last time I was in there. No, I will never go back. For
any reason. I don't care if they offer free cars or a million dollars
to anyone walking in the door. I STILL won't go.

But I am betting MOST of the people that say they will NEVER go to
Target will be there this weekend.

Pretty soon, because of people returning things that were not bought
at the store, I can see ALL stores saying "No Receipt, No Return!
Period. End Of story." Also, I can see them saying "Even WITH a
Receipt, you can ONLY get a gift card back and you have to spend it
TODAY in the same department." But, for most people, that would not be
a problem.

It's not that hard to keep!

Stuff that was ordered through Target.com would be easiest to return
without a receipt because it would come with a packing slip. You can
use that to print out a gift receipt in order to get a giftcard. Don't
have internet access? Target.com is available on the registry kiosks
in every Target store. Easy.

I don't see why everyone is so hellbent against Target. Why is it
Target's fault that the gift giver did not include a receipt? That is
your proof of purchase, and without it they technically don't have to
do ANYTHING for you.

Why is it OK for people to be irresponsible with receipts? It's called
being an adult and accepting responsibility for yourself. If you don't
have a receipt, you shouldn't expect anything, but go into the store
to see IF they can help you in any way. With a good attitude, you may
be surprised.

My Target gives a receipt with a gift return receipt too..So if it is
a gift you can include it in the gift and the person that receives it
should be able to return it at any Target...

What's Going On Here??

jmo

YOU ARE THE REASON FOR THE RETURN POLICY!!!!

Do you realize you just created shrinkage for Wal-Mart by returning
merchandise to them that was not paid for at Wal-Mart. You should be
arrested, you did the same thing a shoplifter does!

Why don't you just sell it on the internet. I can see you're capable
enough to use it.

Every store has different return policies, especially during the
holidays. I would ask ahead of time.

Karen I totally agree and sympathize with you. I had the same
experience with an unwanted gift which I did not receive a gift
receipt for. Target sucks, I will never shop there again.

I was mad that they made me go back to the electronics department
twice to pick out an item to exchange - the first time they told me it
had to be the value or more, if it was more, I would pay extra. I
picked 2 items and they rejected it saying it had to be only 1 item.
Then I went back with 1 item, less than the value of the exchange and
they rejected that! I WAS SO MAD! They gave me wrong info, I had to
wait on the long returns line TWICE and their gift returns policy was
not clearly posted ANYWHERE.

I understand the need for them to protect themselves, but what are
people supposed to do with unwanted gifts from coworkers or friends?
IT'S embarassing to ask them for a receipt or gift receipt - it tells
them "hey, your gift sucks, I want to return it." Who asks people
that? INSENSITIVE people, like the ones dissing you on this message
string.

You said that the pants dont fit? What kid in this world couldnt use
more pants?! Why dont you just exchange them for pants that fit him? I
know return policies are crazy, but reading below...people do really
return things from other places to different retailers. UPC-the little
bar code that they scan for the price stands for Universal Price
Code...so unless its a department store, they dont make their own
identifiable UPC's.

When you say that you brought the toys back to Walmart, it makes it
sound like you weren't sure which store they were purchased from.
Target prices most of their sale merchandise a little higher than
Walmart, it's usually just by one or two pennies, but that little bit
of a difference sends some people straight to Walmart. Target's
exchange policies are strict when you don't have a receipt, probably
because they would have to give people a gift card that has a higher
dollar value than what some of their competitors would give.

Read the letter to Blockbuster where the writer couldn't exchange an
item that was purchased at Blockbuster, so he scammed Target by
exchanging it there. That's why stores have gotten so strict about
returns/exchanges.

And if I read your letter correctly, you scammed Wal-Mart by bringing
the items there . . .although you first say pants, and then you change
it to toys.

to return items! I think it is down right outrageous that Target has
gotten so strict that you must buy from the same department. I
understand Wal*Mart with the gift cards and don't blame them.

Karen, you've been to EVERY business in the world and Target has the
worst return policy? Even the stores with 'All Sales Final' as their
policy?

Target could have told you 'Sorry' the moment you said you didn't have
the receipt. Just be lucky you get to do an exchange.

Huh.

Every time Ihave been to Target, even to just buy kitty litter, I
recieve my reciept AND a gift reciept for the items I have purchased.

Seems your issue should be with your relatives who didn't bother
checking to see what size your son wears nor including the gift
recipts that were given to them when the gifts were purchased.

But of course, you need to blame the "big bad retail store" instead.

Karen,

I completely agree with you. Most people here have nothing better to
do than whine about everyone's complaints. Ignore those people. They
have no purpose in life other than sit here and comment on people's
comments.

For decades stores have permitted people to return items without
receipts at Christmas. This year, retailers, without warning, have
changed the policy. They want to force people to buy gift cards.
Impersonal gift cards.


Well, I hope these retailers get a huge backlash as a result of their
stupidity. Yeah; they have to take items back. But, let's face
reality. They typically give the lowest prices to start with; then,
they resell the item at the current price, which undoubtedly is
higher. At worst, they are making a few bucks.

Target and other retailers want our money before Christmas; but, they
refuse to acknowledge Christmas shoppers, because less than 5 percent
might get offended. Of course, never mind the fact they typically make
75% of their annual income as a direct result of Christmas. But AFTER
Christmas, they want to diss us? Oh hell no. They need to deal with
it, and be happy, because they arent giving cash back, and, we'll
spend more there anyway. (Their words, nor mine).

You were too embarrassed to ask for a gift receipt, yet you callously
scammed Wal-Mart. I think your kids can use more than a few new
toys..how about an ethical role model?

I had an old friend who would steal things from a store, return them,
and keep the money. We turned her in, (secretly) but it's because of
people like her that stores have had to implement such a policy.

But I digress, you need your reciept to get a refund. Your angry
letter and using your kids will get you nowhere.

I wouldn't send you a dime.

I did not know Target changed their policy. That does suck. However
in the case of not a gift, they can look up the purchase if you used
your credit or debit card. My sis gave me something, lost the
receipt, but I had her return it using her debit card.

The WORST store return policy is COSTCO. The item was a gift from my
mom but I HAD A RECEIPT for an item that was UNOPENED in it's plastic
packaging. I have my own Costco card but it was bought on my mom's
Costco card. They refused to let me return or get store credit. I
asked them then to credit my mom's credit card account on the receipt
and they said no--since I had not bought the item I could not return
it. I talked to the manager who told me that I should've returned it
WITHOUT the receipt but since I had the receipt I could not return
it--and he told me that policy was because the store had a big problem
with fraud. I called the customer service and the guy was incredulous
but I said the employee and manager refused to let me return it with a
receipt but told me I should've returned it without a receipt. It is
the most insane store policy I have ever come across. And what makes
it even more insane is Costco does not give out gift receipts.

It happened again later. My sister received an expensive gift from a
friend who bought the item at Costco. She does not have a membership.
If I had tried to return the item with my card they would not let me,
but since she has no Costco card, they let her return the gift and
gave her the cash (around $500) right then and there--but again, if I
had tried to return it on my Costco card they would've said no--since
I didn't buy it on my Costco card I couldn't return it. Again, it was
better to pretend not to have a membership than to have one when
returning a gift at Costco.

Karen why couldn't you exchange the "$20 pair of pants that didn't
fit" your son for a pair that fit?

Because you are greedy! Get over yourself and be grateful for what you
have!

I have returned many things to walmart in my lifetime with no
receipt. I have even returned items that Walmart doesn't even sell!!

Just take it there

Read an excellent explanation of Walmart's return policy here:

http://bbcamerican.blogspot.com/2006/12/returning-items-from-k-mart-an
d-target.html

simple solution, next year get a gift reciept, its the way retail
works my friend. sorry. or shop at circuit city, they put you in a
database that stores your purchases, protection on products if you get
any, but their management is horrible, barf. good luck at the customer
service desk. zombies flood the merchandise area, and pricks run the
rest of the store.
cheers, happy hollidays.

If a gift receipt wasn't included, how did you know that they were
purchased at Target? If you came across this information by asking
your relative, then why couldn't you just ask for the gift receipt? In
this case a little white lie wouldn't hurt, such as telling him/her
your child already has such-and-such toy; how could that possibly
offend her or embarrass you?

I shop Target all the time and I've never encountered problems. I ask
for gift reciepts (honestly it's an easy habit to get into) and see
nothing wrong with including it in the gift.

Perhaps you could approach the giver and say something like "Gee, Aunt
Aurrorra, I love the present, but they're too small... how about I
pick you up one day and we can exchange them and then do lunch because
I'd like to spend more time with you"...
Anyway, I know it's a stressful time...but a lot of stores are
tightening up their policies..it's not only Target.

Good Luck to You

Isn't that like cheating wal-mart. If so shame on you. Also you
should be ashamed for passing this lesson to your son.

If they were CHRISTMAS gifts, why are they opened? By my count (and
my watch has been acting up so I may be a little off) it is still 2
DAYS before Christmas. So why are you returing them now? Why did you
take ALL of the toys back? What was wrong with them? And is it
really so hard to buy something for your Son in the Boys Department?

I happen to really LIKE Target. I have NEVER had a peoblem with them.
I think their Return policy is a bit stiff, BUT I know that there is
a good reason for it and I follow it. Yes, I have been unable to
return something, but I was NICE when I called to find out if I could.
When I was told, "No, we cannot do that." I said, "I thought so,
that's why I called first!" The guy I talked to DID offer to get me
the Manufactures information so I could contact them. I told him
"Thanks, but I don't have the rand name with me, but thank you for
your help!" He was really nice.

Let you son open his ONW gifts!

i don't really understand. yesterday i went to target to return 5
items, and i didn't have the receipt for them. i had bought them a
week before and with all the rush i misplaced the receipt. i knew i
was going to buy some more stuff, so i wouldn't really mind a store
credit. the thing is, she asked for my driver's license and she gave
me a refund gift card, no limitations as to how many items i could
return or what i could buy. the only thing is that because i did not
have a receipt i get the last price that it was marked at the store.
no biggie those are the rules.

so why couldn't you return all of the items. maybe some were bought
when they were in clearance and that is pretty much a limitation.
maybe the 2 that you were aloud to return were not in clearance. why
would you mind buying something for your son in the same department
someone bought it at. i mean they bought him clothes, you can just
pick something you like more or in a better size. if it is more you
can pay the difference you know.

that is why stores have those kinds of policy. you said so yourself,
you went to walmart to return items that were not bought at walmart.
thatis why walmart will be changing their policy soon as well.

Sounds like mom was looking for some extra cash and returning gifts
for the cash. I bet the pants fit him. Shame on you!

If the people had who sent you the presents had any sense they would
have sent gift receipts.

And if you had any sense it's because of people like you that make it
so hard to return things.

Great lesson you are teaching you son there. Good job mom! (sarcasm)

Hey Karen, if the gift's are from family and they are the wrong
size/or you don't want them, just ask for the gift receipt. Family
gave the gift becuase they wanted you to enjoy it, and if you are not
able to enjoy it for whatever reason, then they should have no problem
providing it to you. Otherwise you aren't out anything since they were
gifts, why don't you do something nice and donate them to someone who
needs those items, which would be the true spirit of Christmas.

"I ended up bringing all of the toys back to Walmart and they gladly
excepted them for a store credit."

And THAT would be the EXACT reason Target has those strict return
policies! Thanks for proving their point.

Next time ask for the receipt and then you wont have any problems.
They should always, ALWAYS, get a GIFT RECEIPT when buying gifts at
any store for any reason.

How nice...you write a letter complaining about Target's return
policies...and then you do the exact thing that caused those strict
policies to be put into place.

Let me get this straight, you could only exchange the pants for
something in the same department and that didn't please you. Hmmm why
didn't you exchange for the EXACT PAIR OF PANTS just in a bigger size?
Me thinks that you just didn't like what was given and decided to be
greedy and take it back for something else.

I jsut went to Target this morning to buy a few Christmas gifts and I
asked the cashier for 2 extra gift receipts just incase there is a
problem with the gift... 1 item is a CD player for my MIL (not sure if
its the one she wants) and the other is a Dora doll for my niece(not
sure if someone else is getting her the same thing or not)... by
attaching the gift receipt to the box, i know that IF there is a
problem with the gift, then they can go exchange it with something
else.. my feeling wont be hurt, if they cant use what I bought then at
least I know they will get something they can use....
It is yourfault that you are to scared to ask for a receipt,,its not
hard,.. like others said explain they were the worng size or even a
duplicate gift.. Im sure they would rather you get something you can
use instead of something thats going to sit around collecting dust!!

I have only shopped at Target occasionally, but I think that there
return policy is a good one. I have only had to return an item to
Target once, and I had the receipt and had no troubles. I have found
that all other retail stores and departments stores are starting to
adopt the same policy.

I understand the occasional misplacement of receipts, I used to do it
all the time. Then I got a shoe box and started putting all receipts,
regardless of kind, in it. Now if there is a problems with anything
I don't have to worry about not having a sales receipt.

I never would have thought to take one stores merch to another
different store and get a refund or my money back.

Maybe I'm reading it wrong, but the last paragraph seems to imply that
you returned items bought at Target to Wal-Mart! That's dishonest at
best and bordering on fraud. It also pretty much answers the question
of why stores generally require reciepts for returns.

I hope I'm wrong and that the letter is just poorly worded, but don't
forget employees could be browsing this site too, and you might find
that next time you try to return something you'll be having a little
chat with the loss-prevention department.

A lot of people are screaming 'fraud' at the OP for taking everything
back to Wal-Mart, but I remember (granted, it's been a while) that
Wal-Mart used to have a policy that they would accept items for return
even if you didn't purchase it there.

My son received some clothing from K-Mart one year that didn't fit. I
took them back to exchange them and the clerk told me they didn't come
up in their system, so they couldn't accept them. I took them to
Wal-Mart and was given a store credit for the purchase price on the
K-Mart tags. I wasn't trying to defraud anyone, just taking advantage
of Wal-Mart's policy.

Like I said, I don't know if it's still in effect, but I DO know that
it used to be their policy, and if that's the case then the OP
shouldn't be accused of trying to pull a scam on Wal-Mart.

Hey, at least she said "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays."
;)

Am I the only one that can't stop picturing Comic Book Guy everytime I
see the title of this post?

Worst episode EVER.

Yes - - Target's return policy is strict, but for those that shop
there it's well known that you have to have a receipt for a return and
that they limit the number of no-receipt returns to two per year.

What concerns me most about your rant is that you seem to be missing
the point of a Christmas gift - - it's a gift that someone else paid
for, so the fact you can't return it isn't like you are personally
losing money. Target is not going to change their return policies, so
I would suggest that you either ask the gift givers for the receipts
or better yet, teach your son the true meaning of Christmas and donate
those items you don't want to go through the hassle of exchanging to
another child who will appreciate receiving any gift at all.

Actually, Target's return policy isn't that much different from other
retailers' policies, as far as I remember.

The problem isn't Target's return policy -- the problem is a lack of
communication between gift givers and gift receivers. Believe me, if
I spend $20 on a pair of pants for a kid, I want him to be able to
wear them! You can bet i'll include a gift receipt (if not the
original receipt). Perhaps have a gentle conversation with friends
and family and let them know that while you love that they think of
your kids, sometimes a size 3T in one item will fit your kid, but
another 3T won't fit, and suggest that they include gift receipts with
their items so you can get the proper size.

Or perhaps tell people to not send any gifts. You apparently don't
keep anything ("I ended up bringing all of the toys back to
Walmart...").

I have tons of family and friends in other states. My solution to this
problem is to always include gift receipt.

My thinking is.. I don't know what they have bought during the year
and I dont' know how much they have grown during the last month! So, I
include the gift receipts in an envelop inside the package! That way
parents can exchange, with no probs, to something they can use!

My second thought is, perhaps you had problems with the
exchanges..cuase..ummm.. you weren't in the right store to begin
with?? I know Target's policy is written everywhere!
Receipts...walls.. practically everwhere you look!

Just ask for the receipt to be included next year! Avoid probs!
Or..tell them to send you a gift card!

Walmart's new return policy will be in affect as of January 1st, 2007.
We would like to thank you for pointing out the big shots that the
system is so easily tricked, and more security measures must now go
into play. Also, thank you for making Walmarts prices go up, to help
account for your greed.

Despite the fact that they did not have the consideration to ask you
for sizes, or send a gift receipt, they did send a gift. You do
recognize that fact and do not wish to embarrass them by pointing out
the sizes were inaccurate for them to be able to actually use. I
commend you for that and not insulting them. I do think, however, you
can for next year open up some dialogue with them if you speak to them
and communicate sizes to them or suggest another win/win approach to
the gifts.

Other than that the thought does count, as frustrating as it is to
have to return it, and despite not getting full value out of the gift,
I'm sure you can replace it with something in the store even if loss
of monetary value. I am glad you were able to return these things at
Walmart though. The problem isn't really Target's but lies between
communication with family. I empathize with your frustration. Good
luck to you in the future.

Karen:

As a parent of a 12 year old son, I know how difficult it is to
receive gifts and find out they don't fit. My family members check in
with me prior to Christmas to see what sizes he is wearing.
Consequently I rarely have to go to the "trouble" of exchanging items.
Perhaps you could make this suggestion to your relatives. Or you
could take the initiative and send out a mass email that Johnny is
wearing size X in pants and size Y in shirts, in case you were
thinking of buying him clothing this year.

It seems to me that you have a prime opportunity to demonstrate to
your son what the true spirit of the holidays means. Perhaps items
you can't use and can't exchange could be donated to a local clothing
bank or to a domestic violence shelter for use by children who may not
have many material items for Christmas this year.

Happy Holidays, Karen.

So, its embarrassing to ask someone for a receipt for something that
doesn't fit, but it isn't embarrassing to return gifts and buy
something totally different at another store. How is it embarrassing
to say to someone "these pants don't fit my child, do you have the
receipt so I can get the proper size?"

Well, I'm all for not asking people for receipts. I grew up with the
idea that politeness required me to pretend I was overjoyed to receive
any gift, no matter how little I liked whatever they were, because
someone cared enough to try to find something they thought I'd like.


But that's not what you're teaching your son. You're teaching your
son that receiving gifts from people who aren't good at picking them
out is a horrible burden on you. There's a sense of entitlement there
that you may not want your son to pick up, because eventually he's
going to grow up and you may find that your gifts to him are unwelcome
there.

Perhaps, once you convince Wal-Mart to adopt the same policy as Target
(because, as others have said, it's people like you that caused them
to adopt that policy in the first place) you can take all the stuff
that you're "stuck" with and find a charitable organization that can
use them. Odds are you'll get a better response from them than your
family is getting from you.

I hope I read this wrong. Did you just say that you took all the toys,
presumably bought at Target, back to WALMART???

PLEASE PLEASE tell me I'm reading this wrong.

If not, YOU are guilty of the reason why stores have been forced to
tighten down their return policies.

I hope I'm wrong, if not...ugh...I just hope I'm wrong.

Why didn't your family members actually call and ask for sizes? Mine
does, because my kids each grew 5 inches between September, 2005, and
June, 2006.
They shouldn't change their return policies, you should put your pride
on a back burner.

Someone else stated previously that Target prints gift receipts, so
does Toys R Us. That's true and it's automatic, they don't even ask.
It's printed and handed to the customer with the regular receipt.

You took toys purchased at Target to return at Walmart??? YOU are the
reason that these "insane" return policies are made! They were not
purchased at Walmart. By returning them to Walmart, you, in effect,
STOLE money from Walmart shoppers. How proud of yourself you must be!

Not that you did, but how do they know you didn't just go, pick out a
pair of pants and try to return them?

And "it's embarrassing" to ask for the receipt? Give me a break. If
the pants don't fit, I'm sure the gift giver would be more than happy
to know that. For one thing, that means the person will then have the
right size and buy it next time; for another, it means that person can
give you the receipt so you can return it.

Incidentally, if you've no receipt, how do you know where it was
purchased?

Bottom line is, these were GIFTS - you're not out any money, so stop
being greedy and stop complaining. Target's return policy is MORE
than fair.

You can thank those who took advantage of the previous return policy
for making it difficult for everyone now.

I will point out that Target prints a gift receipt with every
purchase. I tape those to any gifts I give from there so people can
return or exchange them if necessary.