Sunday, August 10, 2008

Target Target




The joke around here is that if you want to save money, shop at Target – they never have what you what. Actually, there is more truth than fiction in that statement, as far as I am concerned. The other night is the classic example; but before I get to that story, let me tell you why I make this bold statement.

I have purchased very little over the years in Target, mainly because they never have what I want. I have gone into the store with Mom to get this or that and end up buying a package of napkins or a Snickers candy bar, but not what we came in to buy. I first began to notice this when I went to buy a plastic tub and they were out. Later I went to buy something they had on sale that I wanted for Christmas decorations, and they were out.

We were in Bryan one Christmas time for a cousins party at Bug’s when we decided to go pick up something at the store. Cindy was with us and wanted to stop at Target to get a gift she needed for her kids. I said that I could save her a lot of time because they wouldn’t have it. She said surely they would because it was advertised on sale in the paper. She trudged into the store and some time later became a believer – they were out of stock!

In 2006 I was in Utah working and was getting ready to head home at the end of the job. One Saturday afternoon I was to meet my cousins, Dovey and Judy for lunch so we could say our goodbyes. The restaurant we chose was in the same center as a Target. I needed something and forgetting the curse on the store, I ventured in to make my purchase. The shelf was completely empty! I started to laugh out loud and said “of course”. Until the other night, that was the last time I ever ventured into a Target.

Now here in Killeen; Harker Heights actually, there is a new shopping center. Very nice and very large – Market Heights. This outdoor mall contains many shopping, eating and viewing opportunities, one of which is the new Target. On the way home the other night, Mom decided we needed to go in to see the store. It was larger than the old Killeen store, so she wanted to see what they had. I must admit, the facility was very nice, modern and clean. The shopping carts were something at which to marvel. All plastic and very quiet. While we were there, Mom mentioned she had forgot to stop at Walgreen’s to pick up some aftershave lotion for me and thought she could just pick some up here. I made my flippant remark about them not having any and we proceeded to the isle where the shaving things were. We found lots of brands of shaving cream, lot of different razors, tons of deodorant, BUT NOT A SINGLE BOTTLE OF AFTERSHAVE! I couldn’t believe it! We looked and looked, up one isle and down another. When we decided we wouldn’t find any, we looked for a clerk. We found one in the front of the store and she said that all they had was out on the selves. I started laughing out loud. I was amazing to me that I apparently have the ability to put this curse on Target.

Now, in all fairness to Target, Mom went back and climbing to the top shelf, and way in the back of the shelf, she found 3 bottles of Aqua Velva – but only 3 and all of one size. But to the average shopper, there would have been none. I would not have climbed to the top shelf! BUT, now that this is brought to light, next time I venture into Target to buy some non-existent sale item, I am checking the top shelf first!