A reader from Missouri writes today with
her frustration over Target’s baby
registry:
To Whom It May
Concern:
I?m writing in regard to
my recent experiences with your Target store in Jefferson City, Missouri. I
created a baby registry at the end of 2006, and was notified by friends and
family the third week in January that multiple items in my registry were no
longer available.
I went to Target on Friday
January the 19th, to add additional items to my registry, as my baby
shower was scheduled for January the 27th. I printed off my registry
and after looking through the infant / baby section, I realized multiple items
were truly no longer available; however, many of the items were still in the
store, but the registry print out was not providing corresponding isle numbers
for item location. I spoke with a sales associate who was unable to determine
why the registry was printing without isle numbers for easy location.
In addition, I requested assistance with
registering for a travel system and high chair on display that I could not find
corresponding boxes for. The sales associate was able to determine that the
items on display were no longer for sale and that is why there were no longer
boxes to go with the display items. I asked why the highchair and travel system
were still on display if they were no longer for sale, but the sales associate
was unable to answer this question. I shared frustration and concern with the
sales associate over the disorganization of the infant / baby section, with the
sales associate apologizing for the mess and stating, ?You?re the
third pregnant lady today who?s gotten upset over this section.?
As stated above, my shower was held on January
the 27th and I received several duplicate items and items I did not
register for. Unfortunately, I did not receive gift receipts for many of these
items. When my husband and I attempted to exchange the duplicate and non
registered items on January 28, we were informed that only two non-receipt items
can be exchanged per person / per year. We asked to speak with a manager who
quoted the same policy and I explained that the policy should not apply in this
case for two reasons:
1. I received
duplicate items on my registry because Target failed to mark the items off when
notified by my friends and family.
2. I
received multiple non registered for items because of the difficulty my friends
and family had in locating registered items without isle numbers. In addition,
the infant / baby section was highly disorganized during the re-stocking period,
making it additionally difficult to locate registry items.
The store manager responded to my
reasons with, ?The infant section was not disorganized? and,
?I can?t do anything about the store policy?.
I registered at Target because I liked the
variety of infant and baby items you keep in stock and have previously had
positive experiences at Target. I am highly disappointed and frustrated with
the poorly managed re-stocking of the infant / baby section; exchange policies
that have required me to keep duplicate gifts and gifts that I never registered
for; and poor customer service I received at Target in Jefferson City, Missouri.
I am only asking to exchange, not refund my gifts. My friends and family
purchased items from Target because my baby shower invitation notified them I
was registered at your store. They bought these gifts on good faith that I
would be receiving what I needed and unfortunately that has not been my
experience.
I am requesting that Target
review its re-stocking program, exchange policies, and employee customer service
education. I would appreciate a reply to my concerns.
Sincerely,
Danielle
S.
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DO NOT REGISTER AT TARGET
After receiving several duplicates and 3 blenders, when target did not remove items purchased, they made it impossible to return them. Guests did not provide gift receipts, and they refucse to take the blender back as it is over $20. Also, w/o receipts, only 2 returns w/o receipt. This was there response to my emails:
“Thank you for choosing to register at Target and for taking the time to contact us about our return policy.
Returns at Target are easy with a receipt dated within 90 days of purchase. As a registrant, we’ll allow you to return your gift registry item up to 60 days after your event date if your receipt is expired. I’m sorry that we aren’t able to return items (choose best option: without a receipt or beyond the 60 day window).
If you don’t have a receipt, we still have a few options for you:
– Your local store will accommodate two no receipt returns a year for you on small gifts under $20.
– We have the ability to look up a receipt’s information for the gift giver, so they can make a return on most purchases, provided they purchased your item with a check, Target GiftCard, credit or debit card within the past 90 days.
– If the gift giver still has the original receipt for the item, they have the ability to reprint a gift receipt at the Guest Service desk next time they visit Target.
We appreciate you taking the time to share your comments with us. Your feedback will be useful in our continual review of our return policy.
We’re always glad to hear from you, so if you have any further questions or comments, give us a call at (800) 888-9333. You can also check with a Guest Services Team Lead at your store, or visit us on Target.com. Any way you choose, we’re here to help!
We hope to see you again soon at Target.
Sincerely,
Megan
Target Gift Registries”
I responded with the fact the gift givers don’t always include receipts and that we as the gift receiver don’t know the gift givers credit card info, etc. She responded with the following:
“I’m sorry if you feel our last e-mail reply wasn’t satisfactory, but we aren’t able to further assist you with your return.
Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. Your feedback will be useful in our continual review of our return policy.
We hope to see you again soon at Target.”
DO NOT REGISTER AT TARGET
After receiving several duplicates and 3 blenders, when target did not remove items purchased, they made it impossible to return them. Guests did not provide gift receipts, and they refucse to take the blender back as it is over $20. Also, w/o receipts, only 2 returns w/o receipt. This was there response to my emails:
“Thank you for choosing to register at Target and for taking the time to contact us about our return policy.
Returns at Target are easy with a receipt dated within 90 days of purchase. As a registrant, we’ll allow you to return your gift registry item up to 60 days after your event date if your receipt is expired. I’m sorry that we aren’t able to return items (choose best option: without a receipt or beyond the 60 day window).
If you don’t have a receipt, we still have a few options for you:
– Your local store will accommodate two no receipt returns a year for you on small gifts under $20.
– We have the ability to look up a receipt’s information for the gift giver, so they can make a return on most purchases, provided they purchased your item with a check, Target GiftCard, credit or debit card within the past 90 days.
– If the gift giver still has the original receipt for the item, they have the ability to reprint a gift receipt at the Guest Service desk next time they visit Target.
We appreciate you taking the time to share your comments with us. Your feedback will be useful in our continual review of our return policy.
We’re always glad to hear from you, so if you have any further questions or comments, give us a call at (800) 888-9333. You can also check with a Guest Services Team Lead at your store, or visit us on Target.com. Any way you choose, we’re here to help!
We hope to see you again soon at Target.
Sincerely,
Megan
Target Gift Registries”
I responded with the fact the gift givers don’t always include receipts and that we as the gift receiver don’t know the gift givers credit card info, etc. She responded with the following:
“I’m sorry if you feel our last e-mail reply wasn’t satisfactory, but we aren’t able to further assist you with your return.
Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. Your feedback will be useful in our continual review of our return policy.
We hope to see you again soon at Target.”
I agree! Target, although it is a very good store & has nice baby selection, has an incredibly difficult registry to work with. I had the same problem with both my wedding registry, and then most recently my baby registry. I have at least 6 friends who have had the same issues at Target. It seems to me that the baby clearance/ new items come in around the new year- don’t plan your registry then!!!!! Although it is a good time to shop for clearance baby stuff then. We were not even allowed to return TARGET BRAND things without our gift receipt!! What in the world??? It’s not like we bought it anywhere else- it was Target’s own brand!!! Anyways, I like Target, but their registry definetely needs a LOT of work to fix!!!
Crystal
I agree! Target, although it is a very good store & has nice baby selection, has an incredibly difficult registry to work with. I had the same problem with both my wedding registry, and then most recently my baby registry. I have at least 6 friends who have had the same issues at Target. It seems to me that the baby clearance/ new items come in around the new year- don’t plan your registry then!!!!! Although it is a good time to shop for clearance baby stuff then. We were not even allowed to return TARGET BRAND things without our gift receipt!! What in the world??? It’s not like we bought it anywhere else- it was Target’s own brand!!! Anyways, I like Target, but their registry definetely needs a LOT of work to fix!!!
Crystal
A co-worker is registered at Target. I bought two items through her registry and had them shipped to my home so that I could take them to the baby shower.
The items arrived without gift receipts, and Target’s system didn’t update her registry. So she’s got two of one of the items, and Target won’t let her return it, even though it’s their system error that caused this.
A co-worker is registered at Target. I bought two items through her registry and had them shipped to my home so that I could take them to the baby shower.
The items arrived without gift receipts, and Target’s system didn’t update her registry. So she’s got two of one of the items, and Target won’t let her return it, even though it’s their system error that caused this.
I couldn’t agree more. I received an ear thermometer off of my Target baby gift registry and received it as a shower gift, only to find out that it recevied horrible reviews. I went back to the store to exchange it for a better, & more expensive ear thermometer, but because a gift receipt wasn’t included by the gift giver, they wouldn’t allow me to exchange the thermomenter and pay more for another one. I contacted their corporate customer support to file a complaint only to get the same speach as I recevied in the store and that they would document my frustration….BIG DEAL….what’s that going to accomplish??? I couldn’t even get a good explination on why they would treat their registry customers this why when they are bringing so much business to Target stores. I just can’t believe that they are willing to lose such a valueable part of there business over this new policy. Take my advice – give your business to Babies R Us. They are much more customer friendly and are happy to accept exchanges with out a receipt. I’ve since cancelled my registry at Target and have asked my family & friends to shop at Babies R Us for our newborn’s needs. The last thing I need to be doing at 8 months pregnant is getting upset at customer service rep….bad, bad, move Target. You won’t be getting any of my business in the future…
I couldn’t agree more. I received an ear thermometer off of my Target baby gift registry and received it as a shower gift, only to find out that it recevied horrible reviews. I went back to the store to exchange it for a better, & more expensive ear thermometer, but because a gift receipt wasn’t included by the gift giver, they wouldn’t allow me to exchange the thermomenter and pay more for another one. I contacted their corporate customer support to file a complaint only to get the same speach as I recevied in the store and that they would document my frustration….BIG DEAL….what’s that going to accomplish??? I couldn’t even get a good explination on why they would treat their registry customers this why when they are bringing so much business to Target stores. I just can’t believe that they are willing to lose such a valueable part of there business over this new policy. Take my advice – give your business to Babies R Us. They are much more customer friendly and are happy to accept exchanges with out a receipt. I’ve since cancelled my registry at Target and have asked my family & friends to shop at Babies R Us for our newborn’s needs. The last thing I need to be doing at 8 months pregnant is getting upset at customer service rep….bad, bad, move Target. You won’t be getting any of my business in the future…
I absolutely agree. Target is the worst place to register. I received 5 of the same blankets from my baby registry and they would not let me return any of them b/c I did not receive gift receipts. I have told everyone I know that is expecting to NOT register there.
I absolutely agree. Target is the worst place to register. I received 5 of the same blankets from my baby registry and they would not let me return any of them b/c I did not receive gift receipts. I have told everyone I know that is expecting to NOT register there.
Because of the problems I had with my wedding registry, I chose not to register with Target when I became pregnant and registered only at Babies R’Us. While I understand they suffer losses due to dishonest people, the rest of us should not have to suffer for it. I believe their return policy is completely unreasonable, especially if you are registered for the item you are trying to return. You can’t control whether or not people give you gift receipts.
Much to my dismay, when I returned some items without gift receipts to Babies R’Us last weekend, the clerk notified me that as of next weekend, their policy will also require a gift receipt or original receipt for all returns!
Because of the problems I had with my wedding registry, I chose not to register with Target when I became pregnant and registered only at Babies R’Us. While I understand they suffer losses due to dishonest people, the rest of us should not have to suffer for it. I believe their return policy is completely unreasonable, especially if you are registered for the item you are trying to return. You can’t control whether or not people give you gift receipts.
Much to my dismay, when I returned some items without gift receipts to Babies R’Us last weekend, the clerk notified me that as of next weekend, their policy will also require a gift receipt or original receipt for all returns!
I’m frustrated with registering at BRU!!! I’ve noticed that most of the items I want are not sold at BRU but instead are sold at Walmart!!! How is it that Walmart sells a wider selection of baby stuff than a baby-only store!!!!!! What a waste of time.
I’m frustrated with registering at BRU!!! I’ve noticed that most of the items I want are not sold at BRU but instead are sold at Walmart!!! How is it that Walmart sells a wider selection of baby stuff than a baby-only store!!!!!! What a waste of time.
I usually brag about how I love Target, but since I registered for my baby there that has all changed. I am now telling everyone, NEVER to register at Target!
There is zero benefit to registering with them. The store did not do it’s part is updating the registry to reflect purchased gifts, and therefor I received multiples of the same item again and again. I received 6 of the same blanket, 3 of the same teething blanket, 3 of another blanket, 5 of the same receiving blanket and the list continues.
The return policy is horrible, and is a hassle. It is really frustrating! I can’t return items with out a gift receipt after making two returns and there is a dollar limit too! That is ridiculous.
The registry in itself should be the receipt. It’s not like I get cash back….I only get store credit…so Target still gets it’s money.
And, you dont get any completion coupons, or any incentives to even register with them in the first place!
A very disappointed and once loyal customer.
I usually brag about how I love Target, but since I registered for my baby there that has all changed. I am now telling everyone, NEVER to register at Target!
There is zero benefit to registering with them. The store did not do it’s part is updating the registry to reflect purchased gifts, and therefor I received multiples of the same item again and again. I received 6 of the same blanket, 3 of the same teething blanket, 3 of another blanket, 5 of the same receiving blanket and the list continues.
The return policy is horrible, and is a hassle. It is really frustrating! I can’t return items with out a gift receipt after making two returns and there is a dollar limit too! That is ridiculous.
The registry in itself should be the receipt. It’s not like I get cash back….I only get store credit…so Target still gets it’s money.
And, you dont get any completion coupons, or any incentives to even register with them in the first place!
A very disappointed and once loyal customer.
I registered at Target. I checked in to the store several times in the 6 weeks leading up to my shower, and every time, the registry computer was out of paper, no one knew how to refill it and/or 35+ backlogged registries would begin printing out or would be stuck in the tray, and it would jam the printer. The employees were not helpful at all. One time the whole registry computer was down. I begged them to let me just use a regular computer with online access as I had my registry account info, but no go.
Then, I DID the worst thing on Target planet. I returned more than 2 items with no receipt, in the few weeks after our shower (no more than 3 or 4 total items, some just a $6 t-shirt!). No one told me what a no-no this was. So, two weeks later, I had something WITH a receipt to return, but my name had been BLACKBALLED! I was on a permanent list forbidding me to return any item, even with a receipt! I talked to customer service, Begged, yelled, threatened, smiled. All tactics to no avail. For so long after, if I bought anything Target, even completely non-baby related, even for 2 dollars, even a gift someone else gave me with a receipt, I could not return it! I had to several times send my husband to return things. Obviously, we stopped shopping at Target. And at first, they were vague with me about how long I would be banned from returns. It was probably two or three years later, I had a small item to return, and I forgot I was banned. But then half way through the process, I remembered I was on THE LIST (they have a special list of bad people like me who returned one set of baby socks, one t-shirt, one box of unopened diapers and one rattle toy in a 3 month period, it is the target banned list and I was on it. It is so embarrassing, because they make you call an 800 number and it is just awful). So I started sweating, with my toddler in arms, thinking oh no oh no, the list! But then my return went through and I was shocked there was no incident.
I am expecting baby # 2 and registered at Babies R Us & Walmart (for these budget minded times). I know Walmart may have crappy customer service with regard to registry shopping, but at least they won’t treat me like a criminal if I return something!
DO NOT REGISTER AT TARGET!
I registered at Target. I checked in to the store several times in the 6 weeks leading up to my shower, and every time, the registry computer was out of paper, no one knew how to refill it and/or 35+ backlogged registries would begin printing out or would be stuck in the tray, and it would jam the printer. The employees were not helpful at all. One time the whole registry computer was down. I begged them to let me just use a regular computer with online access as I had my registry account info, but no go.
Then, I DID the worst thing on Target planet. I returned more than 2 items with no receipt, in the few weeks after our shower (no more than 3 or 4 total items, some just a $6 t-shirt!). No one told me what a no-no this was. So, two weeks later, I had something WITH a receipt to return, but my name had been BLACKBALLED! I was on a permanent list forbidding me to return any item, even with a receipt! I talked to customer service, Begged, yelled, threatened, smiled. All tactics to no avail. For so long after, if I bought anything Target, even completely non-baby related, even for 2 dollars, even a gift someone else gave me with a receipt, I could not return it! I had to several times send my husband to return things. Obviously, we stopped shopping at Target. And at first, they were vague with me about how long I would be banned from returns. It was probably two or three years later, I had a small item to return, and I forgot I was banned. But then half way through the process, I remembered I was on THE LIST (they have a special list of bad people like me who returned one set of baby socks, one t-shirt, one box of unopened diapers and one rattle toy in a 3 month period, it is the target banned list and I was on it. It is so embarrassing, because they make you call an 800 number and it is just awful). So I started sweating, with my toddler in arms, thinking oh no oh no, the list! But then my return went through and I was shocked there was no incident.
I am expecting baby # 2 and registered at Babies R Us & Walmart (for these budget minded times). I know Walmart may have crappy customer service with regard to registry shopping, but at least they won’t treat me like a criminal if I return something!
DO NOT REGISTER AT TARGET!