Up - DVD/Blu-Ray coupons?

Margos · Post by **Margos** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 5:13 pm

Ya know, that other guy's (the one in the chair's) facial expression MADE that!

Elladorine · Post by **Elladorine** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 5:37 pm

Silly me, I returned to Target for more punishment. Here's the email I just sent them to explain the situation.

a very annoyed enigmawing wrote:I recently found an exclusive coupon for Target found here on the Target website for receiving $8 off a combined purchase of two Blu-Ray/DVD sets: "Up" and "Monsters Inc." I actually first went to a new location on north Decatur, near the 215 here in Las Vegas, Nevada this past Tuesday, Nov. 10th, which was two nights ago now. If I recall correctly, the number of the store is 2569, as I heard one of the employees there repeating it several times over the phone as he was attempting to assist me.

When I arrived in the electronics section, a very nice female employee did her best to help me locate a copy of the Monsters Inc. Blu-Ray, and when we couldn't find it, she asked for the assistance of a male employee. I do not recall her name, but the male employee's name is Eddie.

When Eddie used his PDA to locate the movie, it directed us to the wrong endcap, so it took us a while to find correct the shelf. We eventually found the empty spot where it was supposed to be stocked, and he used the information on the shelf to figure out that the two (only two?!) copies the store had obtained were sold out. He then proceeded to ask me if I'd like for him to call other stores.

It was extremely frustrating to find that many other Target stores were in the same position, that the one or two copies that they'd had in stock were either sold out or being held for another customer (it was also frustrating that the employees he reached at the other stores didn't seem to understand how to use their PDA's to check stock, making several of the calls an overly-long hassle as he tried to explain how to). I find it very odd that you would offer such a valuable coupon for two films lumped together on the same release date exclusively for your stores, and only bother to significantly stock one of them ("Up.") I have found that several out-of-state friends had the same experience at their local Targets, either being told enough hadn't been stocked or that they just didn't have them period. But still, Eddie was very polite with me and did his best to be helpful, which was and still is very appreciated on my part. Between searching the electronics area of the store with the employees and him calling other stores on my behalf, I spent well over 45 minutes hoping to find out where I could use my $8 Target coupon.

Before each call, he'd check his PDA to see if they had any in stock, and if so then proceeded to call the store itself (introducing himself as Eddie of store #2569, once again if I recall correctly) to ask if they could check the shelves to see if it was still there. And once again, he was told several times that if they did have one in stock, it was already being held for another customer. He finally called the location on Rainbow and Spring Mountain Rd., who luckily still had their remaining copy on the shelf. He asked them to hold it under my name (K***) and informed me that they would be able to hold it for 24 hours. It was really late in the day at that point, so I didn't make it to the store until the next day (yesterday, Nov. 11th).

That is where things got interesting. I first checked the customer service desk. When the employees searched the desk area and couldn't find it, they told me it was probably being held in the electronics section. No problem. I ventured forth to electronics, where a young man attempted to help me. It was not at the desk when he checked, so he thought it might have been put back on the shelf (keep in mind that the 24 hour period was not yet up). As we looked through the movies, a team leader (he was a middle-aged;I regret that I didn't get the name of either employee in this case) walked up and asked if we needed help. As I attempted to explain that Monsters Inc. Blu-Ray was supposed to be held under my name, the older employee proceeded to inform me that his store never carried the Blu-Ray for Monsters Inc. in the first place. Given that this was the very store that Eddie had called on my behalf to specifically ask for holding their remaining copy (confirmed to exist by both his PDA and the electronics employee he spoke to), that I'd already spent way too much time locating this one specific store just so I could use that coupon, that I'd driven way out of my way on the good faith that they were holding the film for me as they'd been asked, imagine my frustration when I was told that my "husband or boyfriend" must have mistakenly called the wrong store to hold the film.

I really have no clue how I'd brought up my "husband or boyfriend" in the first place, as I had already tried to explain how Eddie, an employee at another Target store, was the one that called to hold it on my behalf since this store had it but his didn't. The older employee shook his head, explaining that few stores in the area were even carrying it in the first place. After asking why the hell Target would bother releasing the coupon and not stock a reasonable amount (and no, I do not consider one or two per store a "reasonable" amount for a new release of any extremely popular Disney film, re-release or not), he explained that their stores are not required to participate. He then asked me if I was sure I was at the right store.

"We are at the corner of Rainbow and Spring Mountain, right?" Indeed.

I was then told that Eddie must have called a different store and gave me the wrong location, but I repeated that Eddie had specifically looked up the stock at his store on his PDA before calling them. When I asked if they could locate a store that did carry it, the older employee (whom I thought would have had more power and responsibility to help me as a team leader) attempted to explain that the PDA's aren't really used for that while the younger one actually checked his PDA, only to tell me that the Meadows location had "negative one," while contemplating how the heck one of the stores could have a negative number in stock. I asked the older employee if there was anything they could do for me at all, but since this location and several others supposedly didn't carry it at all, his hands were tied. No mention of a rain check or anything. I highly suspect that they shelved the copy that was supposed to be held for me but didn't want to admit it. If you bother investigating this at all I suggest you look into the stock history of this particular item at this specific store.

I went to a couple of other locations the next day (today) before saying screw this. I honestly had no idea it would be so much trouble to use one of your coupons and feel that not stumbling upon it like I did would have saved me a lot of my valuable time and effort. I easily purchased both films at the very first Best Buy I walked into, which had plenty of copies of both Blu-Rays on their shelves, and got the similar discount I'd been looking for but without the requirement of a coupon like yours.

I can't say I'm enthusiastic to return to any of your locations now.

I wonder what kind of reply I'll get . . . it had better be good.

flipnoteguy · Post by **flipnoteguy** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 5:50 pm

Managed to pay only $12.60 for both blu-rays at Target. Priced matched best buy price for monsters inc and used all three coupons.

ajmrowland · Post by **ajmrowland** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 6:56 pm

After Enigmawing's story, I'm glad I got the last copy at my local store. Had to ask the guy who was removing the plastic casing from new stock, though.

It seems like there's a real shortage on this movie, if stores are only stocking one or two copies at a time. The movie would've sold, so I don't know why it was under-ordered so severely.

Barbossa · Post by **Barbossa** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 8:20 pm

MICKEYMOUSE wrote: lol what movie was that from again?? I remember seeing it in theaters, but I can't recall the movie....

Tropic Thunder

Margos wrote: Ya know, that other guy's (the one in the chair's) facial expression MADE that!

You don't recognize Matthew McConaughey?

Margos · Post by **Margos** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 8:25 pm

No, I didn't.... I'm not too good with the facial recognition, usually.

OMG! I've never shopped at a Target. Never will, now. That sucks pretty hard, and I hope they're happy with themselves if they lose plenty of customers!

circusbass · Post by **circusbass** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 8:45 pm

When I got my monsters blu it was the only one out. I got there an hour after Target opened. I felt lucky to get the last one. I don't understand why it's so hard to find. It should be stocked much better than it is.

DarthPrime · Post by **DarthPrime** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 9:12 pm

circusbass wrote:When I got my monsters blu it was the only one out. I got there an hour after Target opened. I felt lucky to get the last one. I don't understand why it's so hard to find. It should be stocked much better than it is.

There were only about 10 to 15 of Monsters Inc when I got to Best Buy about 30 minutes after they opened on Tuesday. The only reason I can think of the low stock is maybe the stores didn't see the demand since its a older title.

With the coupons and $10 off if you buy both, they should have stocked more in my opinion.

Matt · Post by **Matt** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 9:32 pm

Well, I am so glad this headache is done and over with for me! I am glad I got my Blu-ray discs when I did. There were only 2 Monsters Inc. available at the time of my purchase. I am glad I fought and got the sale I was suppose to get.

gardener14 · Post by **gardener14** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 9:43 pm

My Target sold out of Up on Bluray sometime on Tuesday. They had none when I arrived after work, but they said they stocked some that morning and they sold out. I have checked each day since, and they still haven't restocked Up. The regular and deluxe dvd versions are almost gone now too. I don't believe it's a problem with just Up, however. It's a system wide problem with Target as I've always found them in very short supply of advertised items. How can they expect to sell something if they don't stock it? I got Up at a great price elsewhere, but I'm very disappointed now in Target in general.

Elladorine · Post by **Elladorine** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 9:54 pm

I'd been disappointed at Target in general even before this incident so I rarely shop there. It probably doesn't help that I had to quit my job with them under an unfortunate circumstance a few years back.

I think I've relearned my lesson.

DarthPrime · Post by **DarthPrime** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 10:20 pm

gardener14 wrote:My Target sold out of Up on Bluray sometime on Tuesday. They had none when I arrived after work, but they said they stocked some that morning and they sold out. I have checked each day since, and they still haven't restocked Up. The regular and deluxe dvd versions are almost gone now too. I don't believe it's a problem with just Up, however. It's a system wide problem with Target as I've always found them in very short supply of advertised items. How can they expect to sell something if they don't stock it? I got Up at a great price elsewhere, but I'm very disappointed now in Target in general.

My local Target seems to be good at keeping a large stock of new release DVDs, but their Blu-ray selection is like you described. They get very little in, and only keep a handful of titles on their shelves.

The Blu-ray section is same small section they have had since they sold HD DVD and Blu-ray discs. The only difference is the HD DVD side has Blu-rays on it now, and the HD DVD banner was taken down. New release Blu-rays get stuck on top of the end cap with new release DVDs.

MICKEYMOUSE · Post by **MICKEYMOUSE** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 1:32 am

I can tell you that Blu-Ray is by now selling more than DVDs as far as Disney goes. Disney said they are going to push Blu-Ray, and they did not lie! With these great coupons, and deals, Disney really is doing well marketing Blu-Ray!! I am glad that both these movies are selling well, but I am also upset, that a lot of people are still without thier copies, and also how customer service has sucked in a lot fo these stores! I guess a lot of employees are not looking foward to the next few months anyways, and they put it out on us customers! But no one force these guys to work at these low-paying places, but themselves! Oh well!!

goofystitch · Post by **goofystitch** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 9:40 am

MICKEYMOUSE wrote:I can tell you that Blu-Ray is by now selling more than DVDs as far as Disney goes.

No they aren't. I just did an industry analysis on the home entertainment industry for a class and on average, Blu-Ray sales account for 7-10% of total sales of a given title. There are rare exceptions where a Blu-Ray will account for up to 30% of a title's sales (Transformers 2), but even with Disney's coupons on more recent releases, it hasn't changed these figures. Take the new Tinker Bell film for example, which had a $10 coupon for the Blu-Ray, which at many retailers made it cheaper than the DVD and included that disc as well. The Blu-Ray market share was 7%. Definitely not selling more than DVD yet.

Margos · Post by **Margos** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 10:09 am

Personally, this is why I prefer K-Mart. No, they don't have fancy coupons like Target, but they always have a good deal of copies of things in stock (especially DVDs, but Blu-Rays are everywhere, too). Plus their initial prices are alright, anyway.

Arielle · Post by **Arielle** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 10:45 am

Yes! I finally got my deal. Since I heard that Target has been getting in 2 or 3 copies of Monster's Inc in the morning, I decided to call my local Target right when they opened to see if they got any in. I called around 8:10am and they said they had some. They seemed hesitant to put one on hold for me but they did. And good thing they did too. When I go to the store (20 minutes later) they had none on the shelf. I grabbed my copy on hold and a copy of UP (which was weird because the Blu-ray had the Target-exclsive journal - which I was only seeing with the DVD). So I was happy already.

I went to the check out. The woman saw me put my Best Buy ad and pile of coupons on the counter and she smirked to herself. I could tell she had to deal with this before. She price matched Monster's Inc for me to $18.99, took the $10 Target Coupon, the $10 Up coupon, and the $8 Monster's Inc coupon. She wouldn't take the $10 coupon that came on the Monster's Inc box for purchasing Monster's Inc and Up together, though. She said it was Target's policy to only take one manufactor's coupon per product. I was definitely okay with that since I had no trouble getting the other discounts. I figured it was a long shot anyway.

I don't have my reciept on me, but the total was $13.51, I think, with California tax (9.25%), which I think was the best deal ever for 2 blu-rays.

I kind of feel bad, though, like I took one of those rare Monster's Inc blu rays from a kid that really wanted it. Yesterday when I was store hopping I ran into a guy that was trying to buy it for his son's birthday. I hope he finds one.

ajmrowland · Post by **ajmrowland** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 11:17 am

goofystitch wrote:
MICKEYMOUSE wrote:I can tell you that Blu-Ray is by now selling more than DVDs as far as Disney goes.
No they aren't. I just did an industry analysis on the home entertainment industry for a class and on average, Blu-Ray sales account for 7-10% of total sales of a given title. There are rare exceptions where a Blu-Ray will account for up to 30% of a title's sales (Transformers 2), but even with Disney's coupons on more recent releases, it hasn't changed these figures. Take the new Tinker Bell film for example, which had a $10 coupon for the Blu-Ray, which at many retailers made it cheaper than the DVD and included that disc as well. The Blu-Ray market share was 7%. Definitely not selling more than DVD yet.

Yeah, based on history, if 10% is reached, the format usually stays.

Matt · Post by **Matt** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 12:04 pm

Arielle wrote:Yes! I finally got my deal. Since I heard that Target has been getting in 2 or 3 copies of Monster's Inc in the morning, I decided to call my local Target right when they opened to see if they got any in. I called around 8:10am and they said they had some. They seemed hesitant to put one on hold for me but they did. And good thing they did too. When I go to the store (20 minutes later) they had none on the shelf. I grabbed my copy on hold and a copy of UP (which was weird because the Blu-ray had the Target-exclsive journal - which I was only seeing with the DVD). So I was happy already.

I went to the check out. The woman saw me put my Best Buy ad and pile of coupons on the counter and she smirked to herself. I could tell she had to deal with this before. She price matched Monster's Inc for me to $18.99, took the $10 Target Coupon, the $10 Up coupon, and the $8 Monster's Inc coupon. She wouldn't take the $10 coupon that came on the Monster's Inc box for purchasing Monster's Inc and Up together, though. She said it was Target's policy to only take one manufactor's coupon per product. I was definitely okay with that since I had no trouble getting the other discounts. I figured it was a long shot anyway.

I don't have my reciept on me, but the total was $13.51, I think, with California tax (9.25%), which I think was the best deal ever for 2 blu-rays.

I kind of feel bad, though, like I took one of those rare Monster's Inc blu rays from a kid that really wanted it. Yesterday when I was store hopping I ran into a guy that was trying to buy it for his son's birthday. I hope he finds one.

She could have scanned the coupon on the sleve. The Target coupon for $10 is a store coupon and the one on the sleve is a manufactor's coupon which could have been used. That is why I sent Target an email about that.

still in all that was a great deal!

Elladorine · Post by **Elladorine** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 12:55 pm

I received my reply this morning!

James of the very prestigious Target Guest Relations wrote:Dear K***,

I'm sorry you weren't able to purchase the DVD at your West Las Vegas Target store.

We work hard to make sure you find the things you're looking for at Target. A number of factors may impact the availability of our merchandise and sometimes sales of a particular item may exceed our expectations, even when our buyers do their best to anticipate guest interest. Your comments are very important us, and I'll be sure to share your frustration with the appropriate team.

Also, we know the importance of having well-trained team members, and I know it can be frustrating if you receive inconsistent information about our merchandise. Hearing your comments is very important to us, and I’ve shared them with the West Las Vegas Taregt Store Leadership team for further review.

Our Guest Experience Leadership team is dedicated to providing you with the service you deserve. If you ever have any questions or concerns about our merchandise or services, please visit the Guest Service Desk and speak with the Guest Service Team Leader. They’ll do their best to help you. You can also call our Guest Relations team at (800) 440-0680. Either way, we're here to help!

Thanks for shopping with us. We'll see you again soon at Target.

Sincerely,

James
Target Guest Relations

Hmm . . . so they'll see me again soon at Target, eh?

I'm wondering if this is the last I'll hear of this.

Arielle · Post by **Arielle** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 1:29 pm

Matt wrote: She could have scanned the coupon on the sleve. The Target coupon for $10 is a store coupon and the one on the sleve is a manufactor's coupon which could have been used. That is why I sent Target an email about that. still in all that was a great deal!

Yeah... You're probably right. It was hard to fight since the deal was so great already. I'm content.

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