Starting today, Target will reduce the maximum value of items without a receipt to $40; by August, the value will drop to $20. Target currently values returns with no receipt up to $100; customers can make two “without receipt” exchanges per year. The announcement was distributed as part of Target’s weekly internal newsletter, “News to Execute,” which conjures visions of frightened Wall Street Journals huddled against a wall. Tipster Tom from Target thinks the change will antagonize shoppers.
…people need to know about this. This policy change will increase customer inconvenience and dissatisfaction in order to stop the 1% of shoppers who collect $200 a year by gaming Target’s current return policy.
Target is not worried. They are telling concerned cashiers, who must explain the change to potentially angry shoppers, “of every 100 guests, one will be affected.”
Target’s internal newsletter, after the jump…
This change is neither fun nor friendly. Discuss. — CAREY GREENBERG-BERGER
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By the way I do have a question. Does Target still only give you one gift receipt per checkout? So if I am buying different Christmas gifts for different individuals they have to be rung out at diffent times? This used to be their policy.
One Gift Receipt automatically prints out at checkout. If you need separate ones, just ask the cashier and it’s just a simple press of a button for each gift. The cashier, after pressing total, will be prompted to ask you if you need separate gift receipts of just one. It can all be done in a single transaction, no need to ring up separately.
Typo in the last message (I meant “or” not “of)
Oh…just another bit of Target knowledge. Apparently Target Australia is owned and operated by Coles Group, an Australian company. Target Corporation (USA) granted them rights to the name and logo, but do not own the stores. It’s completely separate.
If what you said above is true about the hidden policy, Target should want to post it. According to Target’s return policy, a receipt is required for ALL returns and exchanges. It says nothing about being able to return at all without one.
Here’s the Store Return Policy link:
http://www.target.com/gp/browse.html/ref=br_bx_1/602-11391…
The more clear version is printed on the back of every receipt (it is the same policy, just more concise…the online version is more detailed probably because they couldn’t fit all of that onto a receipt or you’d need a magnifying glass)
Don’t you think that the in-store “News to Execute” handed out to employees, outlines a policy that is not posted on the board? (see above).
Interesting other information you have their though about Target Australia not being owned by the same company.
hmhmhm.
Not to scoot the point of this issue, I do have a receipt, however I think there is a more sinister plan behind the whole deal.
I just picked up a self inflating mattress from the big T, which was obviously just recycled. When I left the store I took notice to a little bit of extra tape on the outside of the box, but shrugged it off.
Later that evening I had some time to check the thing out. As I opened the box, somehow I felt as if someone had been here before me. Loosely tied cables and opened inner packaging confirmed my suspicions.
I plugged in the mattress and fired up the pump, the packaging promised a 90 second inflation time, 10 minutes later the mattress still lay flat on the floor
I began thinking, how often this probably happens and how target, probably realizes that recycling that broken item is to their advantage, here is how;
When you walk out of the store paying them $100 for an item that costs them $35 or less, your money goes into their banks. The average time to get a return back for most busy people is 2 to 3 days, the stores usually offer 30 days (as a convenience to you..hmhmhm) or more, so that you the consumer feel there is no sense of urgency to return the item immediately, thus increasing the chances that you forget and miss the window of opportunity, in which case the retailer makes out.
Now take into account the number of Target stores, and How many future returns leave their stores every day. The interest on the items alone would not be enough to help the stores recoup their loss, but the consumer helps them get something for nothing. I think this practice is wrong.
Word of advice:
If the box doesn’t appear to be in factory fresh condition, or your gut tells you NO. Swap it out for another one, and don’t settle for taking it because it is the last one left. It is probably not by accident.
Target doesn’t purposely put previously used items on the shelf. Guest Service Team Members are supposed to ask every guest if the item being returned is defective and then check the contents of the box/package. There is a procedure for processing defective returns, we don’t just pretend it’s new and tape the bix back up. All defective returns should get a color-coded sticker and are shipped either back to the Central Return Center (Yellow barcode), given to charity (green barcode, mostly clothing), or destroyed (red barcode).
I agree with your word of advice. Sometimes during the course of a busy day, even though all products returned to the salesfloor by Service Desk Team Members are supposed to be new and unused, some items go unchecked. It couldn’t hurt to check to make sure before purchasing something used. You’d be surprised how many people use items and try to retun them while saying they never opened the item.
If you’re in Target, and I’m sure other stores will do the same, go to the Guest Service Desk and someone will help you look at the contents of a possibly previously opened box before you purchase it.
And save your receipt just in case
I currently work for Target. I completely understand why the policy is what it is and why the EXCEPTION is why it is. I had a friend who would buy items that Target carried at a lower price somewhere else and return them to Target. Also As law abiding consumers you wouldnt believe the scams people pull. I was shocked when I started working guest service. I have people on a daily basis grab items off the sales floor and bring them to return. It really hurts it for the rest of us. As for returned items being put back on the shelves. That is not common. Infact we are told that items from our sales floor should be taken off the shelves if the box is bent or the packaging is slightly ripped. Unfortunetly mistakes are made from time to time. But Target (atleast my store) strives to make our guests feel appreciated.
What about registries? People above are commenting on us saving receipts but if they are gifts than you are out of luck.
Do NOT register with target unless you want to tell all your guests to attach the receipts. My daughter received 3 black & decker blenders (only sold at targets) and it was never removed from the registry list. THey refused to give credit on gift card or an exchange because the item is $29.99 (only allow less then $20 w/o receipt, and only 2x per yr) She received 2 other duplicates which I was able to return but now I can’t do returns w/o receipts for 365 days, I will not be shopping there, nor will I register my other daughter’s wedding there! As of 2 wks ago they do not accept the registry receipts for items over $20 either.
Called the corporate office they said we were out of luck, I can’t control what my guests do with their receipts and it’s not like i am expecting money back just to exchange or use credit at their store. This will happen to all baby and wedding showers!
Jean
I think their policy is awful. I registered at Target for my baby shower. Unfortunately despite the registration, I got multiples of some gifts. Most people were thoughtful enough to include the gift receipt, but I had about $40 worth of merchandise (clearly from Target, clearly brand new in original packaging) that I didn’t have gift receipts for. They would not exchange it. I was furious. I understand that some people steal stuff and then try to return it but any idiot could see that this was not my situation. I have spent literally tens of thousands of dollars at Target over the past ten years and am furious about this. How is it a good business decision to alienate someone who spends about $300 a month at Target over $40 dollars of store credit? Target Sucks
Yeah, everyone should call 1-800-440-0680 and complain like mad to get this stupid policy reversed. Don’t shop there until they change! Don’t register for weddings, or baby showers or anything else, you will regret this!
We registered for a Baby Shower w/over 120 Guests. It was inevitable that we would get duplicate gifts; not everyone understands how to use a registry & cashiers don’t know how to ring up registry items).Target apparently changed their return policy in Aug. but failed to advise it’s registers. Therefore, we have over $300 worth of duplicate gifts that we can not use. This policy makes no sense. It is obvious (by our registry) that we registered for the gifts & they were purchased at Target. What a shame that Target is willing to loose a $10,000/per year customer. It would be nice if I could speak to someone who actually works for Target! All calls are routed to New Delhi, India. They read a script-NO ONE is offering a solution! I guess $10,000 isn’t important enough for Target to consider changing the policy for people who have registered at their store. Target benefited A LOT from our registry than WE did! Is it possible to speak to someone at the Target Corporate Office?
There is a simple workaround to this problem.