Target’s 'hidden' return policy

If you try returning something to Target without a receipt, there’s the retailer’s posted 90-day return policy and then there’s its unwritten return policy.

According to the posted policy, you’re simply out of luck if you don’t have a receipt and Target can’t verify the purchase through its electronic “receipt look-up” system, as might be the case if you paid cash or received the item as a gift.

But for items costing up to $20, there’s another “hidden” option that you won’t see on the store’s posted return policy. Customers can get store credit, provided they show a driver’s license or other government-issued identification and haven’t already used this option twice during the year. This option actually has been around awhile, although it initially allowed no-receipt returns for items valued up to $100, an amount subsequently reduced to $40, and reduced again last year to $20.
   
“It is something we look at as an accommodation above and beyond the policy," says Target spokesman David Fransen. "It’s not publicized or advertised.”

We wonder why Target simply doesn’t tell shoppers this. Even better, we wonder why it doesn’t adopt the no-hassle policy of its largest competitor, Wal-Mart. Customers who return products to Wal-Mart without a receipt can get a store credit, even for high-priced purchases. And for purchases of less than $25, customers have the option of taking cash. As with Target, Wal-Mart’s return policy is 90 days for most products, although it’s shorter for computers, digital cameras and camcorders, and some other items. What’s more, Wal-Mart recently loosened its return policy for holiday gifts that fall under the shorter return policy. The return period starts on Dec. 26, even if the gift was purchased as early as Nov. 15.

But even Wal-Mart has its limits. If you return more than three items without a receipt within 45 days, transactions will need to be approved by a manager, and your account will be flagged for the next six months. The flag will disappear if there are no more returns during that time period.—Anthony Giorgianni

Comments

[bob]

home depot is no different!!!

[Val]

Well I agree with this policy, if they gave store credit for items up to $100 dollars, we could only imagine how people would take advantage of it. You could walk in there and steal something and bring it right back without a receipt, and wow you just earned yourself $100 worth of free Target merchandise. It's all about preventing shortage, people should keep up with receipts, give gift receipts, or just pay with a credit card, debit card or a check, this way there are no issues.

[Martha]

How hard would it be for Target to post their complete return policy in the store, instead of keeping it a secret from loyal customers?

What is the benefit of keeping this a "hidden policy?"

A Target store gave us a hard time when we tried to exchange -- not even return -- one unopened, Target store brand can of flavored coffee for a different flavor, even though they were exactly the same price.

If Wal-Mart can have a more consumer-friendly policy, shouldn't Target, an ostensibly more upscale store, be able to do the same?

[Mary]

Martha, the benefit of keeping the "hidden policy" hidden was already pointed out by the commenter before you--to prevent people who don't sincerely need to return an item wo/a receipt from taking advantage of the policy. In addition, the store credit that these non-receipt returns yield is usually much smaller than what the customer paid (they look up the lowest selling price in the past 90 days). In short, this "hidden policy" is really just a last-ditch attempt at getting any money back. It may or may not please everyone, so that is why it is not posted.

I actually used to work at behind the Guest Services counter at a Target store some years ago. While it is true that we allowed no-receipt returns up to $100 initially, we also allowed exchanges of the same item (with no max amount). I don't know if this has changed as well.