A TARGET customer has blasted the retail giant for forcing him to use a self-checkout but then was left unable to pay after the machine did not accept cash.
The frustrated customer took to social media to express his fury at the store, branding Target “the dumbest” retailer.
Target responded to the shopper saying it was prepared to listen to his story[/caption]
Target’s use of self-checkout machines have sparked outrage among shoppers[/caption]
X user Jason Karns contacted Target via the social media platform saying: “Target, you run the dumbest store”.
The user noted there were no staff members available to assist him when checking out.
“Zero manned checkouts,” he said.
“Forced to self checkout, which has no indication they don’t take cash.
“Scan everything, including gift card.
“Then can’t finish paying.”
Karns said he had to wait a long time for assistance.
“Wait days for assistance, who is unable to do help (suspend transaction btn disabled).
Karns also threatened to walk out of Target without paying for his items if he had to wait again.
“Next time you can’t find a way for me to give you money within 2 minutes, I’m just gonna walk out with my shit.”
But Karns received some backlash for his threats, with another user named Joe blasting the man for only carrying cash.
“Anyone under the age of 60 who only carries cash should just stay home,” they user said.
Target responded to the customer’s complaint, which occurred just weeks away from Christmas.
The retail giant reached out to Karns, saying they would listen to him and help where it could.
“Thanks for bringing this to our attention,” Target responded.
“Please send us a DM with your full name, email address and store details. Thank you, and we look forward to hearing from you.”
SHOPPER FURY
Like other major chains, including Walmart and Kroger, Target has been criticized for problems shoppers experience at checkouts.
Shoppers have complained about item limits and machines not working as they should.
Target bosses rolled out its 10-item limit policy on a much more widespread basis after trialing it at a select number of stores.
The chain introduced a 15 items or less policy at self-checkout kiosks in some stores earlier this summer and shoppers have not been impressed.
Many have taken to social media to voice their complaints about the rule and question the need for it.
“The new self checkout rules at the Walmart are atrocious,” Croft Kelly wrote in a post on Facebook.
Latest self-checkout changes
Retailers are evolving their self-checkout strategy in an effort to speed up checkout times and reduce theft.
Walmart shoppers were shocked when self-checkout lanes at various locations were made available only for Walmart+ members.
Other customers reported that self-checkout was closed during specific hours, and more cashiers were offered instead.
While shoppers feared that shoplifting fueled the updates, a Walmart spokesperson revealed that store managers are simply experimenting with ways to improve checkout performance.
One bizarre experiment included an RFID-powered self-checkout kiosk that would stop the fiercely contested receipt checks.
However, that test run has been phased out.
At Target, items are being limited at self-checkout.
Last fall, the brand surveyed new express self-checkout lanes across 200 stores with 10 items or less for more convenience.
As of March 2024, this policy has been expanded across 2,000 stores in the US.
Shoppers have also spotted their local Walmart stores restricting customers to 15 items or less to use self-checkout machines.
