Return Policy Will Cost Target Millions

Alright so I have to say the original story of this attempted return
is a bit weird and I don't think all the information is there. If you
were trying to return something you bought 3 days ago, then you could
do a no receipt return against your license for a store credit. I
don't understand why this did not happen or if it was even attempted?
As for the comforter, if it was used then it could not be
returned...if it was not used a return will always be attempted. If it
was over the 90 day return policy you are still able to return it
against your license for store credit as long as it is still sold at
that store.

Everything is covered in the return policy. I've worked at guest
service for a long time now and I don't think you understand how hard
the people of target work to provide good service. We have to follow
policy its not like we can just make exceptions that will cause target
to lose money.

And the only reason we have these policies is because of how much
fraud takes place in the stores. You can literally take something off
the shelf and try to return it. That's why you can only return 70
dollars a year without a receipt. Don't blame target...blame your
fellow citizens.

And Target is far from going out of business. I just helped open a new
store myself. And how much money is being pumped into these stores to
remodel them to make them even nicer with fresh groceries, trust me,
targets doing fine without a few people's business. You get this
everywhere...I won't shop at walmart cuz the floor is dark...I won't
shop there cuz my friend got kicked out for being an idiot... I don't
think people realize how little of an input people have to the big
picture...

You sound like an idiot. Why should they make an exception for you?
If they make one for you, they have to make it for everyone else. Or
do you think you're just "special?"

I worked in customer service for a short time and people like you made
me sick with your whining and acting as if the world was going to end
because you didn't get your way. It's people like YOU who create the
problem, not Target. Either hang on to your receipts, or wait until
your wife can come down with her credit card. It's that simple. And
who waits three months to return a comforter? Couldn't be bothered to
return it sooner? Grow up already.

So what I'm getting from this is that you will no longer shop with
target but you are asking for a $100 giftcard? ... to what walmart..
or is it that you want target to compensate you some money because you
spent $500 on dinner.
I've done retail and know about all types of customers. People are so
self absorbed, an exception is not made to You, simply because its
you, do you know how many customers think that line works, I think its
stupid to even try.
Target gives you 90 days to return items, yet you managed to lose one
of the receipts in 3 days, and i bet the comforter was passed due. ps
what happen did it stop pleasing your bed after 3 months ..

Contrary to popular belief, transactions can't always be tracked by
credit card numbers. Nor can companies just issue refunds. And no,
managers don't always have the authority to break the rules.

Policy is policy. Deal with it

By the way, bad move demanding the $100 gift card when you also stated
that the total value of the items you wanted to return was $45. That's
222% the value of the requested return and definitely not good
business.

What does your dinner at a casino have to do with Target?

Are they out of business yet?? :)

when will consumers learn how to read? maybe this should be a class
everyone needs to take prior to graduation. Return Policies are posted
EVERYWHERE in a retail store. If every store made an exception for
every customer who did not take the time to read prior to purchasing,
why would they bother with a return policy. Hey it could be a free for
all. Do you think Target cares how much stock you have invested with
them? NO. because someone who can read will come along and buy up.
Demanding a 100.00 gift card is nuts, seeing as you stated your
products were worth less then that. Target is not going to stop
growing because they loose your business unless the 75 stores they are
opening was just made up. Dont think that this is the first or last
letter target execs will get like this. They havent and will not
change their return policy nor should they.

On the bright side for Target they are one of the most "giving" stores
in communities than other "discount retailers".

Target wants to be known more as a "discount department store" whereas
WalMart and K-Mart are known more as discount stores.

Although I know some people noted that you should learn the lesson to
keep your receipt. While that is true when you are moving etc. things
can be displaced and the real issue becomes the return policy itself.

We have seen society move from customer service to a nonchalant
attitude towards customers. While I realize some customers use and
abuse the "system" so to speak this does not mean others should be
penalized. Target would have been wise to exhange the items or offer
store credit which would be spent at their store of course.

I agree with you 100% and makes me think twice about purchases at
Target. Thank you for sharing and please inform us if you obtain a
response.

So I am actually very confused.

There are so many complaints here about Target's Return Policy--about
them not accepting returns without a receipt. Have any of you bothered
to think WHY they don't? Probably not. If every store, especially
stores like Target and Walmart have no policies-where draw the line?
What stops people from stealing other items and bringing it back,
demanding "their" money back? Yes, I get that not everyone is not a
thief, but there are any of those to make companies enforce their
policy. Don't blame the customer representatives but blame your fellow
American's for making companies do this. I don't understand why so
many of you think it is okay to return an item without a proof of
purchase. And those who said they have an item to return but the
receipt has expired--really, how long do you want? Even if Target
pushed it back to let's say, one year, if you came after two years,
you wouldn't be happy. If they pushed it back to two years and you
brought it back the third, you wouldn't be happy. Let's face it--there
is not one single thing any company can do to please every customer
without having the company to loose millions of dollars. Why don't we
start taking responsibility for ourselves and stop blaming it on
others? Target has made it very clear; they need receipts and/or the
credit card to do a return or an exchange.

I think it's about time companies are teaching us something most of us
have been lacking-responsibility. Stop pointing fingers-companies do
this to keep the prices relatively low. Next time you shop at any
store, keep your receipt. It's not hard. And if you do happen to lose
it, then is a lesson learned.

All those who refuse to shop at Target because of their return policy;
I'm sure that's okay with them. And as time gets harder and harder,
companies get stricter and stricter, and you still keep pointing
fingers, be careful. You might run out of places to shop.

I work at customer service in a target store although i understand
your frustration im sure you should know the return policy keep a hold
of your receipts or why didnt you just have your wife come down later
with her credit card then the cashier would have been more then happy
to return your money. We cant just take back everything a customer
brings up with no receipt or credit card im sure you didnt walk over
and take it off the shelf and try and return it but sadly to say their
are people that do this. I think target is more then fair about their
return policy i have taken back merchandise that should be thrown out
after what a guest has done to it. so therefore dont blame target
because you didnt have your receipt. So just let it go as a lesson
learned.

I have never had a problem returning things to Target. If you sounded
in the store anything like you did in your post, I understand why the
employees didn't "fall all over themselves" trying to help you. Next
time send your wife in with her credit card. She's probably better
with people than you are.

By the way, if you're using stock price as your indicator...

If you look at Target's price graph over the last 2 years compared to
the S&P, you'll see that they are pretty close. The graphs are even
closer over the last year. Over a 5 year span, Target has beat the
S&P.

I wouldn't assume that Target's price imploding is a result of
customer service, since the entire market is performing the same way.

However, it IS true that in the last 2 years, Wal-Mart's stock has
outperformed Target.

David...you are right to point out this customer service problem to
Target, and right again to bring it to the attention of the readers of
Planet Feedback.
Judging by the responses, most of the membership here has had problems
with Target. When a company arbitrarily establishes 'policy', they do
so with the intention of establishing rules that their clientele is
not allowed to break, for the sole purpose of fattening their bottom
line.
Sociologists have shown that the lower standards go, the less people
expect. This is precisely the reason why the Nazis were so successful,
because once they established policy, and kept those responsible for
policy isolated from those suffering the consequences of policies, no
one could do much anything but accept them. Those enforcing, ie.,
clerks and store managers, don't feel guilty about rules they didn't
make, nor responsible for the awful results. Our standards today for
acceptable behavior by merchants are the lowest they've ever been. The
only way to keep them from dropping even further, is to scream, group
together, and scream loudly as one. That is what Planet Feedback, the
BBB, and consumer organizations throughout the world are all about.

wow, that is exactly what happened to me, except mine was a gift given
to me, the people that gave it to me paid with cash, the nerve of
them. so, you know what happened. The exact same thing that happened
to you. I did the call to them on my cell phone also, same thing.

This was last march. Guess what, this christmas target seen very
little money from me. Black friday, did not even bother with target.
I took targets add to wal-mart and they matched it.

I told my wife, and family to do little shopping at target, and I dont
want any gifts from target, nor will I buy them gifts from target. I
will not put my friends and family thru targets return policy.

And as far as other stores starting to do the same thing, well, I can
buy online cheaper and have just as good return policy, and I dont pay
tax online. If the stores do not want to do returns, I might as well
buy online/ or on ebay, same policy, and good chance you will save
money.

This last christmas, I probably spent around $2000 on christmas gifts,
not a lot, but out of that, target got $0. And yes, word of mouth
works, out of all the gifts I or my family received that were from
target...0

I recently had a bad experience with Target. I purchased a dresser
from Target in September of 2008. The dresser started to fall apart
and became inoperable after 90 days. I called Target to see what my
options were in returning the dresser as I was not satisfied with the
quality. Since my receipt was passed the 90 day period, I had to work
with the manufacturer. I called and emailed the manufacturer, to
later find out they have gone out of business! I called Target back
and they said there is NOTHING they could do. How bogus is that! The
fact that there manufacturer went out of business should not be my
fault. I felt Target could have refunded my money or given me store
credit but instead they washed their hands of me and pretty much have
said TOO BAD TOO SAD and I am stuck with a dresser that has fallen
apart. I am so done with Target and they have no idea what customer
service is!! I did not purchase the dresser from the manufacturer, I
walked in a Target store which is still in business so I totally
disagree with the way they handled the situation!

I used to work at the Target Store in Barboursville, WV. Which I
stated Used to. The story sounds familiar by other customers or as
Target would Say "Guests".

One of the return policys which the employee should of suggested to
you, is if you do not have your receipt you can use your drivers
license or State ID for a return and they could of given you a gift
card. They allow 2 per year without a receipt.

I have lost receipts in the past, but as a former "team member" with
target I have learned to attach it to my forehead if necessary.

The return policy rule with Target does stink.

In the February issue of Real Simple magazine, there is an article on
making returns to stores, lot of good info in it. There is also a
sidebar that lists the top 10 BEST places to make returns per Real
Simple readers. Guess what was number 1 on the list...that's right,
TARGET!

You just said a mouthful. Target sucks. It's really anti-consumer
with a totally crappy return policy.

that's why I don't shop there anymore.

There are a handful of people on this site that are die hard Target
fans. Fortunately, the rest of us have had it with Target and their
return policy.

They also believe that telling your friends and family about Targets
so called "customer service" will not sway people against them. I
respectfully disagree.

I politely requested no items from Target for my wedding and nursery
shower. I received no items from Target. So there is a few thousand
dollars they lost. And everyone was quite interested in why. When I
told them Target won't except returns without a receipt, they
completely understood. It is a well known fact that most gifts are
given without a receipt. At least 3 of my friends have also asked not
to get gifts from Target.

Some think it is rude to mention that. But I don't find it any more
rude than to specify where you are registered at.

I'm sorry, but it is difficutl for me to have symnpathy for someone
who brags of owning 150,000.00 in Target stock (which means you most
likely have just as much money invested in other companies) stressing
over a $40.00 loss.

Keep the receipt, you won't have the problem. someone who makes as
much money as you should have the smarts to know that much.

As someone here suggested, donate the items, your karma will improve

At the close today they were at about their highest in several
months.

There is one and only one way to give Target a wake up call. And,
that's to go directly to their shareholders.

Try these two.

Pershing Square Capital Management can be reached at 212-813-3700 and
State Street Corp. can be reached at 617-664-3477. In both cases you
should ask for the investment manager and tell them to SELL ALL THEIR
SHARES OF TARGET!

THIS WILL BE THE ONE AND ONLY WAY TO GIVE TARGET A WAKE UP CALL.
Calling their customer service is a big waste of time.

If you don't have the receipt or the credit card that you used to
purchase the items that's in *YOUR NAME*, then don't expect to get a
refund or store credit. Also, after 3 months, you can forget about
getting anything back. Just because you own a billion dollars worth
of Target stock doesn't mean you don't have to play by the RULES.
Your complaining about pennies in comparison to your net worth. Get
over it already and move on with your life! Put the damn items on
eBay or give them away. Mountains over molehills. Read your receipt
and the policy of the store next time, that is if you even bother to
keep them!

I bought two bookshelves on sale and ... well it was much crappier
than I'd expected. Thankfully I decided to only put one bookshelf
together at a time.

So, I decided to keep one bookshelf and returned the unopened one.


Amount of trouble they gave me? They asked me if I wanted cash back
or to have the amount credited to my card.

Yeah... that was it.


No hassle what so ever.



How did I get this miracle?
I brought my receipt with me.


Yep. The few minutes I spent on locating the receipt meant the return
took me less than 5 minutes. Amazing eh?

Next time you call a company's HQ and you are transfered out of the
country because of "job outsourcing", ask them to transfer you to a
call center in the US. They have to do it.

Yes, I agree with you about the punitive return policies of Target. I
bought a $95.84 sofa slipcover in late August on sale, for a Christmas
present for my daughter. Unfortunately, her cushions were the wrong
shape for this 2 piece slipcover. Had no idea that returns had to be
made within 90 das. so although I returned it today with sales receipt
in perfect condition, ready to put back on shelf (now selling for $10.
more), they refused to give me any kind of credit AT ALL. I would
happily have bought her a slipcover for her loveseat, and they would
have made a sale of the same amount. Very unfriendly to the consumer,
in a way that makes no sense. Their receipts fade so you can't even
read their stupid rules anyway!! I will never shop there again.
Their "guest" (ha,ha) relations dept. answers from New Delhi,
India---how great for our economy!

there was an article in today's paper in NY about returns in
general...it said you will need receipts in almost every store, and if
you don't have one, be happy with whatever the store offers you (if
they offer anything). With all the theft, I really can't blame the
stores. A long time ago, someone wrote a letter using PFB - he
purchased a video at Blockbuster, he wanted a different video, they
wouldn't exchange it...so he went to Target, claimed it was purchased
there and they did exchange it. Multiply that one person by all the
other people who did that and you can see why the return/exchange
policy is so strict.

Wow, lots of replies on this one!

I will tell you very honestly that Planetfeedback was how/where I
learned about the change in Target's return policy years ago. And it
has been enough to keep me from shopping there all this time. Are
they feeling the impact? I doubt it. But neither am I. Wal-Mart,
Bed Bath and Beyond and plenty of other retailers, discount and
otherwise, are available for me to choose from. So I shop where I can
return something without a hassle. And I don't miss Target at all.

Good luck with your letter.

i mean isn't that the point of the whole return policy.... if you
would of had your wife card for them to scan it wouldn't of been an
issue.... at least target does that unlike walmart.....

walmart stock is up because that is the store that most american can
afford to shop at.... if target dropped there prices maybe they could
catch up.

I agree with this letter for the most part. I have also tried to
return items without receipt (cheap items - under $10 bucks) and they
treat you like a felon if you don't have the receipt. I have since
learned to keep every receipt no matter how small the item is, but
Target's return policy is a factor for me not wanting to shop there as
often as I did in the past. Also, it is great they can look up via
credit cards used for purchases, but some people still use cash, and
would like to be treated like a customer, not a thief if I have a
return. Happy Shopping wherever you go! :)

As an educated consumer, I always keep my receipt and follow the
stores' return policy. Retailers are becoming strict with their
returns to protect themselves against fraud and people who are looking
to make a buck by returning stolen items. As a customer, you need to
show proof of purchase, and the only way you can do that if by
providing your receipt. You just bought a house and signed a contract,
you should be familiar with the concept, it's the same with a sale at
a store.

Stop complaining, and return your items at the store by bringing the
proper credit card. Why should they give you a gift card if they don't
have any proof that you paid for the items?

yes your accounts maybe linked , but the point is your last 4 numbers
were different,which makes your credit card entirely different. Im
just saying put yourself in the retailers shoes.. they had their
reasons such as: what if you just got divorced?but still had joint
accounts? And to give someone a credit refund that was not the
original buyer, could turn into a legal issue. Even though she was
your wife, how were they supposed to know that? You are just a
stranger to them, they aren't mind readers. What they did was for the
protection of the buyer, whether your accounts are linked or not. I
don't think any retailer has a way of proving whether an account is
linked or not.

Are you aware that people like you have made one change at Target in
the last few weeks? I just returned from an Xmas shopping spree
culminating in a visit to Target and everything I bought had a nice
new price tag on it.

The new tags read 'This item can only be returned if UNOPENED and with
a receipt. SAVE YOUR RECEIPT'

I guess they think this will foil the same illiterates that fail to
read the bottom of their receipt where it clearly states you have to
bring the receipt in to do a return. I don't see that it will have any
affect as you cannot force reading or reading comprehensively on
anyone.
__________________

I hate to tell you ALL stores, INCLUDING Wal-Mart, are getting MUCH
more strict with their return policies. Targets policy is the the
absolute norm now!!!

Targets is actually a little LESS strict than some, at least Target
DOES have the ability to look up transactions by the Credit Card (not
sure what difference it would make if you used amex though) Wal-Mart
does not even have THAT ability, unless you are at the SAME store you
bought it in AND know the day AND time!!!!

I think it's a bit much to ask for a $100 gift card, but I get what
you're saying. Of course Target has every right to have whatever
return policy it wants and to enforce it 100% of the time. However,
consumers have the right not to shop there. Thanks for letting Target
know why we're avoiding them.

I've also been a victim of the Target return policy. Last year I
registered for wedding gifts exclusively at Target. I figured that
even my guests didn't include a gift receipt, I'd be able to at least
return stuff for store credit. Not so.

They changed their return policy the month before my wedding, but I
didn't realize this. When I ended up with six of the exact same
crockpot (and this makes me wonder how well their gift registry
program is working), a model that, from what I could see, is
exclusively sold at Target, I figured they'd let me return the five I
didn't need.

Nope. They apologized to me but said they couldn't make an exception.
I only had the gift receipt for one--that left four. I asked to speak
to the manager. I also called customer service. I tried to get them to
make an exception. Who in the world needs five crockpots? But they
said their hands were tied and that they couldn't do anything for me.
This is after my wedding registry ended up making them thousands of
dollars. I printed out the registry and showed them that this was the
model I'd registered for. I argued that the fact that they'd somehow
sold my guests 6 of the same model wasn't really my fault, but a
problem with their system. (One cashier told me that she often has
problems scanning registry items to make sure they're listed as
order-fulfilled). Nothing worked.

So, lesson learned. I gave away most of the crockpots this last year.
I know some people will probably say that I should have gone back to
my guests and asked for gift receipts--sorry, but I think that's
incredibly rude. If Target had just given me store credit, they
wouldn't have lost anything--the crockpots were all new and could have
been resold at full value.

The consequences are that I honestly don't shop there as much. I chose
not to get their card, because I figured their card customer service
probably wasn't that much better. I also tell friends and family not
to register there--it's just not worth risking getting tons of extras
that you're stuck with.

People like you are what retail clerks dread! No means NO, NO means
they don't bend the policy, NO means no refund because you had no
receipt and you weren't the one who purchase it, your wife did! I see
nothin wrong with their policy, and if anything, its for your wife's
protection that no one can get that refund. She would have needed to
be there, you can't expect that they'd believe someone over the phone!
What was so hard in the first place to bring your wife, with her
credit card, to get the refund? I don't get it? You deserve nothing.
If anything, I wish more stores would enforce stricter return
policies!

Why couldn't you take in your wife's credit card at a later date? I
can see why they do not allow a card number to be given over the
phone. I understand it is frustrating that they will not even offer a
gift card when it is clearly something they have in stock, but
personally it would not stop me from shopping at Target. I would just
live and learn, as Target is a MUCH quicker and more pleasant shopping
experience than the Wal Mart across the street. I have returned items
in the past with no receipt (1 or 2 a year) and have had no problem
exchanging for an item in the same department. Just makes me more
mindful to keep my receipt.

i too hace cancelled my target card and do not shop there anymore all
becasue of the return policy & the fact that everything is more
expensive..I signed up for a baby registry & was given items for out
of town friends & family..well returning without a reciept is allowed
according to them on 2 or 3 items a year..& another thing i drove over
an hour to go to these stores to do this & find this out but according
to a person who used to work in the customer service of target they
should have taken it all back and gave me a credit because i had a
baby registry..i just think they suck & they always have issues with
somthing from there..as for walmart & pallets its called stocking &
most sotres do this all day long..

You own stock in a company and you are unaware of their return policy
that's been in place years?
Apparently you have not researched Walmart either, as they are
tightening their return policy.
What is so hard about keeping receipts?
You want to return something that's 3 months old? How does that help
their bottom line.
Compensate me or I'll never shop there again. Sounds like blackmail.
You left out the line where you have power over your friends,
relatives and neighbors and they will never shop there again.

What I find hilarious is that you think Target is going to lose money?
Fat chance if anything they will gain money or rather save a lot of
money. You should have had your wife come in with her card and they
could have looked it up simple as that. Please by all means shop at
Walmart. You will spend more time returning stuff that doesn't hold
up, doesn't work, or have trouble navigating down an aisle or walkway
with all the pallets on the floor with underpaid pissed off people who
hate their jobs working the store. Have you tried their customer
service?

The problem, as I see it is that nobody working IN the store has any
authority to override the COMPUTER. There are times when a particular
store needs to make exceptions. Listen to my problem with Target. On
black friday, I bought a Nintendo DS. I was supposed to get a FREE
10$ gift card. Let me tell you how free that gift car was. The
COMPUTER did not prompt the sales clerk to give me the gift card. I
had to return to the store the following day to get it. The only way
to take care of the transaction was to return the Nintendo DS and buy
it back. The sales clerk put the return on a GIFT card, not my
original credit card, and gave me the 10$ gift card. Four days later,
I wanted to return the Nintendo for a refund along with the 10$ gift
card. Because the second transaction was carried through on a gift
card - that the sales clerk automatically used - I could not get a
refund on my card. I talked to the manager, then the store manager.
Not one person in the store was able to correct the problem. The
called the Target God, but he would not give an authorization code.
When you are dealing with people exceptions need to be made in certain
circumstances. The problem, as I see it, is that common sense has
been lost in all of the RULES.

Hi,
I so agree with your letter!
They will go the way of Mervyn's sooner than
later.
I tried to post this but it seems that it
didn't get published...not sure why --

I shopped at target last night.
I bought 4 items with cash.
I called the store when I got home
because I couldn't find my receipt.
I talked to the manager of the
electronics department who said
he would look into the system to
verify the sale. After 3 calls
he said he couldn't find it in the system
and to call back tomorrow.
When I called today I was told
that I could come in and get a printout
of the sale but that since I paid
cash I wouldn't be able to return
anything. I was told that there
was transaction information on the
original receipt that no one could
access but that without that I wouldn't
be able to return the purchase.
Now I have a paper with the sales
information on it but I cannot
go to the guest information counter to
refund my transaction for a digital
convertor when I finally receive
my $40. goverment coupon and rebuy
the item with the coupon.
The supervisor said that the information
a person gave me yesterday on the phone
was in fact correct. I called yesterday
before I went to the store to ask if I
could return the digital convertor when
I get the coupon and he verified that I
could.
The guest supervisor additionally verified
that I could do so - but not without the
original receipt.
She added that I would have been able to
do so if I had paid with a credit card.
She also cited a policy that they allowed
a complementary one item return without a
receipt within a one-year-paid and that was
for any item $35 or less.
Apparently my fault in the issue is that
a) I paid with cash
b) I lost my receipt

I believe that they should have issued a duplicate receipt.
There were 2 supervisors and the sales clerk who
were aware of the problem and I think I acted
in a timely manner to rectify the problem of
the lost receipt.

At the very least it is lousy customer
service and I will not be shopping there again.

In one of you replys you wrote:

"I just received a call from Joe, the executive team at Target's
customer service department, and he said Target is taking this
incident very seriously and will be making changes to make their
return policy more CUSTOMER FRIENDLY."

Sounds to me like a "lets tell him what he wants to here" response.
Worked too, got you back into the store. The return policy IS
customer friendly. A lot better than the other stores that just take
anything back and jack the prices up to cover all the loss.

Nothing will change, and I hope it doesn't.

Target owes you nothing. You did not have to shop there. If you choose
to shop there, you need to abide by their policies.

Toyota does not care that I have bought 3 vehicles from them, I still
have to abide by their warranty terms. But I CHOSE to purchase those
vehicles knowing the terms of my warranty.

I havent made it through all the comments yet. But I wanted to ask
something.

You dont mind dropping 500 dollars on your friends for dinner. You
just bought a house. You spent over 100,000 dollars on advertising for
your own business. But you are going to write off a store that you
hold a LOT of stock in...for 40 dollars?

Why cant you just chalk it up to experience and give the items away? I
am sure you must know SOMEONE who doesnt fall into the same economic
category you do who could use a new comforter set.

With winter upon us, and the unemployement rate through the roof, I
bet there is some person who is cold and poor and would really
appreciate a warm blanket. You could donate it to a homeless shelter.

I bet there is some newly wed couple who doesnt have much money and is
shopping the thrift stores right now. If you donated your soap dish
and comfortor to Goodwill or something, maybe they will find it and be
able to afford to purchase it to help accesorize their cheap apartment
they just moved in to.

I am sorry you didnt get your way at Target. Even more sorry that you
think you will get better customer service at Walmart. That thought
process makes me believe you havent actually shopped in a Walmart. The
40 dollars you did not get back at Target will quickly appear to be a
small price to pay when you are standing in long lines that never move
with all kinds of nasty stuff spilled on the floor under your feet. Or
trying to push your way down isles that are filled with rude employees
trying to stock shelves from filled pallets in the middle of the day.
Or when you ask for help only to be told "That isnt my department". Or
when you get home with your frozen food to find it spoiled because
someone had left it sitting in a buggy somewhere in the store and it
wasnt returned back to the freezer case until after it had already
thawed out. Or when you get home and ALL your cold or frozen food is
completely room temperature because you had to stand in line for an
hour.

Yeah...thats so much better than Target.

Your sense of entitlement is astounding to me. Its obvious you arent
used to being told no. Or maybe it because you are a stock holder that
you feel you should be given certain rights that no one else is
allowed.

I worked retail for 15 years. I have seen strict return policies and I
have seen very lenient return policies. And I know from experience
that the lenient ones do one thing. Run a company into the ground and
bankruptcy. I applaud Target for their return policy and choose to
shop there mainly for that reason. A company that upholds it rules,
and backs its managers when they do so...has the right people at the
helm. And while I cant afford to buy stock, I will definately support
that with my purchases.

I HAVE KNOW DOUBT RETURN POLICIES CAN BE STRESSFUL.
IHAVE HAD SIMILAR EXPERIANCES, BUT I DO UNDERSTAND
TARGETS POINT OF VEIW.
ITEMS PURCHESED 3 MONS. AGO ARE NO LONGER IN THE STORE FOR SALE BY
RETURNING THE ITEM THEY WOOD LOSE MONEY, NOT TO MENTIONS MAKING AN
EXCEPTION FOR WOULD NOT BE FAIR TO OTHER CUSTSOMERS WHO ARE NOT
MAKEING WAVES.
AS FOR CHECKING SOMEONE ELSES CREDIT CARD ITS FRUAD.
YOU SCOULD HAVE BE CALLING ANYONE. I AM SURE THAT WAS NOT THE CASE BUT
OTHERS ARE NOT SO HONEST. WHY NOT JUST HAVE YOUR WIFE DO THE RETURN.

wow, now they are in trouble, hes angry. but DONT BUY WAL-MART stock,
buy american.

"...I just spent over $500.00 for dinner at The Steak at Treasure
Island and Target will not allow me to get credit for $40 worth of
merchandise I was willing to put back into the store. ..."

FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS for a MEAL????? That's half a paycheck for me.
And you're crying over $45. Get real.

Target is going to lose millions because of their strict return
policy.

Walmart is going to lose millions because they do not do layaway
anymore and everyone will go to KMart and Sears.

KMart/Sears will go under because they never have anything in stock,
the stores are dirtier, etc.

Where the heck are we going to shop when all of this happens??!?!

I love it. People don't want to follow store policy and then complain
that it's bad customer service.

I have stopped replying to these return complaints but felt that this
onw needed a response.
Did you bring your receipt to the store? No. When you were told of the
policy, why did you not go get your wife and ask her to bring it back.
If you were caught speeding would you ask for an exception because you
pay the cops salary? NO. It's ludacris and absurd.

That's all I have to say about that.

I know this has been addressed before too, but I don't understand the
threat of "I will wait until the end of this week to dispose of my
Target stock and decide weather to shop at Target again in the
future." and then saying "A Target gift card in exchange for
merchandise would be sufficient." You either want to continue shopping
there or you don't. I doubt getting a gift card is going to sell you
on shopping there again in the future if you were this dis-satisfied
to start with.

Maybe I am in the minority, but at this stage of the game, in the
"times" we are in, I guess I just automatically assume if I manage to
lose the receipt, I lose out. I don't know of any store at the present
time that does still give you the benefit of the doubt to return
something without the receipt. Maybe that's just me, though.

That unethical minority cost Costco over $2 million in loss due to
their lack of a return policy a few years back so in turn they now
have a return policy like 99.9% of the other major retail stores. 90
days with a reciept. No reciept refund , unless it is exclusive to
their company and in that case you get store credit(which from my
understanding not many stores even offer that).

Return Policy Will Cost Target Millions? Uh oh...better hurry up and
sell that stock, David.

- "upper level executives that changed the return policy because of
the minority of unethical people are driving business to Wal Mart"

Do you really know that this is why Target changed their policy? for
sure? you've done the research?

- "unless something is done and we are made whole again."

C'mon? Really? A bit dramatic don't you think?

- "could not process the items without a receipt"

Sounds like a well stated policy. No receipt. No return.

- "asked if she can make a small exception"

You'll want an exception. Then Joe the Plumber will want an exception,
then peter, paul, and mary will want an exception. Pretty soon, it's
pointless to even have a return policy.

- "will take the many items I purchased at Target 2 weeks ago, get a
refund, and buy everything at Wal Mart."

This is kind of an empty threat unless you have the receipt for those
items.

You mentioned the stock being at a 5 year low 3 times - redundant and
mentioning it once would've shortened your letter a bit.

- "I just spent over $500.00 for dinner at The Steak at Treasure
Island"

What on god's green earth does this have to do with anything. What
this said to me is that you have money to throw around and here you
are complaining about $40. You mentioned your $150,000 in stock as
well and your new home. Congratulations - but bitching about $40? It
sounds like you are well off enough to donate those unwanted items to
charity and, hey, you can even get a tax deductible receipt.

- I would be willing to accept a $100.00 gift card for my troubles
that I will spend at Target. This isn't much but will make the message
clear that Target needs to change or sales will further decline

You think that $100 "isn't much"? Think about it. If you don't think
$100 is much...then why are you complaining about $40?

- "In addition, you should talk to the executives about showing some
leeway on their return policy"

Again, why would they even bother having a policy if there is room for
leeway?

- "This ridiculous policy has finally reached me and I definitely do
not like it."

From this statement, I gathered that you were not only aware of this
policy, you were okay with it - until it "reached" you.

- "Adjust the return policy to make it more customer friendly"

Actually, what you mean is adjust the return policy so that it fits
what YOU want. As far as other customers are concerned...you don't
care about the policy until it effects you and you are trying to get
around it.

I have found that Target is, in fact, customer friendly if you adhere
to their return policies, as are most stores. The policy is clearly
and prominently displayed at each register. I'm glad they called to
soothe your ruffled feathers, and that's great that they want to be
more customer friendly, but I have to say this: The consumer is
responsible for making themselves aware of the store policies where
they shop. If you choose to shop there and disregard those policies,
then you have only yourself to blame.

what does your steak dinner have to do with anything?

Personally, I avoid shopping at Wal-Mart...I think locking employees
inside at night is a lot more serious than not allowing returns
without a receipt - I don't know why this has suddenly become an issue
anyway - for years no store would allow returns without a receipt.

maybe there's something i'm not getting. i don't understand why, if
you have the receipt, you shouldn't be allowed to return anything to
any store. as long as it is still new, hasn't been used, etc., why
wouldn't any store take their stuff back? what's the reason? i agree
there should be a time limit, but beyond that, i don't get it.

Why don't you help Target out on this a bit. When it comes to
exceptions where should they draw the line in regards to returns? If
the return is under $50 or over, if someone only shops there once or
is a "regular", if they have a real good story with their return or
don't, or maybe if someone is a shareholder or not?

How 'bout this - what if the return is under $50, the customer doesn't
ever shop there, they have a great story with their return and they're
not a stockholder?

I could probably add two dozen more possible exceptions for returns
that would be difficult for anyone to sort through - it's a good thing
stores have policies to take the guess work out of the decision
making.

BTW - If Target made return decisions on a case-to-case basis -
couldn't that eventually open them up to claims of descrimination if
one customers return was accepted and a "different" customer's return
was rejected?

Wow - that could cost Target millions!!

Target has had this policy in effect for over 6yrs that I know of and
its a much better place to shop because of it.

As a stockholder I would think you would be more knowledgeable as to
how and why this company is trying to keep theft down in their stores
and still give customers better merchandise at a decent price
therefore making your stocks more valuable.

If people would stop thinking that this policy is a threat to their
personal integrity and instead look at it as loss prevention maybe
their egos would not get so bruised.
I actually like the fact when a store has stricter return policies in
place because I know they are taking the time and energy to keep theft
down in their stores.

Now you want to be rewarded because you could not follow the policy
that is in place.
If Target does send you something I hope you cash it in and forward it
to a charity you support.

Did you sell your stocks? That would be your ultimate "refund". I am
certain that, in the near future, Wal Mart will be reveiwing their
return policy as the losses(due to fraud) have been on an incline
lately. Otherwise good luck.

You are acting like Target took out their shotgun and aimed it at you.
They have their policies, and they were sticking to them, and you are
coming across as though they are personally attacking you. Oh, and no
matter how you try to rationalize, throwing in the story about the
$500 dinner is just completely irrelevant and pointless. Yes, I know,
Customer Service is No.1" and I will just have to "wait till I get
bitten".

What does spending $500 on dinner have to do with anything????

Nice that you'll "accept" a $100 gift card...maybe Target will ask
Wal-Mart to send you a welcome letter.

David,

I know from personal experience that Target responds to all letters
very promptly. I imagine that you must have received some kind of
response by now, can you let us know what their resolution was???
Thanks!

What was Target's response when you informed them that you will be
selling your $15,000.00 worth of stock because they wouldn't give you
a $35-$40 store credit? Did you tell them that you will make sure that
your wife & kids and (probably)your grandkids never shop there again,
thus costing Target millions?

I'm dying to know what their response was.

Actually, what is causing Target's stock to do more poorly than
WalMarts, is that in these hard economic times, many people are buying
less "luxuries" and instead buying only the bare necessities. Since
Target specializes more in the home decor and fashion, people don't
need to come in for those things and are instead heading directly to
WalMart for things like soap, food, and cheap clothes, sheets, etc.

It really has nothing to do with the customer service/return policy,
but nice way to try and get the edge on trying to force them to change
their return policy for you. Personally, I think it is one of the
fairest, although strict, return policies I've ever seen.

So you lost your receipt, and you knew you could use the card, why
didn't you bring your wife's card so they could swipe it and process
the return? Doesn't that make sense?
No does not equal bad customer service. Why are you a special
snowflake that deserves an exception? You sound like a little kid
begging to get out of punishment "Please, just this once, I'll never
do it again, I promise".

$100 gift card? For what, not being prepared? Please!!!

All you were asking for was a $40 gift card for the value of the
returned items, which you would have turned around and spent at the
store anyway. Now somehow you think you deserve a $100 gift card.
Why?

If all you wanted was to return said merchandise, then why are you now
trying to make 2.5 times the amount spent?

even places like JC Penney's offer a "merchandise voucher" card for
items returned without a receipt. The card can only be used at the
store, but at least you get your money back. Target should look into
these vouchers to fix situations like yours and many others.

You can afford to drop $500 on a dinner, and own $150,000 worth of
Target's stock, and you're being this ridiculous about $45 worth of
merchandise? Seriously?

Give the soap dish and comforter set to a local charity. There are
many people who are in desperate need due to the state of our economy,
especially at this time of year. Then write off the donations on your
tax refund. Tah-dah! Everyone wins.

You asked for an exception to Target's published return policy and the
answer was "no". Case closed.

I have stated many time that I agree that Target has a return policy
that is too rigid. I agree that they should at leat be able to offer
gift cards, but they don't. For people that paid cash, they are out
of luck - no options. But you have an option and simply don't want to
be inconvenienced to have to provide the credit card. Since you know
how you paid for this purchase they will do the return, once you
present the originally used credit card.

Anyway, hopefully they will eventually loosen up a bit - and they
already have in terms of registry returns - but their refund policy is
not only well posted, but very publicly debated and the customer needs
to be responsible and bring in proof of purchse - simple as that.

Simple rule in retail: NO RECEIPT=NO RETURN

I never understand why people don't get the simple basic concept.
They attempted to help you the best they could. All your wife had to
do was bring in the credit card that she purchased the items with and
you would get what you want.

It is unreasonable for them to make "exceptions" for you. Rules and
policies are in place for a reason. They did everything that they
could to appease you. It's not their fault that you wanted to be
difficult and not bring the proper documentation.

I'm sure that they will be upset to lose you as a customer, seeing as
you feel that you shouldn't have to abide by their simple, basic
policies, and exceptions should be made because, well, you're you.

Take the items to Wal-Mart then, and let us know if Wal-Mart takes
them back.

I'm a bit trepiditous about jumping into this one, but here it goes.

David is right. Customer service is a large portion of what drives a
customer's loyalty. I'm not sure I can agree with him, however, that
customer service is the equivalent of always saying yes to the
customer.

While it would be really awesome if all retail chains operated from
the "here's the rule, but be flexible with it" perspective, but that
always brings up the "equal treatment" issue. In today's world, we
have a lot of electronic blog sites (we all know who they are), and
when an exception is made anywhere, for any reason, the blogs light
up. When the same exception is not made for everyone, then the
company is bashed over, and over, and over. We've all seen it. The
electronic world is forcing companies to be uniform.

Then there's the whole issue of dishonesty by a subset of the world.
I recently saw a utube video where someone was describing in detail
how to use my company's no receipt needed policy in conjunction with
sales in order to make a sizeable amount of cash on gift cards. It's
sad, but it's reality. The honest consumer is frustrated and wants to
say "but it's not me." The company, however, has to guard against
it.

I have no problem with David trying to get an exception, and then
voicing his dislike of the inflexibility. I probably would have
phrased things a bit differently, but he has every right to speak his
mind and vote with his checkbook.

I am kind of curious, however, if the outcome would have been
different if the wife had simply stopped in with the merchandise and
the actual amex. There's no way Target will take the number over the
phone, but the actual, physical card should have resolved the issue by
allowing them to pull up the receipt.

As for me -- I like Target and have no problem hanging onto the
receipts until I'm sure I don't need them. No matter how bad Target
got, though, I still couldn't bring myself to go into Walmart.

While your letter is well written, it contains way to much information
that no on who might read it from Target will care about. Such as how
much you spent on dinner elsewhere, that you bought a house 2 weeks
ago when that timing has nothing to do with the purchases you made and
how much stock you may have.

Frankly, I'm glad they have a strict return policy as I believe it
helps keep prices down, and since it's clearly posted I know what I
have to do to make a return. I've returned things to both Target and
Wal-Mart following the policy and was fine.

I think that asking for an expection is reasonable. However, getting
upset when they don't doesn't seem to be as reasonable.

On a side note, since many stocks are at 5 year lows, I'm surprised
you would be willing to take a huge loss over a $40 comforter to make
a point.

Frankly, David, after reading your letter, the replies to your letter,
and all of your replies to the replies, you are coming across as
nothing more than a spoiled child having a temper tantrum because you
didn't get exactly what you wanted.

Companies have return policies in place for a reason, and guess
what....Wal-Mart has policies as well, and what are you going to do
when the day comes that you run up against those policies, and are
refused something?

You were provided customer service. Just because you didn't get the
answer you wanted doesn't mean that you weren't provided customer
service. NO customer service means that they were rude to you, were
abusive, etc. Your letter indicates that they were none of those
things.

Someone asked whether you would still be up in arms about Target's
return policy if it hadn't affected you, and you replied that you
would. Well, according to something you said in your letter, I doubt
that is the case. You stated, and I quote, "This ridiculous policy
has finally reached me and I definitely do not like it." Certainly
sounds like if it hadn't happened to you, you could have cared less.

I live equidistant from both a Wal-Mart and a Target. I gladly go to
Target over Wally World and pay their slightly higher
prices.....better selection, better quality, friendlier employees,
MUCH cleaner store. THOSE things are what make an enjoyable shopping
experience.

Watch Dr. Phil Show today on shoplifters. You will know why stores
have these strict policies. This one family with their children
admited to stealing thousands of dollars. That is just two people.
Another crook said he had stolen over 3000 times during his life. He
was married and had children. He got caught stealing a shirt with his
child. I have caught many shoplifters with their children when I
worked security.

As far as the comment below about Sears. I use to work at Sears and
was in charge of security. We absolutely did not give cash back to
every person that comes in without a receipt. We didn't even do this
decades ago. We would say we were researching the purchase amd a
check would be mailed. Those refunds slips remained in a file box and
checks were rarely sent out. Now these refunders are tracked company
wide by computers.

I love stores that are strict with their returns! Why? Because I
don't like paying more for merchandise because someone stole it. Not
only are stores having to spend more for security and staff to protect
goods we all pay for everything stolen.

There is no real way for a store to know what is stolen, and what is
purchased without that reciept.

I have even caught shoplifters using fake receipts. They would create
receipts and screw things up like store numbers or tax rates. A
closer look and you would discover the receipt was a fake. You also
have the people that steal duplicates or come back in with a receipt
and pick up the exact same item and refund it even with a receipt.

You should be happy Target is doing something about shoplifters with
their Fair to everyone strict policy. Do you not realize that
shoplifters (not all but some) would be happy to get a gift card for
stolen merchandise to a store like Target.