Thiscould have been any high endpurchase.
Picture this,you purchase an item; say a high priced stereo. When you open it at homeyou find a couple of bricks. Surely, not what you intended to purchase.
You bring the item back to the store with your receipt and ask for a replacement. They tell you sure but we dont have any more of those and have no idea when they will be back in stock (if ever). You can pick something else at the same price. However, if you pick something of lesser value you will not receive the balance. Now picture bare shelves exceptlesser quaity brands/ options that you don't want.
DETAILS:We purchased the Wall Street title Blu raymovie from Target. The movie was sealed with cellophane and inside a jacket. After removing the cellophane and an imprinted sticker on the top of the case we discoveredthe Blu ray disc was missing and in it's placewas a blank Memorex CD-R disc.
With the RECEIPT we attempted to return the item to our local Target store; the same store where it was purchased.After waiting in a long holiday line, we were told that since it was opened they could only exchange the item. OK, so we went to get another one. However, they didnt have any more.Checking with the staff they had no ideawhen or IF the movie would be restocked.
We waited in the long holiday return line AGAIN and werre told that we would have to exchange for another movie of equal or lesser value. Get this.... We would not receive the difference for the lesser value!
They would not allow a store credit or rain check for the Wall Street movie.
We could come back from time to time and check to see if they have this particular blu ray movie titlein stock and if so, wait in the return line each time again. Would would do such a thing? As a result, we were forced to exchange for amovie that we didn't want; a lesser value and Target pockets the difference.
To be clear, this is a corporate policy, not an individual store policy nor a individual employee training issue. The store employees tried to help but can only do what corporate allows.
We sent a complaint to Target Corporate. They dont make it easy. Check out their website and see. You have to search for a way to send a written complaint. Why is that?
Below is their reply (or lack thereof), word for word.Typical corporate mumbo jumbo. Theyconfirm all of the issues andoffer no remedy. In other words, yes were listed to your complaint andfile it in the garbage.
TARGET RESPONSE: I'm sorry to hear about the trouble you had while trying to return the Blu ray movie you bought at Target.
After movies are opned, we can no longer return them. However, if it's defective and you still have your receipt, we'd be happy to help you exchange it for the same title. However, I'm sorry the item wasn't available and that you're unable to receive the store credit during your visit.
We appreciate the time you've taken to share your return experience. I'll be sure to share your comments with the appropriate team because we're always reviewing our return policy. Thanks for writing. Target Guest Relations
All we wanted was the movie that we paid for. If you cant sell us the movie we should get our money back. Right? Is that too much to ask?
They could have refunded cash.
They could have provided a store credit.
They could have provided a rain check for the movie title.
They could have contactedanother store to hold it for us.
Theycould havemailed it to us from a far away store.
None of these reasonable options were available to us.
Targetwon't allow you to open any electronic media package before you purchase it. So, how can you purchase anything withconfidence? Ifthere is a problem will get what you bargined for or have to accept something of lesser value?
To me THIS IS A RIPOFF !
Joe A, Illinois
241Joe630
aurora,#2Author of original report
Thu, December 30, 2010
I received a call from Target Guest Services today. The polite young woman explained that with a receipt we should have been referred toGuest Services for a remedy. Yes, there are copyright laws but this situation was different.
Target is sending a gift card and told us wherewe can find the movie title locally.
Robert
Hartland,#3General Comment
Wed, December 29, 2010
I just checked the Target web page and they have that movie in stock.
The right thing for target to do, since they were willing to exchange the movie, would be to ship the movie from their internet warehouse either to the store or directly to the OP.
Target would have still made the sale and kept a happy customer
They could not give a refund due to copyright laws and the people who would copy and return. However if somebody would buy a movie to copy and sell, returning it for the $15-$20 it cost seems unlikely.
anonymous
United States of America#4Consumer Suggestion
Wed, December 29, 2010
Guess what? ALL STORES DO THIS! Why? Because it is part of the copyright laws. Thank all of the people who like to make copies of DVDs and then return them for this rule being necessary.
IntheKnow
New Jersey,#5Consumer Suggestion
Wed, December 29, 2010
To Joe:
I have run retail businesses and have personally opened, bore witness to returned product just as you have. Crafty thieves do this and with professional grade machines, deftly shrink wrap the garbage they repackage. Mine feeling was always that the person who made the return/complaint would never be the thief - the risk of exposure was too high. I always exchanged the product (for the same thing) - it just made good business sense.
Get a hold of the VP of Stores for Target (check website) and call the office. As a valued "guest" you'll be taken care of.