Target.com: there are lots of discounts available on the web
Written: Jul 23, 2004 (Updated Oct 2, 2004)
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For those unfamiliar with Target - it is sort of a hybrid store. For the most part, Target is a discounter and offers most merchandise you can find at other discounters such as K*Mart, Sears and Wal*Mart. However, Target distinguishes itself from this crowd by signing on with popular designers (Philipe Stark, Todd Oldham, Liz Lange, Amy Coe) to create special lines for Target. As a result, Target offers a mixed bag of inexpensive high-design for the masses and general merchandise, such as Tide detergent, at a discount.
BABY REGISTRY
I initially tried Target to set up a baby registry. Through the online site only, I was only able to locate certain, mainly high price, items. Many of the smaller items were either not available online or there wasn't enough of a choice for me to find what I wanted. If you want to do a full baby registry, you will have to go to the store to complete it.
THE WEB SITE - FINDING WHAT YOU WANT
I bought a mechanical Graco baby swing on line. The site made it fairly easy to locate baby gear. However, the choices were slim - only about 8 to choose from and mostly Graco brand.
CHECKOUT (warning - contains a rant)
I understand that stores want to track my purchases. Under the guise of "convenience" for the shopper they save your profile and then sell your information to whoever will buy it. Target is no exception. When I tried to check out, the site asked me to either (1) create an account, (2) enter my password from Amazon.com or (3) enter my password from Target.com. I tried to bypass this screen but there was no option to avoid creating an "account" and password. Luckily, after a few tries, I hit upon my Amazon.com password. If I didn't remember it, I would have had to provide other personal information, including the numbers of a credit card I had recently used on the site, so the site would email me the password.
I find the whole password concept to be a huge hurdle in online shopping. I shop on a lot of sites and frequently change passwords for security. Of course, my brain can only contain up to three passwords at any given time, so I forget quite a few passwords, particularly when I don't visit a site for a few months. There have been times that I abandoned my shopping mission due to the time and aggravation of waiting for an email to be forwarded to me with a new password so I could complete a checkout. That almost happened with this site.
The only reward I got for remembering my password is that the site called up my name and address. I still had to enter my credit card information. After that, I confirmed my order and was done.
OTHER LINKED STORES
The target.com web site is linked to Amazon.com, Marshall Fields (presumably this is for the time being - target sold the chain to another company) and Mervyns. It can be easy to get lost among the various links and sometimes as I was surfing around, I had to focus on staying within the Target site.
STEALS AND DEALS
Target.com is loaded with possibilities for savings and rebates. I found the code (TDAW2SAVETEN) at Upromise and saved 10% off my order. You can also earn an additional 3-4% rebate at either Upromise or Ebates (the rebate amounts, coupon codes and other deals change frequently). At the time of my purchase, Target was also offering free shipping on the item I wanted. If you are not in an area with a Target nearby, you can still check out their circular on the web site for sales available that week.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
I got an email confirming my order and an email when my item shipped.
SHIPPING AND PACKAGING
This was the big disappointment with my Target experience. I ordered a baby swing which is not made of glass but can't be knocked around too much. It was shipped only in the box provided by the manufacturer with no additional packaging or protection. When it arrived via UPS, one whole side of the box was bashed in. The swing was still okay at assembly but who knows whether the damage will impact the life of the swing.
My item arrived about a week after I placed my order.
FINAL RECOMMENDATION
Target.com was okay to shop. The online store has only limited merchandise in each category although they do have a lot of categories. The prices can be good if you find the coupon codes, free shipping and rebates. The checkout process was a hassle. The biggest disappointment was the condition of my package when it arrived. Overall, I would give this site 2 stars and recommend it only if you order non-fragile items.
DO YOU LIKE TO SHOP ON THE INTERNET? HERE ARE SOME MORE REVIEWS OF WEB STORES:
Clothing and Accessories: Talbots; The Gap; CWD Kids; Hanna Andersson; J. Jill; Tote Le Monde ; Blu Pyxie ; Miniboden; One Hanes Place; Nordstrom; Gymboree; Simple Shoes; Sierra Blue.
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Clothing and Home Goods: Land’s End; Bluefly; Soft Surroundings; Garnet Hill; Sundance; L.L. Bean.
Home and Garden: Smith & Noble; Restoration Hardware; Gardener’s Supply Company; Unicahome; Homeclick; FaucetDirect; Gardens Alive; West Elm; Crate & Barrel; MyKnobs.
Books and Magazines: Amazon.com; ValueMags; Magazine Values; Dover Publications.
Office Supplies, Furniture and Services: Staples; Officemax; Topdeq; Efax.
Electronics: HP Shopping; Buy.com.
Travel: Amtrak; Hotwire; Orbitz; Hotels.com.
Discount: Overstock.com.
Photo Developing: Shutterfly; Snapfish.
Baby Stuff: Babystyle; Baby’s Here Birth Announcements.
Miscellaneous: 1-800 contacts; Movie Tickets.com; Drugstore.com.
Rebate Sites: Upromise; Ebates.
Recommended:
Yes
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? baby swing
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