How I got burned by Target and why you should never get an extended warranty

Update: Maybe it is the power of blogging. Maybe the powers that be at the retailer came to their senses, but Target called me today. At first, they were only going to redeem me for the $17 I spent on the fraudulent and misleading Target extended warranty. But today I was told that I would be refunded for the full amount of the value of my camera! Thank you Target, my faith in you and perhaps humanity has been restored. 

This post is going to hurt.

I for one feel very betrayed by what was my absolute most favorite place to shop – until today.

Today I learned that Target – Tar – JAY, as some affectionately call it – can scam and rip off the consumer just like anyone else.

And they did it in the form of their extended warranty in their electronics section.

My journey to be scammed by the so-called extended warranty policy that the red-shirted Target electronic salespeople sell you started years ago on a beach, a beach where I was just trying to make and preserve some memories.

I was on Fire Island vacationing with my family. My baby looked so cute playing in the waves I decided to take a picture.

But a wave came in.

The choice was to either save my baby or my camera.

My baby, thank goodness, is fine and alive and playing his tuba at this very moment. But my camera did not survive. Indeed, the salt water fried my beach memories for the day.

So the next time – no, make this two camera purchases later –  I made the decision, the realization that accidents happen and often to any camera I possess.

So I bought it – hook line and sinker – from the Target sales guy who said “this will cover anything, don’t worry.”

So, when my camera got wet on my most recent beach day – this time by a toppled water bottle with fresh water mind you and not the salty sea – I was not worried.

Target had my back. After all, that’s why I purchased the extended warranty.

It even said it on the nicely designed package that has my warranty confirmation number that we have kept  ”no hassles”

Target, oh Target, how could you, you even promised this here on your site???

Well, I got hassled.

I called the 800 number, finally got a human

Who gave me another 800 number to Nikon

Who when I called said that the extended warranty really could not help me and accidents were not covered.

Here are other weblinks who tell the same woeful tale of falling for Target’s Scam:

http://consumerist.com/2012/06/19/dear-target-employees-lying-is-not-a-valid-extended-warranty-sales-tactic/

http://target.pissedconsumer.com/target-s-extended-warranty-plan-is-a-fraud-20110503235600.html

The scam is even under investigation by the Better Business Bureau

So, it seems I’m not alone.

So Target, please please come clean. Please make it right. Replace my Nikon camera that I paid about $170 for, is that too much for a big corporation like you to pay for when your reputation is at stake?

I’ll be here. Waiting. With scissors in one hand and my Target Red Visa in the other.

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