TARGET shoppers are increasingly concerned as the retail giant continues to implement new store policies.
Just weeks after the retailer announced it would no longer accept personal checks as a form of payment, shoppers are reporting that many locations are also starting to ban cash.
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FAKE CLAIMS
On July 15, Target officially stopped allowing customers to use personal checks to pay for their transactions.
The retailer cited “extremely low volumes” of check transactions as the main reason for its decision.
Some shoppers were worried that Target’s decision could have a domino effect on other currently accepted forms of payment, and it appears their concerns were right.
A Target shopper was shocked when her store effectively “banned” cash transactions and asked her to pay by credit or debit card.
Read more about targeted complaints
“Target doesn’t let you use cash at the ATM anymore and one of the employees told me it’s because people were putting fake money in the machines and the machines didn’t know,” Suzie Meredith shared on Facebook.
Her July 23 post received a mix of reactions, with some of Meredith’s followers in disbelief.
“Oh my God!” one user wrote.
“Savage haha,” another user commented.
Despite a growing shift towards digital payment methods and card transactions, many customers still prefer to pay for their purchases the “old-fashioned” way – cash.
However, as retailers continue to implement new store policies aimed at curbing thieves, some customers are beginning to question the convenience – or lack thereof – of shopping in stores.
“They need to hire cashiers,” one user commented.
“They think computers can do everything,” they added.
Despite rolling out self-checkout lanes at thousands of locations across the country, Target has begun scaling back self-checkout kiosks.
In recent months, customers have had to deal with fewer self-checkouts, transaction limits – 10 or fewer items – and even additional staff manning kiosks to ensure customers properly scan and bag items.
Latest self-checkout changes
Retailers are evolving their self-checkout strategy in an effort to speed checkout times and reduce theft.
Walmart shoppers were shocked when self-checkout lanes at several locations were made available only to Walmart+ members.
Other customers reported that self-checkout was closed at specific times and more cashiers were offered in its place.
While shoppers feared that shoplifting would fuel the updates, a Walmart spokesperson revealed that store managers are simply experimenting with ways to improve checkout performance.
One bizarre experiment included an RFID-powered self-checkout kiosk that would thwart fiercely contested receipt checks.
However, this test has been discontinued.
At Target, items are being limited in auto-checkout.
Last fall, the brand researched new express self-checkout lanes in 200 stores with 10 items or less for added convenience.
In March 2024, this policy was expanded to 2,000 stores in the US.
Shoppers also identified their local Walmart stores restricting customers to 15 items or less to use self-checkout machines.
VERIFIED
On March 14, Target confirmed that “checkout is one of the most important moments in Target’s operations” and promised to open “more traditional avenues with our team members in all of our stores.”
Despite the promise, customers criticized the retailer for long lines and even longer wait times, sharing their complaints on social media and other online platforms.
When asked which Target location was effectively banning cash at self-order kiosks, Meredith confirmed it was one of her local stores.
“That’s what they told me at the Westborough Target,” she replied.
Reviews left on Google and Yelp apparently confirm Meredith’s statement, with one dissatisfied customer even calling the place “the worst Target in Massachusetts in terms of service!”
“One cash register open. Every self checkout is closed. 12 people in line,” another person wrote.
“This target rarely has cashiers working and the self-checkout queue is consistently supported. Very frustrating,” echoed a third person.
While it’s not uncommon for some cash registers to only accept card payments, Target stores have always allowed customers to pay for their items in cash, including at most self-service kiosks.
Does Target charge for bags?
Target automatically charges customers for bags on delivery and pickup orders.
The store charges $1 for every 10 bags used, meaning each plastic bag costs 10 cents.
“Charging bag fees for online pickup orders is in line with fees that already existed for purchases made in Target stores at checkout,” Target shared on its website.
“If you are shopping at a store that charges baggage fees, they will be applied to your order.”
If a customer uses less than 10 bags in their order, the amount will be adjusted accordingly.
However, the rule depends on state and local laws, as different stores have different bag policies.
Some locations only charge a five-cent fee for bags, while some charge five cents per bag at store checkout — and some don’t even offer bags.
You can check how much you were charged for bags by viewing your order invoice through your Target account on Target.com or in the app.
Target also allows customers to bring their own bags to avoid the automatic fee since they added baggage preferences in March 2024.
If you order online for delivery or pickup at select stores, you can decline Target bags at checkout and tell the store that you will bring your own bags to receive your order.
TARGET MONEY
On the retailer’s website, Target listed several payment options not accepted in its stores, including checks and foreign currencies, money orders, cashier’s checks, personal checks, merchant checks and merchant gift cards.
He also listed several accepted payment options in Target stores, including:
- Money
- Target Circle Cards
- Target mobile app
- Third-party credit and debit cards
- Mobile payments like Apple Pay
- Gift cards
- Discount Checks
However, Target has not specified whether it must accept all of the above-mentioned payment methods at self-checkout registers.
It also did not disclose whether shoppers paying in cash must complete their purchase at a traditional cash register manned by a Target team member.
Target also listed several payment options not accepted in its stores, including checks and foreign currencies, money orders, cashier’s checks, personal checks, merchant checks and merchant gift cards.
Read more customer complaints about Target’s new policies, from its ban on paper checks to its revamped self-checkout standards.
Whether you’re fed up with Target’s new shopping rules or looking for a change, check out the retailer’s top competition.
Keep in mind, however, that Walmart shoppers also have their fair share of complaints regarding the store’s self-checkout policies and security measures.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
