Target Stole $35 from me.

I learned the hard way, that you only buy from Target with a credit
card. They can use your credit cards to pull up past purchases for 90
days. So now I don't have to worry about losing my receipts (which I
always do). NEVER USE CASH AT TARGET!

It begins with a simple letter to Target asking a question about the
Salvation Army, a letter which generated 122 responses, mostly
negative. Had I known what I know now, I would have just written a
letter and dropped it in the mail.

This site provides a good service and an easy way to contact
companies, but it has probably migrated into a statistic gathering
device instead of the "voice it was intended to be.

I admit I got wrapped up in the game as well; I couldn't wait to
"hammer" a letter writer or comment on a post. My level of
one-upmanship grew to an embarrassing level.

I started writing letters with good content, but crafted them in such
a way that they were sure to cause controversy, and it worked for a
while. Not only was it fun, but it was a bit therapeutic.

Suddenly, I am banished and no one wants to post to my letters, this
only gives me cause to post to other letters, and I post some
doozies.

I have been referred to as a slack jaw, a yokel, a bumpkin, an idiot,
an a-hole, etc.... Most of this was directed at the name I created,
but a lot was probably personal attacks. I am amazed at the level of
hatred generated by simple letters.

I have one suggestion. When a OP is creating a letter, he/she should
be queried about their interaction with the manager. I can't start to
count the number of responses that begin with "did you speak to a
manager?"

I find that I am spending way to much time on this site; I am not
leaving, but I am no longer going to fill this site with my writings,
it just isn't worth it any longer.

I do wish you all well and urge you to examine your personal post over
the past month or so and ask yourself "am I being helpful or
spiteful?"

For the record, I posted on 57% complaints, 35% compliments, and 8%
questions; 23 letters with only 2 responses. One from Dominoes and one
from Target; I recommend you patronize these stores.

For all of you that think I am an uneducated hick; I have a college
degree, as does my wife, I have made life/death decisions throughout
my career, in 2005 & 2006 I made 36 platelet donations to a blood
donation center, look up platelet donation on google to see what a
huge commitment this was. I honestly feel as though my platelets saved
lives. I don't let my kids kill anything they aren't prepared to eat,
I believe every living creature has a right to live until it is ready
to enter the food chain. Yes, I catch bugs in my house, but I always
take them outside and let them go.

I have one more letter to write, then I am going to make cameo
appearances, not the daily barrage I am known for.

Clete

Not to mention the mouth breathers they have working in their photo
printing section; the clowns can't judge color balance, have no
concept of brightness and contrast and would be lucky to identify a
descent color print.

And don't get me started on the incompetency in their pharmacies,
these guys don't know an aspirin from a tic tac

Clete

As unethical as their behavior is, this happens all the time with
stores. I would suggest the following. Buy the same coat (make sure
it is exactly the same, size and all) and keep the receipt. Use that
receipt to return the defective coat to another Target, and keep the
nondefective coat.

Yes, it's not exactly an honest way of dealing with it, but they are
not being honest either. Good luck!

When will people learn to quit shopping at Target!Their natzi guards
at every door, obnoxious personel,unskilled, untrained floor clerks.
No greeting or smiles for customers going to shop Target.

All you would have to do is buy another coat that is exactly like the
one you have... march up with the receipt for the new coat and use
that to return your defective coat. You would get your money back for
the second coat you bought but have a zipper that works properly.
Helllllooo... there are ways around store's policies. Doh!

I'll go one better. I did have a receipt. A receipt that is good for
returns until 12/07. But apparently the item I purchased is and that
is on my receipt no longer matches the number in their computer.

It's only been three weeks since the purchase. The item apparently
was special purchase item.

When returns scanned my receipt than scanned the item the two numbers
didn't match. You will only find this problem at Target, because they
don't print the package sku # on their receipt...they assign a Target
number. I'm sure they have their reasons for doing this.

I went to the shelve got the item and the shelve tag and brought it
back to returns and showed them the item I'm returning is their's and
the shelve tag matches the number on my receipt.

I was told that they can see that, but it's not in the computer that
way so there's nothing they can do.

The item was only $7.99. And if I were going to make future purchases
at Target I would be concerned about this qliche in their policy,
because what if the item were $100 or more dollars and were
defective, I'd be stuck with a the item and a useless receipt.

So be forewarned about Target and their return policies, even if you
have a valid receipt, because there will be no one who will be able to
make an Executive discisson to satisfy a customer who thought they
were following Target's return policy to the tee...

I hate Target.

Anyway, in this case, I would find it perfectly acceptable and would
lose no sleep over swapping the coats out myself. As long as I know I
paid for it and I know I am not stealing anything, I am happy. I could
care less what Targets "policy" is. And if they call the cops, I would
love for them to try to determine which is *my* coat and which is
theirs.

Go back and get the coat. Return the next day and swap them yourself.
Hopefully, the next person that buys it will keep their receipt.

I hate Target.

IMO, Target is most overhyped and overpriced retail store for the
products they sell. Even though I have visited Target about five times
in the last two years, I have only purchased items twice based on
value.

Try Kohls if you have one nearby, they usually have a strong inventory
and competitive prices on clothing, and a liberal return policy. Move
on and don't look back.

When are you people going to learn? If you shop at a Target, Wal-Mart
or Kmart, you are going to get the same crappy products manufactured
in China that either fall apart quickly, or don't do what they are
supposed to do. If you want cheap CRAP, then by all means shop these
places, if you want quality, you have to pay for it. But, because
people want low prices, they are driving places that sell quality
products out of business. Now you want quality, and there is no
longer any place around to offer it - YOUR FAULT PEOPLE!

What choices you now have huh? Hmm, let me see, should I buy my kids
the lead-laden stuffed animal, or the lead-laden thomas the train this
year for Christmas...decisions, decisions...

As for not taking the return, they should have, however, you could
have done what others have suggested - buy a new coat, take the old
one back with the receipt.

You left behind a coat that you already paid for, because they would
not exchange it without a receipt. Yeah, that'll show 'em! /sarcasm

I have worked returns at a target the rule is exchange for same item
without reciept lose no money. there is no 20 dollar rule. as for what
the others said by leaving it you have probly given someone there a
coat they can just take or make money off of.

Actually you helped them b leaving it cause tghey will send it back
for a refund to THEM

You idiot you could have

A) bought a new one and KEPT the receipt and return the damaged one
with the receipt of the new one you bought



B) could have just kept the coat a coat will still keep you warm
wether you zip it up or not


OR


C) paid 2 BUCKS to put in a brand new zipper

Unfortunate...how about pay $2.00 (or so) to replace the zipper at the
local semtress (local laundry usually has one on staff).

Problem solved and kid has a coat...I mean you got such a great deal,
why not limit your damages by being resourceful!!!

Simple,

Buy an identical one -- keep the receipt. You're doing nothing
illegal. Go home, and in a couple of days -- return the original with
the second receipt.

Mike from middleburg hts. Hope this helps.

Hello.
I am a current team member from a near Target store, from where you
tried to return your item. And I do work at Guest Services. I'm sorry
for your troubles, and I'm just curious, if you were offered a 1-800
for a manufacturer? When guests do not present a valid receipt, but
the item is clearly defective I always offer a manufacturer's number.
It is a pain in the ass, however to call and get the coat replaced via
mail but it would have been a soultion to your problem.
Just a word of advice, if you do plan on shopping at Target. We do
have a return look up policy. Where if you paid any other way besides
cash, we can look it up. Even if you keep used gift cards we can look
up merchandise that was paid with that gift card. So please don't be
turned away from one bad incident. Target really is fast, fun, and
friendly. And I do sincerely apologize for your troubles.

Thank you for the many responses. Interesting. For clarification I am
not stupid just don't have to return things very often. It really
never occured to me that if an item was defective they would not
exchange it. I suppose we live in a different day. I choose not to
shop at Target because I prefer a store that is more customer service
orientated. I left the coat out of frustration but do not feel bad
about it. Honestly I took my business to another store and bought a
higher quality coat. To each their own but from now on I will pass on
Target. I appreciate the educated and thoughful responsed from both
points of view but have no use for derogatory comments. Those are
best left else where.

tell them of the defect, and of Targets unwillingness to exchange the
item. They may be willing to pay for a tailoring service to fix it.

So what if the cost still had tags on it. How are they supposed to
know you didn't steal it since you didn't have the receipt?

I don't believe you stole it, mind you. But people go into a store all
the time, take something off a rack or shelf and try to refund it.
This is why stores have return policies.

Target didn't steal from you. You weren't smart enough to save the
receipt.

I am with you until you make the silly, presumtuous, unrealistic
threat that your family will not shop there for their lifetime. If
someone on my family tells me thay had a bad experience that cost them
$35 because of a return policy, it doesn't mean i will also vow to
never shop there. That just wekens your letter with a hollow threat.

This is why I choose to shop at Target. Their strict return policies
and the fact that they actually follow them. There have been many
people writing letters through PFB and each of them is generally the
same..."Purchased an item, had to return it, did not have receipt,
would not issue a credit/refund". Do you know how often Target,
Walmart etc. etc. get stolen from? Using your logic Target should
simply return your $35 without in return receiving from you a receipt
that says you did indeed BUY the coat. I shop at Target because their
employees are pleasant, they are generally helpful, and their prices
aren't bad. If their prices were to skyrocket because they suddenly
let everybody and their brother return items without a receipt do you
think they'd have anyone left shopping their?

Next time read the small print on the receipt and you won't have this
problem.

Amazing how stupid people are.

Am I the only one who spends an extra moment to check things before I
take it to checkout?

is that they are made on this really slick paper, that if you fold the
receipt and keep it in your wallet or glove compartment, like a week
later the entire thing is blurry and unreadable, so how can you use
that as proof?

I think Target should have exchanged the coat. Had you wanted a refund
or credit, I could see their point.
However by leaving the coat, you cost yourself the thirty five
dollars. I would have kept the coat and had a zipper put in or donated
it to charity. An action taken in anger and frustration usually isn't
a good one.
I do hope Target responds to your letter, although I doubt it. Your
angry tone and accusations will prevent that. I suggest a rewrite.

I agree, this would be really frustrating. I don't always keep my
receipts either.In a fair world, Target should have exchanged the
coat, since it still had the target tags on it. I understand Targets
point also, they have a policy and they have to follow it, no fault of
the employees. There are so many dishonest people out there, someone
could have stole a coat and then tried to return it for the money.
Although, Target has pretty strict security!

I would not have left it at Target. I would have had the zipper
replaced. Good Luck!

"Frustrated I left the coat with Team Leader at the North Olmsted
Target in Ohio"

Hmm...during my many years in retail I learned one thing. If someone
trying to return something leaves it the desk without their
refund...its a pretty good bet the item was stolen.

You might not have stolen it and I am not accusing you of doing so.
But now everyone who hears the story at Target will think you did.

I was sympathetic until you threw a hissy fit and left the jacket
behind. Way to be an example for your munchkin. Next time, check the
zip before you leave the store or, even better, learn basic sewing
skills and buy a new zip and fix it yourself.

#1- on the receipt, I believe it does say "keep this receipt"
#2- Usually when my mom used to buy me jackets, she'd make sure the
zipper worked before she bought it. you woulnd't buy jeans if the fly
didn't work, would you?

*Sigh*

The reason some stores are getting so strict on return polcies is
because of dishonest consumers (*cough* ADAM *cough*), not because the
store wants to fight with you.

Im not big on saving reciepts either. The difference is, if I find
myself in a position of having to return something to a place that I
KNOW has a strict return policy, and I don't have the receipt, guess
who I blame?

Not the store...

Myself.

Ultimately it's about personal responsibility.

I know quite a few people who don't like Target's strict policies and
therefore refuse to shop there. To me, this is perfectly fair. Send
them a message by not shopping there, if that's how you feel.

In the meantime, lesson learned - and take some responsibility for
your own actions.

Listen, this is an easy fix. Go to Target and buy a new coat; keep the
receipt.

Take your new receipt and defective coat back to Target for a refund.

You get a new coat and your money back, case closed.

In the future, avoid Target, it is probably the worst store on Earth!!

Target shouldn't stand by their return policy but I want them to stand
by their product (last time I checked Target doesn't manufacture
jackets) and gimme a replacement. Boo hoo hoo. Oh, wait, I'm too
busy crying and I realized I don't have a jacket anymore. Oh boo hoo
hoo, now what am I to do do do?

My Grandmother taught me to always open a carton of eggs before I
purchased it, to ensure that none were broken.

Did you learn your lesson? Keep your reciepts, that way things like
this dont happen.

I have a suggestion... You could fix the zipper. It costs, like, ten
dollars to get a new one put in if you can't do it yourself.

The problem here is that it's not "Target's" coat that is defective.
Target is just a 3rd party retailer and they have very little control
over the vendors (unlike Walmart).

Had you not thrown a tantrum and left the coat with the store, you
could have at least contacted the manufacturer and had THEM remedy the
situation since it is THEIR merchandise that is defective.

Regardless, you should NEVER throw out a receipt until you've checked
out the merchandise or had your child try the coat on to ensure it fit
properly - ESPECIALLY if you're using cash.

Sadly the handful of fools who insisted on defrauding stores like
Target by doing illegal returns have spoiled it for everyone.

There are a NUMBER of things you could have done with the coat
(including contacting the manufacturer as I mentioned). Coats for
kids would probably take the coat and fix it for you before they
donate it. Or you could take it to a tailor (Reehorst Cleaners on
Lorain at Clague Rd. is excellent) and they can probably quickly and
cheaply repair the zipper. Or heck, zip over to JoAnn, ETC in the
strip mall and pick up a zipper - they really aren't that hard to
replace.

But to complain that they stole your money and then you leave the coat
there really calls into question how rational you were over the
situation.

Bottom line, you are an adult and if you expect to be treated like an
adult, you really should learn to get a better grip on your emotions.
Acting like a spoiled child and telling them "Fine, KEEP the coat!"
isn't going to make them fix the problem and just shortchanges you
because now you're out the coat and the money.

Yeah, you showed them!

If any company stole 35 bucks from me, I most certainly would not
leave the product at the store and walk out, no matter HOW frustrated
or angry I happened to be. Live and learn.

This is not a matter that should be taken lightly, you most certainly
have the right to report this crime and press criminal charges,
because stealing is a crime. And if it truly is a crime, the real
shame is now, how can you possibly prove you purchased anything there
without a reciept or the policy?

If the coat is this year's style and Target has other ones on the
rack, then buy another coat and return the defective coat with the new
receipt.

I apologize ahead of time as this may be a bit abrasive, but this is
what it takes for people to 'get it'.

What is the first sentence of the return policy? "A receipt dated
within 90 days is required for all returns and exchanges." That being
said, what don't you get? It was the same return policy when you
purchased it, so they aren't pulling it out of nowhere just for you.
Everyone is held to the same policy, so what makes your situation
different?

I understand that it's easy to lose a receipt, and I know it sucks
that you did, but at some point you have to take responsibility for
yourself. You lost the receipt, not Target, so why should they take
the loss?

When you purchase anything from anywhere, you are basically entering a
contract with them concerning the return policy. Target's part of the
"contract" requires a receipt (along with other things) in order for
them to take back the item. You didn't have that requirement, so
Target is under no obligation to do the return.

Target did not "steal" anything from you. You paid $35 for an item,
and you got the item. You are just trying to place the blame on Target
by saying THEY stole when really it was your irresponsibility that was
to blame.

The reason they have the policy for both defective and non-defective
products is because if they allowed no-receipt defective returns, then
all people would have to do without a receipt is just say that the
item was defective even if it weren't.

I hope you understand my viewpoint because I understand yours. It is
because of all the return fraud that these policies are in place. If
you would like to continue your discussion with a Target
representative, you can call them at Guest Relations, 1-800-303-0308.


At the very least, you could take this incident as a $35 lesson to
keep all receipts just in case something like this happens again.

I agree with Dragonflygrrrl below that this manager should have used
better judgment.

However, it just goes to show, KEEP YOUR RECEIPTS, people. Shove 'em
in an envelope or something and just dump them once a year if you
never needed them for returns or exchanges.

The OP could have kept the coat and paid a seamstress to replace the
zipper. That could be cheaper than buying a new coat altogether.

OK, usually I'm a big proponent of return policies in general, but
this does seem a touch extreme. In all honesty, I think I'd be a bit
upset too. I mean, a coat with Target tags on it was pretty clearly
purchased in a Target, you know? And a defective coat should be
exchanged for a functional one. I'm sure, though, that the policy
exists to prevent some form of scam.

I don't think that this is the fault of the cashier, and since you
don't give any examples of exactly how the cashier was unpleasant
other than that she refused your return I feel like probably she was
just doing her job. I also think the word "stole" is a bit strong.
Yes, because of their severe return policy you are out some money, but
Target stealing from you is quite different from them not providing
the outcome you wanted. I think your letter would be a lot more
effective if you left this stuff out and stuck to the facts.

I do think that Target's policy is a bit extreme where it applies to
defective items, but I doubt they are likely to change it. For every
policy that seems ridiculous to your average, honest customer, there
is a dishonest jerk out there that has tried to get around it.
Unfortunately, the rest of us have to pay for their dishonesty. You
might want to consider this a lesson learned in keeping receipts until
you are positive an item is what you want.

Didn't you try the coat on at the store at the time of purchase to
make sure that everything was in working order, and if your son wasn't
with you, why didn't you try the zipper to make sure that it zipped.


Targets return policy is clearly posted and on the back of your
receipt. This is the way most all of the retailers are going. What
happened to your receipt?

Try calling the manufacture of the coat, it is not Targets product.

Target's return policy is very clear and is printed on all their
receipts. Why didn't you save the receipt until you were sure the coat
fit?

Yes, it would be nice if they would do an even exchange of a defective
item but they had to get tough because they were losing too much to
thieves and scammers. I'm not saying you're one but what would happen
is someone would steal something and then try to return it for cash or
exchange it for their size.

I have a little pocket in my purse that I put all receipts in. Every
few months I go through them and throw out the ones I don't need.

BTW..it's allowed, not aloud and their products, not there products.
(sorry,just a little pet peeve)