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T O P I C     R E V I E W Janice I received this email and though I don't like to start rumors, thought I'd post it in the spirit of "better safe than sorry". Friends in & around Allen........ I don't normally pass along warning type emails because you never know if they are true or not...however, in this instance I have first hand knowledge that this event occurred and I believe it is worthy of a warning to everyone. This past Friday, June 18 th, my ob/gyn, Dr. H, had her purse stolen from her cart in the Allen Target parking lot. She had finished shopping and she was turned toward her minivan, putting her items into the back, when a car pulled up behind her and a man jumped out of the passenger side and grabbed her purse from the cart. He immediately jumped back in the car and was gone. The thief was very bold, as Dr. H had her hand on the cart holding it so it would not roll away. So, he literally reached right over her arm and took her purse. Another lady saw the whole thing happen and let Dr. H use her cell phone to call the police. The police came out and it seems the whole incident was caught on Target's security camera and they did get a license plate number and have a lead to the suspects. However...the most disturbing part....is that the Allen police told Dr. H. that this is a very common occurrence at this Allen Target recently...they have had numerous robberies at this location. It seems the thieves like this location because they can drive behind the Harley Davidson dealer and be on 75 within seconds...making a quick, clean get-away. So, please be aware and pass this warning along to others in our area. Also, as a side note....I will no longer be shopping at this Target...not for the incident above, but because of the way it was handled by the on-duty Target Manager. After Dr. H used the one ladies cell phone to call the police & her husband, he realized she hadn't told her husband which Target, Allen or McKinney. But the nice lady had already left so Dr. H had no money, no cell phone and no way to clarify with her husband to come to pick her up in Allen. So, she went into the Target and asked the manager if she could use the phone...keep in mind, he knows exactly what has transpired, he knows she is a doctor because she had to tell the police that the thief got her prescription pad & Dr.s license, the police had just been in his store and viewed the security footage........but, instead of supporting her in an obvious time of need....the manager told Dr. H. she could NOT use the phone because it "was not for customer use." CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS ???? At this point...totally upset and beside herself with disbelief ...she questioned him again, saying she had no money, no phone, etc and no way to contact her husband and he said "it is against company policy to allow customers to use the store phone". So, crying and in shock she walked back out to her car to wait for her husband. Luckily another kind stranger saw her and asked if she could help. The lady didn't have a cell phone but she gave Dr. H a handful of change to make payphone call to her husband. Anyway, I don't know about the rest of you who visit Target on a daily basis and feel like they are a local store who tries to be part of our community...but that was definitely NOT the case here....he was not the least bit concerned with one of our neighbors. I am outraged that this occurred and that the Manager would treat anyone this way, let alone a Dr. in our community ! If it was against policy then he could of at least handed her enough change to make a payphone call. Instead, he let her leave the store totally crying & in shock and just ignored her plight. If it wasn't for another kind stranger Dr. H could have been in the parking lot longer. Additionally, the police indicated that the Target manager & Target could care less about the robberies and they just file the proper reports and our done with the incidents. So, I leave all of you with the warning to be more safe & careful at the Target in Allen and with the personal note that I will no longer be giving my business to this establishment... I cannot & will not support the actions of this manager & store. Regards, denisew I was there shortly after this happened and saw the police talking to a woman on the east side of the store. I didn't know what had happened. This is one of those things where we need to be aware of our surroundings and put our purses in the vehicle first. So many ladies place their purses in the seat of the cart and don't pay much attention to it while shopping. All the theives need are a couple seconds while you have your back turned to snatch it from you. Let's all be aware of our surroundings and hold onto our handbags whether it is in the Target parking lot or whereever we are shopping. I am glad the doctor did not get hurt. Thank goodness for security cameras. As for the manager's actions, I think it is a problem with that one manager and someone at district level or higher should be made aware of his actions. If nobody tells his boss, then there will never be anything done to correct the problem. VGotway I've forwarded the message to Target Corp. I would like to see their reply before I make a decision. jenniferd What an awful event! The manager's actions should be taken to a higher level of management IMO. In response to let alone a Dr. in our community ...the fact that the person is a Dr. should have no bearing on the situation at all. Even if she were a SAHM with a high school diploma she should have been treated better. I hope that manager gets a lesson in customer service. I will say though, I love Targer, I certainly won't stop shopping there because of one jerk. vrs While we are on the topic of not having our purses snatched, here are a couple of tips: 1) Anywhere you are shopping with a cart, use the child seat belt and fasten it through the purse strap. (Obviously this tip is only good for those of us whose children are old enough that we no longer have little riders in the cart!) 2) I drive a convertible in Dallas. So I generally fasten the passenger side safety belt through my purse strap. 3) Don't carry your entire world in your purse. Important papers, checkstubs, etc. should really only be in there as long as you need them on your person. 4) Do I need to say it? Don't write your PIN numbers down on a slip of paper that you keep in your purse. Don't use your birthday or part of your social security number or your kids birthdays for PIN numbers. 5) Inventory the contents of your purse and wallet. I had a friend who had the unfortunate experience of having her purse stolen and she said the hardest thing was remembering everything that was in there. Insurance ID cards, prescription sunglasses, etc. The inventory makes replacement more efficient and the insurance claim more complete. [This message has been edited by vrs (edited June 23, 2004).] sco The Target manager's actions point out a pervasize problem these days. Businesses schools and many other institutions make blanket rules and don't allow for discretion in individual cases. I'm quite sure that the manager was told that the rule about customers using the phone was absolute and not to be broken under any circumstances. He obviously felt that he had no discretion. We see similar things all the time with schools and their "zero tolerence" policies or stores that won't allow a toddler to use the bathroom, etc. allensince1979 I think Target is one of those stores that has grown so big they no longer care about coustomer service or their customers. What kind of person with a brain would treat anyone this way? This manager clearly needs to go back into training or maybe get some training on customer service. I hope if anything like that ever happens to me that i'm someplace else other than a Target. I bet he would let a cutomer bleed to death out in the parking lot before he would leave the store to offer assistance. sk13 I think now days too many companies are scared of law suits so they make these blanket policies and tell the managers to make no exceptions. I worked in a store at the mall for awhile and we were all told to not make any exceptions or it would be our jobs. I do agree that a refresher course in customer service is needed at many places. I can't stand bad customer service and will not shop at places where I don't see improvements. sirhotwheels Where was I? Its not the store fault, its any man with in 100 yards fault. "If" I was there you would still have your purse. I am just a good 'ol boy, that fool would've had a run in with my boots. denisew Another tip on what VRS mentioned when you inventory what is in your purse/wallet - make copies of all your credit cards, atm cards, drivers license, etc. so you know what you have - front and back so you can call the credit card companies when you get home to report the theft. I would keep this information locked in a home safe so you will always know where it is located. allensince1979 sirhotwheels, no one implied that it was the fault of the store or even the manager on duty. It was the treatment and lack of care or consideration of their customer afterwards that is so unbelievable. Personally, I believe that a business such as Target should show a lot more consideration and understanding towards all of their customers. After all who keeps them in business. I also think this situation goes beyond customer service, we all owe it to each other to help each other out in a time of need. If it had been my purse I wouldn't want you or anyone else to go chasing after someone over a purse it isn't worth the risk you'd be taking. The important thing here is that the lady was not harmed. It�s just to bad that Target is more concerned about losing a dime on a phone call instead of a customer�s well being. Shane Before anyone else posts without having the proper information let me clear up some of the details (or flat out falsehoods). Yes, there was a purse snatched in the Allen Target parking lot on Friday the 18th. That's pretty much where the accurate part of the initial post ends. When the purse was stolen the DR. did not have one hand on the cart.... she was inside the side door of the vehicle while the cart was behind it, un-attended. So no one "literally reached right over her arm". Thanks video surveilance. Theft is not a common occurrence at the Allen Target and the police officer did not say that it was. In the past two years this is the only reported case in which a guests property was stolen on that property. Now on to the really ridiculous part of this whole thing... "the manager told Dr. H. she could NOT use the phone because it was not for customer use." Someone is seriously misinformed here. The Dr. did not ask the manager on duty to use the phone. Plain and simple. If she had asked then she would have been assisted in any way possible, including using the phone or whatever else the store had to offer. Anyone who thinks otherwise does not know much about Target and how they conduct business. "Additionally, the police indicated that the Target manager & Target could care less about the robberies and they just file the proper reports and our done with the incidents." Another falsehood. Target has a very good working relationship with the Allen police department. They do not simply file a report and move on. EVERY SINGLE INCIDENT that happens in or around a Target building is thoroughly investigated, causes are sought out, action plans are implemented in order to prevent such things from happening again. If the store did not care about the community as a whole why would the security manager at this store have organized a business crime watch in the area? He has brought other retailers together so that information can be shared and solutions solicited from as many companies in the area as possible. Does this sound like a company that simply files it away and forgets about it? "I think Target is one of those stores that has grown so big they no longer care about coustomer service or their customers." Target is more focused on customer service/customer relations than any company out there. Have you actually researched how much Target stores give back to their communities every year? Last year Target as a whole gave over one billion dollars back to communities nationwide. Building playgrounds, building houses for low income families, donating books to schools, Meals on Wheels... the list goes on. It seems like several people were ready to write Target off after reading the posted email. I think that a little more thought should be put into your actions before you go believing whatever is posted on a website. VGotway I'm waiting for Target to respond to the message I sent them regarding this. MarkH Shane, Your information appears to be important in getting the situation straight. How do you know all this? Are you the Target manager? allensince1979 Shane posted "Target is more focused on customer service/customer relations than any company out there. Have you actually researched how much Target stores give back to their communities every year? Last year Target as a whole gave over one billion dollars back to communities nationwide. Building playgrounds, building houses for low income families, donating books to schools, Meals on Wheels... the list goes on." Target does spend money in communities all over the country. I didn't dispute that. Customer service does not refer to how much money they give out, I thought "Customer Service" refers to the way the customer is treated inside the store. There are a lot of examples I could go into but then I would get to far off topic. Besides the incident being discussed here I don't like being continuely asked throughout the store to open a Target charge account, I don't like the way they've become rude with returns. I think if Target wants to learn something about real customer service they might look at Kohl's. [This message has been edited by allensince1979 (edited June 24, 2004).] Eden I am ashamed at how many people will jump on the band wagon to dump on a business, especially without all the facts. Americans should know first hand how she said he said rumors can destroy. I suggest before you decide to voice your opinions maybe you should "get the truth". I bet you would be more upset if Target or any other business you try to destroy closed their doors to you. I for one.. will always shop at Target.. Someone elses negligence with their belongings has absolutely nothing to do with the business they frequent. Common sense is all you need! VGotway We seem to be getting quite a few new members off of this post. Eden You never know who's watching and reading. Big Brother is always there! civicminded Hmmm, and if the "Doc" and Allenites are lucky....this brazen wittle wobber will be caught, in part because of the wonderful wittle camera! Too bad Crocodile Dundee wasn't on scene, with some choice can goods. He has demonstrated (with help of camera) that properly aimed cans will offer purse snatchers the help they truly deserve It all gives new meaning to the word "Target" ninjaman Wait until the thieving dog tries to use one of the prescription forms that the Doctor had in her purse to get a prescription filled, the pharmacy will show him what it's like to be robbed. smart.mart About a year ago I was coming out of Curcuit City in Plano on 75 and saw a man going through the tool box on my truck. As I approached the truck, the man jumped back into his van. I threatened him and he retreived the item taken and drove off while I was calling the police on my mobile. When the police arrived they told me that they were unable to catch them and proceeded to explain that Hwy 75 from Richardson to Mckinney is a haven for thieves due to the immediate accessability to the highway from so many points. The policeman said that his family refused to eat at a restaurant on 75 unless he can park where he can see his vehicle at all times. Oh by the way, my encounter was at 4:00 pm on a Thursday afternoon. I think that we should be aware at all times of our surroundings and suspicious activities should be reported no matter how small. sirhotwheels Boy howdy, some peoples kids. If I ever get the chance to catch one of these morons in the act it will be the last time they ever do anything like that again. Be careful out there. VGotway Here's the response I got from Target Corp: Dear Veronica, Thank you for your e-mail regarding our Allen, Texas Target store. I apologize for the delay in our response. We appreciate the time you've taken to share your thoughts and comments. Target Stores' first priority is the safety of its guests at our stores in every community we serve. Our goal is to provide a safe environment in which every guest can shop. In addition to local law enforcement, Target uses state-of-the-art technology and other security techniques at every store. We are constantly analyzing these procedures to provide the safest environment possible. As part of this process, Target, like law enforcement professionals, does not disclose details about ongoing investigations nor our security techniques because it would compromise the ability of our security personnel to carry out these practices. I want to assure you that your concerns will be made available to our store and district team leaders so we can research the situation further and make sure it was handled in an appropriate manner. Sincerely, Jennifer Hanson Target Executive Offices Marciaj I am so upset with all of you and your debbie downer attitudes. It is a very serious thing for any company to make sure everyone is safe, but we also have to take responsibility for our own actions. Something most people have forgotten how to do. We would just rather blame someone else. I work at Target and we NEVER have turned anyone down who has asked to use the phone. I personally have helped many people because I do work in Guest service. I go out of my way to help people every day. My suggestion would to be not to park on the East side of the building just to save a few steps because there is not as many people over there and it does make it eaiser for someone to get your purse and things. Always look for the safest place not the closest. I know people are scared these days and they have good reason to be but please don't start things to get people more afraid to leave their houses then they already are. Just watch out for each other and our selves and we should be fine. We really do care at Target and not just because we work for the company but because we are all people like you and most of us live around here and want our town safe and friendly. Marcy Some people will emphasize the negative. That is their choice and their right. But just because a few post a negative comment does not mean that their opinion is the gospel. Many of us, and from what I understand about this web site hundreds of Allen residents read these messages, and most of us are mature enough not to be influenced by a few comments from people that are upset. I strongly believe that most of us have the intelligence and foresight to determine when emotion is integrated into someone�s comments. I also believe that while it is interesting, at least for me, to hear the comments of others, it takes a lot more to influence me than a few negative comments. Personally I love to shop at Target and I will continue to do so. I am sorry for the person that had the incident but I do not think Target�s parking area is unsafe. I also have found the staff to be very customer oriented. Just my two cents.