Target Stores stupid return policy Amherst New York
Complaint Description:
I purchased a DGX 5MP high definition digital video camera on 12/11/08, as a Christmas gift for my daughter. She was thrilled with the gift, but did not intend on using it immediately. After some time had passed she decided to use it for a school project. Upon closer inspection of the packaging, we found out it is NOT compatible with her MAC computer. Unfortunately it was past the 90 day return policy (by three weeks). I explained my predicament to the Target employees, who insisted because the receipt I showed them "expired" there was nothing they could do for me. NO REFUND, NO EXCHANGE, NO STORE CREDIT. I am stuck with an item I cannot use. The store still stocks this item, so it is not an issue of being a discontinued item. They did admit that there is a policy in effect that allows returns with NO receipt "as a courtesy" for items up to $70.00. My item was $149.99, unopened and I had the receipt which shows it was paid with my debit card. (along with $500 worth of other merchandise that same night) I spoke with "Jim from Guest Relations" in an India call center and again with "Abby" in an American call center. I was told I would not be able to speak to a supervisor, as "they do not speak to customers on the phone". Abby informed me that she would file a complaint, with the Store Operations Team, but I should not expect a return call as this is not their policy. The complaint would only influence how they handle future incidents of this nature. I am extremely displeased with this NON transaction. I am hoping your help in this matter will influence to reconsider their policy NOW, not in the future, when it will no longer be of help to me. I'd appreciate any comments or advice with this matter.
This is the actual complaint I filed with the BBB. I also bought red window paint and advertised my complaint on my car!! I've gotten a lot of understanding and am passing the word on to BOYCOTT TARGET if they do not change their ridiculous policy.
Savina
Grand Island, New York
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Becky
Minneapolis,Minnesota,
U.S.A.
FYI
#4Consumer Suggestion
Mon, April 20, 2009
Just so you know, once the receipt expires, it is as if it never even existed as far as Target is concerned. There is no one, I repeat NO ONE in the store that can override this is anyway. It does not matter if the store still sells it at the exact same price the day after your receipt expires, for all intents and purposes you have NO receipt! If the item is under $35, you can do a no receipt return (which I know you do not qualify for this) but you can only do this twice per year, and you will get the lowest sale price for that item in the last 90 days. Next time, check the box before you buy it. I have a mac, and that is the first thing I check on anything computer related. It doesn't take a whole lot of effort.
Edgeman
Chico,California,
U.S.A.
What did Target do wrong here?
#4Consumer Comment
Thu, April 16, 2009
It is not the store's fault that you bought a camera that wasn't compatible with your daughter's computer. It is not the store's fault that your daughter didn't notice that it wasn't compatible with her computer or that she waited so long to use it. It is not the store's fault that you tried to return it three weeks after the return period expired.
By the way, 90 days is a very long return period. I frequently order from a camera store in New York City. I can't mention their name here but this store is among the largest shop aimed at professional photographers and they only have a 15 day return policy.
Robert
Irvine,California,
U.S.A.
Since you asked...
#4Consumer Comment
Thu, April 16, 2009
You bought a video camera and waited not just a day or two past the 90 days, but 3 weeks past to return the camera. The first thing you should do is look at other major store's return policy you may be surprised how short they are
Return Policy for Video Camera's
Target - 90 Days
BB - 14 Days
WM - 30 Days
Perhaps you will need more red paint...
Target has one of the most generous policies for returns as long as you stay within their policy. Unless you paid cash you don't even need your receipt, they can look it up(just try that at WM). If you don't like their policy then don't shop there.
This was purchased pretty close to Christmas so the 90 days would have been about Mid-March. Are you really saying that in the 2.5 months no one "took a closer look" at the packaging realizing it wouldn't work?
Of course you are looking for them to make an exception. Unfortunatly you can thank lawyers and the lawsuit happy people out there. Because if they made an exception for you, and not someone else. You can bet if that person had the right mindset they would be down at the courthouse filing a multi-million dollar lawsuit for discrimination in the blink of an eye.