What Happens When You Actually Try To Buy The Stuff In Target's Ads?
We’ll give away the answer right away. You need to talk to at least 3 people, and 2 of them will try to sell you a Target credit card. Finally, the last one will locate a product that may or may not be the one from the ad. It may, however, be cheaper than the advertised deal.
Robbie says:
I was watching 30 rock on nbc.com this weekend. During this online viewing they show the same commercial about 6 times throughout the program. The commercial featured was for Target. In it, they advertise a blue gym ball for $11.88. I had been looking for a new gym ball and found them to be over $20 – nothing near that price on the ad. I looked on target.com and found no ball in that price. I called customer services to get the item number and the pain began.
The first person I contacted continued to ask me for the item number or barcode number. I explained that this is what I was looking for. After about 20 minutes of her telling me she couldn’t find it and trying to sign me up for a Target Red credit card, I asked to get bumped up to her supervisor.
Her supervisor, was about as helpful. She started off by asking me for the barcode number. Then tried to sign me up for another Target Red credit card. Finally, she exclaimed that she found it –my Gum Ball machine. I explained nicely that I was looking for a Gym ball not a gum ball machine. She finally transferred my call to Guest Relations.
I spoke with a nice young woman at Guest Relations, who tried very hard to find me that item. She found A gym ball for $9 only available in stores. I finally gave up and said that was fine. Where can I find these magic deals listed on TV?
Has anyone out there bought this $11.98 gym ball at Target? Does it exist? Is it the $9 ball?
Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.