(Vanity)Top Ten Reasons I Respect Target

Winsome Wit ^ | 12/8/2004 | Jay Beuoy

[JBeuoy]

Ten Reasons I Respect Target Corporation

By Jay Beuoy

The Target Corporation has managed to offend a good portion of Middle America. The company decided not to allow the Salvation Army to station bell ringers and kettles outside Target stores this Christmas. I too was disturbed. It seemed to be yet another attack on one of the last public vestiges connected to the Christian faith and the true meaning of Christmas. But I have to say I respect them for their decision. Here are my top ten reasons:

By this Target proves it doesn’t give a figgy pudding about its customer base. Bravo! It’s about time corporate America stopped pandering to the consumer.

Target thus proves it isn’t driven by polls and public opinion. A just-released study by Newsweek shows that Americans are a religious people. 79% believe in the virgin birth. 90% believe in God. About 60% say they belong to a church. Target doesn’t seem to care about those numbers, which means they are willing to take a stand and a loss for what they believe in, (or don’t believe in as the case may be.)

Target has shown compassion upon all migraine sufferers and those afflicted by hangovers that could have been unduly tormented by high pitch bell clanging. Considering

[JBeuoy]

Keeping up the pressure on Target. This column will appear in the coming week's Mille Lacs County Messenger.

[TommyDale]

Screw Target!

[Dubh_Ghlase]

I just emailed Target to tell them I wasn't shopping there anymore for these reasons. I also stated it would be interesting to see their 4th quarter numbers for this year. Hit them in the wallet!

[Egon]

Sigh.

[GrandEagle]

We terminated our shopping with Target a year or so ago when I found that they send lots of money to Homosexual activist groups.

[newgeezer]

study by Newsweek shows that Americans are a religious people. 79% believe in the virgin birth.

No way! I want to see that survey question. Forget the general population; if as many as 79% of people in mainline Christian churches on any given Sunday truly believe in the virgin birth of Christ, I would be shocked.

[ApesForEvolution]

I love Target's new holiday tv ads in Spanish.../s

[L98Fiero]

In their official statements, the company claims that they cannot let Salvation Army solicit without opening the door to other groups. Imagine what a dreadful world it would be if they did!

I already have lived in that world and I'll pass. It does suck that this affects the SA but if that's what it takes to keep the beggars from in front of my local stores, so be it. No offense to SA but I am sick to death of being hit up by every 2-bit "charity", "fund-drive", little league, church, school club, etc. every time I go in a store. I, for one, appreciate Target thinking of those of us prefer not to be harrased by beggars. I don't mean to lump the SA in with these other groups and I bet Target wishes they didn't have to either

I believe I will try to buy as much as possible from Target this year.

[dansangel]

No reason to excerpt a blog except to gain website hits.

No reason to shop Target. They don't sell ammunition. WalMart does.

[MeanWestTexan]

I like Target, the store. It sells better quality products than Wal-Mart. Ours also tends to be clean and well-organized, at least in comparison to our local Wal-Mart.

So, I will still shop there.

That said, I am dissapointed.

Our local manger (know socially) has stated he is angry at corporate office, but is powerless.

[foolish-one]

I think Target screwed themselves - and unnecessarily. They could have continued their 'no solicitation' policy and allowed the Salvation Army bell ringers to stay as a matter of tradition and calling it a 'non decision' since they had been allowing them all along. Now they will lose business by banning them and they will lose business and create additional problems for themselves if they decide to let them return. Certainly, they won't be able to fall back on the 'tradition' excuse if they reverse their decision and allow the kettles the next time someone else asks to stand in front of Target and solicit donations or sell things for charity.

They made a conscious decision and by doing so they force their customer base to make a conscious decision, as well. Somebody should be fired.

[Coop]

It does suck that this affects the SA but if that's what it takes to keep the beggars from in front of my local stores, so be it. No offense to SA but I am sick to death of being hit up by every 2-bit "charity", "fund-drive", little league, church, school club, etc. every time I go in a store.

Let me grab you a tissue, you poor victim! Why is it so difficult to pass by the bellringers, candy-sellers, whatever, and either offer a cordial greeting or just go about your business?

But instead folks like you take your guilt over not giving or not wanting to give and project it onto the volunteers (or "beggars" as you call them).

For the first time ever I will be offering my services as a beggar to the Salvation Army, starting this Saturday, and I'm looking forward to it. I don't suppose you live nearby, do you?

[ApesForEvolution]

I have other options.

I don't line the pockets of my enemies, regardless the cost...

[FairfaxVA]

Not a very popular opinion here, but I agree with you. I donate other ways and don't appreciate the guilt trip associated with not giving money to some group just because I needed a gallon of milk.

[ApesForEvolution]

You take a guilt trip because you don't drop some change in the bucket?

That's your problem, no one else's...

[TommyDale]

I agree that somebody should be fired. The person responsible for this decision has made a terrible choice, and has overlooked the power of the internet. Ask the former head of Best Buy, who recently stated that they no longer welcomed the "bargain shoppers". He has now resigned.

Add another one to the list.

[MEGoody]

"I don't mean to lump the SA in with these other groups and I bet Target wishes they didn't have to either."

It's strange. . .other stores, such as WalMart, don't seem to be having the problem Target seems so 'concerned' about.

I guess my NOT shopping at Target will offset your spending there.

[FairfaxVA]

Guess you haven't read any responses to the threads about Target removing the SA then.

[EggsAckley]

I agree with you about most solicitors in front of stores. The ones who really tick me off are the Libs with their petitions. They're quite aggressive.

BUT....in defense of the SA, I have never seen a bell-ringer do anything but that, ring their bell. They don't solicit, they are just "there." It is for THAT reason that I DO donate to them.