Monday, November 23, 2009

Target: Price Match Policy Changed AGAIN!

I can't believe that Target once again has decided to change their Price Match Policy! They just changed it last week and for some reason they're at it again! Now basically their new Low Priced Promise Guarantee states that Target coupons won't really be allowed during price matching.

This is the new wording:


Target Coupons:

Target coupons will be applied before the price match is made. If the competitor price is still lower than the price after the Target coupon has been deducted, the ad match can be adjusted to match the competitor's price.

Combining both a Target and Manufacturer Coupons:

The Target coupon will be applied before the price match is made. If the competitor price is still lower than the price after the Target coupon has been deducted, the ad match can be adjusted to match the competitor's price. Once the price match is made the manufacturer coupon will be applied.

*********************************************

I personally don't have a problem with them having a price match policy with a list of exclusions. My issue is that... well, you can't keep changing it! This just makes it more confusing for customers and very frustrating! Plus, the Target policy is called "Our Low Price Promise"---in my opinion, they definitely aren't taking the initiative to follow through with the "Promise" part! What do you all think?

(Thanks, KCPennyPinchin'Mama!)


For more Target Deals and Target Coupons visit the new Hip2Save.com

91 comments:

*~*~*Bargain Blessings*~*~* said...

Here we go again! :)

Unknown said...

I agree with you Collin! I feel the same way.

Anonymous said...

Agreed, if you change your policy every time you don't like the way consumers follow it, then why have one at all. At least Walgreens admits to their "no policy" and follows through with designating "at the store's discretion". This is getting silly with Target. Thanks for the update though!

Anna said...

Are they going for some kind of record to see how many times they can change it before Christmas?!?! Who knew an alphabet pal would have such consequences?

Anonymous said...

No wonder their employees are confused!

Anonymous said...

It's a game of who moved the cheese. They need to set policy and stick with it. I like Target and have never had a problem, but this changing policies doesn't make them look good.

SuzyQpon said...

I think they didn't think their policy through and when people came in to get Alphabet Pals, etc. and they had to eat both their coupon and the price match, they woke up. I'm not blaming people for getting the deals - if I had the time to wait in line and ask for the match, I would have done it too. I just think Target wised up now. They are a business after all - Target coupons and price matching aren't like MQ, they come straight from their bottom line.

Anonymous said...

Agree, if it wasnt for the good deals, Id be out. lol

They need to stop changing it. It only creates more issues and confusion like you said!

Barbara said...

I haven't tried price-matching at Target yet, and wasn't about to until it became more "mainstream" (like at my Walmart, it is absolutely no problem to price-match).

Looks like I'll probably keep waiting!

SavLucEvMommy said...

All I know is that I am super glad I finished all of my kids' shopping a few weeks ago right when the coupons came out instead of waiting 'til they changed their policy again. That move saved me a lot of money! I guess it does pay to NOT procrastinate like I usually do! I wonder how many people will be going to the Target stores to buy items like they have been doing (price matching/ coupons), only to find out that they are no longer allowed to- I would be REALLY angry!

Anonymous said...

Atleast they are clear from their part and we can expect a deal to be same throughout the country instead of a BIG YMMV.

Suzie said...

I don't mind them having a policy, and I can see why they are having to change it b/c of people taking advantage of the whole "system".. BUT I think its sad they will not just flat out price match, that they will apply a coupon (be it theirs) BEFORE the price match.. Why not just lower your price and not offer the dang store coupon!!! That would save me some printer ink ;)

Anonymous said...

I love it. Hilarious. If they will only price match to the competitor after the Target coupon, WHAT WOULD BE THE POINT OF USING THE TARGET COUPON?

Ugh.

Eunice May said...

I know the turbos that got truck loads of those worms that teach ABC's are glad they got theirs before all this. Come to think of it, they probably caused it! Haha, oh well. I'm sure someone will find a loophole soon and take advantage of it!

Anonymous said...

Hi Collin,
This is a wrong place to ask for this .

Do you have any 22 digit code for the 15% off JCPeney survey.

I would really appreciate anyone who can help.
Thanks
Meg

Anonymous said...

I'm done with Target

Anonymous said...

Of course they can keep changing it if they want to, it's their policy. They are simply responding to the way it was being used. That's a free market economy for you.

Hawkeye1966 said...

There is no point to using the TQ if you're price matching. TQs will still be good with regular prices (like the Chex Mix deal a few weeks back) though.

At least their new policy isn't written on the TQ! Stores who will take TQs as competitor Qs, such as Publix, will become the better deal with sales.

dawn said...

well.....i was looking forward to price matching the 3 musketeers barbie from Rite Aid flyer 9.99 and using the $5 off barbie target coupon....bummer.

Anonymous said...

This policy issue is out of hand. It is the same knee jerk reaction as when the person altered the the $5/15 (or was it 5/20?) from toys to a general use coupon. Target changed it system to beep on almost all coupons. Using coupons were a nightmare.

Target should fire whomever is responsible for these decisions. Black Friday is in four days-- if they continue this "whatever I feel like" policy decision making, may they enjoy a black bottom line this holiday season.

There are too many retailers vying for our business to put up with these games.

Unfortunately, the only mass retailer in my area is a Target Great land. I've learned how to work around their coupon issues sans my food purchases.

Anonymous said...

This is the coupon policy that actually makes the most sense to me. Now, they just need to stick to this one and not revise it again.

Anonymous said...

I sorta agree with SuzyQpon that the coupons after their price match came right out of their bottom line, but they also have to see that many of us also purchase other items while we are there that increases their bottom line. I never used to shop Target (had not been there in over ten years) until I found this site and learned how to shop with Target Qs and MQs. I now go there weekly (at least) and have spent probably $100 that I would have spent somewhere else. That's why retailers have these Black Friday sales (to get people in the door to spend their money in their store rather than others). For goodwill purposes, I think they should rethink their policy. I read in one of these comments that less than 1% of the shoppers actually use Target Qs and MQs at the same time, so how much are they really "losing" by changing their price match/coupon policy as opposed to the not-so-goodwill of their shoppers? I have never price matched at Target but for those who want to, I think Target is missing the boat!

Unknown said...

My target will only price match if that store is in our town. Then, they still give the hairy eyeball. Sounds like Medicare to me, when we learn the rules, they change them.....too much energy wasted on my part.

Andrea A. said...

Honestly! How many alphabet pals were really sold across the country at less than a 1.00. 1724 targets across the country. What, maybe 20 toys per store? They lost 10 each. That is 344,800.00. Now that sounds like a lot but that is only 200.00 a store. Not big numbers. More stuff is stolen or broken a day. The stockers break more than that a day in product. (used to work there) Compare that 200.00 to what couponers are spending there that wouldn't normally shop there.

I think Target is making a big mistake. If they honor their price match and coupons they can just limit how many are put on the shelf. Over the long run this is going to hurt their business. I spent 24.00 there the other day. had 50.00 in mq and 20.00 in target gift cards(from other deals). They made 74.00 on that deal they were not making from me 6 months ago. I hope they get there act together soon.

Well that was my 4c worth.

GC said...

this is getting ridiculous. It seemed every other day, I read about some new policy change at Target! :(
It makes things so confusing sometimes.

Melissa said...

I think that it is fine for Target to have exclusions on their price matching, but you can't keep changing your policy! Plus you can't say you won't price match something if you are going to use a TargetQ with it! That to me is just getting you in the door to spend your money at that store instead of the original place! Why would I go to your store if you aren't going to honor it? I'll take my business else where! I have priced matched and used a TQ on somehting, but never went over board in doing it for a truck load! LOL I will prolly cut my shopping with target down a little bit since they changed this! Thanks for the update Collin!

Christy said...

I personally feel that we created this ourselves by taking advantage of a good thing. I know I will hear backlash about this, but hear me out first. Though, I too don't agree with all the confusion...make a policy, make it well known in the company, and stick to it. However, they certainly could not have forseen the whole 49 cent alphabet pal thing. They lost a ton of money they won't get back because we as a community took advantage of a loophole. It wasn't the same as a manufacturer coupon where the company will reimburse them the value of the coupon, they had to eat it as a company. Now, I know they are a huge corporation that makes billions and they aren't losing money, but if the policy didn't change, they would quickly because word of mouth travels. I had a feeling when I saw that deal posted that this would be the end of the road for that policy because that would certainly be noticed by the execs...whereas a price match on a smaller item with a couple $1 or $2 store coupons is not quite as obvious as a $20 toy walking out the door for less than a dollar...but then again, just my opinion.

Jennifer said...

Yesterday I went to Target to buy 2 of the mini netbooks. I had two on hold Saturday night b/c my newspaper sends the ad out on Saturday. So I knew the sale. No where on the ad, nor did the people in electronics at one time state that I could only buy one of the netbooks. I had two on hold. When I went in to buy the netbook, they only had one there and said that this was a 'NEW' policy. I couldn't believe it! The cashier said he was annoyed at all the 'new rules'. LOL

Katiemusic said...

Slightly unrelated, BUT.... If you recently purchased the Little People Nativity (as I did for $24.99 less than a week ago!), then you'll be happy to know that you CAN get a price adjustment for the new 2-day price of $12.49!!! Sweet! Just in case anyone else was in my position.....

Anonymous said...

I agree with Andrea A.

Honestly, the profit margin on the junk we are buying is so huge, Target is still making money on those 49-cent Alphabet Pals.

Anonymous said...

Wow I was just at Target yesterday and priced matched the Barbie DVDs (3 musketeers and Xmas Carol) from the Toys R Us ad; and used the peelie from the one DVD and the Target $5 coupon on the 3 musketeers one. I pd the $10 TOTAL for the 2 DVDs. So today I would have had to pay $10 each, is that what you are saying??? (Because that is how much Toys R Us is selling them for $9.99 each)???? Confused!

Anonymous said...

Totally agree with SuzyQpon...I was amazed in the first place that they ever decided to price match AND take their own coupon. That is NOT price matching. In some instances (like with the Alphabet pals) that is giving WAY more off than they should. It's not like a manufacturer is reimbursing them. They are EATING that money. I almost hoped they would change it, personally, because I felt that they were being totally unfair to themselves as a business. No company could survive if they were giving away merchandise. Target is no exception. I think they just didn't think it through as thoroughly as they should have. They now have the policy in place that they should have had to begin with. Yes, it's confusing. BUT, I want Target to be successful. If they're not...they may decide to cut out coupons all together. I love Target and even though I get so frustrated with them at times, it's WAY better than the frustration I go through at the other...ahem....superstore.

I don't know...it just amazes me sometimes how much to the extreme some coupon people take it and expect to get everything for free and babyfed to them. GRRR...people can be so greedy sometimes...

Anonymous said...

To Melissa and the others like her....seriously? You just don't get it? Price matching is ALL about getting you into the store. DUH! They want you to be be able to come to their store with confidence that you won't pay a dollar more than you would elsewhere. Price matching is one thing. Having a policy in place that allowed people (like some on this post) to take advantage of a "loophole" (as Christy said) and walk out of the door with a $20 toy for free...you really expect them to be able to stay in business by doing business that way? I, too, saw this coming the second that deal was posted because I can only imagine the thousands of shoppers around the country who went in and snagged (or even TRIED to snag) that deal.

Anonymous said...

I WILL BE AT WALMART FOR BLACK FRIDAY DUE TO THE FACT THEY WILL NOT ACCEPT DOOR BUSTER OR TIMED EVENT ADS BUT WALMART WILL.

Mommycia said...

I think Target is fine in doing this. Yes, it is frusturating that the policy keeps changing, but couponers are the ones that are creating the constant changes. Target has had a very lenient coupon policy, and people were taking advantage of it. As long as people abuse it, it will continue to change. My Albertsons used to take competitor coupons...until it was abused and they lost too much money. You cant fault the stores for trying to stay afloat.

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately, it appears that Target is quite unwelcome to bargain shoppers. Just this week I tried to go into my two local Targets to print out the coupons and that feature is now blocked. Maybe this is just my two local Targets..but this ticked me off!
I had printed out the former price match policy and now I see it has changed.
I like Target for some things, but I think I'll just stop shopping there.

Anonymous said...

Blame the couponers!! What are your problems? You are all couponers are you not? WTH, why is it our fault? The people who use coupons is a very small part of the population. Target's prices are way to high to begin with!! Don't feel sorry for them. They make a killing off of people!! Just like everyone else who drive hundred thousand dollar cars and have mansions. Well I feel sorry for us middle or lower class families fighting to survive. I am now a single mommy. I DO NOT feel one bit sorry for Target. Are you guys CRAZY? Jeez, do you live in a mansion and drive a Porche? Get out of your dream world and take your rose colored glasses off.

Anonymous said...

LOL...yet again this is a very simple decision for my dollars:

Target:

Changes their coupon policies MANY times to the point where it's not even a good deal to PM anymore.

Commits coupon fraud by "adjusting" manu coupons, only for Target to be reimbursed for the full face value.

Wal-Mart:

Had been very consistent in their coupon policies.

Mine give overage, so as to NOT commit coupon fraud AND they give me no hassles at all with PMing!

I think it's pretty easy to see who is going to be coming up on the better end of this situation! Wal-Mart will continue to dominate Target (profit wise) until Target stops messing around like this.

Anonymous said...

In response to Hawkeye1966...My Publix just informed me yesterday that they will no longer accept TARGET coupons...only WALMART(which has no coupons),
PIGGLY WIGGLY (which has no coupons) and WINN DIXIE(which only offers about 5 every now and then)
I asked for a MGR because I was already in line and they were gracious enough to take the coupons last night...but no more!
I'm going to call another Publix which is right down the road from Target and see if they will accept them.

Kelly said...

BLARG. I can TOTALLY believe it. I stopped shopping at Target because it's gotten too difficult and infuriating. I won't commit to an all-out strike against shopping there, but there haven't been any deals worth pursuing there that I couldn't find anywhere else!

BTW, THANKS for the info!
Kelly
Author of Live Cheap & Free

Anonymous said...

Target will now only take one Target coupon per transaction as well (like you can't use 3 Target coupons to buy 3 boxes of Kellogg's cereal) Their upper management is just too weak to become a powerhouse like Walmart is. Target will never get to the level of Walmart because they are scared of losing a dollar here and there.

Unknown said...

Anyway, the point is, we should all take a few minutes out of our day to write to target and tell them how unhappy we are about all of the crazy changes that have been made and how their "Low Price Promise Guarantee" is just not true. Let them know you will be shopping elsewhere, somewhere like walmart that doesn't give us so much trouble for a price match that they advertise that they do!

Anonymous said...

I wonder if the leapfrog caterpillar had anything to do with this change or if it is mere coincidence?!

Dawn said...

I did write to Target about this policy change. If anyone here is unhappy they should write to them too. Stores do listen when they receive feedback.

I don't expect to receive a practically free toy, but at the same time if one of their competitors is offering a good deal the only reason to go to Target is to beat the deal in some way, whether by a percentage or a few dollars. Otherwise I'll just give my business to the competitor, it's just easier.

I didn't know about the target coupon limit. But I will write to them about his too. If their system only lets me print two coupons for a give item, why not let me use the 2 coupons to buy 2 of the item.

Erin said...

Well, the Internet giveth, and the Internet taketh. If only a handful of very clever people had figured out the Alphabet Pal deal and did it once for their own children and not several times for . . . ahem . . . Toys for Tots, Target probably would not have changed the policy. But with the deal splashed on every couponing website and every couponer demanding it, it's not surprising that Target is trying to limit their losses (not to mention the hassles).

I don't blame Target one bit, nor do I blame the people who got the deal (or tried to). There was nothing to suggest it wouldn't work--other than maybe common sense, which should tell you that giving away too many $20 toys for $.49 will create repercussions.

It was just too good to be true, and most people didn't handle it in such a way so as to keep it off the radar. Ditto with unlimited Target coupon prints that resulted in free merchandise, so here we are. Even so, the benefits of deals going viral far outweigh the consequences (so far, anyway!), and I'm grateful for the deals I can get.

Who knows? With everyone here now boycotting Target, maybe I'll be able to find some of those Glade candles for my gift baskets. ; )

Anonymous said...

Well the only way target will get me in theor store is when I use the remaining coupons that I have for the up and up wipes. Which is roughtly about 60-80 coupons. Now before you go getting your panties up in a bunch. I have 3 kids of my own, 1 still in diapers and the older two love using the wipes to clean their hands and butts, so this is something that I do need. So up until the coupon expires I will go to Target every chance I get and stock up on their brand of wipes.

I will also be that person who will be in toys r us on black friday buying the limit of 3 cases of their brand of wipes and so will the 5 other people that I am with. So 18 cases of wipes there too.

Just so you all do not think I am crazy I also donate some of the wipes to homeless shelters and womans centers. It helps the homeless feel a little cleaner while they are living out on the streets.

Anonymous said...

There is no point of chasing price matches is they dont let us get it cheapr that the stores is already advertising it. Unless for those who doesnt have a store near them. I refuse to price match, to me there is no point and is just a fight that i can avoid.

Tamara said...

I was just starting to thing Target was worth the drive. Forget that. I'll stick with the closer stores. Target is going to loose more money this way then they did with the alphabet pal.

Anonymous said...

I really don't see the purpose of the Target coupon. If Target is just going to do a price match why bother with using the Target coupon? Oh well...very confusing but I will still shop there. I like Target and I doubt the .50 toy had anything to do with these decisions. They probably have been in the works for months when they saw people going out the door with tons of free cereal cups, chex mix, bakery items, etc. I know, I know, their the ones who made the coupons available but I'm sure they expected people to show a little restraint. By the way, I am a stay at home whose husband's business is failing and were close to losing everything we have. So I like a great deal as much as everybody else. I just try to leave a little for the next person who may be in the same boat. If it wasn't for this site it would be a lot more difficult for me to take care of my family. Thanks Hip for the great job you do! You probably will never know how much you have helped so many families. I am very grateful to you. So on this week of thanksgiving...one of the things I am thankful for is you!

Anonymous said...

Coupons and deals are starting to make people on this site a little bit nutso. Target is a store.....they employ people....they give to the community.....they put money into the community....so they have a coupon policy...it's their right to change it. If you don't like don't shop there. You are only hurting the people that actually work there because they won't have a job anymore.

Vanessa said...

I called Target today and talked with a store manager. I explained my confusion with all of the policy changes in recent weeks. She told me that there has been NO change in their policy. I told her that I have copies of the Target Coupon Policy and the Target Price Matching Policy before and after changes. She changed her tune and said that, "it is because of all of the people who are taking advantage of the SYSTEM!" I wondered which system she was talking about. Is it the one where Target makes money off of me?

Amber said...

This is a little off topic, but I went to Target today to use the last of my Up & Up wipes coupons and the register not only beeped, a red screen came up and said that the coupon was invalid. Luckily my cashier was nice and just typed them all in. But, if you have any of those coupons left, you should use them asap - I'm wondering if their system recognizes them as "old" coupons printed on the old Target coupon generators and is rejecting them. I just hope my cahsier doesn't get in trouble for accepting them. Anyone else having problems with these coupons?

Anonymous said...

I agree with Erin about 7 posts up. Come on people. You can't blame Target. They don't have to give us things for free. We are not entitled to these deals.

Andrea A. said...

I am surprised by the number of people defending Target. They are a corporation that treat their workers marginally better than Walmart. Their goal is to get as big and as fat as they can off the people just like most mega corporations. They can make any policy they want. It will just restrict the amount of people that go there. They get all the "crap" so to speak from China for cents on the dollar. They have HUGE mark ups. I would be surprised if the profit/loss margin is that great compared to what they make off us couponers. If they limit their target coupons or eliminate them all together they will lose business. In this economy they can't afford. I hope they come to their senses. Their sales will continue to slip as more and more of the regular (full price) paying customers can no longer afford to shop there. I wonder how much there sales would rise if they decided to work with us couponers. Restrict the free stuff but exploit the sales/MQ deals. You see if they put something in a sales ad walmart will ad match but if they don't have it on sale but run a good Target coupon they beat out their competitors. Oh well, maybe they should hire me to help them out LOL!! I have some great ideas to make the company money and save people money. Oh well. That's my venting for the day. Thanks for "listening".

I second the notion. I am thankful for Collin this Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving couponers!

Andrea A. said...

Sorry for the run on paragraph. I am so embarrassed. I get all worked up sometimes. Oh well!!

Danielle Miller said...

The latest version makes the most sense, but it is frustrating that they keep changing the policy. This is all very basic couponing stuff. Putting any thought into it whatsoever based on other deals that we've been doing with combining coupons should have been crystal clear when applying it to the price match policy.

So sick of people complaining about us taking advantage or being greedy. Stores make oodles of money. Huge markups. And they pay their executives insane money and the normal employees very little. You know what? I have my own small business. And when I offer coupons, I think it through to make sure they don't break me. And when I price new items, I keep the coupons in mind so I don't get screwed. It's not hard. But I am absolutely making use of deals on things I need. I'm not one who gets out to the store on Sunday morning when the deals come out. So if things are still in stock and coupons working by the time I get there on Thursday, then I don't care about anything other than getting what I need. And I items to go to three different walgreens tonight with those $5 off $25 coupons. So complain away. It makes no difference to anyone but your self righteous self.

I Heart Coupon Deals said...

We complained for so long and call corporate for so long to get a more specific coupon policy and they are now doing what we asked. I don't agree with how they are going about it by changing it every few days but at least it is SPECIFIC and we know what to expect.

My only concern is whether or not this will be implemented at the store level. Seems like a more confusing policy for the team members to remember especially if they could not even get the policy straight before.

Anonymous said...

I think people get "needs" and "wants" confused. Wipes and Alphabet Pal toys are not "needs." Wipes might come close, but they are still just a convenience, not a necessity. (And yes, I have a child.)

As for using a Target coupon to get a price matched item cheaper, well it isn't really a price matchif you are getting it even cheaper by stacking it with a Target coupon, right?

And if Target taking advantage of its workers is an issue, why wait until their coupon policy is no longer advantageous to you to boycott them? I would think that coupon policy would be irrelevant to those who truly care about the bigger issue.

Anonymous said...

I just wanted to share my target experience. I LOVE Target and usually have great cashiers and have never had an issue price matching (once I used a flyer that was really for the next week not realizing it and they still honored it.) Anyway, I noticed lots of people stated that they spent money at target when they went in for the good deals that they would have spent elsewhere. SO....my story

I had gotten a $5 gift card from the Chinet plate deal. A few days later I tried to use it on a $65 grocery purchase. It said there was noting on it. The cashier suspended my order and sent me to customer service. A manager was called over who would not even look at me, he just kept talking to the saleslady and asking her to ask me ?s. She explained that the card I was given was a "used" gift card (we realized it actually had an amount written on it). He said i would have to bring back my receipt. I was ready to make him go get all my Qs and just void my order. Then he said he needed my receipt so he could pull the video and make sure I wasn't given my card. Seriously, pull a video over $5??? I told him she DID give me a card, he had it in his hands. So the video wouldn't do any good, she had given me a used card!! He said he couldn't help me because any one could walk in and claim they had lost a gift card. (yea, and I would claim it was $5 if i did that??) So, I was giving up when he asked what the receipt in my hand was. The customer servive lady told him it was my groceries order I was trying to pay for. He took it from my hands and then proceeded to tell me in a rather ugly tone that I should not have been allowed to just walk to customer service without paying for my stuff because I could have just walked right out. Well, I guess I could have BUT I AM NOT A CRIMINAL!!!! Then he scanned the receipt and it pulled my order. All of the sudden he told the lady she could just take $1 off of 5 different items on my order. All I can figure is he suddenly realized I was TRYING to pay the $60 not just get $5. Then he turned to me and said, "Maam, if you find that card I need you to bring it in so I can void it." I wanted to scream! I told him in a firm tone, "There is no other card. You have it in your hand!! I did not lose anything, your cashier made a mistake!!!" So I payed for the groceries and then he said, "do you want your card back?" AAAARRRRGGGG!!!! Even the customer service person was laughing at him. He never did understand. Poor guy.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I tried to find the cashier who had made the mistake to see if she could remember giving me the card, but the other cashiers told me I wouldn't find her because they were all getting do few hours. Said most cashiers only worked 1 day a week. I thought that was interesting.

Rachel Bostwick said...

A "Target Coupon" is just another way for them to put the item on sale. After a few weeks, they realized that we are double-dipping by getting their sale price on top of a competitor's sale price. If they continued at that pace, they would go out of business. Let's be reasonable and try to see their point of view. In some cases, it will still be cheaper and they will honor that. It's a solid, reasonable policy.

Mei said...

"Wants" vs. "needs" is always an entertaining conversation in the couponing world!

chuckles said...

...........86'd list...........


Men in speedos
Leg warmers
Target

Andrea A. said...

Chuckles-

I like men in speedos. (certain men. like my hubby 20lbs and 10 years ago)

I like leg warmers. (So 80's, the 80's rock!)

I like Target when they are not being buttheads!!

Don't like knee socks on men worn with shorts though! LOL!

Vicki H. said...

LOL i really struggle to see this as "the couponers' fault" -- and don't worry about the alphabet toy you got. Look, they aren't giving away free alphabet toys every week or even every month -- that was just an amazing coincedence that does happen every once in a while, but so rarely. There aren't enough couponers taking advantage of fantastic deals to bring down Target. Look around you -- esp. when in line with your 2" stack of coupons (i love those days! :) ). All the dirty looks you're getting from all the people in line behind you? Those are *non*-couponers. Although our numbers grow, we're still a very small minority. :) Target just doesn't like losing money to anyone, even when the amount is petty in comparison to what profits they're bringing in annually. To think they're going out of business on account of cheap alphabet toys is naivety -- Target is okay. Don't lose sleep on their behalf :) .

amanda said...

All I can say is that they are driven by abusers! So play fair, and nobody will get hurt ;)

Anonymous said...

Target should have known better than to put a price matching policy together in the first place. All of the stores that have had it in the past, lost money.

Unknown said...

I used to make the 45 minute drive to town about once a week to get the deals but I think I will just use our walmart that is 10 minutes away. If I can't get a better deal than walmart why would I make the trip to target...wasting money, time, and my sanity. At my walmart the price match is so simple you just do it when you check out. At target you have to check out go to customer service....You guys know the deal. With two small children usually not to happy about shopping, Walmart is the winner for me and Target is the loser. By the way I spent $200.00 at target last black friday..That will NOT be happening again this year!

Anonymous said...

Anon Mon Nov 23, 02:41:00 PM 2009:

GREEDY MUCH? 60-80 wipes coupons?!?! Stop trying to justify your greed. You're still going to be mopping up your filthy kids with all those wipes when they are graduating high school. Maybe you can light some Glade candles and play with your 50 Alphabet toys too. Oh wait, maybe you *ahem* gave those to the needy homeless or Toys for Tots, too.

I would be completely horrified to announce that I was so selfish that I had to have 80 boxes of discount wipes.

Anonymous said...

Target's terrible! I don't know why I have to drive all the way there, load up my cart with free wipes, push it to the check-out register, unload them on the conveyer belt, wait endlessly for the cashier to deduct 1,500 coupons, endure the dirty looks of loser customers who actually pay for their merchandise, wait til my pallet of wipes is bagged, then go load it into my tractor trailer!

I called corporate and told them it would be so much easier and cheaper for them to simply truck them to my house, but they're being totally unreasonable! Some nonsense about people abusing the system.

But I really do need them--we're building a house and using them as insulation between the concrete blocks--and I'm entitled to them. I'm printing more coupons right now on the free paper I got at Staples. . . .

Tiffany said...

Has anyone found a loophole that we as a group can jump through concerning Target and deals? If someone finds one, let us all know. We can all go on the same day to Target and really show them what we are made of. THEY CAN BE TAKEN DOWN...but we must ALL take part. Let's all exploit whatever the loophole is. Be as selfish as you can possibly be. Maybe we can ruin it for everyone!!! :) Seriously, get over it. If you dont like it, then go to any other store. No one forces you to do any deals at Target. Yeah...I said it.

Candice said...

I heart Target to the day I die, but this is a turn off. I have only been couponing for about a month and a half and since I started it seems more and more stores are trying to get rid of the great deals people are getting from coupons. It seems like there are less high value deals and sometimes you even have to buy 2 things to get .50 off. And Target has been the worst this past month, to the point where supervisors are walking past the cashiers calling out coupon policies when I'm checking out. That makes me uncomfortable as a shopper.

They put limits on coupons, they stopped printing on the Kiosk, they changed from Target Web Q's to Manu Q's, they changed the price matching policy, they changed it again. WTF Target! Who's really being greedy here? Is it just cuz the Holiday's, because prices already go up at this time. Target is #28 on the Fortune 500 list. They are not hurting for money. ME, on the other hand... I'm clipping coupons to get my millions...

This is getting frustrating...
My vents...

Shelley Beaches said...

I don't understand why Target is still trying to consider themselves competitors against Walmart. They are way out of their league, and they continue to be outclassed on every level.

He's not done with me yet said...

I've been very happy with Target this year. Their Wii games deal helped me immensely with Christmas presents. Now, I didn't try the 6 game deal, but I did by 3 games for $30 which was pretty awesome in my book.

I've been holding out for the Fisher Price Trio Castle that TRU has on sale for $59. I dreaded the price matching fuss, but Target on-line has them for $59 as well. I decided to check out a local target, and they too were marked down to $59 but they were out. I called another Target, and they held one for me, and gave me no trouble when I used both the Target and the manufacture coupon. So, while the shelf stated $79, I got it for $45.

So, I'm a happy Target customer this year.

Anonymous said...

I agree completely. I've gotten tired of Target's policies as well. That store continually irks my nerves - I continue to see ads on TV about how Target "donates" 5% of their profits to charitable donations... the way that I see it, they should lower their prices by that 5% for all of its customers and let the customers donate whatever that they choose to the charity of their choice (and receive the corresponding tax deduction, instead of Target getting the deduction).

Anonymous said...

wow, what are some of you people smoking?
There are 800 numbers you can call or anger management groups you can join if you need to get it off your backs that badly.
Or better yet, flip on a soap opera and stay off the computer. "I'm just saying..."

On the positive side, a supervisor at Wally world, 192nd, said they price match and accept competitors coupons. I scored great deals tonight. Their prices are so low to begin with and the cashier didn't even scoff at my stack of q's!

Anonymous said...

I'm sooooo over Target.
-Char

Andrea A. said...

OK I have to say this. I don't care if someone wants 200 free wipes. 10 cheap toys. 400 bottles of creamer. I just don't care! It is their decision and their life. If you are not happy with it do you think snide comments are going to help them change. Why can't we all just get along? Shouldn't we be united? With Christmas coming I have noticed the greedy word coming up to much. So what if someone is greedy!!!! They can take up with their maker themselves.

If we can just all agree to at least email target. Tell them what we don't like and why. Maybe even a suggestion on how you think it would work better. Tell them how much you like them over walmart but that their policies are forcing you to go to their competitor. We may have a chance of seeing results. You can email them more than once about this as well.

Thanks

Oh and I notice most of the greedy or nasty comments come from anonymous. Are they real people or corporate bloggers stirring up trouble. LOL!!

Anonymous said...

So I emailed Target because I was frustrated with all the policy changes and this is what they said-


Dear Miss Tupper,

I'm sorry for any disappointment you may have experienced due to change in our price matching policy.

Your feedback is important because it help us learn more about what you're looking for. We're always evaluating the wide variety of services and merchandise we offer you, and I've shared your concerns with our Store Operations team.

We're always looking for ways to make Target even better and appreciate your help.

Sincerely,

Daniel
www.target.com
(800) 440-0680
[THREAD ID:1-77UU3K]

We have to let them know we don't like it to expect change. Call or write everyone!

Anonymous said...

I have always HATED Targets' policies. I think they are extraordinarily difficult with every policy and they could care less about their customers.

Anonymous said...

GAH! I found out last night when a friend called and told me! I decided to come here and remind everyone that Toys R Us will accept competitors coupons and mani coupons! Glad I was able to get the Tag System at target a couple of weeks ago when I did!

I'm on the side that it's unfair to keep changing things when they come up... I think when the corp heads decided to make changes they should have looked at all possibilities and made changes all at once! Poor management to trickle out changes as things arise IMO...

The mighty dollar is worth less and less these days... maybe Target lost some money this last quarter and to keep investors happy has decided to find ways to cut corners... coupons obviously are being scrutinized!!! Wouldn't be surprised if we see another change to the policy this holiday season! Looks like most of my money will be going elsewhere this Christmas...

I totally agree with the poster who said to email them and voice your concerns! They won't know you hate it unless you speak up!

mom2taytay said...

Isn't the idea of price matching to get people into your store and have sales. If all I can do is get the same price as another store than I will go to the other store. I am only going to price match if its cheaper. A lot of stores price match plus 10% that is what they should do if they want to bring people into the store.

RWilson05 said...

Just one more reason why I H.A.T.E Target!! It's not worth the savings to shop there and deal with there HORRIFIC staff, and ANTI-coupon users policy!

Anonymous said...

Miss Tupper...that email you received from Target looks exactly like an email I received regarding a rude clerk and a manager who didn't know what he was doing...looks like it is a form email that they just insert the complaint of the day to and send them out. Pretty heart-felt, I'd say. Kindda like the way the treat their customers!

Lynette said...

I've just made the decision to NEVER price-match anything at Target. This new rule along with the fact that they won't price match CVS or Kroger (because you have to have a card to get the deals)...I'm just not gonna deal with it at all. I don't mind shopping there if I can get a good deal with my coupons, but I refuse to price match. I'd rather go to Wal-mart just because it's easier and they will price match anything. Thank you for the update!! It's hard to keep up :)

Anonymous said...

I have to agree with someone a long ways up about something. i think it's quite hilarious that only NOW that the greedy coupon shoppers aren't getting what they want, ALL OF A SUDDEN Target is this horrible corporation who treats their employees unfairly and pays them so little and blah blah blah. Basically talking all this smack about how Target sucks. But when you were walking out the door with all that free stuff things were fine and dandy, eh? If you TRULY cared about the people and the employees and thought that Target was so awful, then you would shop elsewhere no matter what. Nice try at defending yourself though! I'll give you props for that!

Ellen said...

i did a price match from toysrus and used the leapfrog mfg coupon AND the target coupon for the tag system tonight and didn't have ANY trouble...i also did it for 2 books and another toy for which i had a coupon...I guess it depends on your target...here they are great and Walmart is the ones who are hard to deal with!

Anonymous said...

In my humble opinion, this is another good reason to avoid Target. Of all the stores in my area that accept coupons, Target has always been the worst. Implementing their new policy, and their newer policy, and their newest policy ... will be a nightmare at the cashier stand.

Anonymous said...

The greedy couponers and Target complainers are no different than the millions in the US on welfare who always want something for nothing(this is not to say all people on welfare are free-loaders! There is no such thing as free lunch, at least not for long. Be thankful for your 80 boxes of wipes, and I do hope they are bio-degradeable. Yes its great to get a good bargain, but it is not an entitlement. I have always thought Target was a nicer store than Wal-Mart, but have always shopped routinely at Wal-Mart because the prices are cheaper. Since beginning to coupon I have spent much more time in Target. If I can't save as much money in Target on the go forward, I will just simply go back to Wal-Mart. In fact I do most of my grocery shopping at Aldi's, and it is cheaper than both of them, even without coupons. What a great country where we can all express our extremely diverse opinions.

Anonymous said...

I am new to couponing, so can someone explain how one gets 60-80 boxes of wipes free? I have noticed that most of the coupons state "do not duplicate", or something to that nature. I am gathering from many posts I have read, that there are couponers with integrity and those without. If everyone were honest in their use of the coupons, the Target policy probably would not have changed. Couponers may be a very small minority at this point, but the numbers would grow exponentially as people found out about $20 toys for .49, free wipes, free Ocean Spray juice etc. I believe Target saw the abuse, and did what any of you would have done, if you were in their position.

Anonymous said...

good gosh people it's just coupons. They saw a kafuffle in the policy and changed it.....BFD. Be THANKFUL for everything we have.



I still love Target.