[Clyde's Mom]

Sorry, I just had to vent! And this is my first post….why, oh, why does it have to be a venting one!?!?!?

My experience last night at Target was horrifying. Went I left the store my 22 month old was in tears and I was almost there with him. Here is the letter that I sent to Target this morning. ( I also sent a separate e-mail to Pampers about the open packages).



To Whom it May concern;

Let me start by saying that I usually love your store. I always find Target to be very clean and organized and I usually always have a pleasant experience. Last night's store experience was a complete and utter shock; I do not expect or plan to shop at that location again. It was about 6:30 in the evening and I was stopping to buy some stuff on my way home. I recently received an e-mail from Pampers which said that they had special packages of Easy Up Diapers, exclusively at Target. Then I saw your add and realized that they were on sale for $19.99 and I would get a $5 gift card if I purchased 2. I went to the diaper section, only to find that most of the boxes of Pampers Easy Ups had already been opened! I found one box that was not opened, only to get it home and realize that it had just been taped shut. (These boxes are usually not taped, they are glued.) Then I went to your value section and saw a big sign about getting a $5 gift card when you buy 4 of the following products, any combination (value sized). I bought 2 Hefty value sized trash bags and 2 Fiber One Cereal Bars, value size. I was then ready to check out (I also purchased many other items). I went to the first register that was open. This cashier was wearing a dirty red t-shirt and looked very unkempt. Normally, your representatives are very clean and tidy looking...just like your store! She did not greet me...I asked her how she was doing and she did not respond. She did give a simple shrug. When she had scanned all of my items, she gave me 1 $5 gift card. I asked about the other gift card for purchasing value sized items. She said that the register didn't prompt her for it and she would not give me one. She was very rude and simply stated that I could not get one. I suggested that I go to guest services and that she should just complete the transaction. She should have suggested that, not me. All she gave me was a flat NO.

I then proceeded to go to Guest Services after I paid. I had to wait for about 5 minutes (even though there was another rep that could have helped me and was just standing behind the counter looking at the computer). I then showed my receipt to the representative and she stated that these items did not qualify. I told her about the big sign in that area. She said that since it was not in the ad, it does not qualify. She said that she could not give me one. I then suggested to her that she send someone back to look at the sign. (Again, I should not have had to suggest this)A manager went back to check the sign and he was reading off all of the items. His walkie talking was not getting good reception, so she could not hear what he was saying. She made him repeat it about 4 times before telling him that she could not hear him and asked him to go to a phone. This took about 10 more minutes of my time. He gives her approval to give the gift card since that is what the sign says. She then has to call over another person (a trainer) to do the gift card. The representative did not even acknowledge me or say anything to me. She had to call over yet another representative to get the code to do a “recrosition” (I think that is what they said). She didn’t even acknowledge me either!! They finally finish the gift card and then the trainer hands it to me and says “here you go”. I didn’t get “I’m sorry this took so long, I am sorry for your wait, Thanks for your patience”. I received NONE of that. All I got was a $5 gift card for 20-25 minutes of my wasted time. I was treated with disrespect, even though your representatives were referring to me as the “guest”. I certainly did not feel like a guest. I completely understand that they could not take my word for it and they had to check the sign, but they should be aware of what items are on sale. What I don’t understand is being treated like a liar…like I was trying to pull something over on them. What I don’t understand is the rude manner in which I was treated.

I called and spoke to the store manager after I left the store. His name was “Obbie”. He was difficult to hear and understand, because there was a lot of noise in the background. He did apologize for my experience and hoped that I would come back, but at the same time, he was rushing me off of the phone.

Thank you very much for your time and assistance,

[patbruck]

I think it's horrible that people open the packages and snag all the coupons that are rightfully yours. Check ebay - that's where they probably are by now!

[suzi1972]

What a horrible trip! Good for you for writing the letter! Hopefully some of those associates in the store are going to get a re-training on customer assistance. I had a similar situation, but not as bad, at Kmart yesterday.

[TigerGirl1226]

Good for you for letting them know about the problem!

[hismom]

I'm so sorry you had such a bad night at Target. Let us know what response you receive.

[wildpookey]

Oh my goodness. Thats just not right. This is why we (as customers) are happy when we recieve above average service.

[rgyman]

I have not went to our Target since they wouldn't take any of my coupons. I got the reason I couldn't use it because it not in the picture even with it saying any. Couldn't use those coupons as coupons are not meant for travel size even with the coupon saying any. Coupon over the value and they were right down ulgy to me. I have not been in the store since and I called and talk to cooperate and they weren't much better as I got they have a right to not take coupons. GRRR! That was over a year ago and it still burns me up.
Wish you luck with your letter.

[Clyde's Mom]

Thanks for everyones support! I will let you know the response I recieve from Target. This is the response that I got from Pampers about the open boxes. I might get my coupons after all!

____________________________________________

Thank you for contacting P&G. We're concerned about your recent experience with our product.

It's important for us to be aware of any potential health or safety issues involving our products. We appreciate your bringing this situation to our attention, and I'm sharing your comments with our Health and Safety Consultants. The information you provided is valuable in our continuing efforts to produce high quality products.

It's possible our safety team may contact you separately to get more information, or to retrieve the product for examination, so please hold onto any remaining product and any of the original packaging, if it's still available. If your product is retrieved, please be aware that in some instances it may be necessary for us to destroy the product as part of the evaluation.

Your satisfaction means a great deal to us so I'm sending compensation by postal mail. Look for my letter to arrive in 2-3 weeks.

Thanks again for getting in touch with us.

Pampers Team

[vkearney]

Please don't get discouraged! Target corp has been very helpful for me in the past. I am sure they'll do the same for you.

[Clyde's Mom]

Originally Posted by vkearney

Please don't get discouraged! Target corp has been very helpful for me in the past. I am sure they'll do the same for you.

I'm not discouraged...just a little upset. Okay, maybe upset is an understatement. But I will shop at Target again...just not that particular store.

[Clyde's Mom]

Here is the response I recieved from Target


I'm sorry to hear about the disappointing experience you had during your recent visit to the Belton Target.

The less than friendly service you received at the checklanes and service desk aren't consistent with our guest service philosophy. Your feedback is very helpful to us and I'll be sure to make your comments available to the Store Training Lead for further review with the staff.

If you'd like, you can also share your concerns by calling the Guest Service Team Lead at (816) 331-3516. Your feedback is a big help to us, and I'll make sure to share your comments with our Store Operations team.

I will be mailing you a Target coupon to encourage you to come back to Target for a better experience.

We're always glad to hear from you, so whenever you have any questions or comments, give us a call at (800) 440-0680. You can also check with a Guest Service Team Lead at your store, or visit us on Target.com. Either way, we're here to help!

Thanks for shopping with us. I hope we'll see you again soon at Target.

Sincerely,

Val
Target Guest Relations

[nbp2452]

Thats awful, I wonder why all the boxes packages were " opened " to begin with? I don't have little ones, however I do have g-grands that use diapers.

[Clyde's Mom]

Originally Posted by nbp2452

Thats awful, I wonder why all the boxes packages were " opened " to begin with? I don't have little ones, however I do have g-grands that use diapers.

Recently pampers sent an e-mail and said that they had $9 worth of coupons in special boxes of Pampers Easy Ups. People were stealing the coupons out of the boxes! That is just wrong....

[kristieboyd]

Originally Posted by nbp2452

Thats awful, I wonder why all the boxes packages were " opened " to begin with? I don't have little ones, however I do have g-grands that use diapers.

I think it's because there are $9 coupon books inside and people are taking the coupons but not buying the diapers.

[staceye]

Originally Posted by rgyman

I have not went to our Target since they wouldn't take any of my coupons. I got the reason I couldn't use it because it not in the picture even with it saying any. Couldn't use those coupons as coupons are not meant for travel size even with the coupon saying any. Coupon over the value and they were right down ulgy to me. I have not been in the store since and I called and talk to cooperate and they weren't much better as I got they have a right to not take coupons. GRRR! That was over a year ago and it still burns me up.
Wish you luck with your letter.

Oh so if they are going by the pictures on the coupons, then we should all get $1 off fresh Tyson chicken from the meat dept. since that's what is pictured in the coupon on the Target generator, instead of the canned, pouch, etc. that the wording says on the coupon - ha, ha! Hopefully their "retraining" will help in the future. Sorry you had that experience.

[none1234]

That's a really well written letter. Good for you!

[applerama]

I'm sorry you had such a bad trip, but at least their sending you a coupon for your troubles. lets hope its a good one

[armympwife]

I'd use my coupon at another Target location. Yours sounds like everyone from the management to the employees had bad attitudes.

[lesliec]

I'm sorry you had such a rough time.

[rach]

Geez...sorry about your bad encounter. Hopefully they send you a good GC or coupon in the mail. Glad to hear that they at least got back to you promptly and are attemptint to correct it. I just hope that when we call or send emails that the proper stores really are getting alerts from corporate. That is the only way that they are going to change.

[LindseyLouXOX]

Wow your trip sounds like everytime I go into Target...I've only gotten 1 nice cashier last time I went in and did the Fusion deal, she was a highschool girl and very very sweet and clean, otherwise I get some dirty looking weirdo with a bad attitude, even the managers have scowls on their faces at all times.
My friend worked there in highschool and said the atmosphere was horrible, I usually don't go there unless there is a GREAT deal like these $5/3 Qs. Sorry you had a bad trip

[angelger28]

Sorry you had a bad trip. Good for you for writing a very descriptive letter. If, in fact, your letter is sent to the "Store Training Lead for further review with the staff", they'll be able to pin point exactly who was on duty and retrain them as well as make sure it doesn't happen again! Let us know what kind of coupon they sent!

[Clyde's Mom]

Originally Posted by angelger28

Sorry you had a bad trip. Good for you for writing a very descriptive letter. If, in fact, your letter is sent to the "Store Training Lead for further review with the staff", they'll be able to pin point exactly who was on duty and retrain them as well as make sure it doesn't happen again! Let us know what kind of coupon they sent!

I probably went a little overboard with my letter but once I got going, I just couldn't stop!

Thanks again for everyone's support! I love AFC! You are all so great!

[viopacific]

Do not apologize for "going overboard!" YOU are the customer! YOU are the one handing over YOUR hard-earned money for products that should be pristine in the first place! YOU are one of the people keeping Target in business! If everyone starts to ban stores due to poor merchandise, poor customer service, poor prices, etc., then guess what happens? The almighty dollar starts to impact the store or they will go the way of so many before them(Ames, Jamesway, Hills, etc.. for those of us in the Northeast.)

Don't feel like you have to apologize for something that should have been given (rightfully) in the first place. You go sister!

[shereen329]

Sorry abt your bad experience. Good for you abt sticking up for yourself! Every cashier is soooo different and every supervisor or "Lead" is sooo different, try to stick w/ your known friendly cashiers when they are there. I know that sounds horrible like you have to scope out your cashiers but I know I do and I experience less issues b/c of it.