NOT HOT FRAUD: Target Changes Return Policy on Software, Music, DVD

[mrEvil]

Most people get the point, some do not. I know that I will not be buying CD/DVD/Video Games at Target anymore if they keep the new policy.

I think most people are trying to stress this point: If I take the time to buy it at your store, and not online, you better be backing up what you sold.

Heck, I puchased the 4th Season of Buffy from Buy.com and it came in it's shrink wrap, with the 4th DVD missing. I would've been p!ssed off if they told me to take it up with the manufacturer.

I guess if you have to buy that stuff at Bullseye, put it on a CC and make sure it is separate from all of your other purchases. There is more than one way to accomplish the same task. Think they'll like it when the CC companies start charging them higher rates because people are disputing charges due to defective merchandise that they will not take back?

 

[BurnItDwn]

Originally posted by: hallf

Originally posted by: BurnItDwn
I've never had a problem with any CD or DVD or software I have ever purchased ... (ok i had problems with a couple used dvds from blockbuster a long time ago).
There is nothing wrong with this return policy. It is fair IMO. It keeps them from getting shafted by theives.

What do you mean this is a fair policy??? Lucky you that you've never gotten a bad CD or DVD...I have bought music CDs that had defects that caused them to skip/stutter and returned them for a new copy that was fine. I can see them not giving you money back or store credit so you can get something else, but a same-item exchange only makes sense. Only it takes a little work on the CSRs part...they have to actually look at what's returned and make sure it's in there. How does Target get "shafted" if I buy a defective CD from them and return it for an identical CD that's not defective? I paid for it - they're getting the original back - I see no deceipt there.

hmm ... you must have had bad luck. I own about 500 cds and 250 dvds never had any that would skip.

Stores usually can not resell any items that are opened and then returned (unless they are selling them as used, but then they have to lowwer the price, often below their cost)
They can only get cost back for the item by shipping it back or claiming it one way or another, and that takes work. If it is truly defective, than they should certainly honor a same item exchange, but unfortunatly lots of time, I have known people to buy something, make a copy of it, or rip it to mp3/divx/iso, and then return it. The store gets shafted as they have to waste time on returns which drives up the cost of buisness.

The policy is to stop people from doing that, it's not meant to harm innocent customers who happen to get stuck with a defective item.

 

[Slogun]

Originally posted by: NorCalSci
I just learned the unhappy news that TARGET JUST CHANGED ITS RETURN POLICY (corporate memo)! You can no longer return open software/music/dvd in store if the package is open and something is damaged or missing. Seriously, either do not buy music/software/dvd there or open it at the cash register before you purchase.

NEVER buy a gift there of these items because if there is something missing in the box it cannot be exchanged or returned. Can you imagine how embarassing that would be?

This is a very frustrating form of fraud, people removing items from packages and returning them as new. If the store puts it back on the shelf without inspecting the package the next customer gets screwed. Most people don't know what the contents of a package should be, unless they are clearly listed, so even if you were to look in the box how would you know how many disks MS Office, Turbo Tax or MS FLight Simulator, should have? You don't figure it out until you try to install, then the store will not make it good or accept the product back for a refund.

I am very angry because this happened to me with two of the four software packages I just bought.

1) The first FS2004 I picked up at Target had the fourth disk expertly cut off the package and no manual (apparently you cannot load or play the game without disk 4). Every tin can on the shelf had been opened WITHOUT TEARING THE MS "SECURITY SEAL". I didn't know better when I purchased or I would have opened it at the checkout (and I probably still would have been fooled).

2) I also bought an unopened, shrinkwrapped Max Payne and was surprised to find only one disk in the box (with a two-disk holder). I repeat, the box was shrinkwrapped...

I tried to take it back and the Customer non-Service counter gave me a business card and told me to call the Minneapolis number on the back of the card, they said they received a corporate memo instructing them that all such situations must be dealt with through their national office. I have to call them tomorrow because they of course are closed right now.

They either have an internal theft problem or they are putting incomplete "customer returned" packages back on the shelves, then letting their customers eat it.

Bottom line: Avoid Target for these purchases. I will find out what recourse I have with Corporate tomorrow, but I will also contest the credit card charges and file a BBB complaint tomorrow.

I just re-read this post. I don't see anything different about the reutrn policy. I believe it has always been no refund for opened software/music/DVD. That policy says nothing about exchanges for defective merchandise.

NorCalSci does go on to say that target refused an exchange, i believe, or were you trying to get a refund on that incomplete item?

I don't believe strores should offer refunds on these items, only exchanges for the same item when defective.

 

[Slogun]

You know what's funny though. When you try to access their return policy online, this is what you get:

"An error occurred when we tried to process your request"

Perhaps it will be fixed soon:

Target Return Policy

 

[Wolfie]

Not sure what link you where tring, but I found it here...

Target return link...

 

[gwlam12]

Originally posted by: NovaPrime
As far as software goes, if you ever take the time to actually read the EULA you will see that quite a few will state that if you do not agree to the license agreement to return the software to place of purchase for FULL REFUND. As an example here is the EULA from UFO Aftermath I purchased recently:

"END-USER LICENSE AGREEMENT
IMPORTANT - READ CAREFULLY:
YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY READ THE FOLLOWING END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT BEFORE INSTALLING THIS SOFTWARE PROGRAM. This software program, any printed materials, any on-line or electronic documentation, and any and all copies and derivative works of such software program and materials (the "Program") are the copyrighted work. All use of the Program is governed by the copyright law and by the terms of the End User License Agreement, which is provided below ("License"). The Program is solely for use by end users according to the terms of the License. Any use, reproduction or redistribution of the Program not in accordance with the terms of the License is expressly prohibited. If you do not agree to the terms of this Agreement, do not install or use the Program; you may, however, return it to your place of purchase for a full refund".

So if they refuse to refund your money, find a computer and start installing the program and show them the EULA. When they chose to sell the product, they agreed to the terms set forth by the manufacturer.

once u install then u cant return it.

 

[gwlam12]

Originally posted by: Bad_Dude
Well a DVD or music CD is nothing compared to what happened to me at Circuit City. I bought a Radeon 9800 Pro and when I got home it was a cheap old ethernet card. They don't want to exchange it for me so I dispute with the credit card and it's still going. This is much worse than the DVD or music CD.

yea...i remember that thread u had in OT ... =/

 

[Tommyboy8]

I can vouch that I never had a problem buying media at target or best buy.

Also, when best buy sell their open items, it is not below cost. They still make a profit, just less than what they wanted to make originally.

The best way to deal with this, is open your item on the spot if you are really paranoid. I mean I too own over 130 dvds, 100 cds.. and nothing as such has ever happened. I do pay close attention to software not being open to make the purchase.

 

[Slogun]

Originally posted by: Wolfie
Not sure what link you where tring, but I found it here...

Target return link...

Thanks, I had simply clicked on "return policy" at the bottom of their home page. Tried it several times, hard to screw up.

 

[VaG]

I changed my Target policy a couple years ago.
Policy: Don't buy anything at Target unless it is a least 75% off.

 

[hallf]

Originally posted by: BurnItDwn

Originally posted by: hallf

If it is truly defective, than they should certainly honor a same item exchange, but unfortunatly lots of time, I have known people to buy something, make a copy of it, or rip it to mp3/divx/iso, and then return it. The store gets shafted as they have to waste time on returns which drives up the cost of buisness.

The policy is to stop people from doing that, it's not meant to harm innocent customers who happen to get stuck with a defective item.

You and I are in agreement...scenario 1) above - return defective item for an identical item and 2) buy something, copy it, return it for credit or different item are RADICALLY different...but in my reading of this thread Target's not discriminating between the two...both buyers get hosed, even the "innocent" buyer of a defective product.

 

[hallf]

Originally posted by: Tommyboy8
I can vouch that I never had a problem buying media at target or best buy.

Also, when best buy sell their open items, it is not below cost. They still make a profit, just less than what they wanted to make originally.

The best way to deal with this, is open your item on the spot if you are really paranoid. I mean I too own over 130 dvds, 100 cds.. and nothing as such has ever happened. I do pay close attention to software not being open to make the purchase.

Just because the media's there doesn't mean it isn't defective....so what do you do then? Buy it, open it at the counter, walk over to electronics, put it in a CD or DVD player and play it for a while?

 

[allisolm]

I changed my Target policy a couple years ago.
Policy: Don't buy anything at Target unless it is a least 75% off.

I totally agree with that!

 

[Fingolfin269]

Originally posted by: BurnItDwn

Originally posted by: hallf

Originally posted by: BurnItDwn
I've never had a problem with any CD or DVD or software I have ever purchased ... (ok i had problems with a couple used dvds from blockbuster a long time ago).
There is nothing wrong with this return policy. It is fair IMO. It keeps them from getting shafted by theives.

What do you mean this is a fair policy??? Lucky you that you've never gotten a bad CD or DVD...I have bought music CDs that had defects that caused them to skip/stutter and returned them for a new copy that was fine. I can see them not giving you money back or store credit so you can get something else, but a same-item exchange only makes sense. Only it takes a little work on the CSRs part...they have to actually look at what's returned and make sure it's in there. How does Target get "shafted" if I buy a defective CD from them and return it for an identical CD that's not defective? I paid for it - they're getting the original back - I see no deceipt there.

hmm ... you must have had bad luck. I own about 500 cds and 250 dvds never had any that would skip.

Stores usually can not resell any items that are opened and then returned (unless they are selling them as used, but then they have to lowwer the price, often below their cost)
They can only get cost back for the item by shipping it back or claiming it one way or another, and that takes work. If it is truly defective, than they should certainly honor a same item exchange, but unfortunatly lots of time, I have known people to buy something, make a copy of it, or rip it to mp3/divx/iso, and then return it. The store gets shafted as they have to waste time on returns which drives up the cost of buisness.

The policy is to stop people from doing that, it's not meant to harm innocent customers who happen to get stuck with a defective item.

It sounds as if people aren't even being allowed to exchange for the SAME ITEM. How is this policy a pirating deterrent when allowing an exchange for the exact same item would serve the same purpose?

Maybe I'm missing something here, but it seems to me that someone would think twice about buying a product to copy it if they were only allowed to return it and get the same exact item again.

 

[Slogun]

Target return policy: "Some items cannot be returned if opened, including music, movies, video games, software and collectibles"

A "return" is quite different (or should be) from an "exchange."

 

[VaG]

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269

Maybe I'm missing something here, but it seems to me that someone would think twice about buying a product to copy it if they were only allowed to return it and get the same exact item again.

I think you may be missing something because NOW you have a brand new sealed product that you can return for a refund.

 

[Slogun]

Originally posted by: VaG

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269

Maybe I'm missing something here, but it seems to me that someone would think twice about buying a product to copy it if they were only allowed to return it and get the same exact item again.

I think you may be missing something because NOW you have a brand new sealed product that you can return for a refund.

Not necessarily.

When I needed to exchange my defective Halo at Target a few months back, they had me go get a new box, then they unsealed it before giving it to me. That seems fair and prudent.

 

[NovaPrime]

Originally posted by: gwlam12

Originally posted by: NovaPrime
As far as software goes, if you ever take the time to actually read the EULA you will see that quite a few will state that if you do not agree to the license agreement to return the software to place of purchase for FULL REFUND. As an example here is the EULA from UFO Aftermath I purchased recently:

"END-USER LICENSE AGREEMENT
IMPORTANT - READ CAREFULLY:
YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY READ THE FOLLOWING END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT BEFORE INSTALLING THIS SOFTWARE PROGRAM. This software program, any printed materials, any on-line or electronic documentation, and any and all copies and derivative works of such software program and materials (the "Program") are the copyrighted work. All use of the Program is governed by the copyright law and by the terms of the End User License Agreement, which is provided below ("License"). The Program is solely for use by end users according to the terms of the License. Any use, reproduction or redistribution of the Program not in accordance with the terms of the License is expressly prohibited. If you do not agree to the terms of this Agreement, do not install or use the Program; you may, however, return it to your place of purchase for a full refund".

So if they refuse to refund your money, find a computer and start installing the program and show them the EULA. When they chose to sell the product, they agreed to the terms set forth by the manufacturer.

once u install then u cant return it.

This was an example showing that Stores will have policys in place that they cannot legally enforce. If you go to the Target store return policy link in several of the previous posts it states "Some items cannot be returned if opened, including music, movies, video games, software and collectibles". This is not true of software when the EULA states that you as the customer can return it to the place of purchase for a full refund if you do not accept the EULA(which means it will not be installed because it will not install unless you accept the EULA). This is true of most any software where on the box it will state that you have to agree to the EULA to install it but you have to open the box and start installing the program to be able to read the EULA.

 

[LordAthens]

Target just lost *ALL* of my business.

And I used to go there once a week and blow $200 easy on DVD's alone.

For the ne-sayers that say it's impossible..

Christmas 02 - My girlfriend bought my the Criterion Collection of The Rock. I had been wanting it, badly for a while. As soon as I took it out of the wrapping paper, I tore off the shrinkwrap (which hadn't been opened) and went to pop in the DVD. Bonus disc was there, however the actual movie? Non exsistant. I took it back to Best Buy and (after being grilled like a drug dealer) had it exchanged. I opened that one on the spot before I left.

Black Friday 03 - I bought a few movies that were on sale for 11.99. I got Italian Job home and as I was unwrapping it, I noticed that it sounded like a box of BB's. Open up and.. Shattered DVD. I apparently didn't notice that I grabbed a shattered disc in the hustle. Best Buy exchanged.

Now, had this been Target, I would now be out ~55 bucks.

Thanks Target.

 

[Gagabiji]

That's tough, thanks for the warning though. I some times get like a game fron Target if we are there and they have a sale, but usually I get my games from Game Stop, I get a 25% discount there.

 

[Flexicon]

This is a bad move on Target's part; I smell a class action lawsuit coming if they try to enforce this. As others have already pointed out, this policy is in direct violation of the implied warrant of merchantabilty and most software company's EULAs. I'm all for them trying to curb their losses due to theft, but this boneheaded policy isn't the answer. If they're serious about loss prevention, then they need to train their staff to thoroughly inspect all returns before issuing refunds and stop putting opened items back on the shelf as new products.

 

[Fritzo]

Maybe you guys live in Naziville USA or something. Yesterday I just took back a Spongebob DVD that had a scratch on it when I opened it, and they exchanged it no problem.

 

[gspyer]

Originally posted by: gwlam12

Originally posted by: NovaPrime
As far as software goes, if you ever take the time to actually read the EULA you will see that quite a few will state that if you do not agree to the license agreement to return the software to place of purchase for FULL REFUND. As an example here is the EULA from UFO Aftermath I purchased recently:

"END-USER LICENSE AGREEMENT
IMPORTANT - READ CAREFULLY:
YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY READ THE FOLLOWING END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT BEFORE INSTALLING THIS SOFTWARE PROGRAM. This software program, any printed materials, any on-line or electronic documentation, and any and all copies and derivative works of such software program and materials (the "Program") are the copyrighted work. All use of the Program is governed by the copyright law and by the terms of the End User License Agreement, which is provided below ("License"). The Program is solely for use by end users according to the terms of the License. Any use, reproduction or redistribution of the Program not in accordance with the terms of the License is expressly prohibited. If you do not agree to the terms of this Agreement, do not install or use the Program; you may, however, return it to your place of purchase for a full refund".

So if they refuse to refund your money, find a computer and start installing the program and show them the EULA. When they chose to sell the product, they agreed to the terms set forth by the manufacturer.

once u install then u cant return it.

Idiot, he gets the EULA during the installation. It isn't exactly printed on the box.