NOT HOT FRAUD: Target Changes Return Policy on Software, Music, DVD

[NorCalSci]

I just learned the unhappy news that TARGET JUST CHANGED ITS RETURN POLICY (corporate memo)! You can no longer return open software/music/dvd in store if the package is open and something is damaged or missing. Seriously, either do not buy music/software/dvd there or open it at the cash register before you purchase.

NEVER buy a gift there of these items because if there is something missing in the box it cannot be exchanged or returned. Can you imagine how embarassing that would be?

This is a very frustrating form of fraud, people removing items from packages and returning them as new. If the store puts it back on the shelf without inspecting the package the next customer gets screwed. Most people don't know what the contents of a package should be, unless they are clearly listed, so even if you were to look in the box how would you know how many disks MS Office, Turbo Tax or MS FLight Simulator, should have? You don't figure it out until you try to install, then the store will not make it good or accept the product back for a refund.

I am very angry because this happened to me with two of the four software packages I just bought.

1) The first FS2004 I picked up at Target had the fourth disk expertly cut off the package and no manual (apparently you cannot load or play the game without disk 4). Every tin can on the shelf had been opened WITHOUT TEARING THE MS "SECURITY SEAL". I didn't know better when I purchased or I would have opened it at the checkout (and I probably still would have been fooled).

2) I also bought an unopened, shrinkwrapped Max Payne and was surprised to find only one disk in the box (with a two-disk holder). I repeat, the box was shrinkwrapped...

I tried to take it back and the Customer non-Service counter gave me a business card and told me to call the Minneapolis number on the back of the card, they said they received a corporate memo instructing them that all such situations must be dealt with through their national office. I have to call them tomorrow because they of course are closed right now.

They either have an internal theft problem or they are putting incomplete "customer returned" packages back on the shelves, then letting their customers eat it.

Bottom line: Avoid Target for these purchases. I will find out what recourse I have with Corporate tomorrow, but I will also contest the credit card charges and file a BBB complaint tomorrow.

 

[TechnoKid]

Well, I'm thinking that the reason they have this new policy in effect is because they knew about ongoing problems with theft and returns on media; but I agree with you that this really screws people over for the products that Target hasn't hand cheked themselves.

I think Target should check everythign before selling it under this new policy, otherwise more people will end up in your situaion. In the mean time, I'll take your advice and open the product in front of the clerk to verify contents at time of purchase under this new policy.

This really burns me that people do this to the retail business; it hurts everyone in the end.

 

[Auggie]

I'd take a deep breath and think about this.

I could be wrong, but if the return policy has been changed since the date you purchased your software, ask to speak to a manager and you'll probably be credited or offered an exchange.

On the other hand, if this policy was in place before you bought the software, it's your own fault for buying things from them, and not a matter for the Better Business Bureau, as I'm sure they have better things to do than bust their chops looking into a case about an uninformed consumer who bought a product unaware of the return agreement at the store.

I'm not saying you shouldn't be angry, I'm just saying you don't have a strong case, either way - so either return/exchange since the legacy agreement is still valid if you purchased before they changed their policy, or you purchased it after they changed to the new return agreement and you're dumb out of luck.

My $0.02.

 

[imported_Mike]

Its a #s game my friend. LP is ALWAYS playing catch up when it comes to fraud(internal or customer) There are people out there that would buy a dvd, then claim they never recieved one...2 for the price of 1. The majority of us don't do that, but once again...the few ruin it for the rest. Im sure they looked at their #'s and needed to cut costs. They really can't change prices all that much as their market is too competitive. That leaves employees & policies. Once again, the average consumer gets the short end.

Thanks for the heads up, only bought a few dvds/cds from target in the past. Will now reduce that # to 0.

 

[amdskip]

Dang, walmart would never change to a policy like this even though they are affected by the exact same tactics probably more often than Target sees it. Walmart edited cds suck though and now Target is being stupid so where shall I buy cds.

 

[raidahs]

Well i had two buddies of mine that got ripped off for PS2 games at two different Target locations. I was there once when he actually bought it and then while we re walking back to the car opened it and it was empty. We ran back in and explained what happened and they decided to give us another copy of the game and said that the shrink rap wasnt theirs. I wouldnt ever buy software from target.

 

[kyutip]

Is this policy only applies to software/music/dvd ?
It does not apply to other stuff right ?

 

[NorCalSci]

Originally posted by: Auggie

I could be wrong, but if the return policy has been changed since the date you purchased your software, ask to speak to a manager and you'll probably be credited or offered an exchange.

On the other hand, if this policy was in place before you bought the software, it's your own fault for buying things from them, and not a matter for the Better Business Bureau, as I'm sure they have better things to do than bust their chops looking into a case about an uninformed consumer who bought a product unaware of the return agreement at the store.

I'm not saying you shouldn't be angry, I'm just saying you don't have a strong case, either way - so either return/exchange since the legacy agreement is still valid if you purchased before they changed their policy, or you purchased it after they changed to the new return agreement and you're dumb out of luck.

My $0.02.

Thanks for your comments. Yeah, the big point for me was that they DID change the policy in between when I bought, and when I went in to exchange the defective product. The policy at the time I purchased was: "If opened, this item can only be exchanged for same item." If the policy was: "We don't know what is in the box and we don't care" I would have taken my business elsewhere.

I suggested that they expand that corporate memo to about poster size and post it prominently on the shelves, as customers are unaware of their new strategy. They said that in order to post anything the format has to be approved by their corporate office...! Catch-22?

I feel completely powerless as a consumer. I hope that the BBB can help by insisting that the company follow the terms of the purchase agreement/return agreement. There must also be some state law regarding sales of defective products. I will look into that.

I personally am not worried about a few bucks, as I have already wasted too much time dealing with this and my time is valuable. But there are some practices that should not stand. I don't believe other customers should be responsible for defective products they purchase, and it would be sad to have to raise our scrutiny as customers for relatively simple purchases.

I also wanted to alert other members of this forum to this new, albeit unfortunate, policy change of a major retailer that many of us patronize.

 

[iahk]

Hmm.. this isn't news to me. This has always been the policy at my Target.

 

[NorCalSci]

Originally posted by: iahk
Hmm.. this isn't news to me. This has always been the policy at my Target.

The "Return for same item only" has always been the policy at my Targets for music/DVD/Software. The "you can't return it" policy is new as of yesterday according to the store manager I spoke with. An edict handed down from corporate on high...

 

[dc]

heh, at target i've seen a old model microsoft wireless blue mouse in the box of one of the new wireless mouses. it didn't even fit right, it was crammed in all funny. heh, would of thought the guy taking the return would've noticed something funny.

 

[SgtZulu]

NOT HOT FRAUD: THIS THREAD

 

[Ness]

Originally posted by: SgtZulu
NOT HOT FRAUD: THIS THREAD

I'm surprised it took this long for someone to point it out. Brag and Moan at best. OT is where this belongs.

 

[mastermynd27]

this policy has been in place for years. It is in place to protect them from people who get cd's or dvd's and copy them then return them to the store. It is annoying, i know but it is probably a good policy in order to stop losing money, because they cannot resell stuff that has been opened.

 

[Urinal Mint]

Why are you whining? Shouldn't a store be allowed to protect itself against cheapskates and frauds?

 

[TerryMathews]

Originally posted by: mastermynd27
this policy has been in place for years. It is in place to protect them from people who get cd's or dvd's and copy them then return them to the store. It is annoying, i know but it is probably a good policy in order to stop losing money, because they cannot resell stuff that has been opened.

You didn't read right. Target is not allowing same item exchanges anymore. IE you buy it, it doesn't work, you have to take it up with the manufacturer, as Target won't do anything about it.

OP: If Target won't replace your fourth disc, I'm pretty sure Microsoft will. Give 'em a call. Disc 4 isn't needed to run the game after installation, so they shouldn't be concerned about you trying to run a copy of the game.

 

[allisolm]

1. It is not fraud for Target to change it's return policy.

2. Why don't you wait to see what corporate has to say before all the foaming at the mouth here. They may have a perfectly acceptable solution. You admit that the problem of people removing stuff is frustrating and it looks like Target is trying to do something about it. It might be better to try to work with them than against them.

3. I'm not a lawyer, so maybe there is one here who can confirm or deny, but I thought that, regardless of their stated return policy, a store has to accept returns of items that cannot be used for the purpose that they were sold if they sell them as new. Called warrant of merchantability?

 

[AdOgG0911]

 

[Dulanic]

Originally posted by: TechnoKid
Well, I'm thinking that the reason they have this new policy in effect is because they knew about ongoing problems with theft and returns on media; but I agree with you that this really screws people over for the products that Target hasn't hand cheked themselves.

I think Target should check everythign before selling it under this new policy, otherwise more people will end up in your situaion. In the mean time, I'll take your advice and open the product in front of the clerk to verify contents at time of purchase under this new policy.

This really burns me that people do this to the retail business; it hurts everyone in the end.

There are SOOO many dishonest people it isn't even funny. I work retail, and I have seen laptops be removed from displays by people cutting them out, seen people break open doors where stuff is locked away, seen people stack stuff up and just run through the door, seen camcoders NEW in a box come back with a stapler in the box because people are so good at resealing boxes.

 

[AdOgG0911]

I think if I were purchasing something like this at Target right after I purchased it and before I left the store I would open it up and make sure everything is in the package. If not, go right to the service desk before you leave the store.

 

[VaG]

How the hell could anybody actually finish reading this guys condensed version of the story?

 

[RagingBITCH]

99% of the time, the people returning this stuff have access to a shrink wrap machine. It's not that Target is lazy, (well wait that's only partially true) its people that are scamming the system.

 

[kloud]

happened to me once... i bought a copy of Cruisn USA for my N64, but when i opened it there was a box of hawaiian(?) flavored jell-o

 

[jrw558]

I think I would use my American Express Card for Target purchases. This would protect me from "packaged theft", things one cannot return, or things I accidentally break.

It's my insurance program!

 

[Psorak]

Fraud is all the morons buying a CD, game copying it then returning the original.

That's fraud. Not what you're citing in your post.

This should be deleted for idiocy.