My bad target store experience,refused to sell me leadfoot

[Tigermegatron]

I HAD A BAD EXPERIENCE AT MY LOCAL TARGET STORE,THEY REFUSED TO SELL ME LEADFOOT & EVEN ACKNOWLEDGED IT WAS IN STOCK IN THE BACK STOCK ROOM.

The target exclusive leadfoot finally arrived al my local target store. I did the item search on the target.com web site & entered my zip code. their were about 4 available stores out of the 10 stores that had the item in stock & it read "avaiable in stock".

I drove to my NEAREST local target that is about 14 miles away one way & 28 miles away round trip. I walked thru The toy aisle & saw no leadfoot's on the shelf.

so I bought the paper I printed out with the availability of the item in the store along with the item # number.

THIS IS WHERE ALL THE DRAMA & FIGHT STARTED:

Since it was target & some target Stores management/employees hate fans/collectors. a few store employees & managers refused to get the item for me in the back stock room. and even acknowledged it was in stock in the back stock room.

I asked the regular target store managers to get me the highest ranking manager in the store. I said I want the person with the keys who opens or closes the Target store.

As soon as I saw the head store manager. I told him I was recording his reponse to me on my cel phone.

The head store manager lied & told me the target store exclusive leadfoot is in the back stock room but can't be given to me because it has a set release date of september 3,2011.

I then explained to the target store head manager that he was lying. I explained dozens of my friends on-line were successful at buying the target store exclusive leadfoot. I further explained that if it had a set release date of september 3,2011,then it wouldn't have rung up at the register similar to NEW DVD's. because they'll be a code that would prevent a register ring up for leadfoot.

The store manager got all obnoxious & told me a few times,he'd try to throw me out of the store using security guards. I then replied to him with the words "go ahead" I'm still recording this conversation. I told him then for sure I can sue the store & get you fired for Discriminating against a customer because you think he's a fan/collector or scalper.

DON'T WORRY,I didn't get discriminated without a fair fight.

I then asked the store manager for the regional target phone number & told him I was going to report the whole target store for " Discriminating against a buyer who asked for a item that was in stock."

I Asked the store manager for "target regional company number."
because I was being discriminated against & wanted to report him & other store managers/employees.

the target store manager,gave me the following phone number which was called "target guest relations" the number is 1-800-591-3869

I decided to make this phone call while I was still in the target store. I sat in the eatery department,while talking to the guy on the phone.

I spoke to the "target guest relations corporate manager on the phone. I basically told him the following: I went on the target.com web site,I used the item search feature,I typed in my zip code. I got a list of 10 stores in my local areas & 4 have the item listed in store at the store. it say's available in stock.

I further told the "target guest relations corporate manager" that I asked for the item at my local target store & was refused the product because they were discriminating against me.

STILL ON THE PHONE,I told the "target guest relations guy" The target store location,the state,the city & the store manages name.

The target relations guy,put me on hold & called the target store I was still in & talked to the head store manager. the head store mananger lied to the "target guest relations corporate guy." by telling him the item had a set release date of september 3,2011.

I then told the "target guest relations corportate guy" on the phone to call the other 3 target stores that had the item available & in stock to confirm if they were selling the item today or if it had a set release date of september 3,2011.

The target guest relations corporate guy on the phone was able to confirm from the other 3 target stores that he called. that the manager at my local target store was lying about the september 3,2011 release date.

the target guest relations corporate guy on the phone, even went as far to call another target store who had the item & had the manager at that store put one leadfoot toy on hold for me at customer service.

I then thanked the "target guest relations corporate guy. the guest relations guy appologized to me for the way the store discriminated & treated me. then assured me this type of discrimination abuse won't be taken lightly. he told me they were going to write the head store manager up & other others,do a full investigating at the store. and properly discipline,suspend,fire & re-train anyone involved in this incident.

I lastly thanked the target guest relations guys on the phone. I told him the head manager & his staff should all get written up,suspended,fired or go thru the whole training processs again because they didn't learn anything the first time around.

I further explained that it's against the target store laws for employees/managers to act on their own,go rogue, not obey the set of laws established by the main corportate target headquarters.

Lastly I told the "target guest relations guy" I didn't have a pleasant store expereience today & was a dis-satified customer. he further appologized & said those guys at the store will be properlty repromanded. he assured me this will not get taken lightly & a full inventigating at the store is on the way.

I then drove to the other target store. went to customer service & bought the target store exclusive leadfoot toy.

So please If you feel your being discriminated against at your target store & get refused a item. please call the "target guest relations" number 1-800-591-3869 & get the store managers/staff in trouble be discriminating against customers asking ploitely for a item they have listed as in stock/available.

[JediTricks]

Damn, that is crazy! I'm glad you got your Leadfoot at least. I have been dealing with Target's schizophrenic collector policies for over a decade, and in some ways they have been the best, while in other ways they have allowed the worst bullshit. This sounds like the worst kind. I've been mulling over doing a documentary about the discrimination policies you ran into for some time, but it would require more resources than I currently have.

[Shockwave]

Ok, my question would have to be: Is Leadfoot that great a toy that it would be worth that much trouble? I mean, I so rarely actually see the toys I want at retail anymore to the point where I'm really inclined to just buy the damned things online and not bother with the hassle/time/gas/money involved in a brick and mortar hunt. Even for doing the prep work that you did for checking to see if they have it, I probably would just head to the toy aisle and if it wasn't there I'd just get it online. I wouldn't even bother with asking a rep at the store because I have NEVER gotten any useful help from store employees ever. I'm just saying that to go through that much hassle it'd have to be a pretty special thing to make me wanna endure it. Like, G1 Shockwave reissue special.

Shockwave
-Ah who am I kidding? I'd still order a reissue G1 Shockwave online.

[BWprowl]

I like how you set about trying to get people in trouble/fired over a thirty dollar action figure. Real classy.

Seriously, are my Targets the only ones that have the little signs plastered all over the toy section basically saying "We will not get stuff out of the stockroom for toy collectors"? Because that's always sounded like a definitive 'No' on the subject to me. Not that it's that big a deal, since if a store doesn't have what I want on the shelf, I can always A) go to another store and see if they have it or B) wait a goddamn little bit and see if they get it in later. I've got tons of toys, waiting another week or two for HA Leadfoot isn't going to make or break me, and I learned a long time ago that throwing a tantrum to get your way isn't the best path to go about getting something. Hell, I'm self-conscious enough that I hardly ever even *ask* employees of stores if they want to go get a toy from the stockroom for me, I understand that they likely have better things to do, and I'm only 1 for 3 on doing that anyway (Leader Class Starscream being the only toy I've secured through that method, and only because the guy at TRU saw me looking and offered to check).

Seriously TigerMegaDeth, you may want to remember the retail qualifier of 'We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone'. When you act like a spoiled brat in a store screaming and blackmailing employees for the chance to buy thirty dollars worth of plastic that's going to be out anyway in like two weeks, you may want to step back and evaluate why the good people of your neighborhood department stores aren't so keen to help you out in the first place. Remember the Golden Rule, because it doesn't sound like you're being 'discriminated' against, it sounds like they're treating you with exactly the same amount of respect and politeness that you show them.

It just frustrates me because I make such an effort to *not* act like a stereotypical toy collector when I'm in the stores, and then there's people like this that make me feel like I'm wasting my efforts.

[Tigermegatron]

I like how you set about trying to get people in trouble/fired over a thirty dollar action figure. Real classy.

Seriously, are my Targets the only ones that have the little signs plastered all over the toy section basically saying "We will not get stuff out of the stockroom for toy collectors"? Because that's always sounded like a definitive 'No' on the subject to me. Not that it's that big a deal, since if a store doesn't have what I want on the shelf, I can always A) go to another store and see if they have it or B) wait a goddamn little bit and see if they get it in later. I've got tons of toys, waiting another week or two for HA Leadfoot isn't going to make or break me, and I learned a long time ago that throwing a tantrum to get your way isn't the best path to go about getting something. Hell, I'm self-conscious enough that I hardly ever even *ask* employees of stores if they want to go get a toy from the stockroom for me, I understand that they likely have better things to do, and I'm only 1 for 3 on doing that anyway (Leader Class Starscream being the only toy I've secured through that method, and only because the guy at TRU saw me looking and offered to check).

Seriously TigerMegaDeth, you may want to remember the retail qualifier of 'We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone'. When you act like a spoiled brat in a store screaming and blackmailing employees for the chance to buy thirty dollars worth of plastic that's going to be out anyway in like two weeks, you may want to step back and evaluate why the good people of your neighborhood department stores aren't so keen to help you out in the first place. Remember the Golden Rule, because it doesn't sound like you're being 'discriminated' against, it sounds like they're treating you with exactly the same amount of respect and politeness that you show them.

It just frustrates me because I make such an effort to *not* act like a stereotypical toy collector when I'm in the stores, and then there's people like this that make me feel like I'm wasting my efforts.

I honestly don't care if the managers lose their job. because they didn't care enough to offer me as a customer non-discriminative service.

caring works both ways & not just one way.

like others suggessted elsewhere,the managers mights have been scalpers & hiding stuff in the back. to either buy up themselves. or hiding stuff for others who pay them a fee to do so.

at any rate,I chose the most professional method. by alerting the target corporate office. talking to the target guest relations person on the phone & reporting this store & it managers.

the managers at this target store assumed I was a fan/collector who bought toys for the sole purpose of scalping them. he was wrong I'm not scalper.

As a fan/collector we as a group don't deserve to get treated like garbage nor dis-criminated at stores. we as fans/collectors deserve to be treated like everyone else. not treated less & inferior by being refused service.

No,I didn't act like a spoiled brat,I didn't raise my voice. I didn't get into a fan rage nor act like donkey kong & start kick & trowing stuff/barrels all around the store.

once,I realized my polite conversations were getting now where & the target store mangers were lying to my face by saying leadfoot had a release date of september 3,2011. I politely called them all liars,told them I'm done speaking to you guys & I want to go over your heads,contact the coroprate office & make them aware of the discriminative customer service i'm receiving at your store today.

HONESTLY like other on-line TF fans stated elsewhere on numberous occassions: If target employees/managers don't want to get stuff from the back stock room. then why do they have dozens of big bright red wall scanners attached to white poles all over the store. these giant scanners let customers know the price,available stock on the sales floor & AVAILABLE STOCK IN THE BACK STOCK ROOM.
are these scanners just to tease the customer,makes no sense having them if the store refuses to get stuff from the back stock room

ANOTHER HONESTLY,If target doesn't want to get stuff from the back stock room in the store. then why exactly did they create a feature on their target.com web site that allows customers to type in item numbers & zip codes. which shows the customers which surronding target stores have the item available/in stock & which store are out of stock. are these target available item number/zip codes features just to tease the customer,makes no sense having them if the store refuses to get stuff from the back stock room.

Sometimes you've got to fight against being discriminated against. regardless of the item & it's price tag. some like change. some like getting treated with respect/dignity & the same as others & not getting treated as inferior or being discriminated against.

From my stand point,it's all postives & zero negatives. I got my toy elsewhere. i'm not the managers who are gonna get written up,disciplined,fired or have to go thru the re-training process. my store isn't getting a crew of corporate people going their for the sole purpose of researching the managers/employees discriminate behavior.

at the very least any new managers or employees replacing the discriminative managers/employees will now treat all customers with respect & dignity & treat everyone as equal. not set aside certain customers & threat them rude,discriminative & less inferior.

ONCE again I DON'T care about these managers/employees losing their jobs,getting writte, up,suspended or reloacted to another store. because if they really cared about their jobs. they wouldn't have gone out of their way to discriminate,treat fans/collectors & who knows else who dis-respect,abuse the power given to them,treat certain customers as inferior to others.

these Managers/employees at this target store. were not obeying the store rules & regulations that they were trained to do so. these managers/employees were creating their own rules,abusing their power,discriminating against certain customers. going rogue,basically refusing certain customers service by hiding behind a shield & smiling while lying & not getting me & others items that were in stock & in the back stock room. this sort of behavior of not following store rules & creating your own deserves to get punished to the full extent.

[Sparky Prime]

the managers at this target store assumed I was a fan/collector who bought toys for the sole purpose of scalping them. he was wrong I'm not scalper.

This is the part I don't understand.... How do you know they assumed you were a scalper in the first place? I mean, the only thing you mention about the managers was that they were trying to enforce a street date. Just because you know of people that got Leadfoot at other locations doesn't mean they were lying about it. It could just as easily be that those other locations broke the street date release. I've noticed toy street date releases aren't always enforced as ridgedly as they are on other items. And even if they were with-holding because they thought you were a scalper, then why didn't you just explain you were only looking to buy one for yourself?

[Tigermegatron]

the managers at this target store assumed I was a fan/collector who bought toys for the sole purpose of scalping them. he was wrong I'm not scalper.

This is the part I don't understand.... How do you know they assumed you were a scalper in the first place? I mean, the only thing you mention about the managers was that they were trying to enforce a street date. Just because you know of people that got Leadfoot at other locations doesn't mean they were lying about it. It could just as easily be that those other locations broke the street date release. I've noticed toy street date releases aren't always enforced as ridgedly as they are on other items. And even if they were with-holding because they thought you were a scalper, then why didn't you just explain you were only looking to buy one for yourself?

hundreds of internet TF fans for the past 3 weeks reported finding $29.99 target store exclusive leadfoot at their local target stores & being able to buy the item. some found the item on shelves,while others had to ask for the leadfoot toy from the back stockroom & got the item no problem. these fan sightings were all across america.

i explained i wasn't a scalper,the managers didn't believe me.

[Sparky Prime]

hundreds of internet TF fans for the past 3 weeks reported finding $29.99 target store exclusive leadfoot at their local target stores & being able to buy the item. some found the item on shelves,while others had to ask for the leadfoot toy from the back stockroom & got the item no problem. these fan sightings were all across america.

Hundreds? I think you're exaggerating that a bit. Of the few sighting reports I've seen, most of them have said they had to ask for an employee to get it from the stock room. Which would support that Leadfoot has a street date set on it if they aren't putting it on the sales floor unless it's specifically asked for by a customer. I really think in your case, you just happened to go to a store that was actually enforcing the street date.

i explained i wasn't a scalper,the managers didn't believe me.

You didn't mention that in your first post. How did you explain you weren't a scalper?

[Onslaught Six]

I like how you set about trying to get people in trouble/fired over a thirty dollar action figure. Real classy.

Seriously, are my Targets the only ones that have the little signs plastered all over the toy section basically saying "We will not get stuff out of the stockroom for toy collectors"? Because that's always sounded like a definitive 'No' on the subject to me. Not that it's that big a deal, since if a store doesn't have what I want on the shelf, I can always A) go to another store and see if they have it or B) wait a goddamn little bit and see if they get it in later. I've got tons of toys, waiting another week or two for HA Leadfoot isn't going to make or break me, and I learned a long time ago that throwing a tantrum to get your way isn't the best path to go about getting something. Hell, I'm self-conscious enough that I hardly ever even *ask* employees of stores if they want to go get a toy from the stockroom for me, I understand that they likely have better things to do, and I'm only 1 for 3 on doing that anyway (Leader Class Starscream being the only toy I've secured through that method, and only because the guy at TRU saw me looking and offered to check).

Seriously TigerMegaDeth, you may want to remember the retail qualifier of 'We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone'. When you act like a spoiled brat in a store screaming and blackmailing employees for the chance to buy thirty dollars worth of plastic that's going to be out anyway in like two weeks, you may want to step back and evaluate why the good people of your neighborhood department stores aren't so keen to help you out in the first place. Remember the Golden Rule, because it doesn't sound like you're being 'discriminated' against, it sounds like they're treating you with exactly the same amount of respect and politeness that you show them.

It just frustrates me because I make such an effort to *not* act like a stereotypical toy collector when I'm in the stores, and then there's people like this that make me feel like I'm wasting my efforts.

This.

If it's not on the shelf, oh well.

[Dominic]

I can kind of see where TM is coming from, if only in broad strokes. I would likely not have bothered to go through the trouble of calling the hotline But, I would not fault TM for doing so. I have other things to do with my time, and refuse to make myself that crazy over a toy.

But, yeah, that said, there is no reason (barring an actual street date or some other type of liabiltiy question) to refuse to sell an item to somebody who wants to buy the damned thing.

I spent 3 years working retail more or less consecutively. And, I worked a few isolated stints since then. Even if a customer was rude, I knew that my bosses still wanted their money, and I did what I could to give the customer something in return for that money. A happy collector is a regular customer.

For the record: I live near one Target is snitty about this sort of thing. (I rarely go to that one.) I live near two others that do not actually have stock-rooms, (the stores being retro-fits). And, another with a stock-room. The latter store is generally good about checking, (provided that they are not overly busy), but rarely has anything (or at least anything they can actually get to).

Hell, I'm self-conscious enough that I hardly ever even *ask* employees of stores if they want to go get a toy from the stockroom for me, I understand that they likely have better things to do,

Dude, you just blew my mind.

Why the hell are you self-concious? You want to buy something. Oh noes. I see adults buying far worse and spending their money far more childisly than you or I do on toys. Part of me wonders how much of the stereotypes about us stem from us being unduly ashamed of our hobby. This does not mean we have to be up in people's faces about it. But, if people can be proud drunks and spend money on scratch tickets, (because that makes perfect sense and is not at all sad or pathetic), you and I can buy toys and not feel any shame. Assuming anybody cares, they likely will just think you are buying for a kid.

Forthe most part, if you are a shelf-monkey, you probably do not have better things to do. They get paid by the hour, and at the same rate, regardless of what they are doing. They are paid to facilitate commerce.

And, no, that does not justify rudeness. But, you asking them if they can check for something in the back is not going to keep them from a pressing engagement. And, if it does, well, then maybe they should not be scheduling pressing engagements during their work hours.


Dom
-off to wrestling school to learn how to play fight.