Worst Customer Experience I've Ever Had at Target - Cascade Station…read more
Location: 9401 NE Cascades Pkwy, Portland, OR 97220
Date: October 20, 2026
I visit this Target location 1-2 times weekly and have NEVER had an issue until tonight. Unfortunately, this was hands down the worst customer service experience I've ever had at Target.
I came in to purchase children's books to donate to a couple of preschool and kindergarten classrooms in need. Target currently has an amazing BOGO (Buy One, Get One 50% Off) promotion on books, so I wanted to take advantage of the savings to purchase as many books as possible.
Before arriving, I had visited another Target looking for the same books. While browsing the book aisle at Cascade Station, I scanned several books using my Target app and noticed they were marked down from $7.99 to $4.19, the same pricing I received at the previous location, along with the BOGO promotion.
At self-checkout, the prices didn't match what was displayed in the app. I politely asked the employee overseeing self-checkout for assistance. He explained that he didn't have the authority to adjust prices and called over a team lead named Johnny (not sure if I'm spelling his name correctly).
I explained the situation to Johnny, showed him the pricing in my Target app, and even provided my receipt from the previous Target showing that they had honored the same deal.
His first response was, "What do you want me to do?"
I politely asked if he could adjust the prices to match the promotion. He explained that those were online-only prices and needed to be ordered online. I understood his explanation but asked whether he could extend the same courtesy as the previous Target location.
He agreed, but his attitude throughout the interaction made it very clear that he was unhappy about helping me.
When we reached the very last book, he initially refused to adjust the price and said, "Why should I give it to you? It's already cheap enough."
Seriously?
I wasn't asking for anything free. I was simply asking about pricing advertised through Target's own app and trying to maximize a promotion so I could donate MORE books to children in need.
What bothered me wasn't even the pricing disagreement. It was the attitude, dismissive responses, and complete lack of professionalism.
I genuinely don't know what caused him to treat me this way. Was it my appearance? Was it because I'm Asian? Was he having a bad day or simply unhappy with his job? I cannot say for certain, but his behavior left me uncomfortable and questioning why I was being treated with such hostility over a simple price adjustment.
Whether I spend $1 or $1,000, I'm still a paying customer who deserves to be treated respectfully.
Johnny eventually adjusted the final book. As I was leaving, I asked for his name so I could follow up about my experience.
His response was absolutely unbelievable:
"Go ahead, report me to the company. I don't care."
WOW. This is someone Target trusts to hold a LEADERSHIP position?
If this is how a team lead communicates with customers, what kind of example is he setting for the employees working under him?
At that point, I was completely done with the interaction and headed to Guest Services to ask for a store manager.
Thankfully, the kind employee working there was the complete opposite of Johnny. After hearing what happened, she apologized on his behalf.
I actually asked her, "Why are YOU apologizing? You did absolutely nothing wrong."
She was understanding and mentioned that she would have done the same thing by trying to get the best available deal. There is absolutely nothing wrong with trying to save a few dollars, especially when those savings allow you to purchase more books for children.
She informed me that the store manager would be available the following morning and encouraged me to return, which I fully intend to do.
Let me make something VERY clear:
My complaint is NOT about Target having pricing policies or an employee explaining those policies. My complaint is about HOW I was treated when I politely asked for assistance.
There is a professional way to explain a policy, even when the answer is no. Being sarcastic, dismissive, argumentative, and openly telling a customer to report you because you don't care is completely unacceptable.
Johnny, leadership isn't just about having the authority to override prices. It's about setting an example, demonstrating patience, and treating customers with dignity and respect.
To Target management: I sincerely hope this interaction is addressed appropriately. I've been a loyal customer of this location for years, and I've never experienced anything remotely close to this.
I walked into Target tonight hoping to do something positive for children in need. I never imagined that purchasing a few books would turn into such an unpleasant experience.
A little kindness and professionalism cost absolutely nothing.
