There are countless reasons why shoppers adore Target. It’s stylish, offers a wide range of popular products, and provides both brand-name and store-brand items of good to excellent quality. Overall, it tends to be a pleasant shopping destination. You can easily spend an entire day at Target, leaving with everything on your list plus a cart full of additional finds.
Nevertheless, after reviewing customer feedback, employee advice, expert opinions, and social media comments, we’ve identified 8 items that might be overpriced at Target. It’s something to keep in mind when shopping—after all, everyone loves getting the best value for their money.
8 Things Insiders and Shoppers Advise Against Buying at Target
1. Beauty Products
Target is ever-expanding its beauty product selection, with many stores now housing mini-Ultas within their footprints. However, according to MSN, some customers have reported that certain products from name beauty brands are more expensive at Target compared to other retailers, including Ulta themselves. This includes popular skincare brands, like La Roche-Posay and CeraVe, and makeup brands, like Nars and Urban Decay.
As one employee wrote on Reddit: "I work in the Beauty section. We don’t have testers for any makeup products (except one line) or skin care items. The sheer amount of guests that open, use, and then put back makeup/skincare is tooooooo many." They added:" If it was me, I would only order the makeup online and never buy it in the store. your chances of getting an opened product is pretty high considering we can’t catch and salvage all of them!"
2. Up & Up Brand Razors
Target's brand of household items may be cheaper than other name brands you'll find on the shelves, but according to some shoppers, what you save in money you'll lose in quality. "I wouldn't recommend buying the giant bag of single blade disposable razors," wrote one Reddit user. "Yes, they're cheap... but it's like shaving with an angry cat wrapped in barbed wire." Yikes! This may be a product that's worth a bit more money for a higher quality.
3. Up & Up Brand Diapers
Diapers are another product where spending a little more can ensure you get high quality. Based on a study by GearLab Baby, the Up & Up diapers are lower quality than leading brands like Huggies and Pampers. "This product did not perform well in our tests for absorption or leaks, two critical performance metrics for diapering," they warned. On top of this, Up & Up diapers may even have more common skin irritants.
4. Pet Supplies
Your pet is a cherished member of your family, making it essential to provide them with top-quality food, treats, and accessories. Pet enthusiasts suggest that Target may not be the ideal store for these products. Cheapism notes that the store typically has limited options when it comes to brands, sizes, and more—and on top of this, their prices usually aren't very competitive, either.
You're probably better off going to a specialized pet store for your furry friend. One employee on Reddit said they found cat litter "stacked" on "top of bags of pet food" at a Target location. Another wrote: "Cat litter shouldn’t be on its side either."
5. Books
Target is not particularly famous for its extensive book collection, and it seldom provides discounts on its literary offerings. In contrast, booksellers such as Barnes & Noble and Amazon frequently initiate sales and promotional events.
One customer on Reddit wrote: "The book we purchased for our kiddo was priced at $18 in the store today while on target.com it was $9 as it was on all other online stores."
6. Party Supplies
It's clear that Target offers a wide variety of charming party and craft supplies. However, their prices leave something to be desired. For your next gathering or craft night, you might find it more economical to visit a party supply store or a specialized craft shop.
"If you're looking for specific supplies like paint brushes, acrylic paints, stitching supplies, and other craft goods, you're better off heading to a devoted store," consumer analyst Julie Ramhold told Best Life.
7. Greeting Cards
Is a loved one's birthday approaching? Consider looking for greeting cards somewhere other than Target. Financial advisor Andrea Woroch informed Best Life that cards at Target can be as pricey as $7, while other retailers offer more affordable options. Take the Dollar Store, for example, where "You're looking at getting cards for as little as $.50 each."
She has some other advice regarding card shopping, too: "My tip—plan for 6 to 12 months in advance. Think ahead about all the events, holidays, and celebrations you have coming up, and pick up the necessary greeting cards for each. Generic birthday cards work great for any person, too." Got it!
8. Gift Wrap
When it comes to birthdays and special events, there's another item you might want to buy elsewhere: gift wrap. Similar to greeting cards, you'll probably need to spend a bit more for wrapping paper at Target. According to Woroch, Walmart has slightly cheaper options, "but the best deals on gift bags and tissue paper are at the dollar store," says Woroch.
Plus, "If you're looking for higher quality and thicker wrapping paper, head to a discount store like T.J.Maxx or Ross, where you can get nicer quality for less."
The Bottom Line
Overall, while Target remains a favorite among shoppers for numerous reasons, it doesn't always offer the lowest prices on popular brands and products.
Although price matching is an option, it's typically more successful during the holiday season. Therefore, for these 8 specific items and categories, it's wise to compare prices at other stores to secure the best deals.
