Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Dealing with Target Drama

This blog is supposed to be about everything baby and the joys of pregnancy.  I realized yesterday (for sure) the regular woes and drama of life don't stop during this happy time.  As many of you know by reading, I have sang Target's praises with their registry incentives and great maternity wear; however, yesterday could possibly my last time ever talking to the Target online people!

Long story short the maternity bath suit top came in the mail.  It was from a different dye lot than the skirt purchased in the store.  Target is a HUGE company, so I know this could happen.  However, there should be some resolution to getting the customer a matching set rather than doing nothing!! 

Below is a summary of my complaint that I sent to an email address on Target's website regarding the lack of customer service they provided.

I do want everyone to know that the Target in West Ashley, SC is WONDERFUL!  They did everything they could to make it right on there end.  The manager was extremely apologetic, and provided me with 4 $3 "I'm sorry" coupons to cover the cost of my shipping if I chose to "try" to get a matching set from online by ordering both pieces from online.  The major issue is the store and online Target are completely separate making the store manager powerless to provide the customer any service recovery or making the situation better. 

Online Complaint (I had to fill in my order number within the contact information. Someone is supposed to respond within 24 hours.  I hope to have this resolved, and I'll update everyone regarding the situation)
"No customer service with this order inquiry. I purchased the bathing suit skirt bottom from the store and the top from your online store. When top arrived, it was from a different dye lot (therefore didn't match).

Went to the store, and the store needed me to call online customer service to refund shipping cost and to see if the online store could send me two matching pieces (I called from the in store customer service area with a Target employee with me to help me with the online rep).
Ruth S was NO HELP! She suggested I just return everything, and she couldn't refund shipping. The store manager said the online rep could refund shipping and was also appalled (as well) at this lack of customer service.
I do not think it is right for an online store to put two pieces online as a set, and then when ordered, they arrive looking different. I ordered the top from online because that is the top that is shown with the skirt as matching (a set) in the photo of the top.
Further, I want the bathing suit (and want a matching set...that is what I paid for). However, Ruth S made no attempt to make me a happy Target Customer. The only suggestion was to return it and I "eat" the shipping. She provided no alternative to getting a matching set (even though I suggested for her to send me both piece from online and waive the shipping...Ruth S stated it was not an option and she "couldn't waive shipping." Again, the store states online does this all the time).
After speaking with her, I asked to speak to the online manager. I was on hold for close to 10 minutes. Ruth S came back to the line and tried to "get me off the phone." I again asked to speak with a manager. The manager, Simone, answered after 10 more minutes of holding and provided no customer service either. Still no resolution, still no offer to get me a matching set, still no offer to waive the shipping expense. The store was absolutely appalled as was I.
I just did a baby registry through Target and have been very impressed with the in-store customer service, but I'm not so sure I want my friends and family purchasing from such a "nasty and unfriendly" place if they are to purchase from online.
I would appreciate being contacted by a manager that is willing to provide a solution to this issue. "

2 comments:

Allie said...

omg! I was looking up complains for target baby registries because I experienced a similar issue. I'm glad you wrote about it. We had way too many "incidents" with wrong gifts with our targ. baby registry so we just switched over to myregistry.com and it was an easier experience for everyone. we also did an instore registry at a local shop of a family friend here in NH so that worked out as well. Good luck with everything and glad to hear that your community's Target tried to correct the problem - really nice of them!

Meredith said...

Allie, thanks for your comment. I'll have to look into myregistry.com. Thanks for the link!