Target Unfairly Tagging Consumers as "Resellers"

Consumer alert: in the wake of the Lilly Pulitzer for Target fiasco, Target is cracking down on "resellers". According to Racked, eCommerce Bytes reports that Target is trying to cut down on this type of behavior in the future by banning resellers from purchasing its products. While I think this is good in theory (to try to stem the eBay market) here's the problem: regular 'ol consumers (like me) who order a lot from Target.com (for their own personal consumption) are being punished for this by having their accounts frozen (as mine has) for being categorized as "resellers". I already spent half an hour on the phone today with their customer service department, and the issue still isn't rectified (and honestly, I don't know if it will be).

Let me know if this has happened to any of you out there as well who order regularly from Target.com. Apparently the "new policy" went into effect May 12th. While I do order a lot from Target.com (mostly clothing, as Target never seems to have my size in stock in stores) I end up returning 80% of it in stores due to fit issues.

At this point, I am seriously considering cutting up my RedCard and of ending this blog. I'm just over it, readers. Target does NOTHING to support or help their loyal customers. So why should I support them with a blog singing their praises?

UPDATE: After almost a week, multiple calls to Target's CS line, and help from the Social Media team that monitors the TargetStyle FB page, my account has FINALLY been cleared and I am no longer listed as a "reseller". If this somehow happens to you, I'd encourage you to both call AND leave a complaint on Target's FB page. Honestly, had I not ranted on their FB page, I don't think this issue would have been cleared up.

Coming Soon: Eddie Borgo for Target

This just in from Racked: Target has unveiled its next collab, and it's with accessories designer Eddie Borgo. The line will be different than prior Target collabs in that the collection will consist of pieces of jewelry, accessories, and wall art that can be customized with an array of studs, charms, and totems.

Vogue got a first look at Eddie Borgo's vision for the collab, and it sounds like Target is really hyping the DIY angle. When the collection debuts, the launch site will be equipped with 3-D printing capabilities so shoppers can design their own alphabet charms. There's a social angle, too: customers can upload and share photos of their customized purchases, and others can like them, comment on the designs, and shop them.

"A lot of these charms could be keychains, they could be added to an existing bag, there’s a lot of ways to make it your own," Borgo told Vogue. "There’s this spirit that’s in the air for us, of ‘Maker Culture’; people wanting to customize things themselves, infuse things with their own personal sense of style, really bring their own design sensibility to what they do."

According to Vogue, the collection includes vegan leather zip packs, day sacks, drawstring pouches, backpacks, mini circle bags, large circle bags, D-ring belts, plus a ton of jewelry. Everything is priced from $7.99 to $49.99, and it'll be available online and in select stores starting July 12th. Shown here is the Small Circle Bag for $20, with assorted charms and studs priced from $8-13.

The Look for Less: Jonathan Adler vs. Threshold

Don't get me wrong: I absolutely love Jonathan Adler's designs. But I would never pay $295 for his Orange Greek Key Throw (shown far left) even if it is made of super soft baby alpaca. And especially when I can get a such a similar look with Threshold's acrylic version in "Coral Starfish" (shown on the right) for just $24.99 at Target.

New at Target: Orla Kiely Baby Collection

Not sure when this new collection slipped into stores, but it looks like Orla Kiely now has a line of baby products at Target. Shown here is one of the diaper bags, which has gotten rave reviews on Target.com. The line - which you can check out here - also includes blankets, bibs and crib sets.

The Look for Less: One Kings Lane vs. Threshold

I keep seeing octopus motifs popping up everywhere, especially in home decor. Both of these wonderful ceramic figurines (each around 6" big) would make an elegant accent piece. But the one on the left is from One Kings Lane and will set you back $19, whereas the one on the right is from Threshold (at Target) and costs almost half that (at just $9.99).

Lilly Pulitzer's Plans Post-Target...

Racked reports that despite the incredible success of Target x Lilly Pulitzer's homewares and beach accessories, don't expect Lilly Pulitzer to churn out their signature prints on anything and everything. Bloomberg checked in on the brand's plans post-Target collab, and Lilly Pulitzer execs maintain that they will keep the focus on selling clothes and accessories.

So while Lilly addicts can buy lifestyle items like thermal mugs and wireless speakers on the company's site, Bloomberg asserts that Lilly Pulitzer doesn't intend on permanently branching out to beach gear and home furnishings. The good news is that Lilly Pulitzer is interested in more one-time collaborations in the future where things can get more creative, as seen in the Lilly Pulitzer for Target hammocks and beach chairs.

The frenzy over the Target launch also coincided with a big year of expansion for Lilly Pulitzer. The brand will add six stores this year instead of the usual four stores, and it's also expanding far away from resort towns, as Lilly Pulitzer will soon open a store in Chicago.

Woman Claims Target Stole Her T-Shirt Design...

A stay-at-home mom in Oregon says The Bullseye swiped one of her t-shirt designs, ABC affiliate KATU-TV reports.

Melissa Lay designs, prints and sells her own t-shirts from her garage. Now, she claims mass retailer Target stole one of her designs. Melissa is shown here wearing her own shirt, and holding up Target's version on the hanger.

"(I was) blown away," said Lay, "because as a small business owner (and) a mom, I work hard on every shirt I sell."

A friend of Melissa's found a nearly identical top from a Target store in Seattle. Another found the design at a Target in Texas.

While the designs appear to be the same, there are a few small differences. The Target shirt has a distressed flag, as opposed to Lay's original design. Lay also says the material used to make Target's shirts is of lesser quality than hers.

Another big difference: the Target tank retails for $12.99. Lay's handmade t-shirt is $25. Unfortunately, Lay does not have a copyright on every one of her designs because she says it's simply too expensive.

"I would have to spend thousands and thousands of dollars to fix this, and I still might lose," Lay told KATU-TV. Lay reached out to Target's headquarters in Minneapolis, who encouraged her to write a letter outlining her complaint.