‘They need to hire back cashiers,’ Target customer demands after new store policy prevents cash checkout

TARGET shoppers are growing increasingly concerned as the retail giant continues to implement new store policies.

Just weeks after the retailer announced it would no longer accept personal checks as a form of payment, shoppers are reporting that many locations are beginning to ban cash, too.

COUNTERFEIT CLAIMS

On July 15, Target officially stopped allowing customers to use personal checks to pay for their transactions.

The retailer pointed towards "extremely low volumes" of check transactions as the primary reason for its decision.

Some shoppers were worried that Target's decision would have a domino effect on other currently accepted forms of payment, and it appears their concerns were right.

One Target shopper was shocked when her store effectively "banned" cash transactions, and asked her to pay with a credit or debit card instead.

"Target won’t let you use cash at self-checkout anymore and one of the workers told me it’s cuz people were putting counterfeit money in the machines and the machines didn’t know," Suzie Meredith shared on Facebook.

Her July 23 post received a mixture of reactions, with some of Meredith's followers in disbelief.

"Oh my goodness!" one user wrote.

"Wild lol," another user commented.

Despite an increasing shift in digital payment methods and card transactions, many customers still prefer to pay for their purchases the "old-fashioned" way – cash.

However, as retailers continue to implement new store policies aimed at curbing shoplifters, some customers are beginning to question the convenience – or lack thereof – of shopping in stores.

"They need to hire back cashiers," one user commented.

"They think computers can do everything," they added.

Despite launching self-checkout lanes in thousands of locations nationwide, Target has begun to cut back on the self-serve kiosks.

In recent months, customers have had to grapple with fewer self-checkouts, transaction limits – 10 or fewer items – and even additional staff manning the kiosks to ensure customers are adequately scanning and bagging items.

Latest self-checkout changes

Retailers are evolving their self-checkout strategy in an effort to speed up checkout times and reduce theft.

Walmart shoppers were shocked when self-checkout lanes at various locations were made available only for Walmart+ members.

Other customers reported that self-checkout was closed during specific hours, and more cashiers were offered instead.

While shoppers feared that shoplifting fueled the updates, a Walmart spokesperson revealed that store managers are simply experimenting with ways to improve checkout performance.

One bizarre experiment included an RFID-powered self-checkout kiosk that would stop the fiercely contested receipt checks.

However, that test run has been phased out.

At Target, items are being limited at self-checkout.

Last fall, the brand surveyed new express self-checkout lanes across 200 stores with 10 items or less for more convenience.

As of March 2024, this policy has been expanded across 2,000 stores in the US.

Shoppers have also spotted their local Walmart stores restricting customers to 15 items or less to use self-checkout machines.

CHECKED OUT

On March 14, Target confirmed that "checking out is one of the most important moments of the Target run," and pledged to open "more traditional lanes staffed by our team members across all our stores."

Despite the promise, customers have slammed the retailer for long lines and even longer wait times, sharing their complaints on social media and other online platforms.

When questioned about which Target location was effectively banning cash at self-checkout kiosks, Meredith confirmed it was one of her local stores.

"That's what they told me at Westborough Target," she replied.

Reviews left on Google and Yelp seemingly confirm Meredith's statement, with one disgruntled customer even calling the location "the worst Target in Massachusetts in terms of service!"

"One register open. Every self checkout is closed. 12 people in line," another person wrote.

"This Target rarely has any cashiers working and the self-checkout line is consistently backed up. Very frustrating," a third person echoed.

While it's not unusual for a few self-checkout registers to only accept card payments, Target stores have always allowed customers to pay for their items with cash, including at most self-checkout kiosks.

Does Target charge for bags?

Target automatically charges customers for bags in drive up and pickup orders.

The store charges $1 per every 10 bags used, meaning each plastic bag costs 10 cents.

"Charging bag fees for online pickup orders aligns with fees that were already in place for purchases made in Target stores at checkout," Target shared on their site.

"If you're purchasing from a store that charges bag fees, they'll be applied to your order."

If a customer uses less than 10 bags for their order, the amount is properly adjusted.

However, the rule depends on state and local laws as different stores have different bag policies.

Some locations only charge a five-cent fee for the bags while some spots charge five cents per bag at checkout in the store - and some don't offer bags at all.

You can check how much you were charged for bags by viewing your order's invoice through your Target account on Target.com or the app.

Target also allows customers to bring their own bags to avoid the automatic fee since they added bag preferences in March 2024.

If you order online for drive up or pickup at select stores, you can decline Target bags at checkout and tell the store you'll be bringing your own bags to get your order.

BULLSEYE BUCKS

On the retailer's website, Target listed several payment options not accepted at its stores, including foreign checks and currency, money orders, cashier's checks, personal checks, business checks, and merchant gift cards.

It also listed several accepted payment options at Target stores, including:

• Cash
• Target Circle™ cards
• Target's app on mobile devices
• Third-party credit and debit cards
• Mobile payments like Apple Pay
• Gift cards
• Rebate checks

However, Target did not specify whether it has to accept all of the aforementioned payment methods at self-checkout registers.

It also failed to disclose whether shoppers paying in cash must check out at a traditional register manned by a Target team member.

Target also listed several payment options not accepted at its stores, including foreign checks and currency, money orders, cashier's checks, personal checks, business checks, and merchant gift cards.

Read more customer complaints about Target's new policies, from banning paper checks to its revamped self-checkout standards.

Whether you're fed up with Target's new shopping rules or looking for a change, check out the retailer's main competition.

Keep in mind, however, that Walmart shoppers also have their fair share of complaints regarding the store's self-checkout policies and security measures.