Target, your return policies are out of control

[Bob55]

Target's return policies are driving me crazy. We just had a baby and we registered at Target so I've had to deal with them quite a bit, here's some of my very frustrating experiences:

1. We receive dozens of onesies that fit the baby for 3 months.

Well we just can't keep every onesie because there aren't that many days to even dress him, so sometimes we have to return a few. And not everyone gives us gift receipts. So guess what Target's policy is? You can only get an item from within the baby section. Oh, and right that day. And the new item has to have the EXACT same price as the original. We tried to return a $8.99 and $5.99 item, and they said we couldn't just get one $15 item, we had to get 2 items for those prices.

2. We get a $200 gift certificate.

Well it's nice, and it pays for a ton of diapers, but some of the cash back as change at the end would be nice. Nope. Not even 50 cents. You have to spend the entire gift card, in the store, which means you have to purchase more than the $200 to use it all.

3. We return a baby sling.

My wife didn't like it. Well they wouldn't let her return it without a receipt of course so I took it in, and I get "has this been out of the box?", "no", "it hasn't been out of the box at all?" "no I want my money please" (not an interrogation). Well of course guess what - I paid for it partially on credit card, and partially on gift card. And yes, they put the gift card money back onto a gift card, for me to use at a later date. ARGGGG why can't I just get my freaking money back?


I really thought Target was supposed to be a classier store, above a lot of the rest. Well I can go into those other stores, like Walmart, and take something that's been out of a package and even used and it gets taken back no questions asked, and they give me back cash. But being stingy with their gift cards and return policies will cost them a lot more money in the future, because I will not be shopping there again, ever. And it doesn't appear to be just me, I found many other instances of this and even worse stories. Good game, Target.

[Guinastasia]

Don't blame Target-blame the people that have abused the return policy in the past.

[sinjin]

I can see how some of these things could be abused, but the exact value on return items? It doesn't make any sense to me. So, dopers, your mission is to come up with a scam which utilizes the oh so clever "buy two items for $10 each and exchange them for one item of $20" gambit.

Wait for it.... Go!

[Green Cymbeline]

Hmm. I have never had a problem in the past with returning or exchanging at Target. And the one time I used a gift card, I got the change in cash.

[Ferret Herder]

I really thought Target was supposed to be a classier store, above a lot of the rest. Well I can go into those other stores, like Walmart, and take something that's been out of a package and even used and it gets taken back no questions asked, and they give me back cash. But being stingy with their gift cards and return policies will cost them a lot more money in the future, because I will not be shopping there again, ever. And it doesn't appear to be just me, I found many other instances of this and even worse stories. Good game, Target.
Their return policy is one of the reasons that Target is a classier store. For all of the bad stories you've read about Target's return policies, I've read tales of people returning items to Walmart that are grimy, years-old, obviously abused by the purchaser, or even never sold by Walmart at all, but their managers tell the workers they have to accept them. Policies like you mention are designed to cut down on this kind of abuse, on theft of items which are then returned without a receipt, on people "renting" baby items for the short term and then returning them once baby is done, and on people attempting to game the system in other ways. I understand your frustration, but they have good reason to do this.

[Uvula Donor]

2. We get a $200 gift certificate.

Well it's nice, and it pays for a ton of diapers, but some of the cash back as change at the end would be nice. Nope. Not even 50 cents. You have to spend the entire gift card, in the store, which means you have to purchase more than the $200 to use it all.

No, actually it means you have to purchase $200 to use it all.

[DianaG]

The reason that most businesses now use credit-card type gift cards is so that they don't have to give you your change in cash. They want the entire amount of the gift card spent in their establishment. In my experience, no store will give you cash back when you use a gift card.

Well we just can't keep every onesie because there aren't that many days to even dress him, so sometimes we have to return a few. And not everyone gives us gift receipts. So guess what Target's policy is? You can only get an item from within the baby section. Oh, and right that day. And the new item has to have the EXACT same price as the original. We tried to return a $8.99 and $5.99 item, and they said we couldn't just get one $15 item, we had to get 2 items for those prices.
This, on the other hand, is ridiculous, and I'm certain it's not a company-wide policy. Did you ask to speak to a manager?

[cosmosdan]

1. We receive dozens of onesies that fit the baby for 3 months.

Well we just can't keep every onesie because there aren't that many days to even dress him, so sometimes we have to return a few. And not everyone gives us gift receipts. So guess what Target's policy is? You can only get an item from within the baby section. Oh, and right that day. And the new item has to have the EXACT same price as the original. We tried to return a $8.99 and $5.99 item, and they said we couldn't just get one $15 item, we had to get 2 items for those prices.
As someone already mentioned, return policies have changed for many companies because of abuse by irresponsible and dishonest people. I've worked retail for years and it's pretty unbelievable what people will pull. Some are just crooks but many are otherwise decent folks who have convinced themselves it's not unethical to take advantage of existing policies for their benefit. Besides, the big cooperate stores can afford it. When that mindset becomes so mainstream that it makes a significant difference in profits then policies get stricter and less convenient.
I have to say I don't quite understand this one. Usually an in store credit is just a total amount and it doesn't matter what you get. My only question would be if these items were opened. It would make some sense in preventing people from using items and then returning them for something else which may be a problem in baby items. If they were in a sealed unopened package then it shouldn't matter.
2. We get a $200 gift certificate.

Well it's nice, and it pays for a ton of diapers, but some of the cash back as change at the end would be nice. Nope. Not even 50 cents. You have to spend the entire gift card, in the store, which means you have to purchase more than the $200 to use it all.
That seems a little strict. Usually there's a limit to how much change you can give back. Under 5 dollars or something. We used to get a lot of kids right after Christmas buying the cheapest item they could find and wanting the rest back in cash. It doesn't help the store to offer GCs and go the the expense of handling them for money that doesn't stay in the store. We used to give the difference back in GC form if someone with a $200 card made a $100 purchase. They didn't have to spend it all at once.

3. We return a baby sling.

My wife didn't like it. Well they wouldn't let her return it without a receipt of course so I took it in, and I get "has this been out of the box?", "no", "it hasn't been out of the box at all?" "no I want my money please" (not an interrogation). Well of course guess what - I paid for it partially on credit card, and partially on gift card. And yes, they put the gift card money back onto a gift card, for me to use at a later date. ARGGGG why can't I just get my freaking money back?
Returns without receipt are getting stricter and IMHO they should. Consumers have been spoiled by policies that were too relaxed and stopped taking responsibility for their purchases. If you buy something keep the receipt until you're sure you bought the right thing and you're keeping it. Many companies can and will look it up in their computer system under a phone number.
The GC thing is exactly what I mentioned above. It's interesting that you saw the GC as "my money" It isn't. They gave you back what you gave them. That seems reasonable to me.

I really thought Target was supposed to be a classier store, above a lot of the rest. Well I can go into those other stores, like Walmart, and take something that's been out of a package and even used and it gets taken back no questions asked, and they give me back cash. But being stingy with their gift cards and return policies will cost them a lot more money in the future, because I will not be shopping there again, ever. And it doesn't appear to be just me, I found many other instances of this and even worse stories. Good game, Target.

WalMArt has changed its return policies too but people can usually get around them by complaining. The problem is not the stores but those who abuse the policies. As more stores change their policies the ones that don't attract more of the policy abusers and will eventually change theirs or pass the cost of abuse on to the consumer in other ways.

[Cheesesteak]

And not everyone gives us gift receipts. So guess what Target's policy is? You can only get an item from within the baby section. Oh, and right that day. And the new item has to have the EXACT same price as the original. We tried to return a $8.99 and $5.99 item, and they said we couldn't just get one $15 item, we had to get 2 items for those prices.Ok, this is weirdYou have to spend the entire gift card, in the store, which means you have to purchase more than the $200 to use it all. AFAIK, this is now standard procedure with gift cards. Back in the day, gift certificates were just paper, it was more common to give some small amount of change in cash. With a card, the computer automatically deducts the money from the account, so there's no terrible inconvenience with just leaving whatever small amount is left on the card.
Well they wouldn't let her return it without a receipt of course so I took it in, and I get "has this been out of the box?", "no", "it hasn't been out of the box at all?" "no I want my money please" (not an interrogation). Well of course guess what - I paid for it partially on credit card, and partially on gift card. And yes, they put the gift card money back onto a gift card, for me to use at a later date. ARGGGG why can't I just get my freaking money back?Explain to me how the put the gift card money back on the gift card when you didn't have a receipt? Most stores are not thrilled with taking returns without a receipt, usually you can only get store credit.

As to whether or not it's been out of the box, I've bought WAY too many things in my life that have obviously been returns (gee, I wonder why that key part is missing?) to get upset when a store actually takes an interest in having returns be complete and in resaleable condition.

[BiblioCat]

1. We receive dozens of onesies that fit the baby for 3 months.

Well we just can't keep every onesie because there aren't that many days to even dress him, so sometimes we have to return a few. And not everyone gives us gift receipts. So guess what Target's policy is? You can only get an item from within the baby section. Oh, and right that day. And the new item has to have the EXACT same price as the original. We tried to return a $8.99 and $5.99 item, and they said we couldn't just get one $15 item, we had to get 2 items for those prices.I think you may have misunderstood this one. You wanted to return or exchange the onesies, and they said you had to do it that day, and for the exact amount and only from the baby department?
That doesn't sound right. I'm pretty sure they could have added the $15 to your $200 gift card, if you'd asked, or given you a new gift card for $15 to be used at any time. There's no way they would make you pick something out from the same department and use the credit that same day. They can't hold you hostage and make you use a store credit right then and there.

And as others have said, it's not really Target's fault, it's the fault of people who've abused the return policy in the past.

[Uncommon Sense]

Don't blame Target-blame the people that have abused the return policy in the past.
Right, Target used to have one of the best and most liberal return policies. Not sure when that changed. I think just in the last couple years.

[newcrasher]

We tried to return a $8.99 and $5.99 item, and they said we couldn't just get one $15 item, we had to get 2 items for those prices.

I find this hard to believe.

They are going to give you store credit, but they care how many items you purchase with it?

Color me dubious... :dubious:

The real fault lies at the feet of the people who did not provide you a gift receipt. Target offers them, especially with items purchased from a gift directory.

FWIW I bought a $40 bike tire pump at Target last week. Threw the bag and reciept away. It was hard to use, so I took it back to exchange it for a different model. I left it with the exchange counter, and picked out another model that was about $19.99. I picked up a bag of cat litter while I was there..no problem.

Did you give the people at the counter a problem or an attitude? Because , al Clerks, razzing a $8 worker will not help your cause...

[Mithril]

I actually appreciate Target's return policies. As someone who is pretty non-confrontational, it always bugged me to hear the rude screamers getting anything they wanted because the store just wanted to get rid of them. Target's policies put all the customers on a level playing field, and that makes me keep going back.

Use of the gift card as you described is totally typical at any store I've been to lately. I have a Home Depot card around somewhere with 37 cents on it. For returns without a receipt, it helps decrease shrink. If you had stolen that sling, they would be out their cost for the item or whatever other items you buy, rather than the purchase price of it. It seems reasonable.

For the thing with the onesies, that's just plain odd.

[Elza B]

We just returned a bunch of stuff (mostly duplicates) to Target from our baby shower, and had no problems with the returns, even for the couple of items that we had no gift receipt for. I had also purchased a diaper organizer that ended up sucking the big one, and they let me return that, opened and just stuffed into the box it came in (I couldn't get it to fit the same way).

I find 'em pretty reasonable. And heck, if you don't have a receipt, they can look it up by credit card or gift card. I've never heard that you have to return items for exactly the same price :dubious: . I have heard that it has to be exchanged for something from the same department, though.

E.

[mhendo]

Weel, the Target Stores return policy (http://www.target.com/gp/browse.html/ref=br_bx_0/602-3628688-2438223?%5Fencoding=UTF8&node=1068622) certainly doesn't make any mention of having to purchase items of identical value, or items from the same department.

[Damuri Ajashi]

I really thought Target was supposed to be a classier store, above a lot of the rest.

You think Target is bad, try Bennetton. They literally look for excuses not to accept returns. I will never shop there again. I have never had a problem with Target but they have never given me ay trouble when I wanted to return anything.

[Zsofia]

I returned some bath rugs about this time last year. Had the receipt and everything. I had to get something in that department, and I had one hour in which to do it with. I felt like I was on Supermarket Sweep.

The next time I came in I didn't have a receipt, but everything was in the packaging and I just needed a different size lampshade. The counter girl leaned over like we were co-conspirators and said, "Okay, go get it and bring it back to me." Why should I have to feel like I'm committing a crime getting a more expensive lampshade and paying for it?

Never been told it had to be the same price, though, that's crazy. That "you have one hour" thing was just nuts, though. I felt like I had another teammate somewhere yelling "Go go go go go!"

[GLWasteful]

Well, I can't speak to their policy (which I, too, find dubious) of exchanging things for precisely the same price, but gift cards are, by their very design, not supposed to give change back.

As far as their return policy, I recently purchased a USB cord that was supposed to jump from my digital camera to my laptop, but when I got it home, I discovered that it was the wrong size (damned Fuji). So, I threw everything back into the bag, not even bothering to twisty-tie the accursed thing back together and went to the return desk and said that it didn't fit. No way in hell that I could have pretended it hadn't been opened, what with plastic packaging being what it is. The young lady behind the counter said okey dokey, and when she looked up the receipt and noticed that I had purchased it on my debit card, asked me if I wanted my return amount put back onto my debit card, or if I wanted it in cash.

Understanding that "data" is not the plural of "anecdote", but fuck it, this is the pit, and my instance stands in pretty stark opposition to yours.

-Waste

[whiterabbit]

Nothing like finding a jacket from the Gap in one's returns...when one works at Wally World. You have to wonder what the idiot got back for it.

Sure, Target's policies sound a bit annoying (the "use it in an hour" thing anyway) but the "take it all back, let 'em abuse us and the system" system is even more annoying for us in the stores.

[LilyoftheValley]

I've always had positive experiences returning stuff at Target. Even a car seat I bought online at target.com, had opened and tried to install.

[Mince]

Well I can go into those other stores, like Walmart, and take something that's been out of a package and even used and it gets taken back no questions asked, and they give me back cash.


I returned an opened software program to Walmart because I played it a little and did not like it. I did not believe I would get my money back, but I took a chance.

Me: Yes, I'd like to retur......
Customer Service Rep (interrupting): Ok sir, here's your money.
Me: Uhhh, don't you want me to give you a reason?
CSR: No. Have a nice day. Next.

[Athena]

I've had good experiences with Target, but my mother had one that pissed me off.

She bought a copy of "The Sims 2" for her grandchildren to play at her house. By mistake, she picked up the DVD version. Her computer does not have a DVD player. She only realized this after she opened the box and tried to install it.

Target also stocks the CD version. They would not let her exchange the DVD version for the CD version.

Come on... I understand the "no open software returns" rule, but exchanging a DVD version for a CD version? That's crazy.

[gigi]

Me: Yes, I'd like to retur......
Customer Service Rep (interrupting): Ok sir, here's your money.
Me: Uhhh, don't you want me to give you a reason?
CSR: No. Have a nice day. Next.

I'd like to return this jacket.

May I ask why sir?

No, no reason.

Well, there has to be a reason.

OK, for spite.

I'm sorry, we're not allowed to accept returns for spite.

/Seinfeld

[Alma]

I returned some bath rugs about this time last year. Had the receipt and everything. I had to get something in that department, and I had one hour in which to do it with. I felt like I was on Supermarket Sweep.
I purchased a DVD from Target, and when I opened it, there was no disc. I took it back with receipt the next day, and they told me that I needed to purchase the same exact item and I should do it immediately. Except they didn't have the same item, as it was pretty popular. I said I would be happy to take a gift card, but the woman told me I'd need to get something in that same department (she was implying that I needed to do that that day, but I don't think she ever actually said that). I told her I didn't want to purchase anything from that department other than the item they didn't have.

I worked my way up three managers, and the last one tried to convince me to drive to another Target to purchase the same DVD. I wasn't ever bitchy, but I did stand my ground on that one. There's no way they were gonna make me drive across town to get an item that was defective because they were out of stock.

I did get the gift card. That was really the only time I've ever had a problem with their return policy. I don't have a beef with needing the receipt or not getting change back on a gift card. But to require same-department purchases (I don't know about same prices, I have never seen that happen) is a bit ridiculous.

[ZipperJJ]

I've heard conflicting things about Target's return policy.

On one hand, there's my mom who's co-worker had problems returning something. I dunno what the circumstances were...maybe a lost reciept. I think now her office is under the impression that Target won't accept returns on ANY opened item (???) and every time we go to Target she tells me "I have to be careful. Target has such a bad return policy."

On the other hand, my friends were having a baby (they live in Ohio) and ended up having a huge baby shower in Georgia...and no one thought about how they were going to get all of their crap home (either in their Accord or on an airplane). They had registered at Target so after the shower they took all the stuff they couldn't carry home - some with reciepts and some not - back to Target in Georgia and got gift cards. When they got back to Ohio they re-purchased everything they'd returned and sent off their thank-you cards. Anything they didn't want to re-purchase, they didn't, and bought diapers with the rest of the $$.

Here's my crappy Target story, since we're in the Pit:

I have a friend that I'm not very close with, but he got married in March. Him and his fiance had come to my birthday party the year before and gave me a movie gift cert, so I thought it'd be nice to give them a gift. I checked their registry on Target.com and there was nothing left that I wanted to buy, so I opted for $30 in gift certificates ($10 gift certs were an option on their registry). I put in QTY = 3 and then checked out. I was happy to see that I was able to send right to the bride, even though her address was obscured (for safety) since I didn't know it.

I was NOT happy to see that instead of sending one $30 gift card, Target made me send 3 $10 gift cards. And write a gift message for each. I figured that was better than nothing so I made my purchase.

When I'm done I get a notice in email that my GIFT CARDS were on BACKORDER and will be sent as soon as possible. GIFT CARDS ON BACKORDER. Those fucking plastic things that they have stacks and stacks of at every register in every Target were on backorder.

Whatever. I figure any gift is better than none, and the couple were easy going and would appreciate it no matter when it got there.

But...once a month for three months after my purchase I got an email from Target saying my order was partially shipped. One $10 gift card with a dis-connected gift message (I assumed they'd be sent together) each month for 3 months. 3 months after they got married.

I finally got a chance to talk to the groom and luckilly they thought it was kind of funny. They thought maybe I'd be sending them $10/mo for the rest of their lives. What a stupid fucking way to run your business, though.

Hmmmm....that was a bit long-ish. my bad.

[davenportavenger]

When I'm done I get a notice in email that my GIFT CARDS were on BACKORDER and will be sent as soon as possible. GIFT CARDS ON BACKORDER. Those fucking plastic things that they have stacks and stacks of at every register in every Target were on backorder.Actually, I've heard that when you order a physical gift card online (as opposed to just an access code) it is often backordered because not many people buy gift cards online this way. Most people buy the card at the store (where they do have them in all increments) and slip it in a card envelope. It's unusual, so they're stumped when it happens. At least, I've heard this about Amazon. Next time I would buy the card in the store or just send them a gift card access code without the physical card. Although the latter is hardly giftlike in its presentation.

As someone who does not appreciate other people harshing my shit before I even get it, I appreciate these return policies. There is nothing more skank-ass than going to Walmart (which I don't, anymore) and seeing that half the shirts have sweat stains under the pits. Or that there is food in the purses. Or scratches on my "new" DVDs. I've never seen anything in Target that looks like it spent a solid week at someone else's house before I got to it. If that takes a little frustration at the exchange counter, so be it. More reason why people should get gift receipts.

[Bob55]

The reason that most businesses now use credit-card type gift cards is so that they don't have to give you your change in cash. They want the entire amount of the gift card spent in their establishment. In my experience, no store will give you cash back when you use a gift card.


This, on the other hand, is ridiculous, and I'm certain it's not a company-wide policy. Did you ask to speak to a manager?


No, I've never really been bold enough to do the "let me talk to your manager", I think my parents embarassed me too much doing this when I went places with them. But I should learn to.

My wife informs me that even though I'm boycotting Target, I will be going with her shortly to get pictures taken of our son...at Target :( So I gotta do what she says. Maybe I'll bring that up this time about the odd pricing return policy.

[Anastasaeon]

Just popping in to add that I've never had any problems with Target's return policy, either. My mother sends Target gift cards to my husband and I every Christmas, and sometimes we've returned things. Regarding the onesies; that is indeed very odd, and certainly doesn't happen everywhere. We've returned many things and purchased things of greater value, and just paid the extra. Was it the manager who told you this, or a cashier or other service person? If they were new or didn't fully understand the policy, maybe they winged it and gave you bad information. Not professional, but it happens.

I work at a small, locally owned consignment shop, and our return policies are similar in many ways, but some are even stricter. It protects us from people who abuse the system. Once you've seen the flip side of that particular coin, some policies begin to make much more sense.

[Kevbo]

The "must be from same department" thing would really cheese me off.

I can think of only two possible explainations:

-Each department is set up as it's own buisiness within a buisness, and they are all in competition.

-There was, at some point, a problem with theives stealing poorly secured merchandise and exchanging it for "we keep it in a locked cabinet behind a staffed sales counter" items.

In many ways this defeats some of the advantage of shopping at a department store.


The "must exchange each item for exactly one item of exactly the same price" thing would have me throwing a shit fit.

[Merijeek]

Someone was in a mood.

Either the OP did something to piss off the Target worker or the OP stumbled onto a worker who wanted to use their little bit of power to make someone suffer.

-Joe

[Shagnasty]

They did much of that same crap to me a few weeks ago. I don't think I will ever be able to understand all that transpired during that 45 minutes. My wife asked me to return some extra baby things as well. I even had the receipt. Things looked well when I walked up to the desk. The carefully looked over my receipt and then asked me for the credit hard the purchases were made on. That was my wife's and I didn't have it. They told me no deal. I have no idea why it is a problem just credit ting things back to the original credit card even if it isn't physically present. They have the number in their system. I would like to see that gambit explained as well.

I asked for their phone and tried to locate my wife. She answered on her cell phone but she didn't have the card with her. She talked to the returns person and he told her to just call back when she got home (while I stood there). A few more phone calls and they located the card. Swell right?

Things went screwy from there and they proposed some of the same bizarre solutions as they did to the OP. They told me to get baby stuff (although I think it just had to be more in total than the return). We didn't need anything. After a bizarre back and forth, they convinced me to just go get some stuff anywhere that was more than the return and come run it by them and have them do a special check-out. I wandered the store and settled on some bags of pet food. I went back and got to wait in the returns line again until they could bless my most unorthodox request. They could have never refunded my return and charged me double for what I bought but there was no real way to tell at that point.

I think their strategy is just to have people experience their returns process once and only once and then just decide it is better to keep everything after that.

[Seven]

I really thought Target was supposed to be a classier store, above a lot of the rest.

:D

Target is just Kmart in a jogging suit.

[GLWasteful]

:D

Target is just Kmart in a jogging suit.
Yeah, but it's a classy jogging suit.

[Millit the Frail]

I was spurned by Target last weekend.

I was trying to return an ill-fitting shirt. I knew the date I had bought it, and I had lost the receipt, but the tags were still on it.

Here's what happened:

If I had bought it on a credit card, she could run the card on her machine, look up the purchase somehow, and credit the $14.99 back to my card. By George, I had used a card, and I handed it over. She swiped the card, didn't see the purchase (I told her the date even), and told me I must have paid cash.

Me: No, I didn't pay in cash. It's on that card.

Her: No, it's not. But...well....OK, if you get something from the same department with the same price, you can exchange it.

Me: It *is* on that card, but OK, I'll go make an exchange. Fine.

Her: You must have an NY driver's license to do that.

Me: What the?? I have an out-of-state license.

Her: I could take a US Passport.

So now I have to make another trip to Target (20-minute walk each way!) with my freaking passport *and* buy another item in Women's Clothing for $14.99.

Fuck that....I've loved Target for a long time, but if I can't return stuff easily, the relationship is over.

[ZipperJJ]

So it seems like the best way to return stuff to Target w/o a reciept is to follow their whacky procedures by going to get shit of the exact same price in the exact same department and purchase it.

Then take the reciept from your new purchase and say "ok I want to return this stuff."

[Geobabe]

The "must be from same department" thing would really cheese me off.

I can think of only two possible explainations:

-Each department is set up as it's own buisiness within a buisness, and they are all in competition.

-There was, at some point, a problem with theives stealing poorly secured merchandise and exchanging it for "we keep it in a locked cabinet behind a staffed sales counter" items.

In many ways this defeats some of the advantage of shopping at a department store.


The "must exchange each item for exactly one item of exactly the same price" thing would have me throwing a shit fit.Actually, I can think of a third explanation: the clerk was lazy and didn't want to have to run it through the register. You get two items of exactly the same value from the same department, they can just hand the returned items to the restocking person and be done with it.

[Zsofia]

Actually, I can think of a third explanation: the clerk was lazy and didn't want to have to run it through the register. You get two items of exactly the same value from the same department, they can just hand the returned items to the restocking person and be done with it.
Still irresponsible with the inventory.

[rainwalker78]

My wife and I registered at Target for our wedding last year. We had no trouble returning things that were either on our registry or we had a receipt. We did have a problem returning things that were not on our registry and we didn't get a receipt for. But I blame the person who both shopped off of the registry AND didn't include a receipt. That's a double bad on their part. I can't really blame Target.

I have some friends that shop almost exclusivly at wal-mart becuase of the return policy. They buy stuff, and then later, when they need money, they just return it. So, I kinda like Target's policy.

[Frylock]

I think you may have misunderstood this one. You wanted to return or exchange the onesies, and they said you had to do it that day, and for the exact amount and only from the baby department?
That doesn't sound right. I'm pretty sure they could have added the $15 to your $200 gift card, if you'd asked, or given you a new gift card for $15 to be used at any time. There's no way they would make you pick something out from the same department and use the credit that same day. They can't hold you hostage and make you use a store credit right then and there.

And as others have said, it's not really Target's fault, it's the fault of people who've abused the return policy in the past.

I can confirm the "same department" part at least. My wife and I have experienced that twice already.

-FrL-

[thirdwarning]

The last time I went to Target to return something, it was a couple of shirts I'd bought for my daughter, from the clearance rack. Turned out I had looked at the hanger instead of the actual garment for the size. :smack:
I'm usually smarter than that.
Anyway, I took the bag to the return counter, the girl there took my receipt, scanned it, scanned the items I was returning, and gave me a receipt to sign. I asked her if she needed my card to credit it back to, and she said no. Approximately two minutes, start to finish.
Of course, that was with a receipt. I did go in a couple of years ago with an outdated receipt and they would only give me store credit for the most recent sale price. It didn't make me really happy, but it was my own fault for taking so long to get back there.
I have exchanged things where they just said, "Go get the one you want and we'll trade it."

[Naz]

My wife asked me to return some extra baby things as well. I even had the receipt. Things looked well when I walked up to the desk. The carefully looked over my receipt and then asked me for the credit hard the purchases were made on. That was my wife's and I didn't have it. They told me no deal. I have no idea why it is a problem just credit ting things back to the original credit card even if it isn't physically present. They have the number in their system. I would like to see that gambit explained as well.


I don't work at Target, but my store has this policy as well. My managers tell me that a card purchase must go back to the card it was purchased on, but our computers don't keep the full card numbers for security. So no card, no return. Dunno if that's Target's reason, but it's possible.

Come to think of it, a lot of these return policies are the same where I work. And we still see a lot of customers abusing the system. But I still can't figure out the 'store credit for same dept. and same price' thing. I'm wondering if it was a newbie at the return counter that day.

[Bob55]

Someone was in a mood.

Either the OP did something to piss off the Target worker or the OP stumbled onto a worker who wanted to use their little bit of power to make someone suffer.

-Joe

No, I was polite to her.

We took the items to a different Target and they did NOT have the 5.99/8.99 same price exchange thing so maybe she was being lazy, but it did have to be from the same department. But I did learn one more thing that is annoying when you don't have the gift receipt (which, with a wedding/baby registry, is likely for many of us):

You can only return two items per year per drivers liscence.

[Monty]

Hmm. I have never had a problem in the past with returning or exchanging at Target. And the one time I used a gift card, I got the change in cash.
Me neither. Actually, once I had gone into the Target to return something my friend had bought at Wal-Mart. Target gave the cash back. On the way out the door, I double-checked the receipt and noticed, "Hey, that's a different company!" and went back in and they accepted the money and gave me back the item and we all had a good laugh about it. I then drove to the closest Wal-Mart and also had no problem with getting the money back--they wanted to give me back the tax in their area (higher than in the area where purchased).

So, no problem getting them to take stuff back.

[PunditLisa]

My wife and I registered at Target for our wedding last year. We had no trouble returning things that were either on our registry or we had a receipt. We did have a problem returning things that were not on our registry and we didn't get a receipt for. But I blame the person who both shopped off of the registry AND didn't include a receipt. That's a double bad on their part. I can't really blame Target.

No, what's bad form is: 1) Expecting your friends and relatives to buy you a gift at all; 2) Expecting them to purchase said gift from a list you created which detailed exactly what you wanted; and 3) Expecting people who didn't use your registry to include a receipt so that you weren't inconvenienced returning it.
:rolleyes:

[Tortuga]

I've never had a bad experience with a Target return. I've been told I should boycott them because as a feminist pro-choice cash voter I should be offended by their policy of allowing their pharmacists to refuse to fill certain prescriptions. I still shop there.

But I've worked for a huge chain corporation, I know how squirrelly corporate policies can be. (I don't miss it)

And, Target donates a ton of money to local charities which has a very real effect. My mother (before retiring) worked for a local children's shelter/home where Target every year donated gift cards ($100, $200) to each kid so they could go back to school shopping. This is awesome.
Kids learn budgeting.
They enjoy shopping in a group--while budgeting, all on a level playing field
They actually get to shop for back to school! Like the media tells them is the norm! They have their own money! That they have control of! All theirs to spend and decide on!

To kids that have been given nothing, had druggie parents (or worse, foster parents) who spent subsidy money meant for their welfare on other things, this was an amazing, wonderful experience. It makes them feel special, it makes them feel like they mean something. As silly as that might seem to people raised in different circumstances.


Anyway, amen to PunditLisa.

[rainwalker78]

No, what's bad form is: 1) Expecting your friends and relatives to buy you a gift at all; 2) Expecting them to purchase said gift from a list you created which detailed exactly what you wanted; and 3) Expecting people who didn't use your registry to include a receipt so that you weren't inconvenienced returning it.
:rolleyes:

Wow, not sure where that came from. Well, it is your right to disagree with, or even hate, wedding traditions. However,
bad form (http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/badform?view=uk)
is to not include a gift receipt for the gift you purchsed that wasn't on the registry. In fact, it is bad form to purchase a gift not on the registry in the first place.

The whole concept of the wedding gift is to help the new family get started, what with the lack of money and the abundance of college furniture. The registry is to help make sure that you don't get anything you don't need, such as the three knife sets we received, despite already owning 2 knife sets (mine and hers).

Good for you that you didn't need any help and so you didn't have a registry or accept any gifts. MOst people getting married are not in that situation. IT has been my experience that when my friends get married, I want to help as much as I can. It is certanly more helpful to get people things that they need then whatever catches my fancy. Why is it so wrong to accept these gifts? I am surprised that as a married person you don't have at least a passing familiarity with wedding etiquette.


Besides, these things tend to even out in the end (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=6695257&highlight=wedding#post6695257) .



Anyway, amen to PunditLisa.

Perhaps you two would like to open your own thread about how bad wedding traditions are. Or maybe you could pit me for being such a jerk for buying my friends wedding gifts when they got married, and acepting gifts from my friend when i got married.

You know, you guys are right!! My frinds getting married this Saturday - no gift!! It is going right back (if Target will take it!). I will call my wife right now and tell her that she is not hosting the langerie [sp?] party, and for sure not buying the new bride any sexy underwear!! I am sure as hell not going to manage the parking at the wedding. I probably shouldn't even attend. Down with weddings!! :rolleyes:

[Guinastasia]

Nope, sorry, rainwalker78, etiquette is on PunditLisa's side. A gift is never something that should be expected.

[Cat Whisperer]

Yup, PunditLisa is right. Even if the gifts you receive for babies or weddings or whatever are multiples, you smile and say, "Thank you very much for your thoughtful gift," and if you can't return it, too bad. It was A GIFT. You are not put out by someone else's thoughtlessness because they didn't use the registry or include the receipt.

Gift registries and including receipts have become somewhat of a custom because most people are sympathetic with people receiving multiples that they basically have no use for, but it is by no means anyone's obligation to use a registry or include a receipt when buying A GIFT for someone else.

But gift etiquette aside, Target's return policies sound asinine.

[rainwalker78]

Nope, sorry, rainwalker78, etiquette is on PunditLisa's side. A gift is never something that should be expected.

Could you point to where I said I "expected" any gift from anybody? Here is what I wrote:

My wife and I registered at Target for our wedding last year. We had no trouble returning things that were either on our registry or we had a receipt. We did have a problem returning things that were not on our registry and we didn't get a receipt for. But I blame the person who both shopped off of the registry AND didn't include a receipt. That's a double bad on their part. I can't really blame Target.

I have some friends that shop almost exclusivly at wal-mart becuase of the return policy. They buy stuff, and then later, when they need money, they just return it. So, I kinda like Target's policy.


Let's actually read it. Hmm, I don't see anywhere where I said I expected a gift from anyone. I did, however, provide a registry so that those people who chose to get me a gift would have an idea of what we needed. Some of my friends didn't bring a gift, what with being poor college students. Guess what? Almost everyone of them asked if there was any other way they could help. 'Cuz that what friends do. Let's read some more....Ah, I did say that some people got gifts not on the registry, and didn't include a gift receipt. I said that these gifts were harder to return (which, incidently, actually addresses the OP - unlike your post, and PunditLisa's). I suppose I should have,what, thrown them away instead? I didn't. I even wrote thank you notes. Because I actually do have a grasp on wedding etiquette.

Oh, and according to this site (http://www.beau-coup.com/gift_giving_etiquette.htm) , guests should not feel obligated to go by the registry, but the gift should be thoughtful, and that not giving a gift at all is in poor taste.

So to recap, having a registry is not bad form. Giving a wedding gift that is not on the registry, is not needed, or wanted, and not including a gift receipt is bad form and NOT thoughtful, and not giving a gift at all is in porr taste.

You don't know me. You know very little about me. You weren't at my wedding. You didn't see any invitations. How can you be so quick to be judgemental? Explain to me what was in my post that was so wrong. What was it? Was saying that gifts that did not include a gift receipt and were not on our registry were hard to return really so bad? Especially considering that is the topic of the thread?

Or realize that you misunderstood what I read and apologize.

[rainwalker78]

Yup, PunditLisa is right. Even if the gifts you receive for babies or weddings or whatever are multiples, you smile and say, "Thank you very much for your thoughtful gift," and if you can't return it, too bad. It was A GIFT. You are not put out by someone else's thoughtlessness because they didn't use the registry or include the receipt.

Gift registries and including receipts have become somewhat of a custom because most people are sympathetic with people receiving multiples that they basically have no use for, but it is by no means anyone's obligation to use a registry or include a receipt when buying A GIFT for someone else.

But gift etiquette aside, Target's return policies sound asinine.

Perhaps you can read my reply in the post above, I believe it applies.

Sereously, maybe you guys could read my post and not add stuff to it in your own heads. Cuz guess what? I sent thank you notes for every. single. gift.I. recieved. On or off the registry, cheap or expensive, good or bad, nice or crappy. You are jumping on me for stuff I NEVER said.

[Cheesesteak]

When you get a gift, it's the thought that counts.

Therefore, one should actually put a little bit of thought into the gift. If you're not buying from a registry, and you're getting standard baby/wedding gifts, it's highly probable that your gift will be a useless duplicate. That's the way the world is, like it or not.

Are you buying a gift so that the happy parents can put that third Diaper Genie in their attic? I hope not, I assume you are buying a gift so that the parents will have something useful for raising their kid, rather than to make yourself feel like hot shit. It's a trivial exercise to include the receipt so that the parents/couple can exchange the item if it happens to be a duplicate or just not quite their style.

I'd also like to add that expect has more than one meaning. It can mean (1)anticipate, which anyone with a functioning braincell will do around weddings and new babies. It can also mean (2)require, which is rude and inappropriate.

When I got married I expected(1) people to want to buy gifts, so I created a registry and told them about it if they asked. I did not expect(2) people to give me a gift from the registry.

[Frylock]

When you get a gift, it's the thought that counts.

Therefore, one should actually put a little bit of thought into the gift. If you're not buying from a registry, and you're getting standard baby/wedding gifts, it's highly probable that your gift will be a useless duplicate. That's the way the world is, like it or not.

Are you buying a gift so that the happy parents can put that third Diaper Genie in their attic? I hope not, I assume you are buying a gift so that the parents will have something useful for raising their kid, rather than to make yourself feel like hot shit. It's a trivial exercise to include the receipt so that the parents/couple can exchange the item if it happens to be a duplicate or just not quite their style.

I'd also like to add that expect has more than one meaning. It can mean (1)anticipate, which anyone with a functioning braincell will do around weddings and new babies. It can also mean (2)require, which is rude and inappropriate.

When I got married I expected(1) people to want to buy gifts, so I created a registry and told them about it if they asked. I did not expect(2) people to give me a gift from the registry.

Hear hear.

-FrL-

[Frylock]

When you get a gift, it's the thought that counts.

Therefore, one should actually put a little bit of thought into the gift. If you're not buying from a registry, and you're getting standard baby/wedding gifts, it's highly probable that your gift will be a useless duplicate. That's the way the world is, like it or not.

Are you buying a gift so that the happy parents can put that third Diaper Genie in their attic? I hope not, I assume you are buying a gift so that the parents will have something useful for raising their kid, rather than to make yourself feel like hot shit. It's a trivial exercise to include the receipt so that the parents/couple can exchange the item if it happens to be a duplicate or just not quite their style.

I'd also like to add that expect has more than one meaning. It can mean (1)anticipate, which anyone with a functioning braincell will do around weddings and new babies. It can also mean (2)require, which is rude and inappropriate.

When I got married I expected(1) people to want to buy gifts, so I created a registry and told them about it if they asked. I did not expect(2) people to give me a gift from the registry.

Hear hear.

-FrL-

[rainwalker78]

When you get a gift, it's the thought that counts.

Therefore, one should actually put a little bit of thought into the gift. If you're not buying from a registry, and you're getting standard baby/wedding gifts, it's highly probable that your gift will be a useless duplicate. That's the way the world is, like it or not.

Are you buying a gift so that the happy parents can put that third Diaper Genie in their attic? I hope not, I assume you are buying a gift so that the parents will have something useful for raising their kid, rather than to make yourself feel like hot shit. It's a trivial exercise to include the receipt so that the parents/couple can exchange the item if it happens to be a duplicate or just not quite their style.

I'd also like to add that expect has more than one meaning. It can mean (1)anticipate, which anyone with a functioning braincell will do around weddings and new babies. It can also mean (2)require, which is rude and inappropriate.

When I got married I expected(1) people to want to buy gifts, so I created a registry and told them about it if they asked. I did not expect(2) people to give me a gift from the registry.

Well said