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Target: Black Hole of Shopping Doom

June 6th, 2013 at 10:58 pm

The Target weekly ad showed that the toilet paper I like (one roll lasts an average of 9 days in the master bath and about 14 days in F's bath) is on sale massively. But I'm a little afraid to go in there because Target has a magic spell on it that makes you buy more than you intended.

I also need kleenex and unscented wipes.

I'm sure there is something else I also "need." A slippery slope!

Several hours later:
I am back from Target. And I bought only what I went in for: toilet paper, kleenex, unscented wipes. You are probably wondering how I achieved this miracle...

Strategy 1 - I made a list which read: toilet paper, kleenex, wipes, nothing else. This totally did not work. Here are the other things that I was drawn to: cute girls' clothing (shopping for F is my weakness), the dollar bins (oh how I love the dollar bins), stationery section, pyrex glass storage containers (ultimate goal is to replace all of our tupperware with these).

However, Strategy 2 kicked in...

Strategy 2 - I decided to go on my way to a meeting which meant I had ten minutes to get in an out. With my superior knowledge of Target's layout (this is sad, but true), I whooshed past the dollar bins (slight pang in my chest) and the girls' clothing (that would look so cute on F who already has enough clothes for at least two girls and only ever wears capri leggings and a t-shirt). I grabbed the wipes, then did a loop to the tp/kleenex aisle. Then it was like a race to the registers (a lot like Supermarket Sweep - remember that?). I actually fingered a set of round pyrex storage containers, but got back on course, just eyed the stationery aisle in passing, and got in line with only what I meant to buy!

(And made it to my meeting on time).

9 Responses to “Target: Black Hole of Shopping Doom”

  1. MonkeyMama Says:
    1370556785

    Way to go!!

    I have a personal rule to never use a shopping cart in Target. This means I have at times looked ridiculous, and had employees often ask if they could get me a cart. Big Grin {I will use one basket that I can carry}.

    I haven't had much trouble with it lately because I am really feeling *over* the whole retail thing. {I can't tell you exactly how I got here, but is just where I am at the moment}. BUT, the last couple of times I did go I took the kids and they were kind of hellacious. Maybe that works for quick in and out too.

    BTW, welcome to the blogs!

  2. creditcardfree Says:
    1370557891

    I was going to ask why you were by the dollar bins when you needed toilet paper? I know the Super Target layout pretty well too. Target is my main shopping store for food, so I actually don't get into the other sections unless I NEED something from that end of the store...otherwise the frozen veggies thaw!

    Welcome to SA!

  3. LuckyRobin Says:
    1370558029

    I would not buy Pyrex from Target anyway. See if you can find a Corningware outlet store. They carry the Pyrex containers at much better prices, especially if you are going to go all the way over to no plasticware or Tupperware. I was shocked by the difference in prices when I did it.

  4. Buendia Says:
    1370558913

    Ha! I am going to try going cartless next time! (Main strategy is to stay out of there, though).

    In our Target (not a Super Target - we live in a smallish city) the dollar bins are right in the entry - ugh. The toilet paper is at the far, far end of the store from the entrance. They recently rearranged everything.

    I love the tip about Pyrex. I just googled Corningware outlet and unfortunately our state isn't on the list! (Figured it might not be). But I will check it out when I'm visiting family in California next time!

  5. Tightwad Kitty Says:
    1370569130

    I went to our Target and Big W here yesterday and end up with only what I planned to buy in both.

    I wanted to buy a sandwich Jaffa maker and have been pricing them for the last few trips to the city. in the end I found the best price at Big W and did plan to buy next time I was in the city. but as I had a few minutes before my next bus home. I walked the 5 minutes to the store bought yesterday. I had been into that store twice that day but only bought that item and went for my bus and still had 15 minutes to wait for it.

  6. M E 2 Says:
    1370572989

    ALL the Targets in my area have the dollar (section) bins right near the entrance, so pretty hard to miss them. :/

  7. My English Castle Says:
    1370573952

    Oh those dollar bins--they're so seductive. And why oh why (I guess we know why) are the girl's clothes almost unavoidable? Because we buy them on impulse! Think about what's at the front of almost every Target. Hmmm- jewelry, bags, girl's clothes. They've got my number. I try to walk REALLY fast by them. Sometimes it works.

  8. Buendia Says:
    1370576397

    I'm not a big spender, but still trying to curb those Target impulses. I think my Strategy #3 is knowing that I'll post on this website - accountability works!

  9. ohsuzannah Says:
    1370611291

    The dollar bins are right by the entrance in our Target....

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