Target Store ripoff Bait and Switch Advertising Fayetteville Arkansas
My wife and I drove all the way from Berryville, Arkansas to Fayetteville to shop in the Target store for a 3' high Christmas tree that was on sale for $9.99. While there we also shopped for other items; cosmetics, batteries, a Spongebob Alarm clock for our Grandson, and other items.
As there was no boxed 3' trees in the store, I put the assembled display tree in my cart and carried it to the front for checkout. (It was the only one they had). The clerk insisted that she could not sell the display tree to us. When we asked why not, she replied that it was needed for display so that others could come in, view the display, and perhaps come back later for purchase of the tree if more of them were received.
We decided that since this store is using an illegal "bait and switch" advertising operation that we could do without the Christmas tree and the other items as well. My wife tore up the check and we left the store empty handed. We are extremely disappointed that Target would permit one of the store managers to carry out this type of illegal and unethical practice. I do not shop at stores that "bait and switch" and I try to warn all my friends and neighbors of this sort of flim-flam in order that they might avoid shopping in stores that attempt to defraud their customers also.
I will also be searching for a site on the Internet to post the Target store's name as one to watch out for. After this very trying experience in your store we went to WalMart and picked up all the above items. I doubt that we will ever be enticed to shop at Target Stores again. Once duped shame on you, twice duped, shame on me.
John
Berryville, Arkansas
U.S.A.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Sharon
Nashville,Tennessee,
U.S.A.
Yes...even if is a technicality
#5Consumer Comment
Wed, June 24, 2009
The Sunday circular arrives Sunday morning. You see something that is on sale that you have been wanting. So you rush to the store immediately. Sorry, they are out of stock. That merchandise is never in stock. Hmmmmmmm. What is that called?
Basic
Garden Grove,California,
U.S.A.
What Bait n' Switch?
#5UPDATE Employee
Fri, March 20, 2009
You really need to look up Bait n' Switch. I'm a Target Cashier and I've told people many times that this is a display item and that it cannot be sold and it surprises how some people cannot understand that just like they cannot understand what +CRV means when they buy soda.
I've even had one customer ask me if Target was the only store that charge +CRV? WTF?!!!!
Matthew
Cumberland,Rhode Island,
U.S.A.
Not Bait and Switch
#5UPDATE Employee
Wed, March 17, 2004
Before you go accusing the store of using the "Bait and Switch" tactic, you might just want to look it up in the dictionary before hand. Because the product was out of stock definitely does not mean it was a "Bait and Switch"...it means it was OUT OF STOCK. The store shouldn't have to deal with your "flim-flam" because you are un-educated.
Jen
Cape Girardeau,Missouri,
U.S.A.
How does this qualify for a bait and switch?
#5UPDATE Employee
Thu, January 29, 2004
Target does not control how much of a product it gets on the trucks, nor can we predict the demand for a good sale item. That was the season low for that tree so it was a good price and Im sure you arent the only one who thought so! Also, the display trees cannot be sold (as the cashier told you) WHat she didnt tell you was that the display trees are donated to local charities and such. Like the salvation army, safe houses and the like. Why should you get that tree that is going to a charity that may not have one!!! Get over yourself!!