PlanetFeedback's ShopperCast

The Credit Crunch

Sheila D. writes a very eloquent letter to Target, asking for reconsideration of a Target credit card.  Apparently she was denied credit, not based on her FICO score, but because she had a previous Target card that went unpaid and resulted in a charge-off in 2002.

We think.

The reason no one is sure is because Sheila doesn't recall the card or the charge-off and Target's records don't go back far enough to know what was charged.  Sheila doesn't deny it's possible she could have had a card ~ she just doesn't remember.  But Target does - or at least it claims to.  And Target is well-known for carrying a financial grudge.

One commenter tells a story of how she bounced a check 19 years ago  and Target STILL won't take a check from her.  Now THAT's a long time!

With financial worries and increased rates of default being what they are, we suspect Target, like many credit card issuers, is being stricter on who gets credit cards.  Perhaps the solution is for Sheila to contact Target and ask them to reinstate the charged-off amount and then pay it.  That will show financial responsibility and will likely get Target's attention more than her protestations that she can't recall the charge and therefore Target must prove it. 

After all, it was her responsibility at the time, not Target's.

--Contributed by Deb

It's Economic Stimulus, Baby!

Who says the government can't be efficient?  (Uh, Deb, we all say that.... duh) Okay, okay.  But the exception to that rule (which some would say proves the validity of that rule) is about to happen.  No, we're not joking.

Those economic stimulus checks we've all been waiting for are going to start being distributed Monday - five days earlier than they said they would.  And if you opted for direct deposit of your tax refund check, you can expect to receive your money earlier than those who opted for paper.  The order the payments will be processed will be based on the last 2 digits of your social security number.

Pretty soon we're REALLY going to be deluged with companies trying to seduce us to spend these checks with them.  Some stores, like Kroger, are offering bonus groceries for exchanging their economic stimulus check for store gift cards.  Give 'em your $300 check, get a gift card for $330 in groceries; give 'em $600, get $660.  With the price of flour and rice on the rise, an extra 30 or 60 bucks can extend your food budget. 

We don't know about you, but we're probably going to take our eagerly anticipated $900 and put it in a jar and bury it in the back yard towards next year's vacation.  Either that or run out and buy some really cute shoes.  What ever you're doing with it, have fun!

--Contributed by Deb

Have Businesses Created Monsters?

This has been a very busy few weeks at Planetfeedback.com.  There have been a number of issues brought up by consumers, that has us wondering how far is too far?  Businesses in the past have been fairly consumer friendly with their coupon acceptance and return policies.  Businesses in the past would take back merchandise that they knew was not even sold there just to make the customer happy.  With policies like this it was bound to happen!  You know what we mean, the few dishonest people out there that found and took advantage of the loop holes in these policies have forced these companies to clamp down, hence ruining it for the truly honest customer.

Meet Evan, he cannot seem to grasp why Home Depot will not let him use his long expired (November 2007) 10% off coupon, just because he said so.  Evan claims that he is a "loyal customer", but one has to wonder if he was such a loyal customer wouldn't he have had the chance to use the coupon before it expired?

Paige does not agree with Radio Shacks return policy.  It seems that she purchased a product totaling $162.00 and then wrote a check.  She determined the next day that the product was not what she expected and that she could not use it.  She returned to Radio Shack and was shocked to find that she had to wait for her check to clear BEFORE she could receive money back on her exchange.  This is pretty much a standard policy across the board in retail, we are not sure why Paige is having such a hard time wrapping her head around it.

Target always has complaint letters popping up on Planetfeedback.com, probably the number one complaint about this company is regarding its return policy.  Target has really tightened up on their return policy in the last few years.  Many people do not agree with it, but the policy is printed on every receipt, a gift receipt is printed even if you don't ask for one and there is a HUGE sign posted at Guest Services which clearly states the policy.

Have companies created monster customers, by being lenient with the rules and policies in the past?  Now that companies are tightening up, are they alienating customers?  Is giving in to the bully customer smart or fair?  Is it good customer service to give into a customer just because they demand it, or does it just create a sense on entitlement causing the customer to be more bold in their demands next time?

--Contributed by Renee