On Target

#1 (**permalink**) 07-09-2006, 02:43 PM

On Target.. Elizabeth Warren

http://warrenreports.tpmcafe.com/blo...l/08/on_target

Ima saver · #2 (**permalink**) 07-09-2006, 03:15 PM

Well I have never shopped at Targets, but that is a very interesting article.

Joan.of.the.Arch · #3 (**permalink**) 07-09-2006, 06:01 PM

Wow, I had no idea! Target profits are 75% from credit card financing, not directly from retail sales! I guess that means a large portion of their customers have Target affiliated credit cards. There is good discussion of the matter at that site, by the way.

getforfree · #4 (**permalink**) 07-09-2006, 09:22 PM

That's why so many stores have their credit cards. They even give all kinds of discounts for using them, and espessially when you open one. That's how they can afford all those sales at really low price.

sweeps · #5 (**permalink**) 07-10-2006, 04:56 AM

I don't understand why Target has a reputation for low prices. Whenever I go in there, their prices seem pretty high to me. I can buy much cheaper elsewhere.

Broken Arrow · #6 (**permalink**) 07-10-2006, 05:55 AM

From my personal experience, Walmart has consistently lower prices, but Target is a more pleasant shopping experience.

Thrifty Ray · #7 (**permalink**) 07-10-2006, 08:18 AM

I like shopping at Target for the endcap sales...and for the clearance items.

I can shop endcaps and clearance with my coupons and get great deals!!

Their everday prices aren't necessarily lower on most items...but there are some bargains if you look for them.

Target here, is a much cleaner, user friendly enviornment than Walmart. But I still shop Walmart for more routine purchases because of the price.

Writer@Large · #8 (**permalink**) 07-10-2006, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broken Arrow

From my personal experience, Walmart has consistently lower prices, but Target is a more pleasant shopping experience.

Yeah, that's about it. The wife and I shop Walmart for "essentials"--vitamins, shampoo, chips, etc. But Walmarts in general--and the one nearest us worse than some--feels, well, grungy and basic and cheap. We always make little jokes to each other when we're shopping there about "feeding the corporate giant" or (with sarcasm) "I'd better buy two bottles, or Walmart may not make the rent this month!.

Target, OTOH, has cleaner, more brightly lit stores, and they feel kinda "trendy". You can find at least a few smaller, more unique brands/items in Target than you would in Walmart. We registered at Target when we had our baby because they had better stuff than Walmart. Plus, I love their "1 SPOT " dollar section.

This article's a little bothersome, considering my stance on credit, but not surprising--you can't get out of a Target without seeing Target Card applications at the door, signage thorughout the store, and an offer to apply from the cashier as you check out. I personally just ignore them.

--W@L

Diolla · #9 (**permalink**) 07-10-2006, 12:23 PM

K-Mart is just as bad especially now that they joined with Sears. After all most of them are just credit operations with 'some stuff out front'.

boefixepa · #10 (**permalink**) 07-10-2006, 02:55 PM

I guess it makes sense. I have a rule about NEVER getting department store cards after a bad sears experience when I was just a freshman in college. It was just a $50.00 charge, but for me, at the time, it was the world. I've never had a department card since and never will. This article just supports that!

debtfreeme · #11 (**permalink**) 07-10-2006, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thrifty Ray

I can shop endcaps and clearance with my coupons and get great deals!!

Can you use coupons at target??

Saluki96 · #12 (**permalink**) 07-10-2006, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by debtfreeme

Can you use coupons at target??

I've used them for diapers and formula.

getforfree · #13 (**permalink**) 07-10-2006, 09:37 PM

Quote:

guess it makes sense. I have a rule about NEVER getting department store cards after a bad sears experience when I was just a freshman in college. It was just a $50.00 charge, but for me, at the time, it was the world. I've never had a department card since and never will. This article just supports that!

I got some cards, got the discount and closed them when I didn't needed them. I opened it at Mervyn's like 3 times, got the discount and paid it off right at the register, then a couple days later, I called and closed it. I have one from Target, used it a few times for the discount, they send special coupons to use with the card sometimes, not sure if I should close it. I have one from Sears too, we got $10 off the first purchase.

I have never carried a balance on any of my credit cards. I just like to get discounts. Well, my credit score may loose a few points, but if it saves me like $10, $20 or $30, it's worth it. The last time I checked my credit score it was 725, the same time last year it was 690. It's good, considering that it has only been less than 3 yrs cinse I got my first cc, before that it was 0.

Writer@Large · #14 (**permalink**) 07-11-2006, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by debtfreeme

Can you use coupons at target??

Yes. And not just for standard things; at Easter I used a coupon that had been in the paper for Peeps. And they were on sale, too! They don't double, AFAIK, so it's probably not wise to shop heavily there, but with the right combo of coupon and sale they're a great place to go.

--W@L