A $5.00 gift card does NOT make up for the sky high prices on things like Dove bar soap, etc. Target must think consumers aren’t very savvy. The vast majority of consumers know a good deal from a bad deal!!! Recently, a Target store associate told me, “Our grocery prices are like convenience store prices but not quite as high.”
Honestly, if you don’t like it…don’t shop there…. There are things I buy at Target and there are things that I don’t, because I know I can get them cheaper else where. Not an issue….unless you just feel like complaining…which you seem to be doing…
I agree with Katie. I love shopping at Target.. and I have compared prices with other stores, like Walmart for over 5 yrs now and Target is the majority of the time cheaper. You have to know how to pull your calculator out and do the math. Just because something is on sale does not mean it is a better deal. You have to do the fine calculations.
For those of us in the Pacific Northwest, Target prices in the grocery and Health & beauty departments are usually about 20-30% less expensive and sometimes even half the cost of the grocery stores.
I agree with both comments, I have learned to pick and choose what to buy at Target, and it is still always my go-to place for those unexpected purchases I need to make when there are no sales, because their everyday prices are much lower than the places that usually have rock bottom sale prices, so it balances out. Plus, I love shopping there for the toy deals and clothing deals that you can get sometimes when they offer coupons on those items
Sometimes Target can be a little more expensive for some items. When I use store + mfg coupons together, I always come out ahead. I’m notorious for finding repackaged items and pairing with a coupon or 70% with coupon. The staff is friendly, the store is clean, and I can get everything else I need. I don’t have time to drive across town to go to wal-mart which isn’t much cheaper. Besides, I save so much on coupons, I can afford Target. I’m scared of being shot at any of the DFW wal-marts. None are safe after 3p.m. Not to be too terrible, but I can never get my cart past all the people in the carts. I would rather pay a little extra on very few items than get stuck behind a million cart people.
For the cottonelle roll covers, I don’t think you need to go online or send anything in. At my Target, they had the roll covers sitting on the shelf above the toilet paper.
Wow…I would love to know where IG does their shopping then, since Target prices are rather reasonable here. Very similar to Wal-Mart, and way cheaper than Giant Eagle, which is the main grocer around here. My Target doesn’t have produce or meat, so I can’t do all my shopping there. I pick and choose where I get what. All 3 stores are in the immediate area, so for that I am lucky.
Targets deals are way better than walmart they have clearance stuff all the time too and their service beats walmarts as well, my friend and i always have problems at walmart with Qs. We dont even go to walmart unless we absolutely know there a great deal there.
My target in Washington, MO had the roll covers right there to pick from
JoAnn…Giant Eagle can be high, are you in an area where they double coupons? Also, they take savings star or cell fire coupons I think (I don’t have a GE here but my friend LOVES shopping there) She is in NE Ohio
Angel, yes GE doubles coupons here, but they are getting so strict. Like you can’t use more than 1 like internet coupon and no free or bogo printables. But there are deals to be had, that’s for sure. I just wouldn’t want to pay the regular price on stuff there!
IG please realize that you can save a lot at target…I just came from shopping there tonight and my total was $71.63 and I paid $16.42….
I got a lot of stuff for only $16.42….
I used 18 coupons…..
You can save a lot at Target but only with sales and coupons. Other than that in my area Target is higher than Walmart on everyday prices but lower than most of the grocery stores. I have to honestly say if I’m looking for something not on sale I’ll hit Walmart first (they are right near each other) because the prices are generally lower than Target. It just all depends on what’s on sale and what you have coupons for. Target seems to be more seasonal too in some stores. There are things I can find all year round at Walmart but only certain times of the year at Target. Both stores are good to shop at for different reasons
Here on the West Coast our Target beats Walmart and other grocery stores hands down (with the exception of fresh items). Yes, there are a few things that are over priced, but every store is like that. I noticed today that eggs are $.75 or more cheaper at Target than Safeway. I always check the ad and the blogs before leaving for the store. With a little planning and a store and manuf. coupon I can walk out of there with items for next to nothing. The biggest part of shopping in general is you need to know your prices. If you buy at the right time and know your price points you really can make off with a good haul at Target.
A year ago we switched from purchasing all our items at Super Walmart to purchasing all our items at Safeway (mostly just fresh items) and Target. I spend at least $400 a month less and I get 2x as much items.
I was just talking to my MIL about prices at different stores. She told me that she was shocked by some of Targets prices compared to our local grocery store. I told her that yeah there are some things at Target that are cheaper and there are some things at the grocery store that are cheaper. If you find the ones that are cheaper at each place, then you can save a lot of money from that alone. Then watching for sales and coupons can save you a lot more. I love TT because it goes beyond what they have advertised (which are rarely the best deals at Target!) and on to the stuff that’s on price cut and what not. About a year ago I bought an XBOX 360 and Kinect bundle and it was on a 3 day sale with a $100 GC and a free game. Target didn’t advertise that, I knew about it from TT! Just like the seeds of change rice that is on sale, not an advertised sale, but at 75% off, it’s a lot better than advertised sales! I almost never buy meat at Target because of the outrageous prices, but I’ve realized that and look for meat deals elsewhere. Each store has their own sales and knowing who is the best when you need the item is the way you’re going to save the most. I typically think that Walmart’s every day prices are a little bit cheaper than Target’s, but not worth the hassle of going there (and we do NOT have much extra money/month, so if somethings not worth it in terms of money savings, there must be a big reason against it!). I don’t like Walmart. I know my cashiers at Target (almost all of them) and I know a few to avoid so I don’t have issues with q’s (one of the managers!) I don’t typically care about shelf price because I almost never pay that!
Our Target store is somewhat of a joke when it comes to groceries and just about everything else. It’s not a Super Target. Bananas, apples, etc. are sold by each, not by the pound because our store has no scales to weigh anything. I’m in central Texas. H-E-B is the major grocery store chain here.
I will go to Target over Walmart any day, even if it is a little more on some items. Mostly because I know Target is a clean store and they have excellent customer service.
I go to Target over WalMart (anyday!) mainly because of the cleanliness of the store and the fact that its drama free. Each time I go to WalMart there is some type of drama unfolding. I use coupons for most of the items I buy and hord my gift cards for bigger purchases and always use my Target debit card. I love shopping there. I don’t shop there for most food, only the occasional sale/clearance item. I scan the outskirts of the store for the best deals and walk out happy not annoyed.
Target in my area is typically a little higher than Walmart. I get what’s on sale there and use coupons so it works to be pretty economical. I then supplement with 2 local markets (Price Chopper and Aldi). I use my coupons to get the biggest bang for my buck. We have a Walmart with grocery, but I usually avoid it at all costs. I just hate everything about it.
Target in my area is usually a little higher than Wal-Mart but I would rather support a store with ethical practices who gives back to the community and fosters customer relations!! Target has my heart (and money)!!
So, I live in Houston and have two Targets close to me. I LOVE my SuperTarget! The groceries are usually cheaper (by a lot! EVEN over HEB) and their sales beat the pants off most of the other stores around here. I do have a small list of things that I buy from other stores b/c they are cheaper than Target, but overall, Target IS cheaper. It’s a matter of price comparison and shopping on sale items with coupons. The regular Target (with the pathetic grocery selection) is fine for pre-packaged foods, but not for fresh groceries. The SuperTarget is definitely the way to go for those kinds of things. As for the gift card deals, if you have coupons, it’s well worth it! You WILL end up making money on most deals. Just don’t buy it if you won’t use it, then it’s wasteful. If you are skeptical of Target, go write down ALL THE PRICES of what you buy at HEB and then go write down a comparison of the prices at Target. You’ll see the difference! (Not to mention, HEB has nasty produce… it’s NEVER fresh!)
My husband did a research paper in college that compared Hyvee (local grocery), Wal-Mart and Target on basic items.Bread, milk, eggs and so on. He was SURPRISED that Target was cheaper than Wal-Mart. Granted that was a few years ago, but it made me believe.
Hy Vee is expensive. They have 50% off Kellogs or Keebler sales and often the everyday price at Target is still cheaper.
Personally- Wal-Mart drives me crazy. The lines are long, no one ever helps you and some of the customers are scary. However they do carry items that Target doesn’t.
No store can carry every product. And Dove soap is expensive no matter where you buy it. I have never seen Dove on sale for a great price.
FYI the Target here started carrying an UP and UP brand for Dove. It is a little cheaper and I thought it was pretty similar. I’d buy it again- I can use an UP and UP coupon.
I live in Houston also and I respectfully disagree with the other poster about the great prices at Target. While some of their sale prices are reasonable, those of us that have been couponing a long time and are more experienced couponers, have seen the great deals of a few years ago disappear and their prices in general increase. Unless it’s a sale item, I rarely find anything in Target that beats the prices of Walmart or HEB. And many times I can purchase items…like Dove Soap…..free at Walgreens or CVS with coupons and reward bucks. The last time I was in Target, I was looking for organic green beans and they were $1.99 a can! That’s higher than Whole Foods! The organic maple Syrup was several dollars higher than Walmart. I could go on and on as I am always comparing prices, but as I said Target seems to lead the pack in high prices as of lately.
Also, we eat a lot of produce, mostly organic and I must say that I’m not impressed with the organic produce at Target. It doesn’t appear or smell fresh. The berries are often moldy and even the organic bananas aren’t as good as the ones at other stores.
Probably the most annoying aspect for me regarding Target is that they are often out of stock on some of their good sale items or items that result in free/cheap products with coupons. The shelf is left empty for days/weeks before they restock an item (usually after the sale has ended). I spoke with a Target employee about this issue and he acknowledged that he gets many similar complaints, but that the warehouse doesn’t send enough product for the more popular sale items. So for this reason and the other reasons I mentioned, Target has gone from one of my favorite stores…..to one of my least favorite.
Not sure where all of you do your shopping, and not sure why you are all jumping on IG because in the El Paso area, Target is on average, 50 or higher per item than Walmart! OCCASIONALLY I can get a great stack/man coupon deal at Target, but overall, I save at least 40-60% at Walmart on groceries with coupons and price matching. Target is expensive, and NONE of our grocery stores double here. I have been an extreme couponer for over 13 years, and Target doesn’t cut it here. Glad you all are getting your prices there tho Wish we had better prices, lower prices and a store that actually would double. Add that to the fact that AZ-NM-Tx/El Paso has the WORSE coupons in the nation, it is tough to save down here. It can be done with lots of diligence and work tho! 9Example- three weeks ago a friend sent me a SS from Michigan- there were 40+ coupons in the insert- we had 11 here!) Best advice for people in our area: Learn Walgreens coupon policy (I got over $2300 worth of merchandise in January for less that $70- allstuff I needed). Learn to price match at Walmart and use your overage to your advantage. It will rock your savings- Target here, pick and choose their deals. Usually I can pm to Walmart and do it all in ONE trip.
Michelle i agree! Walmart does have some pretty scary people.
I am currently shopping for 10 people, adn we go through so much milk! Target Always has the cheapest milk.
Even if the prices are cheaper and walmart the quality is not there for a few cents difference at Target. Up & Up is cheap and great quality! I don’t want to bash Walmart but the workers help you at Target and are so nice!
I love shopping for things at Target vs Walmart. First, I can combine coupons . I don’t buy everything I need at Target, but do find some pretty awesome deals there. Never has there been an instance at Walmart when I have used coupons, that a manager doesn’t have to be called over, or the coupons are subject to the cashiers approval. I will go to Wally’s for a few cleaning things, craft stuff – but only if I don’t have current coupons for Michaels or Target.
At least at Target, we have MFG’s and TG’s Q’s that can be combined. I find this most helpful at times.
For groceries, as a rule, I stick with Fry’s and Safeway – unless TGT simply has DIVINE deals! I do not buy meat there, however – but do shop the dairy, frozen, produce, dry goods.
I think it just depends on your Target and it’s staff.
I am fortunate to have two very good stores here in Arizona that are close and the staff is awesome.
Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Target.com or Target, nor am I employed by them or compensated by them to publish content found on this site.
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A $5.00 gift card does NOT make up for the sky high prices on things like Dove bar soap, etc. Target must think consumers aren’t very savvy. The vast majority of consumers know a good deal from a bad deal!!! Recently, a Target store associate told me, “Our grocery prices are like convenience store prices but not quite as high.”
Honestly, if you don’t like it…don’t shop there…. There are things I buy at Target and there are things that I don’t, because I know I can get them cheaper else where. Not an issue….unless you just feel like complaining…which you seem to be doing…
I agree with Katie. I love shopping at Target.. and I have compared prices with other stores, like Walmart for over 5 yrs now and Target is the majority of the time cheaper. You have to know how to pull your calculator out and do the math. Just because something is on sale does not mean it is a better deal. You have to do the fine calculations.
For those of us in the Pacific Northwest, Target prices in the grocery and Health & beauty departments are usually about 20-30% less expensive and sometimes even half the cost of the grocery stores.
I agree with both comments, I have learned to pick and choose what to buy at Target, and it is still always my go-to place for those unexpected purchases I need to make when there are no sales, because their everyday prices are much lower than the places that usually have rock bottom sale prices, so it balances out. Plus, I love shopping there for the toy deals and clothing deals that you can get sometimes when they offer coupons on those items
Sometimes Target can be a little more expensive for some items. When I use store + mfg coupons together, I always come out ahead. I’m notorious for finding repackaged items and pairing with a coupon or 70% with coupon. The staff is friendly, the store is clean, and I can get everything else I need. I don’t have time to drive across town to go to wal-mart which isn’t much cheaper. Besides, I save so much on coupons, I can afford Target. I’m scared of being shot at any of the DFW wal-marts. None are safe after 3p.m. Not to be too terrible, but I can never get my cart past all the people in the carts. I would rather pay a little extra on very few items than get stuck behind a million cart people.
For the cottonelle roll covers, I don’t think you need to go online or send anything in. At my Target, they had the roll covers sitting on the shelf above the toilet paper.
Wow…I would love to know where IG does their shopping then, since Target prices are rather reasonable here. Very similar to Wal-Mart, and way cheaper than Giant Eagle, which is the main grocer around here. My Target doesn’t have produce or meat, so I can’t do all my shopping there. I pick and choose where I get what. All 3 stores are in the immediate area, so for that I am lucky.
Targets deals are way better than walmart they have clearance stuff all the time too and their service beats walmarts as well, my friend and i always have problems at walmart with Qs. We dont even go to walmart unless we absolutely know there a great deal there.
My target in Washington, MO had the roll covers right there to pick from
JoAnn…Giant Eagle can be high, are you in an area where they double coupons? Also, they take savings star or cell fire coupons I think (I don’t have a GE here
but my friend LOVES shopping there) She is in NE Ohio
Angel, yes GE doubles coupons here, but they are getting so strict. Like you can’t use more than 1 like internet coupon and no free or bogo printables. But there are deals to be had, that’s for sure. I just wouldn’t want to pay the regular price on stuff there!
IG please realize that you can save a lot at target…I just came from shopping there tonight and my total was $71.63 and I paid $16.42….
I got a lot of stuff for only $16.42….
I used 18 coupons…..
You can save a lot at Target but only with sales and coupons. Other than that in my area Target is higher than Walmart on everyday prices but lower than most of the grocery stores. I have to honestly say if I’m looking for something not on sale I’ll hit Walmart first (they are right near each other) because the prices are generally lower than Target. It just all depends on what’s on sale and what you have coupons for. Target seems to be more seasonal too in some stores. There are things I can find all year round at Walmart but only certain times of the year at Target. Both stores are good to shop at for different reasons
Here on the West Coast our Target beats Walmart and other grocery stores hands down (with the exception of fresh items). Yes, there are a few things that are over priced, but every store is like that. I noticed today that eggs are $.75 or more cheaper at Target than Safeway. I always check the ad and the blogs before leaving for the store. With a little planning and a store and manuf. coupon I can walk out of there with items for next to nothing. The biggest part of shopping in general is you need to know your prices. If you buy at the right time and know your price points you really can make off with a good haul at Target.
A year ago we switched from purchasing all our items at Super Walmart to purchasing all our items at Safeway (mostly just fresh items) and Target. I spend at least $400 a month less and I get 2x as much items.
@Brenda- I’m curious what you bought!
I was just talking to my MIL about prices at different stores. She told me that she was shocked by some of Targets prices compared to our local grocery store. I told her that yeah there are some things at Target that are cheaper and there are some things at the grocery store that are cheaper. If you find the ones that are cheaper at each place, then you can save a lot of money from that alone. Then watching for sales and coupons can save you a lot more. I love TT because it goes beyond what they have advertised (which are rarely the best deals at Target!) and on to the stuff that’s on price cut and what not. About a year ago I bought an XBOX 360 and Kinect bundle and it was on a 3 day sale with a $100 GC and a free game. Target didn’t advertise that, I knew about it from TT! Just like the seeds of change rice that is on sale, not an advertised sale, but at 75% off, it’s a lot better than advertised sales! I almost never buy meat at Target because of the outrageous prices, but I’ve realized that and look for meat deals elsewhere. Each store has their own sales and knowing who is the best when you need the item is the way you’re going to save the most. I typically think that Walmart’s every day prices are a little bit cheaper than Target’s, but not worth the hassle of going there (and we do NOT have much extra money/month, so if somethings not worth it in terms of money savings, there must be a big reason against it!). I don’t like Walmart. I know my cashiers at Target (almost all of them) and I know a few to avoid so I don’t have issues with q’s (one of the managers!) I don’t typically care about shelf price because I almost never pay that!
Our Target store is somewhat of a joke when it comes to groceries and just about everything else. It’s not a Super Target. Bananas, apples, etc. are sold by each, not by the pound because our store has no scales to weigh anything. I’m in central Texas. H-E-B is the major grocery store chain here.
I will go to Target over Walmart any day, even if it is a little more on some items. Mostly because I know Target is a clean store and they have excellent customer service.
I go to Target over WalMart (anyday!) mainly because of the cleanliness of the store and the fact that its drama free. Each time I go to WalMart there is some type of drama unfolding. I use coupons for most of the items I buy and hord my gift cards for bigger purchases and always use my Target debit card. I love shopping there. I don’t shop there for most food, only the occasional sale/clearance item. I scan the outskirts of the store for the best deals and walk out happy not annoyed.
Target in my area is typically a little higher than Walmart. I get what’s on sale there and use coupons so it works to be pretty economical. I then supplement with 2 local markets (Price Chopper and Aldi). I use my coupons to get the biggest bang for my buck. We have a Walmart with grocery, but I usually avoid it at all costs. I just hate everything about it.
Target in my area is usually a little higher than Wal-Mart but I would rather support a store with ethical practices who gives back to the community and fosters customer relations!! Target has my heart (and money)!!
So, I live in Houston and have two Targets close to me. I LOVE my SuperTarget! The groceries are usually cheaper (by a lot! EVEN over HEB) and their sales beat the pants off most of the other stores around here. I do have a small list of things that I buy from other stores b/c they are cheaper than Target, but overall, Target IS cheaper. It’s a matter of price comparison and shopping on sale items with coupons. The regular Target (with the pathetic grocery selection) is fine for pre-packaged foods, but not for fresh groceries. The SuperTarget is definitely the way to go for those kinds of things. As for the gift card deals, if you have coupons, it’s well worth it!
You WILL end up making money on most deals. Just don’t buy it if you won’t use it, then it’s wasteful. If you are skeptical of Target, go write down ALL THE PRICES of what you buy at HEB and then go write down a comparison of the prices at Target. You’ll see the difference! (Not to mention, HEB has nasty produce… it’s NEVER fresh!)
My husband did a research paper in college that compared Hyvee (local grocery), Wal-Mart and Target on basic items.Bread, milk, eggs and so on. He was SURPRISED that Target was cheaper than Wal-Mart. Granted that was a few years ago, but it made me believe.
Hy Vee is expensive. They have 50% off Kellogs or Keebler sales and often the everyday price at Target is still cheaper.
Personally- Wal-Mart drives me crazy. The lines are long, no one ever helps you and some of the customers are scary. However they do carry items that Target doesn’t.
No store can carry every product. And Dove soap is expensive no matter where you buy it. I have never seen Dove on sale for a great price.
FYI the Target here started carrying an UP and UP brand for Dove. It is a little cheaper and I thought it was pretty similar. I’d buy it again- I can use an UP and UP coupon.
I live in Houston also and I respectfully disagree with the other poster about the great prices at Target. While some of their sale prices are reasonable, those of us that have been couponing a long time and are more experienced couponers, have seen the great deals of a few years ago disappear and their prices in general increase. Unless it’s a sale item, I rarely find anything in Target that beats the prices of Walmart or HEB. And many times I can purchase items…like Dove Soap…..free at Walgreens or CVS with coupons and reward bucks. The last time I was in Target, I was looking for organic green beans and they were $1.99 a can! That’s higher than Whole Foods! The organic maple Syrup was several dollars higher than Walmart. I could go on and on as I am always comparing prices, but as I said Target seems to lead the pack in high prices as of lately.
Also, we eat a lot of produce, mostly organic and I must say that I’m not impressed with the organic produce at Target. It doesn’t appear or smell fresh. The berries are often moldy and even the organic bananas aren’t as good as the ones at other stores.
Probably the most annoying aspect for me regarding Target is that they are often out of stock on some of their good sale items or items that result in free/cheap products with coupons. The shelf is left empty for days/weeks before they restock an item (usually after the sale has ended). I spoke with a Target employee about this issue and he acknowledged that he gets many similar complaints, but that the warehouse doesn’t send enough product for the more popular sale items. So for this reason and the other reasons I mentioned, Target has gone from one of my favorite stores…..to one of my least favorite.
Not sure where all of you do your shopping, and not sure why you are all jumping on IG because in the El Paso area, Target is on average, 50 or higher per item than Walmart! OCCASIONALLY I can get a great stack/man coupon deal at Target, but overall, I save at least 40-60% at Walmart on groceries with coupons and price matching. Target is expensive, and NONE of our grocery stores double here. I have been an extreme couponer for over 13 years, and Target doesn’t cut it here. Glad you all are getting your prices there tho
Wish we had better prices, lower prices and a store that actually would double. Add that to the fact that AZ-NM-Tx/El Paso has the WORSE coupons in the nation, it is tough to save down here. It can be done with lots of diligence and work tho! 9Example- three weeks ago a friend sent me a SS from Michigan- there were 40+ coupons in the insert- we had 11 here!) Best advice for people in our area: Learn Walgreens coupon policy (I got over $2300 worth of merchandise in January for less that $70- allstuff I needed). Learn to price match at Walmart and use your overage to your advantage. It will rock your savings- Target here, pick and choose their deals. Usually I can pm to Walmart and do it all in ONE trip.
Michelle i agree! Walmart does have some pretty scary people.
I am currently shopping for 10 people, adn we go through so much milk! Target Always has the cheapest milk.
Even if the prices are cheaper and walmart the quality is not there for a few cents difference at Target. Up & Up is cheap and great quality! I don’t want to bash Walmart but the workers help you at Target and are so nice!
I love shopping for things at Target vs Walmart. First, I can combine coupons
. I don’t buy everything I need at Target, but do find some pretty awesome deals there. Never has there been an instance at Walmart when I have used coupons, that a manager doesn’t have to be called over, or the coupons are subject to the cashiers approval. I will go to Wally’s for a few cleaning things, craft stuff – but only if I don’t have current coupons for Michaels or Target.
At least at Target, we have MFG’s and TG’s Q’s that can be combined. I find this most helpful at times.
For groceries, as a rule, I stick with Fry’s and Safeway – unless TGT simply has DIVINE deals! I do not buy meat there, however – but do shop the dairy, frozen, produce, dry goods.
I think it just depends on your Target and it’s staff.
I am fortunate to have two very good stores here in Arizona that are close and the staff is awesome.
YMMV