Consumers Applaud Salvation Army Ban

Target Stores • Returns • Pricing disputes • Customer service • Target Online • Security measures • Portrait studio • Target defenders --- • Target Misses Price Target, Backs Out of Sale • Ruling Against Target May Open Other Web Sites to the Blind • Target Bans the Salvation Army • Customers React to Salvation Army Ban

Most consumers we heard from were unhappy with Target's decision to ban the Salvation Army from seeking charitable contributions outside its stores. But a few, like those below, subscribed to the Bah, Humbug theory.

Michael of Jacksonville FL (12/22/04):
I read your newsletter with great anticipation each week. I have to disagree with you on the Target Scrooge story. I applaud Target for getting rid of these annoying harassing people. They're the 3D version of spam in your inbox.

James of Greenbelt MD (12/20/04):
This is in response to your article on "Target's Lump of Coal". I applaud Target for having the guts to make a decision and stick with it - no solicitations outside its stores. It is as simple as that - they won't ask their customers to be harassed by whatever cause YOU think is worthy. Did your website even bother to contact Target to see what their side of the story is? Did you research to see what philanthropic activities Target participates in?

When was the last time you partook in a philanthropic activity - besides throwing some "spare change" in a bucket?

Walmart just plays a PR game for their own greed, while Target made a stand for the consumer - hmmm - doesn't that sound funny? Target did something for the CONSUMER yet "consumeraffairs" lambasts them for that? Pretty sad if you ask me.

ConsumerAffairs.com damaged Target for taking a stand for the CONSUMER - hard to tell how much that damage is, but depending on the reach of your newsletter it could be substantial.

Clarice of Dallas (12/19/04):
Our family supports your decision not to allow solicitors at your stores. We will shop at your stores even more now.

Doug of Lafayette IN (12/21/04):
It is extremely disappointing and editorially poor reporting to jump on Target before finding out from them their reasons for not providing space for SA kettle dinging.

I had just read a Co-op America member's letter on the SA's policy of decriminating (sic) against homosexual people in its hiring practices. In addition, the SA has encouraged the federal government to exempt religious charities from laws barring discrimination against gays and lesbians. It objects to the granting of domestic partnership benefits to unmarried couples. I've also read that SA "plans to forfeit multi-million dollar contracts in NYC as the city recently passed a law requiring contractors to extend benefits to domestic partners." Perhaps Target's decision related to this issue and taking a stand on behalf of civil rights and anti-discrimination. You should have investigated and given your readers a balanced message and not a personal crusade.

Moreover, you state that Walmart had "bad PR hits" this year. That's the way they see it -- PR -- but its bad policies by the big guy on top, one that many communities have tried to keep from bulldozing its way in. How do you like, for instance, their practice of buying insurance policies on its workers, and then making itself the beneficiary?

Ironically, Walmart is in there with the greedy corporations and groups you jump on with each newsletter. And through its foundation, it gives millions to right-wing causes, such as anti-gay/lesbian organizations.

So, in a PR move, they (supposedly) will give a million bucks to SA, take that off their taxes, use the PR to lure customers away from Target, earn much more than the million bucks, and come out ahead -- with your help -- as they continue, in ever bigger ways, their unsavory practices and forcing themselves on communities that don't want the negative impacts and practices of the corporation and its "superstores."

Help SA personally, if you wish, but don't help Walmart and fail to put them on carpet -- and don't uninformedly (sic) bash Target as "Scrooge," a company that has had a long policy of community contributions.

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