Target quietly makes big change to store policy after customers have abused it for years

Target has made a major change to one of its best-known policies after years of customers abusing it.

Return policies are legendary, but the gravy train has come to an end after retailers reported years of people returning well-used or shoplifted items.

In recent weeks, the retail giant has quietly updated the policy on its website to let customers know it will no longer be abused.

“Target reserves the right to refuse returns, refunds, and exchanges, including but not limited to the prevention of fraud, suspected fraud, or abuse,” is the new line added to the top of the returns policy.

Longtime customers who abuse the policy – ​​by returning items that are stolen or several years old – are behind this move.

A Target spokesperson confirmed this The street that the language had been adapted.

But they added that the policy, which allows most unopened items in “new condition” to be returned within 90 days, itself has not changed.

“Target wants to make it clear to customers who abuse the very generous return policy that their days are numbered.

‘Fraud or deception will not be tolerated. Employees are now looking for fraud.” a source told DailyMail.com.

Last year. U.S. retailers lost $101 billion due to returns abuse, according to a recent report from the National Retail Federation.

According to the report, half of retailers have experienced customers returning ‘used, non-defective’ products.

Additionally, 44 percent said shoppers had even attempted to return “shoplifted or stolen” merchandise.

And 37 percent said they had seen an attempt to return products purchased using “fraudulent or stolen” payment methods.

Target has increasingly become the victim of theft. Nine stores in four different states have been closed due to ‘theft and organized retail crime’.

Target employees have long complained about customers abusing the company’s generous returns policy.

“So many people came in with false reports, it was ridiculous,” a former employee recalls Reddit.

“One man brought in a USED ink cartridge that he said was too large for his printer. It was clearly used and I shook it and told him it was empty.”

Another employee recalled a customer who stole items and then tried to return them.

“I had someone try to use his inmate ID for a reentry. Would you believe they just took the stuff off the shelf before coming to me?’ they wrote on the wire.

“Something that often happens in my store is people trying to return a bunch of old razors, facial cleansers and personal care products at the same time,” a third added.

Other retail giants like Costco have generous returns policies that allow customers to return even half-eaten food.

But even that policy has limits, and things like cigarettes, alcohol and batteries are not covered.

Target will no longer accept personal checks starting July 15

Checks are now rarely used by Americans. Target said the low usage is why they are banning its use in stores

It’s not the only change Target has made this year. Shoppers will no longer be able to pay with a check, the store said in May.

The payment method has declined in popularity in recent years, but is still popular among some seniors.

Cards have become the dominant method of payment – ​​both physical and linked to digital wallets on smartphones – but customers who want to avoid cards are opting for cash.

The Minnesota-based retailer — the seventh largest in the U.S. — announced it will “no longer accept personal checks beginning July 15,” citing “extremely low volumes.”

Fewer and fewer retailers are accepting personal checks. Aldi and Whole Foods have banned them completely, as Target does. Others only accept them at some checkouts.

“When it comes to payments, checks are something of a relic,” retail expert Neil Saunders of Global Data told DailyMail.com.