Originally posted by: Mockmaw
Ugh...
1) Putting returned, uninspected empty boxes back on the shelves and selling them as "new" products
Has it EVER occured to you that this policy will curb the chances of a customer buying a product that has missing/incomplete components? By ensuring that every single returned piece of merchandise is exactly how it was when it left the store in the first place, the chances of it having been opened are far less. It's probably gonna take a little time for all of the packages with missing components to filter out of the system, but over the course of a few weeks, I'm sure the integrity of products will rise dramatically.
2) Changing their return policy retroactively, without notice to customers
What do you mean 'without notice to customers'? Did you actively read and understand the return policy before you purchased the product? If so, as said above, you have recourse for an exchange using the return policy that you purchased the item under. You make it sound like Target has the obligation to give your home a courtesy call informing you that they've changed their return policy. That's BS and you know it. If you want to return the item you purchased, it's your responsibility to find out and understand the terms of the return policy. I'm absolutely certain that a notice about the return policy is posted somewhere for customers to find; it sounds like you've been too busy complaining here to go find where that notice is.
3) Offering little or no recourse to customers who have been victims of their sloppiness.
What are you talking about? The person at the store readily gave you information to contact their corporate office to resolve the return claim. What did corporate have to say? How do you know that when you call them they won't just send you a complete new replacement and a letter saying 'sorry'. Until you actually follow up with the instructions that the store readily gave you, I think you have absolutely no leverage whatsoever with which to complain.
For everyone else: How about in the future, when buying such products from Target, ask a clerk or even the manager what to do if when you buy the package it has missing components. If they shrug and say that you're screwed, then I guess find another store to shop at (but don't go around saying its fraud.. it's their business and you don't have to shop there.) On the otherhand, they may gave you a perfectly good solution right on the spot. The manager may even sign your receipt saying that if this is the case, they'll make an exception to your return policy.
It just strikes me that you're not even trying.. just complaining because your purchase didn't go exactly how you wanted and your not willing to spend an extra second to making it right. On the otherhand, Target is probably losing thousands and thousands of dollars to theft. Who do you think has better justification?
Ahhh...yeah, okay.
1) LOL! Well I sure as he|| am pleased that Target will be incrementally improving the integrity of their inventory! Great way to go about it...
2) LOL Part Deux! Listen, I am not trying to make anything sound like anything! I am relating a first hand personal experience as objectively as possible. I also am trying to inform others about the risky nature of buying certain items at Target stores.
I was completely aware of the terms of the purchase when I made the purchase. On my receipt it says in bold print,
"May only be exchanged for same item." The store policy in effect NOW, at the time of attempting to return a defective item is:
"May NOT be exchanged for same item."
Before I "started whining" I was standing at the customer service counter gazing up at the return policy in 1024-point font occupying the entire wall and it does not say what the CS rep says is the new policy. Nor did it say that at the time I made the purchase.
3) LOL again, what is your deal?!!!!? Upon handing me the business card at 7:30 pm Pacific time the manager gleefully stated that help was available until 5 PM Eastern time (which means they had gone home 4.5 hours earlier.) I called immediately anyway just in case they were open. They were not.
This is where it gets funny.
As of this morning I called the corporate office and very politely described the situation. I was informed that Target has no responsibility for the contents of a product because they don't pack the boxes, that it is purely a manufacturer's problem, that Target can not do anything. They gave me the number of the manufacturer whom I immediately called. The manufacturer politely informed me, LOL, that EVERY box that leaves their warehouse is complete and non-defective, that either it must be Target's responsibility or I haven't looked closely enough in the box for the other disk. User error.
They did say if I wanted to give it a shot I could package everything up and mail it to them along with a letter explaining the situation. Upon receiving all this they may choose to review the letter and might send a replacement package, but they really have no way of verifying my story.
Now this is all starting to sound like a moan, but the bottom line again is I wanted to alert people:
1) Some CD/DVD/Console Game/Software packages at Target may be defective or have missing items (i.e. the product) because they put returned items back on the shelf without verifying contents.
2) If you buy such a product at Target you are screwed, you cannot return the item. Your only recourse is to challenge the credit card charge or attempt small claims court.