Saturday, July 24, 2010

Expect More, Pay Less, Bring Cash

Technical problems at Target caused by the storm (a reader sent this in around 2pm, so the situation may be fixed by now):

Just got back from the new Target store and they're having some technical challenges. According to the store management, last night's storm blew out their T1 system, resulting in the inability to accept any kind of card payment, both debit and credit. At this time, they are on a cash only basis. They did say that AT&T was on-site and working like crazy to try and get it fixed.

It's causing some real headaches for the staff, but they are handling it calmly and professionally. The line for the Chase ATM was rather lengthy, but customers I observed didn't seem to mine too much. They are giving everyone a $3.00 coupon (with no expiration date), for the inconvenience. The cashiers were struggling with running out of $10's, $5's and singles. It makes you realize how long it's been since we used cash - real cash, not debit cash.

So if anyone is planning on going over today, it might be a good idea to get cash ahead of arriving; not sure how long the lone ATM is going to hold out with disbursing $20's.

11 comments:

  1. We were there around noon. When we walked in they told us they were cash only for the moment. By the time we went to check out the cashier told us they were taking card payments under $50, but when we ran our debit card it wouldn't take it unless we ran it as credit. Then as soon as our transaction finished the computer crashed.

    All the staff at the store were very nice and helpful though.

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  2. I was there around 4pm, and they were accepting credit cards, but not debit cards. Still accepting cash, but were still having trouble making enough change.

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  3. They announced debit and credit was now working at around 5pm. They were very happy to announce it and most of the team members cheered and clapped.

    This store is awesome and I am so excited it is open!

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  4. "Bring Cash" has been a constant Wilson Yard theme all along. A lightening strike to reinforce this message seems oddly appropriate.

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  5. good looking store...I'm sure today is the last day the parking lot will be half empty on a Saturday. Here's hoping this is helpful for the 'hood (and yes by the evening all forms of payment were working).

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  6. I must say this is the nicest Target that I've seen around Chicago space wise. Its very well done.

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  7. The Target store is absolutely great. I was very impressed with their food and produce section. A great addition to the neighborhood. The only bad part is I have to walk down Wilson then to Broadway which is a real sh*t hole. Lets hope that changes soon!

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  8. Its great. Foot traffic has increased a lot, and so has auto traffic (even with the lights not working all weekend it has been fine). Lets hope some store fronts get rented and new businesses follow.

    I couldn't help but think that Jewel is going to take a major hit with the size of the Target grocery section. Maybe they will clean up their act in desperation. Meaning, more open checkout lines, better produce, and stop serving booze to the local drunks. Yes Jewel we know you contribute to the delinquency of our neighborhood. You must be living in a fantasy world if you cant figure out the guys walking in EVERY morning at 7:30am are not contributing members of society.

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  9. As I drove by numerous times I can see much more foot traffic and auto traffic due to Target. As time goes on I think it will only increase motivation for other business to fill the now empty store space and force alot of the low-lifes to find another part of the city to hang out in. I am not too happy about the housing part of Wilson yard but target can be a good addition to Uptown.

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  10. I just hope the current candidates can emphasize that they're not against the Target, but the housing itself. You know Shiller (if she runs) will say "They hate target" etc

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  11. Okay, I'm all for the cynical find fault with everything type of mentality of some UU commenters. Sometimes.Having to live in the epicenter of Hell that is Lawrence and Kenmore, I have a pretty bleak outlook on life. That being said, I think it's pretty unreasonable to want a Jewel to go out of business because they serve booze to alcoholics. If I wanted any place to go away and never come back, it would be JJ Peppers with their incredibly marked up, super price gouging ways and attractive panhandling venues. Every day in Uptown, at least one new person shows up with what they think is the brilliant idea to stand in front of Peppers and beg for money, while being very visibly greasy and sunburnt and just overall looking like they were rode hard and put away wet. If a person wants to be a substance abuse counselor, social worker, etc, they can come and cut their teeth on Uptown's finest. I can't imagine growing up and wanting to help these kind of people.Personaly, I no longer have any sympathy for addicts or people who won't take their medication. But' c'mon. Of course, when I go to Jewel, I hit the Edgewater one because I know better

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