ACOT Message Board

I was really angered by that story. It makes NO SENSE! Whenever there is some sort of interview with someone from Walmart the spokesperson always touts how Walmart wants to be a part of its community. Nice way to show it.

No wonder I like Target better!

it is a sickening story but i will tell you that in all the years i worked in retail (for various large chains) this is a normal way of getting rid of perfectly unsold items, that have either been discontinued or not sold cause no one wanted them. and i am going back to 8-10 years ago we used to do this. We would get a list from the corporate office of items that were to be destroyed and we had to cut, slash or break the items. I am also talking about brand name items like nike, reebok, etc. its very sad. These thousands and thousands of dollars worth of perfectly good items were destroyed instead of donated.

BeatrizS wrote:it is a sickening story but i will tell you that in all the years i worked in retail (for various large chains) this is a normal way of getting rid of perfectly unsold items, that have either been discontinued or not sold cause no one wanted them. and i am going back to 8-10 years ago we used to do this. We would get a list from the corporate office of items that were to be destroyed and we had to cut, slash or break the items. I am also talking about brand name items like nike, reebok, etc. its very sad. These thousands and thousands of dollars worth of perfectly good items were destroyed instead of donated.

How heart-breaking :( I don't think I would have lasted long at the job knowing so much went to waste.

It is standard practice at most retailers and I'm sure Target isn't excluded. It isn't the store's decision - it comes from the makers of the items.

I'm not saying it's right.

this is unbelievable with so many people in need. Last year I think there was a surplus of milk in Europe and they threw it away rather than give it away. I know at some airlines they will even trash unused meals

deerewife wrote:It is standard practice at most retailers and I'm sure Target isn't excluded. It isn't the store's decision - it comes from the makers of the items.

I'm not saying it's right.

I've seen plenty of Target items at our local Goodwill so I KNOW they DO donate unsold items.

I worked retail for 5 years and we never did this where I worked. If something was broken already, then we would destroy it---but never perfectly good merchandise. That was shipped back to the warehouse or to another store.




Funny that people complain about Target not letting the Salvation Army be outside and won't shop there, but they will support a store that ACTIVELY denies help to people.

nene wrote:Funny that people complain about Target not letting the Salvation Army be outside and won't shop there, but they will support a store that ACTIVELY denies help to people.

I'm not a regular Target shopper (too far away for me) but I remember the Salvation Army fiasco... who's the other store that actively denies help to people?

I used to work for a book binder, and there would be boxes upon boxes of books that they couldn't sell because of some binding imperfection or other (usually something really insignificant) and they'd just burn the whole lot of them. When I started working there I begged and begged and finally they offered them for like $1 to local teachers, and to the staff.


I was always telling the bosses that they should donate the books to poorer school districts and community libraries - think of the good PR!



The amount of stuff we waste in this country is unbelievable.

Mommybruno wrote:The amount of stuff we waste in this country is unbelievable.

I agree 100%!!

I managed Brauns (now called CJ Banks) and they always donated their items. I, as the manager, was responsible for finding a place that takes donations. I took items twice per year or when there was a big pile. We did have to cut the tag and use a black marker to scribble on the inside of the tag. This was so that people didn't try to purchase these items and try to return them for full price. Also, we had to take the price tags off. This was to protect the bottom dollar at the store. People are so dishonest and unless you have worked in retail for any length of time, I don't think some realize the extent of the dishonesty. But, just wanted to let you know that one retailer does donate items.

Off the subject but somebody did bring it up. I DO NOT like being hit up for donations as I am walking into or out of a store. I would drive out of my way to go to a store that does not let people stand there and ask for donations. I DO donate to many things but I want to choose. I don't appreciate being made to feel guilty as I am dragging a crabby kid into a store full of people. Anyway, just my 2 cents.

I just wanted to scream! I was shocked that they do this - there are so many people in need! So many homeless. It is just beyond my comprehension.

Being in insurance, I completely understand the reasons why they can't donate un-used food. There is too much of a liability issue if the food is not properly stored, heated or transported. Food can spoil and people can get sick and than sue, even if it was a donation. Sad but true! It's what our country has come to.

MOM2SNOX wrote:

deerewife wrote:It is standard practice at most retailers and I'm sure Target isn't excluded. It isn't the store's decision - it comes from the makers of the items.

I'm not saying it's right.

I've seen plenty of Target items at our local Goodwill so I KNOW they DO donate unsold items.

But, it's Target brand items....do you see brand new other brands? Target gets to decide what to do with their unsold stuff because it is their stuff. It's a odd process, but many companies don't want unsold stuff back and in order to get back what they have in it, stores are required to destroy versus shipping it back to the manufacturer. Yes, it's better to give, but it's not just a tax right off...you have to store and transport the items. And, you have to find someone to take it all.

kennabeans wrote:Off the subject but somebody did bring it up. I DO NOT like being hit up for donations as I am walking into or out of a store. I would drive out of my way to go to a store that does not let people stand there and ask for donations. I DO donate to many things but I want to choose. I don't appreciate being made to feel guilty as I am dragging a crabby kid into a store full of people. Anyway, just my 2 cents.

Ditto! They do it here too in Ok mostly in large parking lots, like Wal-Mart. I have been approached several times while carring my toddler and my other hand holding my five year old son, without my husband! Sooo very much ANGERS me that they even dare to approach me with my children in toe! They have ALOT of NERVE!

MOM2SNOX wrote:

nene wrote:Funny that people complain about Target not letting the Salvation Army be outside and won't shop there, but they will support a store that ACTIVELY denies help to people.

I'm not a regular Target shopper (too far away for me) but I remember the Salvation Army fiasco... who's the other store that actively denies help to people?

I was referring to these 2 stores not helping.