I was very excited when this store opened up. I didn't know about smaller "express" Targets but I do like the idea of a smaller store that isn't overwhelming in size but which has a bit of everything. Good things I liked right away: It has a wonderful parking lot where there is always room and I was happy with the merchandise. Not a huge, crammed Usual Target but enough of everything - including groceries and pet foods, clothes, cosmetics (even fancy names), furnishings - that the 4 times I went I had no problem finding what I could use, nice sales.
It took a lot for my happiness to crash and burn but it sure did.
The first bad thing is the checkout area. It is so stupidly set up I wonder who gets paid to dream up these things. Maybe Target assumes the "express" Target ought to just be a quick in-and-out-few items store. However, this store is right next to the Dempster train stop, and a very busy currency exchange. The neighborhood is mostly all apartments so it is a convenient place for people to shop who just cashed their paycheck or just got off/off the train or who have no car or means to get to any other store. It has always been busy when I have been there. The check out "line" is placed perpendicular to the front windows. I believe there are 3 check out areas - maybe 4 - but there's always a long queue of people waiting to check out. In order to do this you have one narrow aisle where you wait at the line until called. There are also several Self-Serve check out stations right along this window. So, as you stand with your cart or things, you have people squeezing by you to get to the Self Serve or squeezing by just to leave. when called, you wheel your cart or take your things to the open cashier. There is no place to put your items, since the counter space per cashier is about 2 feet by 2 feet. You have to unload your cart an item at a time while the cashier rings it up or stacks it anywhere they can - on the floor behind them usually, since things have to be bagged differently. The bags are handed back to you, over this same counter. This is awkward and physical. SInce you still have things on your cart you can't put the bags in it, so you have to put them on the floor where people are walking by. To say this is a mess is understating it.
I have been there 4 times. The first time I had a LOT of things I was very happy with, since I'd just moved and was buying things and food. As things piled up on the floor, on my feet and on the counter the cashier remarked to me, "Well, you're only supposed to come here for a few things, not big shopping" Fine, I'll take my money elsewhere.
Every time I've gone - every time - I have come home missing things. This is 4 times! The first time I realized that someone who had walked out/by me had taken one of the bags that was on the floor (guarded by my feet as best I could). This seems to be a common game as this also happened to my sister, who is disabled and won't be back because she can't lift things over the counter to the cashier and then take heavier bags back over the counter.
Another time I got home and realized I was missing a wire wastebasket that I assumed was bagged but maybe it was put on the floor in back of the cashier and he forgot it. There must have been 2 sweaters in there because those were missing, too. I was charged for the sweaters but not the basket. I looked at my receipt and saw it was someone else's. I called and was told without the receipt there's nothing that can be done. I asked if the cashier didn't know who I was - I was just there not even 10 minutes ago - and would they remember? I guess not. It seems that this is their job- ringing up an item, bagging it and giving it right back to you so how do things get "lost" every time? There is no way to watch this because it's so crowded, they're putting things on the floor on their side; they have to use the floor or side area to sort what will be packed with what.
One time a lady going to the Self Check kiosk, and had to crab-walk by me and others accidentally stepped on something the lady in back of me had put on the floor since you can't stand there holding 10 things. They started fighting, and I di mean they are right there. It's like you're in an elevator with everyone waiting to check out.
If the "lines" were put like normal stores, they'd be able to do it and people ought to be able to unload their cart, see what's going on, see the ringing out process, and not have people walking in back of them, bumping into them, and it seems stealing their stuff if they see any small chance to do so.
This was a nice idea and the people working there are very nice but the lay out of the store is ridiculous and apparently you're not allowed to buy more than 3 things. I don't know why, every trip (and I have had others tell me this, also) items disappear or are not packed. Not worth the hassle. read more