Target

I bought a new, all-digital, PlayStation 5 from Target.com around black Friday. After getting it (which by the way, it came in nothing other than the product box, inside of a fairly large shipping box, zero packing paper/ packing peanuts, bubble wrap etc, so plenty of space for it to bounce around and potentially have gotten damaged in transit), over the next few weeks, this being the first PlayStation product I've had in a long time, it wasn't until after getting it and trying to buy a digital game to download onto my all-digital console, that I then found out that all PS5 digital games can ONLY be bought from the PlayStation store, where they are often much more expensive than the disc version of the same exact game.

Because of this, I reached out recently on like 12/26 or 12/27 to talk with target customer support via chat support. I reached out because I wanted to exchange the product for the disc version of the PS5 and just pay the difference as the disc version is a little more expensive, or just do a return/ refund altogether. I found out during the chat, that apparently, this particular product can ONLY be returned in person, that there is no mail-in return option, which I didn't know but the chat support rep said that it says it on the product page and it's on their "return policy". I explained that I didn't know/see that, and I DON'T DRIVE, and that the nearest Target store to where I live is about an hour and a half away, at least, and I HAVE NO WAY TO GET THERE to return it in person.

Anyway, they still gave me the customer support phone number and suggested it would still be worth calling as maybe they could do something since they can "do more" than chat support can. So I called phone support on (Sat. 12/28/24) and spoke with someone named Geo, who I explained and referenced that chat convo to, she reiterated what the chat person said and there was nothing she could do, so she said she was going to escalate me to their "Senior Specialist", once I got him, "Benjamin", he was zero help, sounded like he really didn't care (going "mmmhhmm" at multiple points type stuff - he couldn't care less), and reiterated that its "policy" and the only way to exchange or return this product would be in person to a Target store. I filed a Better Business Bureau complaint against them where they also referenced their "policy" again, and said that they "consider the matter closed".

Below was my response to them in the BBB complaint, they won't care though, they're a giant multi-million, if not BILLION dollar company who couldn't care less about a few thousand unhappy customers here or there (based of they're measley 1.5 or so star rating on here out of like a 3,500 or more reviews).

My BBB response, to their response, to my compliant:

I think it is highly unfair and unreasonable to expect someone who does not have a car or drivers license to somehow get to a store that is over and hour and a half away, somehow return a product that could just as well, and SHOULD BE ABLE TO, be mailed, simply because the business has a "policy" about it.

These days businesses, doctors offices, agencies etc, seem to be ALL ABOUT their policies, as if having a "policy" about something is the END ALL BE ALL.

I understand that Target is not willing to do anything about this and considers the matter closed so I'll just have to deal with that, I will however be additionally filing a compliant with the FTC, just for good measure, as this is unfair business practices, and I want Target to know I will NOT be buying ANYTHING from them in the future!

This is a stupid and UNREASONABLE policy!

I also want it on the record that on their response saying that this item has 30 DAYS to be returned is incorrect as I was told when I initially contacted customer support that it had until sometime in late January 2025 to be returned or exchanged.

Either way, I wot be be able to and do not accept their response as satisfactory because it does not resolve the issue, it simply dismisses it.

Additionally, I never received an email with a transcript of the initial contact I had with Target Chat support.

Target is one of these big corporations that doesn't seem to care about being the LEAST BIT flexible with the people that GIVE BUSINESS to their company, and finding a way to accommodate someone who doesn't have the means to, for example, travel over 60 MILES JUST TO RETURN SOMETHING TO A STORE IN PERSON because that is the nearest one, and who is also disabled.

Poor business practices, poor customer service, and overly restrictive and STUPID POLICIES on their part. I'll be sure to buy elsewhere in the future and to let friends and family know to avoid buying from them due to stuff like this.

Dear Target Customer Service,

I hope this message finds you well.

On April 6, 2025, I made a purchase with the order number #912002****10587. As part of the transaction, I received a $30 gift card credited to my account in the Target app.

However, upon reviewing my credit card statement, I noticed a $30 charge from Target on the same day, April 6, 2025. I would like to understand the reason for this charge. If the $30 gift card was a promotional gift, but I was charged $30 on my card at the same time, it seems as though I essentially paid for my own gift card. In that case, I would appreciate clarification on what was actually gifted to me by Target.

Additionally, after reviewing my previous transactions with Target, I discovered a few other unexpected charges, which I have listed below:

April 6, 2025: $30

March 29, 2025: $10

January 28, 2025: $10

December 15, 2024: $15

I kindly ask for your assistance in reviewing these charges and clarifying their nature. I believe this matter deserves a fair resolution, and I would appreciate your help in ensuring that.

I look forward to your response.

Thank you for your time and attention.

This email is directed mainly to Corporate. I just came from the Target in Newington, CT and I am so angry and disappointed.

I have been a long time customer and Target card holder, and I just had one of the worst customer service experiences Ive ever had (anywhere) there. I have been sick and have just started to feel better. I decided to venture out on a cold winter night for what I hoped would be an enjoyable couple of hours shopping. When it was time for me to check out with my cart full of numerous items, the single line was very long.

As I slowly moved up, three lines formed. There were two self-checkout lanes open for the entire store, and one cashier-assisted lane, which I joined. There were only two customers ahead of me in this lane. Something happened during the active customers transaction, and the cash register locked, with a requirement that the manager come to unlock it.

The young male cashier got on the store radio and requested that the store manager Jessica come to help. We all stood there for five, then ten, then fifteen, then twenty minutes. The cashier continued to ask for help during this time. Finally a second cashier-assisted lane opened up next to us, and the people in front of me and I moved to it.

In the meantime, the embarrassed young cashier and the frustrated female customer (who had just had a baby and came to Target to get out of her house and relax for a few minutes,) continued to stand there and wait for the manager Jessica to come and free up the register so they could complete the transaction. By the time I completed checking out my large order, in the alternate lane, a full half hour had gone by. There were two customers in front of me when I began, and the couple in front of me only had one item. This customer service experience is completely unacceptable to me.

When the only manager in the store (Jessica) finally emerged, and I asked her how she could have left us standing there waiting for that long, she told me she was alone and was finishing on-line orders. I was flabbergasted at this response. She told me that they are required to complete their on-line orders within a certain time frame that is tracked. I explained to her that we were paying customers who left home to come into the store, and in my opinion we should be a priority over an online customer who is sitting in the comfort of their home pushing buttons to order.

Honestly I cant even blame the workers out on the floor for this poor experience. Customers all around me were shaking their heads and saying the lines are always bad at Target now. It is clear that Corporate has decided to focus on the online experience, to the detriment of the in-store customer experience. My response to that is, then please dont even bother with the brick and mortars anymore.

I left your store feeling completely disrespected by what is an obvious decision to de-prioritize the real life customer experience. I remember when there were plenty of people available to assist when I needed help or it was time to cash out at Target. Now all I see is a store that is abusing its workers by leaving them short-staffed-trying to deal with problems with insufficient resources, and management that has clearly been taught to prioritize the online customer over the in-person. You spend millions of dollars on marketing and advertising, but what people will remember is how they were treated when they made the effort to visit your store.

There were at least three sets of customers who felt like their time and money meant nothing to Target tonight, the two in front of me and myself. Sadly, none of us will be returning any time soon.

Carmel Bennett

I have shopped at Target for years because I thought Walmart was a terrible influence on our community, underpaid and mistreated their employees, and basically carried cheap Chinese products. I was always glad to see that Target's employees seemed happier, more friendly, and helpful. I will admit that I was disappointed when you relented to the religious right over your Pride merchandise, first removing it from a front-and-center location to some tucked-away corner. But at least you still carried it, something that many of your competitors didn't do.

So I was extremely disappointed to hear that you were rolling back your policies of inclusion, diversity, and equality. What possible reason could there be for this about-face? Literally, every college business course teaches that a broad base of experiences in your labor pool yields the greatest number of ideas and innovation because each unique individual brings a different and fresh perspective to each issue.

The fact that this reversal just happened to coincide with a new Nazi regime in Washington D.C. leads me to believe that you wish to curry favor, or at the very least avoid the wrath of this awful administration. So, rather than doing the right thing, being brave, and standing up to the bigotry, racism, misogyny, and homophobia being spewed by this 'Christian', white, male, supremacist cabal, you opted instead for the most cowardly option: kowtow to the oppression. This is disgusting.

For that reason, I will never shop in your stores again until you not only restore your DEI programs, but you very publicly announce that fact, AND denounce the other companies who are too cowardly to do the right thing.

You need a 'business' reason to do the right thing because the moral reason isn't enough? I will give you one. More than half of the country did NOT vote for this Russian asset for president. That means that by doing his bidding, you are alienating more people than you are pleasing with this decision. If I were in a situation where I have to make a decision that will ultimately cost me a considerable portion of my customer base, regardless of which way I choose, I would at least choose the side with the most people, and then I would be very vocal that I support them, and would appreciate them supporting me. That is just common sense.

Target cancelled a delivery to me based on proven lies. Then, Customer Service would not allow me to talk, and spoke to me in a demeaning, accusatory manner.

I ordered 10 items from Target, which has delivered to me for the past 6 years.

The delivery never came, and no one contacted me. They claim they came to my door. I live in a concierge building, and when a delivery comes, the concierge calls me. They did NOT come.

They claim they tried to reach me and I was "unavailable". I found out (the hard way), that Target subcontracts its deliveries to a company called Shipt. Evidently, although Target agreed Target has my correct phone number, they say apparently Shipt did not.

They charged my card, for $75. When I called CS (Customer Service), Target insisted Shipt tried to reach me and deliver the order, even after I explained how my concierge, and Target, both had my correct number.

I never knew about Shipt, nor how they got my number, right or wrong. The CS person said Target would not contact Shipt with my correct number. They said I must navigate that, myself. I replied that I had nothing to do with Shipt, and if Target hires them, it is Targets responsibility give the correct delivery info to their subcontractor.

The CS agent would not cooperate, and insisted I must track down Shipt. According to the Customer Service agent, Ella, everything was my fault, no apologies, no empathy. Just persistent insistence that I was wrong, that I was lying, and that its my responsibility to contact Shipt. So I will not use Target any more.

Their CS department should be renamed, Customer Disservice! This complaint is a warning for others.

Hi, I am a customer who recently had a terrible experience with Target. I recently purchased a Meta Quest and it was promoted as you would receive a $75 gift card for the $299-$399 item.

I have attached pictures of the advertisement. Even when you click on terms, it does NOT specify that it's only on the $299 one. So, I purchased one under the belief that I was to receive a $75 gift card. I went to pick it up and was told that the gift card would be emailed to me, but I never received it.

I then proceeded to go to another store as the promo was ending that day and I still did not get it. The manager said that's weird, and they should have emailed it to you. It wasn't until I started clicking on everything that I noticed only the $128GB had a $75 gift card. Although, why would I click on that one if it states either one and I purchased the high GB.

The advertisement was completely misleading and even the manager and employee agreed. They gave me a Guest Relations number hoping they would help me out and make it right. So, I called and they had me transferred and escalated 3 times, and the remedy was we can NOT do anything for you. Now, they stated I can't even downgrade to the other one to get the $75 gift card because the promo has ended.

So, I have basically been pushed from department to department, wasted time and gas, only to say Target will not do anything for me. When did Target stop caring about customers? Please, can someone make this right?

I am beyond frustrated. This is why I even bought it in the first place.

I have yet to check out at a Target and have the correct prices on most items! When I ask, the cashiers are programmed to say (that price is not what is ringing up, or yes you got the sale price when they clearly have no idea), so I then I have to go back to check the price to prove what I'm talking about is correct.

Then we have the MGR who just ignores you and remains' silent hoping you will just shut up.

Today I asked if the sale price of the meat I bought sales price was correct, her response was yes, the receipt clearly showed otherwise.

She calls over the MGR because I was prepared with a picture I took to validate the price. The MGR tells the cashier to figure out the sale price in her head!

When I say something to the MGR (Diamond) she ignores me and continued to talk to another cashier as if I wasn't there! I don't feel as if it's my job to monitor your system so in the end I don't get screwed.

At Christmas I bought my son a Turntable online and he returned it via UPS with a receipt both for the purchase and for the UPS send. I did not receive a refund and Target services said it was not received and they could not help me.

I had the return UPS receipt with time and day the Indiana distribution center received the merchandise. I tried talking to these people at least six or seven times and not one person had the sense to investigate or help in any way. I visited a store and talked to their management but all they could say was to call the same number which I had been calling all along.

I'm done; I will take the loss and tell you to shop elsewhere and will never do business with them again. Their business practices are pathetic.

My case#24341****
Ive tried to get this case resolved and I keep getting the same response. I have to use your gift card, but I didnt request a gift card after I returned the second damage bench.

I located this bench at another store, and cant purchase it because they dont accept Target gift cards. Ive requested the money to be refunded back to my daughters Red card(not gift card), so she can send my money back to me.
I thought Target merchandise wouldnt have been damaged the second time. Thats the ONLY reason I requested gift card 041-814-***-*44-068 to p/u bench at the second store.
I cant believe I have to keep requesting a refund back to my daughters card. I dont want to purchase another bench from Target hoping it will not be damaged.

No one has even offered to provide the bench parts to be looked at; if I had to use your gift card for a third attempt. At this point I would request a refund back to my daughters card.

On 12/13/24 I bought a $100.00 Lowe's gift card at Target in Belton, Mo
When my son wanted to purchase items at Lowe's they told him there was no money on the card. Went to Target to find out what happened they told me there was nothing they could do about it even tho I bought it from their store.

Sent me to Lowe's. At first they said target needed take care of the problem. Talked to Target's manager again. He finally gave me guest services phone #.

The manager at Lowe's called for me and after almost 2 hours on the phone with guest services, finally got a case number and after sending photos of the gift card and my receipt was told they would put the money back on my credit card.

Am hoping that happens. The manager at Lowe's was a Godsend!

I was contacted by a third party who claimed that my Capital One account had been hacked. In order to safeguard the account, I was directed to purchase $2000 in Target gift cards.

According to this person, I would then need to send the card information to them, at which time they would put them back into my account to prevent further danger to the account. Obviously, this turned out to be a scam.

Now, I learned that there is a daily purchase limit of $1000 in gift cards. Is it possible to get reimbursed for part of my purchase, as it seems as though Target wasn't monitoring the purchases as required?