This is for their refund policy and customer service. Note, that their return policy is set at corporate and no matter what the manager may want, they cannot get approval from their central "customer service" call center.
BTW, I have easily spent over two thousand dollars each year at target for the past 10 years. Note I have HAD no problems / issues with their return policy in the past. In fact, the standard 90 day return policy "seemed" fairly reasonable.
What they Don't tell you, is that ANY of their electronic items (games, cds, head phones, tablets, TVs etc) must be returned within 30days (unopened and original pacakaging). Their is a sign at the front of the store customer service area that the 90 day return policy is for "most items"...and another sign saying we "guarentee we will ATTEMPT to provide a refund or store credit for any item returned in original condition and with receipt) This 90 day policy in itself is not so bad BUT no where at the electronics counter where I purcashed a $400 ipad 2 for a XMAS present for my wife does it say the 90 day policy is not for electronics. No one informed me of this policy when I brought it at the counter either.
So I was shocked when I went back to UPGRADE (turn in the ipad 2 unopened still shrink wrapped box) to a $600 ipad 4 within the 90- day timeframe I am accustomed to and their signage indicates, that electronics (even if, like the I pad I ATTEMPTED to return) was in ORIGINAL box unopen and still being sold by the store at the same price purchased) could NOT BE returned. Remember, I was actually TRYING to pay more to get a higher end model at a higher price!! SO no interest in upselling or taking care of the customer.
The electronics manager being symathetic tried to bypass the system policy, the customer service store manager being sympathetic tried to bypass the policy. The manager even called the corporate customer service center to attempt to get approval...ALL failed. All the store managers said that EVERY time they call for approval on any exception, they get rejected. I
Their canned answer was that the return policy is on the receipt ("most items"). I did fail to look at the original receipt, but the "gift receipt" did not indicate that electronics was excluded from the 90 day policy.
Perhaps I am being unreasonable by the liberal policies of REI, Costco and Home Depot...or high end stores like Tommy Bahamas and Nordstroms. But California law says that refund policies must be clearly displayed AND if a segment of products (like electronics) is excluded, THAT must be clearly stated. Target is not following (at least in any good faith manner) CA consumer law and in my opinion is being less than honest in communicating their policy for items that actually cost the most. And they definitly are NOT interested in customer service geared toward repeat business. Its a shame that store managers have no ability to serve their customers directly and a business process is established that makes a 100% NO to customers performed by some call agent at a call center that the customer does not even speak with.
Target has lost a loyal customer and any recommendations for their business. read more