Target So typical of Target Cincinnati Ohio
I looked up a product on Target.com before Christmas. I was given a choice to have it delivered, or find it in at a store. I put in my zip-code, and it was available at my local Target. When I found the item on the shelf, but it had a higher price. When I brought it to the attention to an employee by the name of J----, I was directed to the Target.com kiosk in the Customer Service area to look up the price I found online. To my shock, J---- did not honor the price that I found at Target.com. He cited the disclaimer:
"NOTE: Prices, promotions, styles and availability may vary between store locations and Target.com. We constantly strive to provide you with accurate item availability information, but because item quantities are constantly changing, the inventory information provided below is only an approximate indication of an item's in-stock status and an item's availability cannot be guaranteed."
It did not address the fact that I saw only one price at Target.com......delivered, or at the store....that to fully expect that the store will, without a doubt, have a higher price. "Prices, promotions, styles and availability" and using the word "may" is a general disclaimer used by every company to protect against mistakes or ad errors. I still feel the main purpose of the disclaimer was to note that quantities could change from the time of the listing to the time you arrive at the store . The fact that J---- used this to not honor the price was insulting and demeaning. He could not convince me that I was wrong. Even out of customer goodwill---after all I came to the store based on what I saw on Target.com---he did not value my business. I was not trying to be dishonest, or in anyway attempting to cheat Target out of $3. I came to the store fully expecting to pay what I saw online.
I was asked by J---- to call the 800 number if I was not satisfied with his answer. When I did (in the parking lot), I got the same excuse. Spending the time with J---- in the store, calling the 800 number twice (2nd time denied access to a supervisor), and writing to Target, I have spent to much on this already. I am 100% convinced that Target does not make this issue clear online. As of today, I never heard back from Target.
With an issue I had the previous year.....a Christmas gift purchased at an Indianapolis Target by a relative, and my attempt to return it at a Cincinnati Target (with a receipt)...I am convinced that Target is the very last place one should consider as a place to shop!
Steve
Cincinnati, Ohio
U.S.A.
7 Updates & Rebuttals
Power Bot
Cincinnati,Ohio,
U.S.A.
Stop
#8Consumer Suggestion
Wed, April 16, 2008
Before I start let me get a few things clear, I don't shop at target, nor do I work for target. (I don't shop at target because I have a Meijer, and a Wal-Mart closer to my home, not out of some moral issue). I use to work in retail, and the saying "the customer is always right" is BS. The customer is always right, unless, they are wrong. Consumers over the past 30+ years expect the service of a "Mom and Pop" shop, and sometimes more, and yet they pay cheaper prices than they used to at the Mom and Pop store.
You all have no one to blame but yourselves. You went for the cheaper prices of a wal-mart over the service of the small locally owned business, then mom and pop went under (I think pop hanged himself and mom is now a depressed cat lady who lives in public housing). Let me tell you a little secret. Most retail workers make less than fast food workers, and you expect to have good service anywhere? These people are the ones who couldn't get a job at McDonalds or Taco Bell. When I used to try and hire people it was like a freak show.
Steve
Cincinnati,Ohio,
U.S.A.
Huh?
#8Author of original report
Wed, January 16, 2008
Sorry, not really understanding what point you were trying to make. I was already at the store. Was I suppose to drive home and order it online to "save" $3? Why would I do that? The point I was making is that I went to the store specifically based on the online information. Ever shop online at CC, BB, S&R, etc? That's the way it works with Target's competitors.
Hey, I'm learning. With my 2006 experience with Target not taking back an item purchased in a different city (but with the specific item/SKU clearly shown) shows Target as a lame company. No problem going elsewhere!
Bankworker
PITTSBURGH,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
I agree with you Cory
#8Consumer Suggestion
Tue, January 15, 2008
If there is a clear disclaimer which warns you prior to going to the store, why wouldn't you just purchase it on line? That is the purpose of a website offering that information; so you don't get up and go to the store causing havoc. Now you have to make the manager J****'s day go worse because you didn't want to pay for shipping/handling. Take ownership of problems you cause yourself and stop blaming the store. THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT is long over!
Cory
San Antonio,Texas,
U.S.A.
Same Song, Same Verse
#8Consumer Comment
Mon, January 14, 2008
We went through this a couple of years ago. Why would you expect to pay the same price at the store, that you would, if you ordered it online? It clearly states on their website, that prices MAY differ from store to store AND on their website. IF you didn't like the price at the store, order the frickkin' thing online. But NO, then you'd have to wait for it for a couple of days and maybe pay postage. You get to pay an extra piddling $3 for the convience of picking it up right there, on the spot. I hear the same thing all the time. See that's the advantage of having my own store. I can get rid of the crying babies who don't want to drive to the other side of town for $3 more, even though it'll cost 'em $5 or $10 in gas to drive to the other side of town. Target doesn't have that advantage.
Cory
San Antonio,Texas,
U.S.A.
Same Song, Same Verse
#8Consumer Comment
Mon, January 14, 2008
We went through this a couple of years ago. Why would you expect to pay the same price at the store, that you would, if you ordered it online? It clearly states on their website, that prices MAY differ from store to store AND on their website. IF you didn't like the price at the store, order the frickkin' thing online. But NO, then you'd have to wait for it for a couple of days and maybe pay postage. You get to pay an extra piddling $3 for the convience of picking it up right there, on the spot. I hear the same thing all the time. See that's the advantage of having my own store. I can get rid of the crying babies who don't want to drive to the other side of town for $3 more, even though it'll cost 'em $5 or $10 in gas to drive to the other side of town. Target doesn't have that advantage.
Cory
San Antonio,Texas,
U.S.A.
Same Song, Same Verse
#8Consumer Comment
Mon, January 14, 2008
We went through this a couple of years ago. Why would you expect to pay the same price at the store, that you would, if you ordered it online? It clearly states on their website, that prices MAY differ from store to store AND on their website. IF you didn't like the price at the store, order the frickkin' thing online. But NO, then you'd have to wait for it for a couple of days and maybe pay postage. You get to pay an extra piddling $3 for the convience of picking it up right there, on the spot. I hear the same thing all the time. See that's the advantage of having my own store. I can get rid of the crying babies who don't want to drive to the other side of town for $3 more, even though it'll cost 'em $5 or $10 in gas to drive to the other side of town. Target doesn't have that advantage.
Cory
San Antonio,Texas,
U.S.A.
Same Song, Same Verse
#8Consumer Comment
Mon, January 14, 2008
We went through this a couple of years ago. Why would you expect to pay the same price at the store, that you would, if you ordered it online? It clearly states on their website, that prices MAY differ from store to store AND on their website. IF you didn't like the price at the store, order the frickkin' thing online. But NO, then you'd have to wait for it for a couple of days and maybe pay postage. You get to pay an extra piddling $3 for the convience of picking it up right there, on the spot. I hear the same thing all the time. See that's the advantage of having my own store. I can get rid of the crying babies who don't want to drive to the other side of town for $3 more, even though it'll cost 'em $5 or $10 in gas to drive to the other side of town. Target doesn't have that advantage.