So I work at target, and today I was working guest service. Guest service is where you do returns and stuff of that nature. About mid-way through my shift I got this guest who wanted to return a couple of items because she bought them without realizing how much they cost. She bought them with her debit card, and wanted to return them the same day. She wanted cash back for her items. Well what happens when you purchase items with your debit card it takes a couple of days to actually pay for them and get rendered by your bank. So I was only able to give this lady a gift card to target. I explained all of this to her and she replies, "That's not good enough, I want my money back." I then go on to explain that I cannot override the system. She again replies with the "That's not good enough, I want my money back." So I call my manager over to help explain, and he explains the same thing I said and once again she replies. "That's not good enough, I want my money back." She said that at least 7 times right in a row.

She keeps on arguing with me and my manager. She finally gives in getting a gift card. I really wanted to punch this lady in the face because she could not understand the meaning of this is all I can do for you, now get over it and deal with what you got or come back later.

If you guys ever do this, and I find out somehow...I will find you, I promise you that.

Well, it depends on what option she selected when she used her debit card -- the credit card option (since most carry a VISA logo) or the debit card option. The debit card option ensures that there are sufficient funds available before approving the purchase, so the merchant can rest assured that they will get the money.

It's Target's policy not to offer cash back on returns of purchases made with debit cards, not the law or bank policy. And considering that after she completed the transaction, she no longer had access to the funds, I'm not all that surprised she wanted cash back rather than a shitty gift card that is often lost (in fact, merchants count on gift cards going unredeemed).

Many merchants are more customer friendly and offer cash as an option for returns of purchases made with a debit card. When I worked in the CVS PhotoLab in high school we didn't just offer cash, it was our only return option. So maybe she was just used to those more accommodating merchants.

Also, I will fight with any front-line customer service rep / geek squad person until I see the manager because 8 times out of 10, I'll get my way with the manager. This is how business works. The front-line people are given a script that they can't deviate from but the higher you go up, the more leeway they have. Are you telling me that the store manager couldn't have given her a cash refund if he really wanted to? Doubtful, but since it's target, maybe.

Long story short, I think its your fault for working customer service and your store's fault for having shitty policies regarding debit card refunds, not the lady's. She was just trying to get the cash back that she spent.

I'd have to agree with fomenta. A lot of places I have been just cancel the transaction or redeem it in money. But I don't think I have ever gone to customer service until today when I exchanged a broken ratchet for a new one at REI. They had some good service for the record.

Target actually offers cash back when you do use your debit card...its the bank that doesn't let you get it back. when you purchase something with your debit card, it checks to see if you have enough funds but it still goes into a pending state with your bank. So it is partly the banks fault and also targets stupid system...I even hate it sometimes. But it wasn;t that I was trying to be right or anything it was just the fact that she acted like a complete jerk about. I mean I was trying to everything I could for her but she was just getting on my nerves.

Wow, re-reading this I raged for no reason about Target -- I don't even dislike Target...

Hope I didn't offend you Zander, it was nothing personal. I like to play devils advocate but for some reason I got a little hype over it.

(But working in custserv in both a place like Target as well as in restaurants as a waiter, bartender, night manager, I completely understand how annoying customers can get when they don't get their way.)

lol..its fine :D

It might be some banking scam she's doing. I know up here we have a credit card scam where a customer will purchase some items on credit card and then quickly steal the wrong copy of the credit card reciept while the cashier gets distracted. He then waits an hour and returns the items for cash. Now that he has the cash and the store is missing the proper copy of the credit reciept his credit card can't be charged and the store just bought there items back from a scammer. It takes a few days for the whole thing to light and the scammer pulls off the scam several times before it's noticed and then switches stores.

One of my job's is at CVS. Totally feel you on hating customers like this, but they've got every right.
As a fellow grunt, we both understand the phrase "talk to my manager" is the cure all.

So just another day at target again.... Some little kid opened up a soap bottle without the parent realizing it and left is open in the cart while they walked around the store. It ended up leaving a trail of soap through the whole store and guess who had to clean it up...THIS GUY : / it took an hour and half to get everything up. I had to block off the main isles just so i could clean...it sucked. YAY FOR TARGET!

Does your Target have a Starbucks in it? I work next to a Target with one and wondered if they are all Target Employees, or if they are seperate.

it does and yes there are target employees

I figured. I work in the Geek Squad, and while we are technically seperate, I still do a majority of Best Buy employee duties.

I couldnt have said it better myself. Debt card is the same as cash to be honest. she should have been able to get the cash back. I'll think twice before i buy anything at target now.

yes because target is the problem and not being retarded enough NOT TO KNOW HOW MUCH SOMETHING COSTS. Its only on the price tag, usually on the shelf of rack, and shows up BEFORE you buy it on the cash register. How do you NOT know how much something in Target is going to cost?