Target Store: Germantown MD, Address: 19560 Amaranth Drive, Germantown, MD 20874-1202
Phone number (301) 296-9400
I have been to this Target store hundreds of times and until today 25-Apr, I have always had a pleasant experience. Today was definitely not the case. I had ordered a total of 9 shoes from Target online (I love this store) and had to return 2 and exchange 1 for a smaller size. I was in the store for a total of 5 minutes total.
As I walked into the store with my three bags for return, I notice one of their “Team members” look at me. I thought nothing of it. I made my way to the shoe section to see if they had the smaller size of the shoe I wanted to exchange. As I browsed quickly through the shelves, I noticed the same “Team member” now with a security officer by his side about 20 feet away talking to each other and looking at me. The shoe I wanted to exchange was not there so I made my way to the customer service center. As I was returning my items I noticed the same team member and security officer now about 10 feet away from me, again trying not to make eye contact, but I knew that they had followed me. As I made my returns the “team member” made his way to the back of the customer service desk and watched as the cashier returned my items as the security guard stood there still watching me.
I got my receipts and as I walked out the store, I noticed the security guard was a close distance between me, following me as I walked out, he even followed me outside and watched me get into my car. As I drove away, I just could not let it go. I very well knew I had been followed from the moment I entered the store all the way out. I was in the store for a max of 5 minutes. I did not thing that was suspicious, I was singled out the moment I walked into the store. The only reason I could settle on was about how I looked; I am a black female!
I turned my car around and returned to the store as went up to customer service and asked the store manager. He approached me and I questioned him about their policy about following customers around the store. I told him I am a loyal Target customer, I have been for years, and to be followed around the store for no reason at all, and solely on how I look. I must say it brought me to tears as I returned to my car. I asked for the names of the two employees who followed me, the store manager left, talked with them and told me that he could not give me their names, but that they did admit that they followed me around the store and he apologized on behalf of them and the store. I am sorry, but that I just not enough. A quick “I am sorry I followed you around the store because of how you look and not on anything you did” is just not enough.
I was in that store for under 5 minutes.in that time I went only to the shoe section and customer service. I did nothing that was indicative of a shoplifter or merited to have a security officer follow me around the store. I was given a customer comment card to respond to, and the store manager took my name and phone number indicating he will follow up with me. I will be waiting for a follow up call. I told the store manager I have no intention of ever returning to this store ever again.
I have no tolerance for discrimination, and I have a right, to go to a store and exercise my right to shop without feeling as though I am being singled out because of how I look
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