Target.com
Target Gift cards from PTA for teacher mini-grants - Gift Cards

As a new PTA officer for an elementary school in Athens, Ga, I suggested purchasing Target gift cards for teacher mini grants at the beginning of the school year rather than the Am Ex. Cards we have used for this purpose in the past. Target does not charge a fee, and Target supported our school several years ago with a Target Arts grant.

Locally, the employees and managers at the Athens, Ga Target store were VERY helpful. We called twice in advance to ensure that we could use a PTA check, and the managers both times told us that would not be a problem. When I went to pick up the 55 gift cards (at a cost of over $2,000), Barbara, an employee, and Sabrina, the manager, said they would need to call the corporate auditors to clear the check because of the amount. The person with whom Barbara spoke in the corporate auditors office ultimate told her that he would not give her a clearance code, even though he had verified that we had more than enough funds in our bank account and the check cleared the system. Andrew, at the corporate auditor's office, then asked to speak to her 'customer' when she questioned him and asked if there were other options.

Andrew told me 'tried to override the system' but was unable to do so. He said the system was not accepting the check and there was nothing he could do, and that he was sorry for the inconvenience. He did not offer any options or other alternatives. I asked for an explanation, and he said because they did not have a 'check history' with us - our PTA was a first time customer - they could not authorize anything over $100. I asked if we could write multiple checks, and he said that would not work. I asked to speak to his supervisor, and he indicated that he was in charge and that his supervisor was not available. He would not give me his last name or the name of his supervisor, and when I asked for a mailing address to which I could send a complaint, he said Target Corporate Headquarters and began spelling out "corporate' for me. He also said he would give me an inquiry number or other type of number in lieu of his last name, but he did not give me that. I spoke with him about 8:55 CST on July 31.

I'm certain this is not how Target envisions treating new customers, particularly non profit, volunteer-run PTAs purchasing gift cards so 55 teachers can come into the store and buy school supplies and educational needs for their classrooms. Our school district provides free or reduced lunches for 81% of our students, and teachers/schools often need to help out with supplies where parents are unable to do so.

I was very tempted to leave and go across town to a different store. However, because of the Athens, Ga Target employees' continuous efforts to help and try to suggest alternatives (even though ultimately there was nothing they could do), I ended up putting the entire amount on my personal credit card, hoping reimbursement would not be an issue. They were also frustrated, particularly after Andrew at Target corporate had verified that we had more than sufficient funds to cover the check.

I would like an explanation of your policy and your suggestions for how today could have been better resolved by Target. I would also like to be copied on an email from Target Corporate headquarters to the person in charge of the Athens Ga Target store, recognizing great customer service by Sabrina and Barbara. They were put in a difficult position and did all they could to help. My name is Courtney and my email address is ctdk1999@yahoo.com. Please do not share this information or post it publicly. Thank you.

Company: Target.com
Country: USA

  <     >