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Their stores are big and bright and somehow more "upscale" than Wal-Mart or Kmart. But behind that chipper-looking exterior lurks a company that can be downright mean-spirited when its customers run into even the slightest problem.
Target's spiteful returns and exchanges policy, in particular, is making it the target of some pretty heated rhetoric from its former customers.
A few of the more recent complaints ...
Todd of Trinidad CA (09/10/08)
I bought a Schwinn Mountain bike from Target in 2005. I was as excited that day as I was when my Dad bought me my first Schwinn in 1964. Unfortunately, the Schwinn I bought in 2005 only lasted 2 years before the defective pot metal spoke started breaking in both the front and rear wheel. The 1964 Schwinn still works great and now my Dad's great grandson is riding it. I rode the 2005 bike about 10 times during 2 summers.
I called Target and explained that the spokes were made from defective metal. They told me to bring the bike into the store for inspection. I complied. I was told by the front desk that since the bike was more than 90 days old they couldn't replace it. They wrote up a repair work order, took my bike and promised to fix it per the repair contract that I signed.
I called at 30 days and they told me it was out being repaired. I called at 60 days and got the same story. I made 4 round trips to the store trying to find out where my bike was at a cost of 90 in gas not to mention all the time I wasted on the phone with Target and travel time.. I drove there twice last week. Once to meet the arrogant Alexis (store Mgr.).
Last Friday, September 5th I went to Target for the 4th time and picked up my bike. No repairs were made. Jeff (bike dept.) claimed that the model Schwinn I bought from Target was no longer carried by the store and the replacement wheels were unavailable. This isn't true because I just ordered them last Friday. They're on back order because so many people need them due to Schwinn's defective spokes. If I ever get all the parts that I need, I will then need to buy a bicycle repair tool kit with a cluster removal tool, Cluster chain whip and a one inch removal wrench as well as tire irons and inner tubes.
I spent 90 in gas and made 4 round trips to Target due to Targets misinformation. I still need to buy parts and tools and a work stand, (probably another 80 - 100) and there's no guarantee that it will work or it might even need even more parts. The original bike cost 200 and I bought a helmet, lock and air pump from Target as well. I researched Target's complaints on-line and there's so many people that were treated unfairly like myself that I'm interested in forming a class-action lawsuit for Target's sale of defective merchandise and for Targets complete lack of accountability for their employee's actions. Cher of Woodridge, IL September 2, 2008
Cher of Woodridge IL (09/02/08)
I was into Target on Sunday and forgot to hand over the coupon to the cashier. I realized it was still in my purse and went back the following morning (less than 24 hours)to get a refund for the coupon and buy a few extra items. I was told that they could not issue a refund for the coupon unless it's the same day. Luckily I had grabbed the item, coupon and receipt and was able to return the item and repurchased. But why would Target institute such a unfriendly customer, ungreen policy. So consumers, check your purse before you leave the store and avoid the hassel Target creates.
Minimal financial consequences, but very ungreen policy- making a consumer drive back to the store the same day vs the next time they need to purchase an item. Susan of Albuquerque, NM September 1, 2008
Susan of Albuquerque NM (09/01/08)
We enter credit card agreements, yet the creditor can change the terms when they would like, so it has become. So, I started out with a fixed rate of 15% four years ago. After excellent usage and payment history, they lowered the rate to 12% at my request. These rates were fixed. I was pleased. Then, about 2.5 years later, they informed me the rate was being changed to variable, according to the prime rate. This is where Congress wants to change things, since we enter agreements under one term, only to be changed by the creditors. So, the rate didn't go up by much, then about a year later, it started to drop. It is currently at 10%.
So, just this month they inform me they are changing the rates again - to still reflect the prime, but at a higher rate above the prime. The new current rate would be 13%, unless I decided to opt out and close the account, and keep the terms as they had been - with the lower interest rate. I chose the latter. I have use of other cards with fixed, lower rates. I don't need to do business with Target Visa again.
Of course, they say it is to keep in line with other customers, but that is an excuse. They have been losing money due to the lowering of the prime in the current economy, and they are trying to make up for that. However, I entered the agreement with a fixed rate and didn't expect a credit card company to change it to variable in the middle of it. Of course, the recent rates have benefited me, which is why Target Visa is now changing the terms again. I'll just pay on the balance, keep the current lower rate, with a closed account.
If I had kept the account open, my finance charges would have increased by about 20 or more per month, with the chance of it going up even more. I decided it wasn't worth it, since I won't be paying off the balance in full in a few months. Michael of Brownstown Township,, MI September 1, 2008
Michael of Brownstown Township, MI (09/01/08)
Glass top patio table purchased from Target shattered while away from home. Was discovered by neighbor who came to my home in Clermont to check out the house. Table was moved into house from patio in June in preparation for hurricane season. Fortunately it was covered with a sheet so shattered glass was contained under the table.
Loss of table and concern for residual glass left imbedded in carpet after cleanup. Leslie of Union City, CA August 31, 2008
Leslie of Union City CA (08/31/08)
This pharmacist has twice insisted on offering unsolicited medical advice. I am a patient who uses pain medication and he lectured me on my use despite my reassurances that my physician knows and closely follows my use. He asked me questions about my disorder and told me I should swim to get rid of my pain. When I tried to reiterate that my physician and I work to manage my health, he continued to tell me that my medication was not 'good for you.' I also find it interesting that twice the pharmacy has 'lost' prescription requests faxed by my doctor resulting in several days delay in filling my medications. When I pointed this out to the same pharmacist, he loudly exclaimed...we didn't lose it or anything...it wasn't sent, we aren't stupid we are in the business of selling medication.
Both my doctor and her MA had sent the last one, which the pharmacist insisted he never got. When I told him that not having this medication was a problem because over the counter pain relief would result in a rise in my blood pressure, the pharmacist said nonsense, it would only be because of water retention. As a result of his judgmental incompetence I was 5 days without medication which resulted in a great setback in my pain management protocol. He also told me in front of other customers that my blood pressure medication isn't a solution and I should do more exercise so I could go off of it.
As a result of this [pharmacist's] horrible unprofessional attitude, I will have my physician transfer all of my prescriptions to another pharmacy. This is distressing because this location is very convenient to me. It is also a loss to the store, as I use the trips (twice a month) as an occasion to do major shopping. I will likely use another store (probably not Target) to fill my basic shopping needs now.
There was no actual damage, except to embarrass me in front of other customers. I was made to feel like I was some kind of drug addict on the one occasion, and the other made me feel like a scolded child. Denisha of Richton Park, IL August 27, 2008
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