The 31 worst things to buy from Target

According to retail experts, you can be better at the Dollar store or in Walmart.


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What always distinguishes Target from other retailers is that they sell everything you need - and also everything you to want . Maybe you entered to take toilet paper and olive oil, but you left with a set of comfortable pajamas and a new pan too. But purchases of pulses aside, there are certain things that you should avoid in the large -scale store, whether it is too expensive or simply not the best quality. To help you control your shopping list, we have consulted retail experts on what you should not buy from Target.

Read this then: Walmart and Target have a secret hiding place for customs clearance articles .

31 worst things to buy from Target

1. Greeting cards

Valentine's Day greeting card display at a Target
In the race photo / Shutterstock

As Andrea Woroch , A Money economy expert Underlines that greeting cards at Target can cost $ 4 to $ 7 - that's why she says you better buy them at the store at a dollar.

"You are looking to get cards for as little as $ 0.50 each," she shares. "My advice - Plan for 6 to 12 months in advance. Think of all the events, holidays and celebrations you have to come, and take the necessary greeting cards for each. Generic birthday cards work very well for every person. "

2. gift envelope

gift wrap at target
Shutterstock / Melissamn

If you spend $ 7 on a birthday card and an additional $ 5.50 on packaging paper, you could spend almost as much to wrap a gift that the item costs itself.

"Walmart will be cheaper than Target, but the best offers on gift bags and tissue paper are at the Dollar store," said World. "If you are looking for better quality and thicker packaging paper, head to a discount store like T.J.Maxx or Ross, where you can get a more pleasant quality for less."

3. Party supplies and balloons

woman shopping for party supplies with mask on
Ampueroleonardo / Istock

This is another article that Worch says that you can get much cheaper at the Dollar store, especially since you will only use most party supplies and balloons.

She adds that the Dollar store has a lot of balloons and decorations of cute characters for children.

4. Artisanal supply

A box of crafting supplies
Donatas1205 / Shutterstock

If you are looking for craft supplies, Julie Ramhold , A Consumer analyst with transactions, tells Better life That you better head to a dedicated craft store like Michael's or Jo-Ann to mark offers via their many coupons.

And the selection will also be better. "The objective can be good for general art supplies for children - you can easily find Crayola markers easily, for example - but if you are looking for specific supplies such as brushes, acrylic paintings, supplies of supplies sewing and other craft products, you better head to a dedicated store, "notes Ramhold.

5. pet supplies

pet food aisle at target
Melissamn / Shutterstock

Pet supplies - such as toys, food and items like leashes and litter bins - is another department where you are going to have a much more limited selection at Target, especially if you are on the market for high -end products.

"You will get a much better offer when buying animal food packages in a warehouse store like Costco or Sam's Club, and you can even be eligible for a discount when you install car shipments for your animal food Favorite company of online retailers like pet retailers like Chewy, "explains Woroch.

In relation: 5 ways whose layout of the Target store encourages you to buy more .

6. Books

aisle of books at target
Zikg / Shutterstock

Several experts have advised to buy books on Target. Of course, you can always visit your local library, but if you want to have a book, they say it is better to shop elsewhere.

"You better buy these Thriftbooks.com , where you can be used gently for a price fraction, "suggests Woroch.

And apart from prices, Amazon and Barnes & Noble sell thousands of titles that Target does not make.

7. gift cards

Target store gift certificate aisle with various cards.
Dropout

Target, like other department stores and grocery stores, performs an inventory of gift cards near the register. But you would generally be better to shop in a warehouse club like Costco for them, because you will generally pay less than the price of the list.

"For example, you can buy a coffee gift card of $ 50 in Target for the price of the list Or You can take advantage of a membership in the warehouse club where you can find $ 100 of gift cards for $ 80, according to the retailer, "advises Ramhold.

You can also save money on gift cards via an online market like Increase Or Cash cards Where you can buy and sell gift cards. The site can save you 5 to 20% of the value of the card!

In addition, in March 2023, Target was struck by a collective appeal On the allegedly sold sale of false Apple gift cards.

8. Target brand layers

Close up of boxes of Target's Up & Up diapers
Zikg / Shutterstock

Target's Up & Up layers are cheaper than brand names like Huggies and Pampers, but Baby Gearlab I found that they are not worth it.

After testing the layers, they said: "This product did not work well in our absorption or leaks, two critical performance measures for diapers. It is not respectful of the environment either Nor without current skin irritants. "

9. Branded drugs

Woman browsing medicine and supplements in the CVS pharmacy inside a Target store.
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After the Target pharmacy section has been taken up by CVS In 2015, the channel ended its award program, effectively making drugs more expensive and cheaper. So, if you find yourself buying over -the -counter medicines from Target, respect the brand's brand variety.

According to the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA), "approved by the FDA generic medicines Work in the same way and offer the same clinical advantage and the same risks as their brand counterparts. ""

10. Name brand beauty products

Target cosmetics aisle
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"Target offers a limited selection of high -end cosmetics, but you can often find better offers and a greater variety of products in stores like Sephora, Ulta or department stores specializing in beauty products", explains Jeanel Alvarado , the founder and CEO of the new and popular analysis site Boss . AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

"These stores generally have a larger range of brands to choose, and their staff is often well informed and can help you find the right products for your skin type and tone," she adds.

You can also find many brand dupes in the Target Up & Up line. For example, the Up & Up oil -free makeup dissolving sells for about $ 4 , while the comparable neutrogena version is $ 6.89 at Target .

In relation: 8 best target purchase secrets, according to retail experts .

11. Toiletries

a local Target retail store featured an upgraded beauty department, with a section dedicated to mini beauty products a d large open spaces and fresh design.
Dropout

In a price comparison study, Therapy in the apartment I found that the target is not the cheapest place to buy your toiletries. According to their research, in most categories, including toothpaste and bodily washing, Walmart beat Target's prices with a landslide.

12. Electronics

tv sets on display at target
Shutterstock / tada images

Unless you plan to buy electronics during one of Target's vacation sales, it is better to make your purchases of large technologies elsewhere, especially online where you can compare prices.

"You can often find better offers and a wider selection from retailers in specialized electronics or online stores like Amazon and Best Buy," explains Alvarado. "In addition, these specialized retailers can offer better customer service and more competent staff in terms of electronics."

13. Electronic accessories

Woman Holding a Phone Attached to a Portable Charger
Stacestock / Shutterstock

Trae bod ,, smart shopping expert At Truetrae, suggests shopping elsewhere for technological accessories, such as cables and chargers. She notes that these items are generally a better price on Amazon. In addition, the possibility of entering the exact specifications for more specialized items can simplify the purchasing experience and guarantee that you buy the right item for your needs.

14. Kitchenaid stand mixers

mixers and other kitchen supplies on display at target
Zikg / Shutterstock

If you've always dreamed of having a KitchenAid stand mixer, you will probably want to buy it elsewhere.

"At Target, the mega-popular professional stand in the kitchen [5-quarter] is at a price of $ 450 And comes with three standard attachments - a paddle, a whisk and a paste hook, "shared She finds In an April 2023 article. "Meanwhile, at Costco, you can get the 6 -quarter version For only $ 399.99 , with the hook, whisk and standard paddle And You will also get a flexible drummer and a side shield to prevent ingredient spills. ""

15. Nespresso machines

Nespresso coffee machine on a wood counter with a bowl of coffee pods
Jonathanfilskov-Photography / Istock

Nespresso is another cooking brand that it finds more dear in Target.

"For example, the coffee and the manufacturer of luxury nespresso virtuoplus [with 16 coffee capsules] at the price of $ 189.99 At Target, in Costco, you can hang the same Java machine in the same price , but with an additional aeroccino of three miles, 32 coffee capsules, two recycling bags and a voucher of $ 40 in Nespresso.com, "they share.

In relation: The shopping expert shares the best discount hacks that make the target cheaper than Walmart .

16. Decorative pillows

Row of decorative pillows on a store shelf
Pamela in / Shutterstock

Target generally has an entire driveway dedicated to decorative pillows, and their fun colors and their fanciful patterns make it a tempting purchase.

However, Woroch points out that most pillows to launch that she saw on Target do not have a zipper, which means that you cannot put the case in washing.

"They also have cheap loads that are not really as comfortable as an alternative pillow insert at the bottom or bottom," she adds. "Without zipping, you don't even have the opportunity to exchange the insert."

"The best deal on decorative pillows to get high quality is the house or marshals or head for a store store for the pottery barn if there is one nearby," she suggests.

17. Image of frames

Picture frames - funniest gifts
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Target rarely has the best prices on image frames. "You can find similar options for half the price in a discount store like Homegoods or TJ Maxx," explains Woroch. "Also check sales in the craft store Michaels and Hobby Lobby, because you can find many sales on the store and coupons for money."

18. Cute storage incubators

Target Home Decor Things you should never buy at target
Melissamn / Shutterstock

If you hope to pick up cute storage bins, you will probably find a similar selection at prices lower than Marshalls and T.J.maxx, said Minimum mom In a YouTube video.

19. Women's clothing

Folded Shirts on Sale at Target
Melissamn / Shutterstock

The minimum mother also advises to buy women's clothing from Target. "Nothing has resisted the test of time. Nothing turned out to be something that I really like," she said, adding that it was also quite expensive.

In the comments section, several other buyers agree, quoting that their Target clothes did not last.

20. Children's clothing

Cat and Jack sign at Target
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Although the minimal mother admits that children's clothes in Target are super cute, she says it is not worth the price when children come out of clothes so quickly. She notes that Walmart has much more affordable options.

And, in the past two years, the wise tiktors have started publish videos The way Walmart's children's clothing could even become more cute than Target.

21. Carter brand baby clothes

Display of kids' clothing and Carter's baby clothes at a Target store
Tada / Shutterstock images

Carter's has a special clothing collection for Target, but the best bet is to buy this brand directly via the retailer and cut the intermediary.

"While Carter's baby clothes may seem like a flight to Target, buy it directly online at Carter or hold up when Kohl's Run Sales", advises Kristen Gall , a retail expert and shopping for the re -enact service Rakuten .

In relation: Target has a secret sales schedule only unconditional buyers know .

22. Shoes

Sandals display at Target
Melissamn / Shutterstock

There is a good chance that you will not get solid and durable shoes at Target.

"Target has a lot of fashionable shoe options, but sometimes they are not so comfortable, and prices are not always comparable to quality," explains Bodge. "They offer deep end-of-season discounts, however, so if you find a pair that adapts well and is on sale, I say, go ahead!"

23. Luggage

Travel, travel toiletries
Dropout

"Aside from the backpack offers, we have not scored any target luggage offer in the past two years," said Katie Roberts , consumer analyst with Dealnews.com . "This does not mean that Target does not reduce the suitcases, but you can find more coherent luggage sales elsewhere. Amazon, Ebay and Kohl are some retailers where we tend to see offers of out -of -competition luggage."

24. Batteries

Aisle of Batteries
Azja / Shutterstock

When you have overturned the batteries in your remote control or your flashlight enough to be officially dead, it is understandable that you head for the nearest large area store.

But instead, consider your store to a local dollar. While a four counting pack Energizer AA batteries will cost you about $ 5.00 at Target, you could get the Alkaline brand Equivalent for $ 1.25 to Dollar Tree.

Woroch also recommends a warehouse club store like Costco, where she says that you will get the best transaction on batteries at a price per unit.

25. Dollar pulse purchases

bullseye's playground at target
Melissamn / Shutterstock

This section near the entrance to Target which has all kinds of fun and seasonal seasonal items - many of which are intended for children - is called the Dollar Spot, but the name is misleading.

"Many items cost $ 1, but some of the items reach $ 5. Bodge.

26. Brand grocery store

Target shopping cart at Target.
Zikg / Shutterstock

"The Target grocery section offers a mixture of brand and brand products," explains Alvarado. "However, you can usually find better prices on brand grocery stores in other supermarkets or warehouse clubs such as Costco or Sam's Club."

If you want to buy grocery products from Target, think of Market Pantry, their store brand. Market pantry pasta and cooking supplies, for example, are much cheaper than their brand counterparts and always manage to offer the same quality.

In relation: The 10 worst things to buy at the Sam's Club .

27. Target brand salad clothes

hand pouring a cream-based salad dressing onto a salad in a white bowl
Shutterstock / Chris Laykk

Although Consumer reports gave Target Brand Ketchup, mayonnaise and glowing maple syrup, they found that the retailer's salad dressings were very much desired.

"The Caesar of the market gardening was dominated by black pepper and dehydrated spice flavors," the criticisms wrote. "Rather try Trader Joe's Romano, well balanced." As a bonus, the latter is also lower in cholesterol and sodium!

28. Macaroni and Target brand cheese

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese in a Bowl
Brent Hofacker / Shutterstock

According to Eat this, not that! , The macaroni and cheese dinner in the market pantry of the market has a huge 1,250 milligrams of sodium and 130 grams of carbohydrates per box. The version of Market Pantry Deluxe Shells has even more sodium - 2,580 milligrams!

29. Fresh berries

Target retail store in Lodi, California, USA - June 11st 2018: grocery department
Dropout

There are many accounts that Target products are sub-part, and Roberts says that she herself experienced this with fresh berries "which are poorly turned or who are about to do so".

30. Dried fruit

dried fruit and nuts on wood
DC Studio / Shutterstock

The fruits of the dried variety should also be jumped at the target in most cases.

"It largely depends on the quantity you need, but if you are preparing to cook a few lots of cench cookies at cranberries, you would better buy dried cranberries in warehouse clubs like Costco rather That Target ", explains Ramhold. "You can expect to pay about 8 cents more by shopping at OCE at Target on Costco, for example. It might not seem much, but it adds quickly."

31. Meat

Fresh red meat on the shelves of a retail store
Jeff Bukowski / Shutterstock

In a ranking of meat selections in chain grocery stores, Tasting table Put the target in the last place, mainly for his small selection and the fact that he does not have a plug on site.

They say that Target meat comes from "Thomas Foods, the same meat supplier as Walmart and Safeway", so you would better shop for more options that are fresh.

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