Target — Local services in Federal Way

Not usually a review person but after this last experience at Federal Way Target here we go. My family and I frequent this Target as it’s closest to us and with two carts after spending over $800, a security guard named CJ decided he wanted to stop us on speculation of shoplifting. When asked why he stopped us and under what suspicions did he have that we in fact shoplifted he said it was his protocol to check our cart under the following reasons: due to the “positions of the throw blankets” they weren’t covering anything, “the items in the carts did not appear to match items in the receipt” because they were split between two carts for the amounts of items we had, and it’s Target policy to check umm last I checked they weren’t Costco. None the less he created a scene at the exit and when we said this is embarrassing considering we didn’t steal anything he said he “wasn’t embarrassing us and not his fault we feel embarrassed”. This is after he threatened if we left without proof of payment for all items that he would open an investigation against us.

I asked why didn’t he ask the cashier if he felt any items were missed on the receipt or if he had the suspicion of us stealing. CJ said “I don’t talk to cashiers who are attending PAYING customers to avoid holding up the line”. I took the two seconds to go back to the cashier named Juan who (1) only had one couple after us that was finishing buying their two items - meaning no line being held up and (2) was lovely and when asked politely if he made sure to get every item scanned or if we missed an item to warrant being stopped by security. Juan said No items were missed and he too was confused by the stop. Not only were NO items missed, not only were NO items stolen, CJ then refused to hand the receipt back to me when asked and simply put it on top of the cart and said we were free to go.

Target - As a family of color, DO BETTER. This was completely unprofessional. If you’re going to accuse someone/people of stealing, your training should include AT MINIMUM providing that a theft has in fact occurred. If there has been a mistake in judgement then AT MINIMUM an apology is owed to the PAYING customer you accused of stealing.

After speaking with the manager on duty Cat, she said the security footage will be reviewed and she apologized on CJ’s behalf and would report this incident to his boss Frank. I can appreciate her efforts but last I checked CJ is a grown man and can apologize himself. Which he did not. And if that’s proven to be too hard for him, he should be relieved of his duties.

I will take a moment to say Thank you for the customer service of Juan at the register and Cat for her manager duties. In regards to security, this Target has so far to go in terms of respect and the severity of its consequences of accusations that did not happen. I look forward to see how if any way they plan to rectify...

The two stars are for the team members, entirely. They are lovely and very hard-working.

Before the pandemic, I was frequent Target shopper, blah blah blah. So maybe it’s just that I stopped coming here as often and stuff to send out to me more? I understand that theft prevention is a big thing for corporations right now, but the impact on the customer experience is mind-boggling. Tons of things are under lock and key, with signs everywhere, saying to use the call button to get a team member over. Except there are no call buttons. Anywhere. And then if you do find a team member, so a few of them have keys that you only have a 1 in 10 chance of finding someone who can help you. ;I have no idea why they give out so few keys to the team members.) I waited in the socks section for nearly 15 minutes, which is quite a while when you’re just staring at socks. Multiple team members tried to come help me, didn’t have keys, called for help, no one was available. Finally, the team member who helped me told me that she was the only one on the floor currently with a key, and was also trying to fill an online order and was on a timer to do so, and apologize profusely. None of that is her fault.

I’m under no illusions that my opting to no longer buy socks at Target is going to take their bottom line into the red. However, while I was standing there, admiring the socks, I watched four groups of people walk by, start to walk into that section, make a comment about it all being locked and how they didn’t have time to wait, and then walk away. I have a hard time believing that this isn’t affecting sales in some sort of profound way, but maybe it’s still worth it to them.

This experience came after several other questionable decisions by management, and I assume corporate, like closing all the self checkout during particularly busy seasons in order to “curb theft,” leaving completely unprepared team members with lines snaking down to the grocery section, customers are suddenly in for a 45 minute wait before they can leave, and people who were going to steal anyway just stuff things in their backpacks and walk out the door. Everyone loses, nobody wins. Except for corporate, who probably feel like they can now show their shareholders all of the awesome things they’re “doing” for loss prevention.

I think it’s difficult to write a bad review without sounding petty and ridiculous, but I’ve had so many experiences like this in this store lately, and I guess a small part of me hopes somebody who can do some thing reads these. I...

Employees will follow you around, especially at night when they want to go home. Employees are more than comfy to standing around though, and ignoring you followed by talking loudly enough from other aisles such that you can hear them talking about you (I'm glad that you don't like my pants either. They are pretty ugly but comfortable when I'm sick). I am very glad to purchase food that's on the floor ... I'm sure that is where it's supposed to be stocked. I know your chit chat was more important. Be aware that they'll turn out more lights than not at night-i get it, but when people have low vision you have just created a hazardous situation. The lady I overheard talking about that.... well, I hope she didn't hurt herself. And in their hurry to get out of the store .... one whole register open; finally opened a second today but seriously ... yiu want people out.. staff the dang lines. And fyi .... the don't follow their own posted requirements during Covid times regarding customers or themselves wearing masks. Lots of people ashamed of their chins at best. If you're not going to enforce this posted policy, take the posters down. The security and maybe a mgr(?) Had their backs to the store people/registers at closing. Seems like the wrong direction.

That said, the cashiers on the front line were the only redeeming folks. They were visibly tired, at least that was the appearance, but they were working. Retail is hard, and it sucks on any given day. Target made it harder of those of us that just want to get in and out of the store. Not fair to the front lines cashiers to have to see their coworkers lackadaisical demeanor. I don't know ... maybe they didn't notice because they were working. Seriously disappointed again at this visit.

11/10--Yeah, I keep going back. And still, Store is a mess!! People clearly are eating their way through the store. Lots of open chips bags, and food spills all over the floor. But yay ... at least four staff having a grand 'ol time chatting it up outside (i hope on break) and at the cashier's lanes. Hey ... nice...