Targret has lost a cutomer!

OMG NO! now Target is gonna bankrupt, get over it

WOW, I can't hardly believe it!!! This is EXACTLY what happened to me
at Target in Scottsbluff, NE!!! To top it off, the employees where
extremely rude about it too! I didn't want the money back for the
clock/radio I received for X-mas, I just wanted one that worked!! It
was a like item, for like item exchange, and I was not allowed to do
it. I NEVER DID get a working clock because my sister couldn't find
the receipts. This happened almost 4 years ago and I STILL HAVE NEVER
STEPPED FOOT IN ANY TARGET ANYWHERE!!!! My sisters has never shopped
at one again, nor has my mother and many other friends who know my
story. I wasn't even allowed to use my drivers license to exchange it
because I had returned two other items through the years (even though
I had never gotten refunds, but always exchanged for like items). No,
I was informed that I can NEVER return or exchange anything at Target
EVER AGAIN without a reciept, unless I should get a new drivers
license number since mine is showing in their computers as having
returned 2 items in the previous 10 years!!!! Yes, that's what I
said, 10 years! They said the system stores this information
indefinately. I have not, and will not ever shop at Target again!

Let me get this straight they were too big? Aren't your children
going to grow eventually? Just hold on to them until they can fit
them. hahaahhahahaah LMAO

You know.. even with a receipt, they don't HAVE to do an exchange or
return. No company does. I understand you don't want $$ back or
anything, but still. Your aunt said she bought them from Target. Does
she still have the gift receipt? I don't get it.. when people get the
gift receipts and the people don't include them. Yea companies just
want to waste paper and trees for no reason. They print out for a
reason! Your aunt should know that by now. Be mad at her, not Target
(or as you typed, targret).

How about signing up auntie for some reading lessons? She would have
then been able to read the signs all over about gift receipts.

Even my dog is smart enough to know to keep gift receipts when giving
gifts.

I feel bad for you aunt. If you're old enough to have kids she's
probably at least 50 and doesn't know how to read.

How long can this go on? It's been their policy for years. Your Aunt
was given gift receipts. It's automatic.

I also attempted to return an item without a receipt at one of our
Evansville, Indiana Targets. I was told the store policy is only 2
returns per year without a receipt. The item was worth less than 5
bucks, price tags attached and one of Target's brand names. They
would not allow an exchange either. I had already used up my allotted
2 returns w/o receipt for the year. Nevermind that I spend countless
dollars there on a weekly basis. Oh but here was the clerk's
suggestion on how to get around this return policy......have a friend
come in and exchange it in their name (provided of course my friend
had not exceeded the 2 limit no receipt return policy!) I rarely shop
at Target anymore.

I've returned and exchanged items purchased at Target without a
receipt. If the item was indeed purchased there (and I'm making no
implications on aunty), when the item is scanned by the return desk,
it shows up with the receipt information. I don't know if that's only
Target's in Florida (although I can't imagine that it would only be in
one state). Never had a problem.

Regretably companies have gotten rigid about returns due to
shoplifting. Regretably, it hurts the honest customers. I am sorry
you are paying for dishonest people. Unfortunately,the kids will have
to grow into the clothes. But . . .at least they will be able to use
them. Encourage the gift givers to use the registry. OR you could
call the manager before you go back to the store & see if this works.

Target is not a friendly store! In Aug 2000 I spent 1 1/2 hours
shopping in Target Portland Me. When I got to the register my $212
debit card purchase was refused as was my check (even though I had
thousands of dollars in my account). When I returned home and called
the phone # Target provided me they informed me there had been "too
much activity" in my account in the last week for them to accept my
payment. I had bought my most recent home and several appliances at
another store that week. The moral of the story... Target doesn't like
people with money or repeat business!!!

You should be happy to get clothes that are too big. Most times people
cant use clothes because they are too small. I think that you should
hang onto them, as they will pay off in the future.
As for the no gift receipt thing, almost no store will return or
exchange merchandise without proof of purchase. There is no way for
Target to check if the item was bought and not stolen.


P.S. I'm not saying your aunt stole them, I'm just saying that to the
store it could look like that.

I think this is the same letter writer. I cannot understand why the OP
cannot use the outfits for the new baby? Do you care to explain,
April?

Normally I will defend Target's return policy, but I am really
surprised that they wouldn't do an even exchange for a different size.
Was the item on clearance or discontinued?

I think, that since your aunt purchased these outfits, she would be
more than happy to supply you with the receipt so that you can make
the exchange. If she doesn't have it anymore, hopefully she made the
purchase on her credit/debit card. Then Target can look up the
purchase to make the exchange or even issue a refund to her card.

If all else fails, maybe you can try someone higher up or the 800
number? I am really surprised that they wouldn't take an even
exchange.

Ok, I'm sure everyone is sick of me now... ;)

But, just in case the OP comes back, I would recommend calling Guest
Relations at 1-800-303-0308. They are the people the store calls for
overrides so they ultimately have the final say.

For anyone else, you can call them and ask them any questions you may
have about any aspect of Target. Or you can go to my blog and ask me,
as I have actually worked in a Target store, where the Guest Relations
person probably hasn't.

That's all for now. ;)
(I'm thinking they should almost pay me for being so helpful.)

Your kids dont grow? I have never returned or rejected clothes that
were too big for my son. He is still growing and he will ONE day grow
into them. Some clothes he has worn for years before outgrowing them.
He is a slow growing so even his normal size clothes are usually too
big. But eventually he will grow into them.

Why return clothes your kids will grow into??

Before I start, let me be clear: I'm not saying that anyone here,
including Amy (the OP) is pulling this. I'm posting this only because
a few people have mentioned it and I wanted to give a example of how
this works.

Scammer Sam walks into Target with a Target bag rolled up in his
pocket. He heads for the bedding area and picks up a $50 (?) set of
blue sheets. He walks towards the front of the store and dumps the
bedding into the bag (carefully to avoid being detected), which he
throws into his cart. On his way to the register, he grabs a smallish
item, like a case of Coke.

He goes to the checkout and pay for the Coke. "Miss," he asks the
cashier, "Where can I perform an exchange?" (motioning to the Target
bag already in the cart). The cashier points to the customer service
desk.

Sam goes to the customer service desk and pulls out the bag with
bedding. "I was given this sheet set as a gift. My wife says that
the blue color clashes with our room..." (rolls eyes) "...and I'm
supposed to pink up a beige set. Can I do an even exchange."

"Do you have a receipt?" asks the person at the customer service
desk.

"No, it was a gift. Can I just do an even exchange?"

"Sure, since it's an even exchange." The customer service desk person
prints out a voucher. "This is good for one item, excacly $50, from
the bedding department. Go pick out the right color and give this
voucher to the cashier."

So, he does this. He now leaves the store with a beige sheet set and
a case of Coke. He now has a receipt for the sheet set, in fact.

When it comes to money, this practice is called "laundering." He
turned a stolen blue sheet set into a legit one. He's up the $50
set.

A good thief will be able to to do the "put the stolen blue sheets
into the Target bag" trick without being detected.

Now... prevention... The best way (other than always requiring a
receipt) is only allow a return/exchange if you, upon entering the
store (before you have access to merchandise) need to show that you
walked into the store with the item and get a "ticket" from the
security guard/greeter than describes the item. Electronics stores do
this.

The problem with this is that you need a greater. And you need people
to know that they need to do this. And the greeter needs not to be
busy.

People tend to get angry and say "no one gave me a ticket on my way
in."

There is a variant of the scam where you actually have a receipt, go
into the store, steal the item, and use a real receipt to get another
one. Now, for $50, you have 2 sheet sets.

The prevention on this is individually numbering every single item.
Few stores do this. Circuit City is the only store where I've had
personal experience with them knowing an item was purchased there
simply by scanning the bar code. I guess they track serial numbers.

Ask your aunt for the receipt or donate to charity.

And a suggestion I know it's work and people don't want to put effort
into things.

But in my house we have an envelope for every member of the family
with receipts put in them for purchases made for/by them.

And another envelope for family purchases.

And another envelope with receipts for gifts given.

Saves a lot of time when we need to make a return.

Firstly, I don't buy gifts at Target anymore because I am aware of
their no exchange, no refund without a receipt policy and I don't want
to stick someone with a gift they can't exchange (and I always seem to
lose gift receipts). However if you want to purchase anything at
Target for yourself - USE A CREDIT CARD! They can swipe your credit
card and look up anything purchased at Target for the past 90 days.
No more hunting through piles of receipts for the right one. It has
made my own returns to Target so much simpler! Sears recently added
this advantage to their credit card purchases also. Hmmmm...making
purchases electronically simple!

Well, how about this? If you can't use the outfits, donate them to a
charity and let some other baby benefit from it. I donated 2 bags of
good condition clothes that my son had outgrown to goodwill, made sure
they had been freshly washed and any stains and rips repaired or the
outfit thrown away. Having children is expensive, and doing good
always makes you feel better. =) Just be thankful you have any
clothes for your children.

You know, whether or not Target or the OP was in the wrong, I really
think that she should have re read her letter to Target. I'm pretty
sure that when 'Targret' received this letter, they were ecstatic to
read this well written letter. I would suggest that if you have a
legitimate complaint, that you send a letter that clearly explains the
issue, making sure that you come off sounding calm and sure of
yourself. This letter, to me anyway, sounds like a 3 year old
whining.

Usually I side with Target on these issues, only because they are so
good at giving gift receipts with everything you purchase. And how
hard is it to cut that part of the receipt off and tape it to the box,
or stick it in the card? So yes, I think much of the blame also lies
with the gift givers.

However, on simple even exchanges, I think their policy is a little
too strict. I used to work at Kohls in the service/returns department
and we did even exchanges without receipts all the time. In most
cases, the customer would come to the service desk with the item
already in hand, ready to be exchanged. If the item is no longer in
stock, or clearanced, then no, the exchange can't be done, but if the
item is in stock, it shouldn't be too hard to just quickly eyeball the
merchandise and find what the customer needs.

I'm not saying I don't understand your points; I do, and I even agree.
I just think this policy is a little too stringent.

But it is what it is. People can either accept it as Target policy and
live with it, or choose not the shop there.

I had a toy given to my son and thought it might be from Target. I
went in and rather than 'expect' an exchange I asked them IF it was in
inventory and could be exchanged. It wasn't, so we left with it. No
biggie. But I do know some people would be in a huff about that. The
employee was nice about it, we just asked casually for her to check.
We never did find out where it was from, my son wasn't interested in
it, so we donated it, box and all.

Is that anything like Target :P..and what is a cutomer?

Is that anything like Target :P..and what is a cutomer?

Some have suggested the twins can grow into the outfits. Here in
Minnesota that may not work. Sure yor kid will grow into that
sundress, but January may not be the best time to wear it.LOL
That being said I have no problem with Targets return
policy, even their new one. It helps cut done on cost, which helps
keep prices down.

There are some possibilities why she wasn't offered an exchange:

If the items have been clearanced out, they will show up in our system
as 'Not On File.' There is no way to return or exchange these items
without a valid receipt because Target does not sell them anymore.

Or it could be that this woman was disrespectful towards an employee,
and they refused to help her out by exchanging without a receipt. Some
people don't realize how much their attitude can affect how far the
employee is willing to help you out.

As for all the commenters, let this be a learning experience for
everyone. If you are buying a gift, include a gift receipt, not just
at Target, but wherever.

People not understanding Target's return/exchange policies without a
receipt are really getting on my last nerve - - particularly when they
involve complaints about items that were received as gifts.

First of all, your twins will eventually grow into the outfits.
Secondly, you received these items as a gift so you, personally, are
not out any money. Third, Target is not going to make an exception to
any of their policies because you are 6 months pregnant and threaten
not to start a baby registry with them. Finally, and listen up here -
- you need to understand that in the grand scheme of things you are
not special and you can gripe all you want, but Target is not going to
make an exception to their policies because you complain about them.
You weren't treated poorly - - you simply didn't like what you were
told and there is a big difference between the two.

To Target, an exchange is the same thing as a return and you are
allowed two per year without a receipt - - end of story.

Amy, I fully agree that not being willing to exchange for an identical
item in a different size because of no receipt is taking things too
far.

That said, I'm all for a policy requiring a receipt for outright
returns. Why? Because it saves the consumer money, and as an adult,
it's my responsibility to keep a receipt or obtain one if I want to
return an item. It's up to the store to set their own policy, and
after all, they don't have to take (undamaged)returns at all; it's a
benefit to the consumer, not a right.

Look around at most of the stores with liberal return policies; they
either pay less in wages or are altering their policies closer to
Target's model (including mine, which just instituted a worse one!).


On the high side, as soon as RFID technology gets a bit cheaper, none
of this will be an issue. The tags will "know" and tell the scanner
if the item returned was purchased at that store (or chain). Of
course, when your Uncle Bob lies and tells you he bought it at Target
(or where ever) when he bought it at a cheap bargain store, you'll
look like a liar and thief when you go to return it...lol.

Another thing to consider is that sometimes (myself included) people
buy items on sale or on clearance, intending to give them as gifts at
a much later date. I have done this with clothing for little kids,
but I stick to the basics (stuff I KNOW will get worn, such as onesies
or simple pull-on cotton pants or tshirts). If Target accepted them
as returns without a receipt, Target could be stuck with merchandise
that's several months old, and have to immediately mark the items down
far below their original price.

I have stopped doing this (mostly because I end up forgetting I have
items tucked away), and instead, I buy things for no occasion and give
them away as I buy them, which means I may not buy something for a
kid's birthday (which shouldn't be a problem, as they get things from
me throughout the year, and they should be taught to appreciate that
fact).

OMG! Somebody alert the media!!!

Wait a minute, you're pregnant, but the outfits you got don't fit? I
don't understand that.

Regardless, yo make no mention of asking for a manager at the time of
the incident. If all you are doing is exchanging sizes, I am
surprised they said no - that would never have been an issue when I
was there (but I do know they have been revisiting their policies and
may be cracking down more)

You are taking this a little too far though - refusing to ever set
foot in Targret (LOL!) over something seemingly minor.

Why do I sense that there must be part of this story that is missing?

(PSST! The word is C-U-S-T-O-M-E-R, not CUTOMER!)

This is really getting tiresome.
It's RIDICULOUSLY easy to get a gift receipt at Target. It's crazy how
easy it is.
Half the time they give me one whether I need it or not.
To not give one with a gift (especially for a baby, for pete's sake)
is just thoughtless and inexcusable.

The blame ultimately lies with the giftgiver here. They disregarded
the rules for a possible return.
Target has every right to protect themselves against excessive and
possibly fraudulent returns and exchanges while you have the right to
shop elsewhere.
Exercise that right and be happy.
Life is too short.

I love Target! I find myself shopping there more often BECAUSE they
force people to take responsibility for themselves.

Rock on, Target!

Congrats on the twins and new pregnancy! I understand you want to
exchange the outfits for something they can wear right now, but I'm
wondering just how much larger those outfits are that they might not
be able to use them in a few months? Usually experienced relatives
know to buy larger for many reasons. The baby could be born larger, or
grow rapidly. I'm sorry she didn't give you a gift receipt. Our target
asks you right at the register if you'd like one or not.

I just happened to buy a gift at Target on Friday for a child's
birthday party and when asked if I needed a gift receipt I said sure,
I'll take the gift receipt. At the birthday party Saturday, the
mother saw the gift receipt in the card and put it in the garbage. I
chuckled, because I took it to mean either she thought it was a
useless peice of paper or was ultimately saying we don't need it, we
are keeping the gifts.

Why, why, why can't people just tape the gift receipt to the gift or
the card? Target always prints one out!

Since, in your last paragraph, you tell them that you won't start a
registry and the title of your letter says you won't shop there, they
have no incentive to honor your exchange.

Can't you ask your Aunt to send the gift receipt? You can tell her
it's only to exchange the size.

Dear lord. The clothes may be too big NOW, but eventually they will
fit! I always buy baby clothes in bigger sizes so the parents have
something on hand when so many other clothes no longer fit and it's
time to hit the store. I've had several moms thank me because it's
saved them in a pinch.

Don't be so foolish about this. Use some common sense.

Well, try to look on the bright side - too big is better than too
small!

Put the outfits away and wait until your twins grow into them. It
will be sooner than you think!

While i do understand that these stricter measures have been taken to
avoid being scammed, I think they've taken it too far as of late. If
they are going to treat every customer as a criminal, they are going
to end up losing business. Not allowing you to exchange for a
different size is just... going to far. I can definitely understand no
refund without a reciept, and really, thats 100% acceptable. But for
the SAME item... thats too much.

I find it incredibly hard to ask my family members for reciepts to
return things I dont like, mainly because i am faced with a guilt trip
every time. although if i was just exchanging it for a different size
that wouldnt be too bad...

I love target. I dont shop there all the time, but when I do im
usually pretty happy with the level of service. I know it can vary
store to store, but i have yet to have a bad experience.

It does seems silly to ask for a receipt for an even exchange of "with
tags" items.

However, those are the rules.

And there's a simple solution to your problem.

Ask you aunt for the receipt. As a family member, I gotta believe
that she'll understand and would be more than willing to do this.

By the way, on my last trip to Target, they gave me a gift receipt
automatically. In fact, my Target always gives me an automatic gift
receipt. Waste of paper, perhaps, but...

So, while the policy may be stupid, not asking your aunt for the
receipt is cutting off your own nose, as they say. Just do it.

Ok I'm getting sick of the Target complaints.

My store is still busy. Maybe it's because of my great guest service.
;)

Do I think they are pushing people away? Sure, but you can't please
everyone. And which type of customer would you rather have? One that
follows the rules or one that causes trouble? Believe me, it's better
to not have the troublemakers.

Will Target go out of business? No. Will they see a decline in sales?
Possibly, at first. But it will go back to normal.

I just wish people would get over themselves and include a darn gift
receipt.

Amy,
I'm with you. And many people will tell you that you should just
ask for the receipt or be happy with receiving a gift in the first
place. They may tell you to donate the clothing... or sell it. But I
tell you what, I don't shop at Target because I don't like their
policies. If you don't like their policies, take your money
elsewhere. That is what I do.

Good luck with your new babino. I would register at a few places so
your guests have a variety of places to shop at and price ranges.

Well, that's their rule. You have to have a receipt.

They will let infrequent returners have a break on very inexpensive
stuff, but not often.

By all means, go elsewhere and make sure they know why you're doing
that. But they're having too many problems with people bringing stuff
back (or "back") without receipts, and they're toughening up the
policy, so I don't really expect this letter to effect change.