Target — Attraction in Dunwoody

On the 9th of November, 2023, I visited the Perimeter Target, During my visit, I noticed an individual who appeared to be following me throughout various store aisles. This person had a red t-shirt bearing a name tag, giving the impression that he was affiliated with Target. Initially, I assumed he might have been performing routine shopping for online order fulfillment.

I started at the cleaning and detergent aisle, as he was always in the corner of my eye. I was engaged in a phone conversation at the time, and my attention was somewhat divided. It was only upon reaching the holiday section and after traversing several aisles that I began to have concerns regarding the behavior of this individual. I noticed that he possessed two iPhones: one was equipped with a privacy screen protector, always facing toward me, while the other was actively running the Target mobile application without any privacy screen protection. This concerned me as Target employees typically employ bulkier Android devices for item scanning.

At this point, it became evident that I was being followed and secretly recorded by this individual. I promptly proceeded to the front checkout counter quickly to complete my purchase. Subsequently, I attempted to report this incident to Target management in hopes that they might offer assistance or conduct a review of security camera footage, as my sense of safety was significantly compromised. The target team couldn’t identify this individual, and the surveillance cameras claimed they couldn’t capture my presence in the aisles due to what was cited as ‘limitations related to camera angles’.

In an attempt to locate the individual, a Target team member and I thoroughly searched the store premises, but the individual was nowhere to be found. Target's response was regrettably limited, asserting that no further action could be taken to address the matter. Feeling frustrated and concerned, I left the store.

While inside my vehicle, I initiated an online search to determine if this incident warranted law enforcement intervention. Suddenly, I observed the same individual heading towards his own vehicle. This unusual behavior raised questions about whether he had been waiting for my departure or had simply coincidentally left at the same time as I had. A terrible photo of the individual was captured. In an attempt to find his license plate information, I was unable to find his vehicle.

Subsequently, I contacted the non-emergency police line to request assistance, given the unsettling nature of the encounter. When the police arrived, it was relayed to me that Target's surveillance had detected my departure and return to the premises. However, it remained mysterious that the same surveillance failed to observe the aforementioned individual either departing the store or walking in front of my vehicle.

The incident raised alarming questions regarding the effectiveness of Target's security camera system, particularly when it comes to situations that do not involve physical harm or emergency responses. My aim in sharing this experience is to heighten awareness about the need for caution in such situations, particularly given the tragic Edwin Hall and Kelsey Smith case. It is unsettling to consider that the functionality of Target's surveillance may be contingent upon the event of serious incidents before action is taken.

Description of this suspect: Hispanic, around 5’3, skinny. He had a black beanie...

Today, while at the Target in Dunwoody I had a wonderful time walking around their beautiful store. It has been a long time since I had the opportunity to go on a Target run. Lately, I have been doing more shopping on Amazon and online due to safety and convenience.

However, while I was checking out, I noticed a man in a black hoodie with a disposable mask on, lingering around the checkout aisle “looking at magazines”. He was not doing anything wrong, but his lingering was a little offsetting. I ended up getting a lot of stuff that I had to unload onto the cashier's belt (so it took some time) and he still remained there for an unusual amount of time. At this point, I was almost certain that he was eavesdropping on the conversation between the cashier and I. At one point we made eye contact, but we both looked away and I just proceeded to check out. He made eye contact again and then with the cashier. You could only see his eyes due to his hoodie and the mask covering his face. The cashier and I then both discussed how we were feeling a little uneasy about the gentleman hanging around.

The wonderful cashier named Ingrid offered to get her manager to have someone walk me to my car. I appreciated her offering, and I figured it was probably best to be safe than sorry. While checking me out Ingrid asked two of her colleagues walking by to help her and both of them blew her off and told told her that they could not help her. Ingrid remained professional, calm and persistent in helping me and when the third Target employee came by and they also told her they could not help her because they didn’t have a walkie-talkie I stepped in and told them that we needed help and we needed to speak to the security guard or someone that could help us. The employees that passed her by did not acknowledge me or her and they did not know if we were actually in trouble. Thank goodness we were not at the time.

Ingrid was patient, kind, understanding, and made me feel completely at ease for even telling her that I felt uncomfortable. I felt a little weird myself, even saying I was uncomfortable, which is sometimes a hard thing to do. She was absolutely so helpful and kept apologizing. We finally got help from Norma the security guard was absolutely wonderful. She kindly helped me walk to my car and made sure everything was OK. Ingrid and Norma deserve praise! Let’s hope that I actually wasn’t going to be in trouble, but if I were people like those are people that I want around me when I am. I am very appreciative of Norma and Ingrid today and their superior customer service!

I know this post sounds paranoid, but… I was not the only person feeling it. I left the store relieved that I had such wonderful help from Ingrid and Norma. What was a little upsetting was the people who did not offer to help us even when we were asking for it. The two employees that passed us by did not even appear to be that busy, but they were not engaging and trying to help Ingrid at all or me for that matter. You never know what can happen, and I don’t even know what made me ask for help. I am grateful that Ingrid did not treat me like the other employees did there and made me feel welcome and at...

I ran in for two items in their Office supplies. Both rang up in self checkout 20% high. One was a set of sharpie markers that showed 8.39 on the wall - rang up for 10.39. Hmmmm... and their website is showing 8.39. The 10.39 appears to be a local "profit improvement program".

I had to wait in the Customer service line and wasted 15 minutes of my life (out of principle) to lower my price 20% to what was on their wall while being glared at by an indifferent "customer service" lady. I suggested that she should mention to a manager that likely the whole office supply wall should be checked (I really tried to use minimal snark although I'm sure I didn't succeed). She stared at me like I had two heads.

I called and tried to get a manager. Good luck from the phone system. IF I could have reached a manager on the phone, I can't believe they would have done anything but blame the mis-pricing (repeatedly in their favor) on Covid staffing. Of course it is a Corporate edict low-salary problem not a "no one wants to work" problem. Same issue with my other random item, some sharpie Gel pens 4.79 on the wall display, rings up for 5.59 (those however showed 5.59 on the website so that and the register price didn't match the wall).

Try walking out with 20% more items than you pay for and see how they like that. But if they openly steal 20% from you they could care less. Thanks Walmar... I mean TARGET.

I'm going back in 5 days from now to see if their manager decides to quit stealing from their customers... that will determine if it is a mistake or intentional theft. If in 5 days it hasn't been fixed - I'm calling corporate.

Update: I talked to the manager, and english gentleman - he barked an order at the person over the department and ran off with a pained expression on his face.

Update: I went back in on 3/15/22 and there were new mis-pricings in my random sampling. It would just make me sad to post all the collateral pictures - but trust me - the marked prices and the charged prices more often than not don't match over the span of several weeks and getting the store manager involved didn't fix the issue. You win Target - steal our money. Not sure if Sharpie or Target is the one causing the trouble but Target really needs to get a handle on it - unless this is part of an unofficial margin enhancement program. I'm sure I will be contacted about a class action lawsuit next year "you bought sharpie products from Target last year so you get 2$ in coupons" meanwhile target gets fined 500K and everyone pays their legal teams...