Anyone out there work at Target? Question about returns

[Athena]

My mother is pretty good with computers, but really had a brain fart this Christmas and bought a copy of The Sims 2 for my nephew, who spends a lot of time at her house. Turns out she bought the DVD edition. She doesn't have a DVD on her computer. They didn't find that out until she opened the package and they tried to install it.

Fine, I told her. Bring it back to Target. I know they won't return opened software for other titles, but they don't want another title - they want "The Sims 2" on CD instead of DVD.

No go, says the Target manager. Now, this is completely contrary to what I understood Target's return policy to be. This guy told my mother that they don't return opened software for anything.

So, Target workers of the SD, is this true? What if the software is defective, and I only find out after I open the package? Is my Mom screwed? Is there any way she can legally get a copy on CD?

[ivylass]

IANATE*, but I believe you can exchange one format for another. Check with management. It's not like you're trying to return it for cash.

I Am Not A Target Employee

[Athena]

Originally Posted by ivylass

IANATE*, but I believe you can exchange one format for another. Check with management. It's not like you're trying to return it for cash.

I Am Not A Target Employee

That's what I'm asking about. Mother tried to return it for a CD version, and was told she couldn't.

[Rock n Roach]

She could always say it isn't working and she only wants an exchange. Then she comes back with the CD, the clerk mentions the format difference, Mom feigns ignorance and maybe, just maybe they may make the exchange.

hey, it might work.

And it's not far from the truth ie she was ignorant to the format when she opened it.

[Anaamika]

What!? This is crap. I did exactly the same thing - bought the DVD version, then went and exchanged it for the CD version - at BEST BUY. Maybe you should tell them that Best Buy does it with no problem.

Exchange, Target - we're not trying to bilk you.

[wmulax93]

Nope, no go. It's not allowed by the computer system at all; an error pops up on the screen. All CDs, movies, and video games have the same policy because of the prevalence of piracy.

Given that you're in the U.P., I'm guessing that you're shopping at the Marquette store. From what I've heard, they're assholes there anyways.

[wmulax93]

Originally Posted by Anaamika

What!? This is crap. I did exactly the same thing - bought the DVD version, then went and exchanged it for the CD version - at BEST BUY. Maybe you should tell them that Best Buy does it with no problem.

To which I would point out that the sign above the door clearly says Target, not Best Buy. Two separate companies with two separate return policies.

[Anaamika]

Originally Posted by wmulax93

To which I would point out that the sign above the door clearly says Target, not Best Buy. Two separate companies with two separate return policies.

Competition?

What the hell is this statement supposed to mean? What i was trying to point out, was make it clear to the company that their competitor has no problem doing it, so why should they?

She isn't trying to bilk them, and they should understand that. Honestly, some people can be so snarky.

[ivylass]

Is there a price difference between the CD and DVD version?

[Athena]

No price difference, although if there were, my mother would be willing to pay the difference.

I get a LOT of software from Target. In the future, I think Wal*Mart will be getting my business. I completely understand the whole deal where they won't return for a different title, but IMO this is ridiculous. My mother didn't even know that you could GET a DVD version of software; all she wants is the version that will run on her computer.

[caphis]

Originally Posted by Anaamika

What the hell is this statement supposed to mean? What i was trying to point out, was make it clear to the company that their competitor has no problem doing it, so why should they?

On a personal level, I agree with you, and Target should make the swap.

On a business level, I would also point out that the sign says "Target" and not "Best Buy." You can't expect one store to follow the practices of another.

[Rock n Roach]

Hey, maybe she could take it to Best Buy, explain how she didn't realize they had a DVD version and that she picked up the wrong one, but she doesn't have a receipt (or the packaging).

[wmulax93]

Originally Posted by Anaamika

Competition?

What the hell is this statement supposed to mean? What i was trying to point out, was make it clear to the company that their competitor has no problem doing it, so why should they?

She isn't trying to bilk them, and they should understand that. Honestly, some people can be so snarky.

Yes, and saying, "But they'll do it!!!!" is the height of snarkiness.

Target does not see BB as a competitor. Target is in competiton with other discount general purpose stores, like Wal-Mart, K-Mart, and Meijer.

I don't agree with the policy, but I despise people who pull this card at the service desk. They make me want to call Terrible Terry Tate out to take care of business.

And, FWIW, the box for Sims 2 DVD clearly says DVD at the top.

[Athena]

Originally Posted by wmulax93

And, FWIW, the box for Sims 2 DVD clearly says DVD at the top.

Yes, it does, but I think my 67 year old mother is doing pretty damn well to even know to pick out something like The Sims 2. She looked at it to make sure it was the PC version and everything; she simply didn't know that some newer games came on DVD. And really, it's pretty damn new that they do - only the newest most up-to-date games release on DVD at all. I highly doubt she's the only one who made this mistake.

As far as "bring it back to Best Buy", there is no Best Buy anywhere close. And by "close" I mean 150 miles. So that ain't gonna happen.

Anyone want a copy of The Sims 2 on DVD for cheap?

[ratatoskK]

(not really a hijack...) My ex bought my son some computer games for Christmas, and a few were DVD-only versions.... My PC has a CD drive, no DVD. Well I just bought a DVD read-only drive for under $50 including shipping and no tax. So I figure I'll be needing it in the future for some reason anyhow... $50 is probably not much more than the cost of one game.

[hightechburrito]

That's odd, I've been able to exchange a full-screen dvd for a widescreen even after it was opened.

You should try again later, this time take both the opened one and the correct one to the return booth, and say it doesn't work. They should let you switch them.

[35340]

Originally Posted by Rock n Roach

Hey, maybe she could take it to Best Buy, explain how she didn't realize they had a DVD version and that she picked up the wrong one, but she doesn't have a receipt (or the packaging).

Sure, bilk Best Buy. Why the heck not!

The other option is to tell them it doesn't work in the machine (true) and exchange it for the EXACT ONE in DVD. Most stores will trade a "non working copy" for another one.

Then go to a different Target that would exchange an unopened one wrong format for the right format one?

[SkeptiJess]

How frustrating! I'd go back again and ask to speak to the highest available manager -- the store manager, preferably. Call ahead and make sure you're going in at a time when someone with authority will be able to help you.

If they still refuse, you could try Mynn's idea.

Last resort, sell the thing on eBay in an attempt to recoup at least some of your mom's money.

[Athena]

Originally Posted by Mynn

Then go to a different Target that would exchange an unopened one wrong format for the right format one?

This is the Frozen North. There is only one Target. Really.

Yeah, I might call and talk to the store manager. Otherwise I've already told my mother that EBay may be the way to go. After thinking about it for a while, I'm not even sure that the CD version will run on her machine - it's an OK machine, but the video card ain't nothing special, and I have my doubts.

Hmmm... something else, I wonder if I could copy the DVD to several CDs then dump them onto her hard drive and install from a directory. Anyone know if that would work?

[Eliahna]

I've seen DVD-ROM drives here in Australia for under $40 American dollars. I presume you can buy them for a similar amount in the US Perhaps replacing the CD-ROM drive with a DVD-ROM drive might be an answer? Not only will all the CDs and DVDs work in it (making it useful for future games that might come out on DVD), but then the computer can also be used to watch DVD movies - and access the PC-Only features that come on some disks.

[Hampshire]

You know, you can be a Target or Best Buy and clearly state your return policy on the receipt as "Opened software is non-returnable. Defective software will be exchanged for identical item only" and people will always come up with an excuse as to why you need to break the policy for them, why they are an exception to the rule, why you must do it for them or they will never shop there again.
When I worked at BBY this was the policy. But we did make exceptions when we heard these sob stories. Result- literally boxes and boxes of returned software sitting in our warehouse. Multiply this times 500+ stores that can pretty much throw the stuff in the trash (vendors won't take it back and it's unsellable once opened (would you buy it?)) and you have a big problem.
Solution- Tighten up on the stated return policy.

In my experience every time a store gives an inch and makes exceptions in their return policies, everyone and their brother takes advantage of it and ruins it for everyone.

[35340]

Originally Posted by cazzle

I've seen DVD-ROM drives here in Australia for under $40 American dollars. I presume you can buy them for a similar amount in the US Perhaps replacing the CD-ROM drive with a DVD-ROM drive might be an answer? Not only will all the CDs and DVDs work in it (making it useful for future games that might come out on DVD), but then the computer can also be used to watch DVD movies - and access the PC-Only features that come on some disks.

If the rest of the hardware can support it. That might be the catch. I could put a DVD'er on my G's 333, but it wouldn't work.