Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

‘Scam-Level Disappointment’: Target Blasted For ‘Pathetic’ Black Friday Giveaway...“Thanks Target for the most pathetic Black Friday swag bag imaginable.”
Daily Wire ^ | December 01, 2025 | Amanda Harding

Posted on 12/01/2025 5:56:49 PM PST by Red Badger

Target is being raked across the coals following a botched Black Friday giveaway that was overhyped and underwhelming.

The retailer attempted to lure shoppers into the store ahead of the biggest shopping day of the year by promising the first 100 people in line early Friday morning “a limited edition iridescent holiday tote filled with fun giveaways.” In addition, ten randomly selected people at each store could win grand prizes including a Laifen hair dryer, a Ninja slushie machine, Beats headphones, and a $100 Target gift card, among other items.

People started posting on social media about being camped out overnight in the freezing cold despite the rules clearly stating that no one was allowed to line up until 4 a.m. at the earliest. After the event, many customers complained about poor enforcement for line jumpers.

But in the end, it didn’t matter much because almost everyone expressed their frustration at the contents of the swag bags. The oversized tote wasn’t “stuffed” – instead, it had a few cheap items that inspired most recipients to deem the entire thing a waste of time and energy.

Most photos posted by shoppers who scored the giveaway showed similar contents, including a pack of UNO cards, a miniature Gemz shampoo package, a small bag of Nerds candy, an Elf cosmetic product, and a variety pack of LMNT electrolyte water supplements. The small items looked tiny in the oversized tote bag.

There was a plethora of negative comments, video reactions, and spoof videos across all social media platforms.

“Thanks @Target for the most pathetic black friday swag bag imaginable,” one X user wrote alongside a photo of the giveaway items.

“You advertise that the first hundred people in line would get swag bags filled with goodies… And this is what you came up with? Pretty ridiculous and disappointing,” another commenter agreed.

“Waited hours for those ‘swag bags’ just to get… this? What a freaking joke. Y’all hyped it up like it was Christmas morning and handed us a bag of nothing. Guess I’ll go play Uno with everyone else who got played today. Absolute scam-level disappointment,” echoed a third.

The bad PR comes at a terrible time for the retail giant, as the CEO just stepped down in August amid declining sales and boycotts from both sides of the political aisle.

Black Friday shoppers had praise for a different retailer handing out swag bags, saying the giveaway at Lowe’s put Target to shame. The home improvement retailer handed out swag to the first 50 customers in line at their stores, and the offerings were much more substantial.

Those customers received a five-gallon bucket filled with various building and home improvement items including a drill bit set, a bucket-shaped coffee mug, Magic Erasers, WD-40, and a keychain. Several lucky shoppers also received a “golden ticket” with a coupon for a free appliance worth up to $2,000.

Target did not immediately return The Daily Wire’s request for comment.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Food; Outdoors; Society
KEYWORDS: blackfriday; lol; retail; swagbag; target

Click here: to donate by Credit Card

Or here: to donate by PayPal

Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794

Thank you very much and God bless you.


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-29 last
To: Red Badger

So ungrateful people who got $25 (guessing) worth of free stuff to “save” money on toasters and TVs are complaining about it? Amazing what “Black Friday” does to people.


21 posted on 12/01/2025 7:16:19 PM PST by Organic Panic ('Was I molested. I think so' - Ashley Biden in response to her father joining her in the shower)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: KarlInOhio

I’ll take “Beggars can not be this for $500, Alex.


22 posted on 12/01/2025 7:18:25 PM PST by Organic Panic ('Was I molested. I think so' - Ashley Biden in response to her father joining her in the shower)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

If the bags _had_ met the hype, we’d be reading about folks suing Target over injuries sustained in the feeding frenzy.


23 posted on 12/01/2025 7:48:41 PM PST by BradyLS (DO NOT FEED THE BEARS!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

It’s worse than Selma!


24 posted on 12/01/2025 8:01:05 PM PST by PghBaldy (12/14/12- 930am -rampage begins... 12/15/12 - 1030am - Obama team scouts photo-op locations.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger; Kenny Bania; gundog; Larry Lucido; null and void

[Most photos posted by shoppers who scored the giveaway showed similar contents, including a pack of UNO cards, a miniature Gemz shampoo package, a small bag of Nerds candy, an Elf cosmetic product, and a variety pack of LMNT electrolyte water supplements. The small items looked tiny in the oversized tote bag.]

Tote Bags I shall have!

I’m only charging $37.50,
plus you get a Pizza Bagel and
bite size Three Musketeers.


25 posted on 12/01/2025 8:04:23 PM PST by SaveFerris (Luke 17:28 ... as it was in the Days of Lot; They did Eat, They Drank, They Bought, They Sold ......)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Wait, people shop at Target?


26 posted on 12/01/2025 8:09:25 PM PST by Disambiguator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SaveFerris; Red Badger; Kenny Bania; gundog; Larry Lucido; null and void

The worst part was the turkey drop.

“As God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly!”


27 posted on 12/01/2025 8:58:19 PM PST by Larry Lucido (Donate! Don't just post clickbait.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: Fester Chugabrew

Was it not free enough, or not sh*tty enough?


28 posted on 12/01/2025 11:00:00 PM PST by _longranger81
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Somebody at Target be re-gifting.


29 posted on 12/02/2025 6:58:48 AM PST by StAntKnee (Add your own danged sarc tag)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-29 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson