Complaint Review: Target - Columbus Georgia

This may have already been covered, but how was the item paid for oringinally? The reason I ask is because most retailers will refund an item using the method that was used to purchase it. I've never returned an item to Target, but... A check will most likely refund with cash. However, there is usually a waiting period for the check to clear. 10 business days is average. If this was the case, and it was less than the waiting period, a gift card may have been all that was available. A credit or debit card is usually refunded to the same card. If someone else purchased it for you using a check or debit card, it wouldn't do you much good to have it refunded to the purchaser's card. Therefore, a gift card may have been all that was available. If it was cash and you have the receipt, you should have gotten cash back. Or that's how it is with most retailers.

First, thanks for all the responses on my behalf. I hope that it will bring a positive change with how Target deals with their customers regarding their refund policy. When I took the item and the receipt back to Target - it was the ORIGINAL receipt and not a gift receipt. Regretfully, it seems that it would not have mattered whether it was either one - Target seems to have a strong stance on refusing refunds no matter the situation. I realize that Target will always make a rebuttal trying to make it appear that they have followed their refund guidelines and throw in that their desire is to make customers 100% satisfied - regretfully - it's just blowing smoke!!

Benefit of the doubt, I doubt she would give this much complaint if she DID have a gift receipt instead of an original one (common sense would imply that if you have a gift receipt, YOU would never get cash back; only a credit or gift card, since a majority of stores that do this, DO it that way - I've never received cash back on items i returned with a gift receipt). So until the OP clarifies, is just safer to assume that he/she did have an original receipt in hand.

Benefit of the doubt, I doubt she would give this much complaint if she DID have a gift receipt instead of an original one (common sense would imply that if you have a gift receipt, YOU would never get cash back; only a credit or gift card, since a majority of stores that do this, DO it that way - I've never received cash back on items i returned with a gift receipt). So until the OP clarifies, is just safer to assume that he/she did have an original receipt in hand.

Benefit of the doubt, I doubt she would give this much complaint if she DID have a gift receipt instead of an original one (common sense would imply that if you have a gift receipt, YOU would never get cash back; only a credit or gift card, since a majority of stores that do this, DO it that way - I've never received cash back on items i returned with a gift receipt). So until the OP clarifies, is just safer to assume that he/she did have an original receipt in hand.

Benefit of the doubt, I doubt she would give this much complaint if she DID have a gift receipt instead of an original one (common sense would imply that if you have a gift receipt, YOU would never get cash back; only a credit or gift card, since a majority of stores that do this, DO it that way - I've never received cash back on items i returned with a gift receipt). So until the OP clarifies, is just safer to assume that he/she did have an original receipt in hand.

Why would a "gift" receipt be treated any differently that a "real" receipt at Target? A gift receipt is printed when the regular receipt is printed. Why is there a difference? Someone, somewhere paid for the item...oh, I see. Target wants to make sure that that amount of money stays within its own store and nowhere else. Can't give a refund and take a chance that the money might be taken to a competitor or something. I wonder what Target thinks when the recipient does their Christmas shopping elsewhere after this experience? These arbitrary stupid rules will ultimately cost Target and the other chain stores more than they will save. I guess they will worry about it later. I sure do miss Mom and Pop dime stores more and more!

Why would a "gift" receipt be treated any differently that a "real" receipt at Target? A gift receipt is printed when the regular receipt is printed. Why is there a difference? Someone, somewhere paid for the item...oh, I see. Target wants to make sure that that amount of money stays within its own store and nowhere else. Can't give a refund and take a chance that the money might be taken to a competitor or something. I wonder what Target thinks when the recipient does their Christmas shopping elsewhere after this experience? These arbitrary stupid rules will ultimately cost Target and the other chain stores more than they will save. I guess they will worry about it later. I sure do miss Mom and Pop dime stores more and more!

Why would a "gift" receipt be treated any differently that a "real" receipt at Target? A gift receipt is printed when the regular receipt is printed. Why is there a difference? Someone, somewhere paid for the item...oh, I see. Target wants to make sure that that amount of money stays within its own store and nowhere else. Can't give a refund and take a chance that the money might be taken to a competitor or something. I wonder what Target thinks when the recipient does their Christmas shopping elsewhere after this experience? These arbitrary stupid rules will ultimately cost Target and the other chain stores more than they will save. I guess they will worry about it later. I sure do miss Mom and Pop dime stores more and more!

Because she only mentions receipt it HAS to be the original receipt. It could be either one, as you mentioned she never mentioned what type. But upon reading further and seeing that she was only offered a gift card and nothing else, one can assume that she went in with a gift receipt. Because as stated in previous replies that would be the only reason why the OP couldn't get cash back with a receipt.

Jennifer, so what if it was a "gift" . SHE had the receipt (if it was the actual receipt and not a gift receipt). If she had the receipt, and it was given to her by the gift giver, basically, it doesn't matter if the game was a gift, the GIFT giver gave up the "gift" status when she gave the person her/his receipt so they could initiate a return/refund to target. How would the store know if it was a gift if the game is being accompanied by the original receipt (and not a gift receipt). The store doesn't know that the person standing in front of them is the actual person who bought it, or the person who received it as a gift. ALL That matters is that hte original receipt (and not a gift receipt) is being presented with the game being returned. So, by your logic, if im too busy to return something to a store, but gave my friend , or sister (who isn't busy) my item and the receipt, the store would DENY her a return/refund because SHE wasn't the person who bought it? That is nonsense. Now, if the OP has the original receipt, then by policy TARGET should have given her a REFUND and not a store credit. Even by your posting about their GIFT receipt return policy, IT STATES THAT IT is for a GIFT RECEIPT. The OP did not MENTION that she had a GIFT RECEIPT. JUst a receipt.

Jennifer, so what if it was a "gift" . SHE had the receipt (if it was the actual receipt and not a gift receipt). If she had the receipt, and it was given to her by the gift giver, basically, it doesn't matter if the game was a gift, the GIFT giver gave up the "gift" status when she gave the person her/his receipt so they could initiate a return/refund to target. How would the store know if it was a gift if the game is being accompanied by the original receipt (and not a gift receipt). The store doesn't know that the person standing in front of them is the actual person who bought it, or the person who received it as a gift. ALL That matters is that hte original receipt (and not a gift receipt) is being presented with the game being returned. So, by your logic, if im too busy to return something to a store, but gave my friend , or sister (who isn't busy) my item and the receipt, the store would DENY her a return/refund because SHE wasn't the person who bought it? That is nonsense. Now, if the OP has the original receipt, then by policy TARGET should have given her a REFUND and not a store credit. Even by your posting about their GIFT receipt return policy, IT STATES THAT IT is for a GIFT RECEIPT. The OP did not MENTION that she had a GIFT RECEIPT. JUst a receipt.

Jennifer, so what if it was a "gift" . SHE had the receipt (if it was the actual receipt and not a gift receipt). If she had the receipt, and it was given to her by the gift giver, basically, it doesn't matter if the game was a gift, the GIFT giver gave up the "gift" status when she gave the person her/his receipt so they could initiate a return/refund to target. How would the store know if it was a gift if the game is being accompanied by the original receipt (and not a gift receipt). The store doesn't know that the person standing in front of them is the actual person who bought it, or the person who received it as a gift. ALL That matters is that hte original receipt (and not a gift receipt) is being presented with the game being returned. So, by your logic, if im too busy to return something to a store, but gave my friend , or sister (who isn't busy) my item and the receipt, the store would DENY her a return/refund because SHE wasn't the person who bought it? That is nonsense. Now, if the OP has the original receipt, then by policy TARGET should have given her a REFUND and not a store credit. Even by your posting about their GIFT receipt return policy, IT STATES THAT IT is for a GIFT RECEIPT. The OP did not MENTION that she had a GIFT RECEIPT. JUst a receipt.

Jennifer, so what if it was a "gift" . SHE had the receipt (if it was the actual receipt and not a gift receipt). If she had the receipt, and it was given to her by the gift giver, basically, it doesn't matter if the game was a gift, the GIFT giver gave up the "gift" status when she gave the person her/his receipt so they could initiate a return/refund to target. How would the store know if it was a gift if the game is being accompanied by the original receipt (and not a gift receipt). The store doesn't know that the person standing in front of them is the actual person who bought it, or the person who received it as a gift. ALL That matters is that hte original receipt (and not a gift receipt) is being presented with the game being returned. So, by your logic, if im too busy to return something to a store, but gave my friend , or sister (who isn't busy) my item and the receipt, the store would DENY her a return/refund because SHE wasn't the person who bought it? That is nonsense. Now, if the OP has the original receipt, then by policy TARGET should have given her a REFUND and not a store credit. Even by your posting about their GIFT receipt return policy, IT STATES THAT IT is for a GIFT RECEIPT. The OP did not MENTION that she had a GIFT RECEIPT. JUst a receipt.

Unfortunately, most stores have the same policy as Target on returning items given as gifts. You didn't specify if you had a regular receipt or gift receipt. If you had a regular receipt then they should have been able to give a cash return...if you had a gift receipt you cannot get cash back, just store credit or a gift card as they tried to give you in the first place. Also you mentioned that now Target has your money and your game...why did you leave the game there? It seems like a bad idea to leave it there without compensation. Now I doubt you will get anything back. You should have just taken the gift card and just spent the money in Target.

You keep saying that Target now has the returned item and money that isn't theirs. I think that it is important to remember that the money wasn't yours to begin with. A gift was purchased for you by another person. By offereing you a gift card in return for the item you did not wish to keep you were in fact offered the equivilant of an even replacement item of your choosing. Being that you admited that you were not the original purchaser that is the standard policy at many retailers throughout the country. I can apprreciate that you did some research regarding the Target return policy. Let me point out what you missed. The Target gift return policy as stated on their website is as follows (and I quote): "To return a gift to a Target store, bring: 1. Your new and unused item and all product packaging and accessories. 2. Your gift receipt or online gift receipt (if your purchase came from Target.com). 3. A form of personal identification. If you are returning your item with a gift receipt, you will receive a store credit for the original purchase value of that item. The store credit can be used in any Target store." You were not wronged in anyway. I beleive you wanted cash in return for the gift that was purchased for you. We all recive gifts that we don't want or need from time to time. You sound ungrateful and greedy in your complaint. Use your gift card and pick out something that you would like to have. Why should you be the exception to the rule?

It does not matter who or how the item was paid for! The fact remains that you do not have the right to keep someones money when they request a refund! As it stands right now, you accepted the item in return and the money for that item you have kept which you do not have right to!!!! You might continue to treat people like this but each time you do you turn people off from doing business with you ever again. If the $40 dollars is worth more than years of returning happy customers then your policy will always stay in tact and your customers will be going elsewhere. What a way to do busines!!!! As it appears, you more than likely will get to keep the $40 but I assure you it will be the price you pay for bad publicity by all who are treated the way you have done me.

So sorry that happened to you. I work at the Guest Services desk sometimes and it is clearly in the policy that anything unopened being returned with a receipt can be returned--methods of returns are dependant upon situation though. In your case, it could have been either credited back to the charge card used for the purchase, a gift card refund or cash refund if it was paid for by cash or check. But being that you told them it was a gift to you--that's probably why they would only allow for a store credit(aka: gift card refund) and not any other way. I've had my own cases where I'm just not happy with the Return Policy for myself and for the consumer. But also please understand that if the money paid for the gift to you did not come out of your pocket, you would not be able to get it back in that form.

So sorry that happened to you. I work at the Guest Services desk sometimes and it is clearly in the policy that anything unopened being returned with a receipt can be returned--methods of returns are dependant upon situation though. In your case, it could have been either credited back to the charge card used for the purchase, a gift card refund or cash refund if it was paid for by cash or check. But being that you told them it was a gift to you--that's probably why they would only allow for a store credit(aka: gift card refund) and not any other way. I've had my own cases where I'm just not happy with the Return Policy for myself and for the consumer. But also please understand that if the money paid for the gift to you did not come out of your pocket, you would not be able to get it back in that form.

So sorry that happened to you. I work at the Guest Services desk sometimes and it is clearly in the policy that anything unopened being returned with a receipt can be returned--methods of returns are dependant upon situation though. In your case, it could have been either credited back to the charge card used for the purchase, a gift card refund or cash refund if it was paid for by cash or check. But being that you told them it was a gift to you--that's probably why they would only allow for a store credit(aka: gift card refund) and not any other way. I've had my own cases where I'm just not happy with the Return Policy for myself and for the consumer. But also please understand that if the money paid for the gift to you did not come out of your pocket, you would not be able to get it back in that form.