r/Anticonsumption • u/Healthy_Block3036 • 13d ago

Corporations Target foot traffic falls for seventh consecutive week after it dismantled DEI

https://www.retailbrew.com/stories/2025/03/21/target-foot-traffic-falls-for-seventh-consecutive-week-after-it-dismantled-dei
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u/Correct-Ad-6473 13d ago

My kids both have some target and Amazon gift cards to use, but they can wait a few months.  Since the money is already there, I feel less bad about using them.  Other than that, we've cold turkey'd both places and I stopped using the credit card and will be replacing with the Costco Citi cc.  

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u/slideyslides 13d ago

Actually it’s the other way around, gift cards are basically all profit for the company, unless you use it all!

the best way to stick it to them if you already have the gift cards previously is to use every single cent on it, they bank on you not using every cent and that’s where they make money

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u/Correct-Ad-6473 13d ago

That's what I was trying to say.  I didn't want to not use them because the money has already been spent, but I'd like to wait a few months more.  Can I just add that I hate gift cards in general?  We wind up getting them and they're either too much or too little for whatever they are.  The only ones we've done anything with is the local custard place and I keep the McDonald's ones in the car for if some asks for money for food; I never have cash and if someone else will use them to eat... Awesome.

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u/Revised_Copy-NFS 13d ago

I like cash. However I do appreciate that gift cards ensure that the person uses the money on something vaguely specific instead of just adding it to their account.

I wouldn't do it to someone who was struggling but for someone who rarely buys things for themselves. Not amazon or a place where you can get anything, but like a book store if your person likes to read or something similar depending on their hobbies like a steam card.

It's the middle ground between giving someone a thing and cash IMO. I can't know exactly what you want or need so the paint brushes might not get used if they are wrong, but you now have earmarked money to help you.

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u/AnyBuy1820 13d ago

Honestly they're crap. In my country they're not common, so we use cash directly. That way the person can decide for themselves if, what, and where to buy.

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u/stacey2545 12d ago

There is a place online where you can swap gift cards. I've never used it, but that seems like a way to get use out of the money without breaking your boycott.

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u/irissmooches 7d ago

If anyone needs ideas, see if a local charity has an Amazon wish list. When I get a gift card now, I use it to buy stuff needed by one near me, usually kids' socks or underwear or things like that.

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u/HellCat70 13d ago

I've got the Costco credit card. Once a year a get a fat cash-back check. I wish I'd got one sooner.

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u/Correct-Ad-6473 13d ago

We do even without the credit card.  I'm excited for next year's!  We actually didn't realize when we made a few appliance purchases that we used a different credit card than the one registered and didn't get the cash back for them and we've not made that mistake again!  Costco is awesome, but I truly hate shopping there.  I'm so glad my family enjoys it... Without me.

Edited: a word 

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u/cakestabber 12d ago

I'll make a plug for the Costco Business Center if you have one nearby. In my experience (which is shared by others on Reddit when I've mentioned it before), you get 70%+ of the same inventory that is in the regular Costco locations (minus pharmacy/health, clothes, books, food court, and booze), without the aggravations of the regular Costco locations (a warzone for a parking lot, high foot traffic, etc.).

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u/Correct-Ad-6473 12d ago

Interesting.  IDK that we have one, but I'll def be checking to see.

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u/Half_Cent 13d ago

Fat? How much do you spend there? As a family of four our check every year covers the annual fee and just a little more.

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u/unconfusedsub 13d ago

Citi group donated millions to Trump and Trump super pacs.

Just a heads up if considering.

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u/Correct-Ad-6473 13d ago

Ugh... I'm going to have to look a little harder into that.  My oldest cc was a working assets card and BOA closed it down.  I'd be interested in something similar if I could find one.  We use Costco and I like their policies so I figured their card would be a good fit rather than my Amazon points card.  I'm not sure there is a worthy credit institution either tho?  Thanks for the info!  If you have any recs, I'd appreciate it.

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u/unconfusedsub 13d ago

I get it. We also use Costco a lot and do have the Citi card from when they switched way back from Amex. I'm not sure what the option is tbh. We did call email Costco about it not aligning with their core values.

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u/buttons123456 13d ago

Can you use Amazon GC to buy other GC at places you do use?

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u/dreamgrrrl___ 13d ago

You can as long as they have them available. Back in the day I would save up all my change and cash them in at a coin star for Amazon gift cards to avoid the fee, then I’d use that Amazon gift card to buy a Southwest Airlines gift card.

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u/Correct-Ad-6473 13d ago

I don't think so.   plus, they're my kids' gift cards and the best I could do for them is actually give them cash, but again, the cards were purchased already so not using them only gives them the money back.  I'll def check tho to see if there's another option... Maybe selling them on a GC selling sure?  Ugh, idk.  Appreciate the question tho :)

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u/satchelfullofpistols 13d ago

The money is in their accounts already. Go pick up your goods. Clearance if possible. Even if you don’t use all of it, you’re taking something back from them.

Also, this is not aimed at you op. We have to send the message but we also have to do it without burdening our fellow worker bees. We’re all up in arms right now. Don’t be a jerk or cause them trouble. These are our people.

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u/[deleted] 13d ago

[deleted]

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u/Correct-Ad-6473 13d ago

Yes, I know.  I think it's not clear in my comment, but I'd still like to put off going for a few months.  We'll use them.. Eventually, but since the money was spent buying them already I'm not trying to just lose them.

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u/DrinkingSocks 13d ago

That's not true. Target received the cash but gift cards are considered a liability until they are used, although there is likely a formula to consider them expired and recognize the revenue.

You should still use the card though, as the cash was already spent.

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u/Equivalent_Ad9414 13d ago

Trade them for something else.

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u/Correct-Ad-6473 13d ago

Where?  Is it equal trade?  I actually have so many stupid gift cards that we will never use and would love to trade them or something.

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u/call-me-the-seeker 12d ago

I did this when the new Lady Gaga album came out, went in, bought the vinyl and CD. Both with gift cards, so that they only got like a dollar fifty from my pocket.

This way they’re no longer sitting on a free loan in the form of dormant gift card money, they have to take it off their books, so ha, AND I still get to have the special edition vinyl they have, and ‘help’ an artist I am a fan of have a good release. Wins all around (I actually listen to physical albums, they’re not just going to sit and be cOLLeCtoRS iTEmS).

Anyone know what the ‘right’ address would be to write to corporate about why I stopped going in? I used to be at Target quite a bit when I needed something over Wally World or Amazon, because of their supposed support for openly non-hetero employees, the more inclusive merch selection, the bathroom reeeeing from the right wing, etc. I’ve only darkened their door for this Gaga album since they made this announcement, and if home office were to look at my ‘rewards’ member number at my purchase history, they’d see they actually throttled a significant habit. But I see others saying here that telling the store manager/filling out the survey actually doesn’t get to the suits.

So yes, does anyone have experience writing an actual letter to home office and have a good address? Love to explain that no, it’s not because I fell poor that I quit you.

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u/getxxxx 13d ago

use them i have to use mine

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u/Aleashed 13d ago

If they go bankrupt, your giftcards go bye bye

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u/Correct-Ad-6473 13d ago

That would be a satisfyingly small price to pay.. Unless you mean billionaire bankrupt where you just shuffle paperwork and come out wealthier than ever.  

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u/Correct-Ad-6473 13d ago

We will.  I just wanted to wait a few months and get us used to not relying so much on ordering things and pivoting to supporting companies we can feel about spending our money with.