Do you remember this shelf tag at Target? It showed us that even the most mundane cleaning-product sale can trigger an existential crisis. The sign promises a free cleaning product if you buy a broom, and also 50% off that same cleaning product. Is the Clorox product 50% off? Is it free? Where am I? Is this real life? [More]
target is crazy
Target Math: Dunkin’ Donuts Edition
By 2.7.14
Quick, which bag of coffee would you rather buy? Twelve ounces for $6.99, or twenty-four ounces for $16.99? Reader Mike spotted this piece of traditional Target math at a store in Hawaii. [More]
At This Target, 50% Off And Free Are Pretty Much The Same Thing
By 1.17.14
Getting a cleaning product for free when you buy a broom or mop is a pretty good deal, and so is getting one for half off. The problem at this Target is that they can’t decide what deal they want to give you. [More]
Target Still Doesn’t Understand Bulk Pricing, Or Maybe Charges For Boxes Now
By 1.13.14
Target is one of my favorite stores. It’s where you can find all of life’s essentials at deeply confusing prices. You might as well just ignore the price tags, since unit prices are really the only thing that matters. [More]
Even Target Employees Laugh At Their Nonsensical Shelf Tags
By 1.7.14
A Target employee in an undisclosed location who we’ll call “Amy” sent along a photo from the frozen foods section. One of Amy’s colleagues carefully went through and placed “0% off” shelf tags on every variety of Amy’s frozen vegetarian burrito. “They are actually on sale if scanned,” notes Amy, “but you save 5% more than the sign states.” [More]
To Someone At Target, This Sign Makes Sense
By 12.16.13
Attention hibiscus fans: we’re very sorry to inform you that you missed this sale within Target’s reality vortex that ended on Saturday. You know, in case you needed to stock up on sugar/salt scrub at 0% off. [More]
Egg Pricing At Target Doesn’t Even Pretend To Make Sense
By 12.12.13
Reader Daniel sent us what looked like a straightforward case of fuzzy math. At his local Target, a half-dozen eggs cost 99¢, while a dozen of the same exact eggs cost $2.09. Or do they? [More]
Target’s Battery Prices Prove That Buying In Bulk Isn’t Always Cheaper
By 8.20.13
One might think that there would be some end to Target’s fuzzy, crazy or just nonsensical math. But then who would we poke fun at? Just so long as you remember to read all the labels before you buy, it’s an amusing experience for customers and whatever the opposite of a learning experience is for Target. [More]
Need A Nicotine Fix? Have An Elephant-Shaped Humidifier
By 8.9.13
Even after a Target employee explained to us why the store’s “instant substitutions” that they put in place when a sale item sells out make no sense, we still find them utterly hilarious. Sorry, Target. [More]
Okay, Great, So Black Friday Is July 12 Now
By 7.11.13
Last November, we humbly proposed moving the all-American orgy of consumerism known as Black Friday back a week so retail employees and dedicated shoppers might get to enjoy their Thanksgiving and spend some of the holiday with their families. Target has taken our idea a little too far, and seems to think that Black Friday is tomorrow, July 12. [More]
Target Still Struggles With Reality, Thinks ‘More Than’ Is A Meaningless Marketing Phrase
By 4.23.13
It’s kind of confusing when phrases like “more than” and “over” have become nothing more than meaningless marketing buzzwords. Three and a half years ago, we brought you a set of light-blocking curtains that block more than 100% of light. It sounds nice, but is physically impossible. Reader Liz found a similar marketing oddity at Target, where a sign brags about a discount of “more than” $20 when the discount is, in fact, exactly $20. [More]
If You Want To Use This Target Mobile Coupon, Plan Ahead
By 3.4.13
Mobile coupons are a great idea: they save paper and mean that retailers might be able to text deals and future coupons to their customers once they nab the coupon and opt in. William was pretty annoyed at Target’s mobile coupon this week in practice, though. He waited to text Target for their $10 off $40 deal until he found something that cost more than $40 that he wanted. Why waste a text message and waste his time, right? [More]
All I Want Is A Candy Bar But Target’s System Would Rather Charge Me For A Laptop
By 2.21.13
We’ve seen our share of fuzzy math at Target, from purported deals to fuzzy math coupons. But in what world does a candy bar get confused with a laptop? Only in the increasingly muddled world of Target, folks. [More]
Free Movie Download Deal At Target Is Perfect For Anyone With A Working Time Machine
By 1.21.13
There’s nothing like a good deal to get our Consumerist readers excited while shopping. The only problem with one recent offering at Target? Going back in time isn’t a viable option, even if you really want a free movie downlad with purchase of DVD-Rs. [More]
Don’t Miss These Great Sales At Target And Meijer
By 1.17.13
We don’t hate the foot soldiers of retail here at Consumerist. What we hate are the processes that make lead to pointless non-sale signs posted on shelves that waste everyone’s time and either confuse customers or make them giggle. Here are two. [More]
Family Dollar Tries To Compete With Target By Stealing Its Math
By 10.23.12
No retailer will ever come close to Target in the realm of fuzzy math: sale prices that are higher than regular ones, volume discounts that cost you more for buying large quantities of an item, and substitutions that make no sense. Discounter Family Dollar is doing their best, though. [More]
Target Apparently Exists In A World Where A 3-Pack Should Cost Twice The Price Of 3 Single Packages
By 8.14.12
There’s nothing quite like the crazy pricing fun over at Target, and this time things are getting out of control with one of the cheapest food products you can buy. David sent in a tip of some outrageous pricing he found on Ortega taco seasoning, using the Consumerist mobile app. [More]
The Opposite Of Saving Money: More Fuzzy Math At Target
By 7.18.12
I really enjoy shopping at Target. I like its low prices, its quality store-brand items, its red prescription bottles with the drug name on the top, and the fact that you can buy bananas priced individually instead of by the pound. But above all, I love their absurdist pricing schemes that demonstrate a lack of math skills on the part of Target employees, Target customers, or both. [More]
