Terrible Customer Service

You state that you shop at target weekly, but have only returned there
once. I understand your frustration because to you, this is a
one-time event. However, to Target, this is a daily occurrence
(actually many times daily). Thus, employees and management basically
state a policy repeatedly to customers. I can see this sounding
"rehearsed" and even rude, but I am almost certain their intent was
not to insult you. As a former Target team member, I sure got tired
of saying "I'm sorry, our return policy is..." but I never went into a
return thinking "how can I wreck someones day today?". That being
said it IS rude to turn your back on a customer unless they are
threatening or overtly swearing and insulting.

Two words of advice: Contact guest relations directly (this letter
may do it, but a follow up phone call never hurts). Target has a
strict return policy for a reason and stores are not empowered to make
exceptions, their registers cannot override this. There are hundreds
of thousands of store employees, but only a few guest relations
employees. THEY are empowered to make overrides and are better able
to track and log complaints. Second...contact the manufacturer! They
don't want bad word of mouth getting out about their product and they
may send you a replacement. Yes, this all takes more work on your
part but hey, your daughter lost the receipt and thus must take some
responsibility to make things better.

Policy is policy. Target has their return policy clearly posted in
several places throughout the store, online, and on the receipt. They
are not going to make an exception for you or anyone just because you
feel you deserve it. Consider this a lesson learned, and next time,
keep your receipt no matter where you shop.

I'm completely on Target's side with this issue. This daughter is 16
years old and is old enough to understand that receipts need to be
kept when first using a product. If she can use a hair strengther,
then she can keep a receipt. Target clearly posts their policy in more
place than one. The OP has shopped there many times so she should
have known the policy.
The OP got a manager, the manager told her no and it sounds like the
OP wasn't accepting that answer. That is why I think she was "spoken
down to" as she puts it. It sounds like the employee(s) were losing
their patience. I would have too. If I was that manager I would have
walked away as well. You can only tell somebody "no" so many times.
I'm saying all this and I'm an employee from one of their competitors!
lol
But I shop at Target as well.

NO RECEIPT = NO RETURN

It's really simple!

Honsetly, I'd walk away from a customer who refused to take "sorry,
but no, I can't do this for you" for an answer. How many times do
they have to say it? Lesson for your daughter, IMHO. She should work
off the $$$. But why even pay that much? I've seen them at Target
for $20 and $30, one of which my neighbor bought and it works great!

Walking away from you was rude.

However, to answer your statement "there was no reason it should not
have been returned."

(1) It was used. They cannot resell a product that someone used on
their hair.

(2) They had no idea where you purchased it. I've looked and this not
a Target-exclusive item.

(3) They had no idea when you purchased it. For all they know, it was
purchased a year ago. Even if it's a new product, the staff likely
don't have access to information on when a manufacturer released a
product.

Also, you didn't say if this was a defective product or not. If it
was, an even exchange to another one would have been the way to go.
Target still may have put up a fuss, though.

Luckily, what you were told is correct. The manufacturer is
responsible for the product. I know you'd rather deal with Target,
but they are simply the "middleman." Give the maker, TGI, a call at
469-528-4300.

Target is VERY clear on their return police. NO RECEIPT = NO RETURN.
That is it. Also No does NOT = RUDE. Do what they suggested, contact
the manufacture. They May be able to help you.

The service was absolutely poor.
Hopefully they can WOW you with a new one that works.

This is a good example of why someone would not have the receipt. I
suppose you could have taken the receipt out of the bag before giving
it to your daughter, but I don't think too many people would think of
doing that. You probably just assumed the product would work.

Target is good at responding. I hope they give you a store credit and
assure you that you are a valuable customer. It does sound like you
were treated poorly at that particular location, but I wouldn't
completely write them off. Managers and employees come and go. Maybe
next time you will have a different experience, especially if there
are more complaints like yours that prompt the store to make some
changes in customer service.

This is also a good example of why it is sometimes better to pay with
a card instead of cash.