*All* Target Stores to Allow Segway Soon

[Logik]

[This is a cross-post with draft.org. I wanted to make sure that people who may not frequent there see this as well]

I'm still in a daze. I can't believe I actually did this!


First, the letter:

Dear Logik's Sister,

Thanks for your patience in this matter. We have contacted Logik and closed this
case.

I have followed up with the Dickson City Target store regarding the
accessability issue at the store. Information has been faxed from Accessability to follow up with team members in regards to the use of a segway in the stores. This will also be implemented in the near future in all stores nationwide going forward.

Team members involved have been addressed by the Store Trianing Lead and HR to address any issues. Again i apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

We always welcome your feedback, so if we can assist you in the future, please contact our Target Guest Relations team at (800) 440-0680. You can also speak with a team member at the Guest Services Desk at your local Target store, or visit us on Target.com. Either way, we're here to help!

Thanks for shopping with us. I hope we'll see you again soon at Target.

Sincerely,

Adam
Target Guest Relations

Now the story:

The other night, I went to Target, to use my awesome transforming Transformers gift card (from my daughter for Father's Day). I was there about 30 minutes. From nowhere I hear: "You can't have that in here." I'd been in this store 2 or 3 times before in the last year. I had just come from Lowe's and Home Depot, both of which I frequent. I go in all the stores in the area with no trouble. I was stopped once in the mall around Christmas, asked if I had a medical need, and was left alone. Anyway, it was a young guy, employee. The abrupt statement took me completely by surprise. Still trying to form words, I just turned and pointed at the displayed placard (I have a copy of my parking placard, to make people aware). He mumbled: "Uh... Ok..." and left, reluctantly. A few minutes later: "We don't allow those in here." It was a woman. Looking up and seeing that she was walking toward me, from the kid, I figured: 1- She's a manager, 2-The kid had to have told her about the placard. Yet, she addressed me as if she just came upon a placard-less guy on a Segway. That fact pissed me off. Through most of the inquisition (you'll see), I literally couldn't speak. Completely forgot about my DRAFT rights card.

To keep the story from getting long... I told her I use it for mobility. She said again that they don't allow them. I just stared, dumbfounded. She asked if I was handicapped, unbelievingly... Then asked if I can't walk at all... Then noted that I have a cane, so I must be able to walk at least some... Then said again that they don't allow them... Followed up with a question as to whether I honestly need the Segway to get around... Followed with a question as to why I couldn't just use the cane, since Segways aren't allowed... Then clarified that they have a "no scooter" policy, explaining "Like the ones the kids have. You know. They try to bring them in." Then said they didn't want Segways in there because they can hurt people and literally said "...and we don't want you bumping into things." as she pointed at the shelf next to me. Then, she asked why I had the placard on. I said it was to make people aware that I'm handicapped. A bit snide, she asked "So... That's for this?" (pointing at the Segway) It's registered or something? That looks like a parking tag." I answered that the Segway wasn't registered and that it was indeed my parking placard. "But that's for your car. It's not for this. Why do you have it on this?" I explained that it was intended to let people know *why* I use the Segway. At various points, she waited for me, like I was going to say "Oh. Ok." and roll on out. I didn't budge.

Ultimately, after sputtering a bit and not expecting that I wouldn't budge (really, it was more because of the shock of the questioning as opposed to intentional defiance, heh), she explained that she guessed I could stay "...for now. But I'm going to have to call corporate" I just said: "Ok." Then she started the placard loop again. Then stated having to call corporate, again, twice, as she walked away, telling me to go back to what I was doing and to "just be careful". She didn't give any indication as to whether she'd be back and I could hear her a few aisles down, talking to other employees, going on about why I said I was using it, about the placard, and about calling corporate later (guess she was too busy).

After a 15 page txt to my wife, who was abroad, I left - dejected, embarassed, paranoid, indignified, and furious.

To summarize, 2 of my sisters wrote looong emails to Target Corporate that night. I wasn't aware. A few days later, planning to go in and speak with a/the general manager, someone suggested I call corporate. The first woman's voice sunk when I told her the tale and she gave a heart felt apology. She said she had to pass me up the chain. I spoke with another woman who was appalled. She assured me that she would contact the store before the day was out and file a report that would go both up the ladder and down, and she gave me a case number. She also explained that they *do* have a "no Segway" policy because of the max speed, but that stores can make independent exceptions to their policies. She said she couldn't see a reason why they wouldn't let me in if I went back and spoke with the "LOD (Lead On Duty)", essentially the shift manager (this included a discussion of the provided rascal things they have and my preference of the Segway, if for nothing other than the fact that it's easier for me). I was satisfied for the time being and figured we'd see where the next visit went. But...

I got a voicemail from Corporate today, as did 1 of my sisters, and the other got the email above:

• The woman was turned over to HR
• All of the employees in the store (stores?) will recieve mandatory training, with this incident as a case study
• The Corporate Accessibility department has reviewed this case, redifined Segways to identify their possible, and valid handicapped mobility usage, and they're officially writing it into their corporate policy!

I can't believe it! Little ol' me (with some sibling support) got Target, the second largest retailer in the country, to change their Segway policy!! *faint* *thud*

There are probably people who haven't had problems with Target, but now you know you won't! Or, at least, shouldn't.

PS - You wouldn't believe the number of people telling me I should sue them. But I tell them this is a question of rights, not money. Doing so would cheapen the whole thing and give people yet another thing to roll their eyes at...

[wwhopper]

The little mouse can move a mountain!

Good Job, on standing your ground. There is no reason that because of your lack of mobility, should you have to defend yourself to be able to spend money in their establishment.

[SegWayne]

Well done!! and yes I can belive the number of people that would tell you to sue.... cudos and points for taking the high road.........

[IcanGlide]

Hmmm.........very interesting. I have been in our new Target store and was never given a second look. I guess it depends on the mentality of the "one in charge." Now Wal-Mart........that was my "Target."

Frank

[Tarkus]

Well done !

Be big,
Alan

[KSagal]

Logik,

Good for you, good job.

"May the bird of paradise fly up your nose..."

[jgbackes]

Thanks for taking the time to contact Target and also posting the results.

[polo_pro]

Let me add my voice to the throng...nice job! Please have your sisters contact DRAFT and give a blow by blow description of exactly what they did to get such a fast (and positive) response from their Target's corporate folks. At this point, I feel you folks should be giving seminars on how to mount a successful campaign to get Segways accepted by big retailers!

ps - If you get good at this, we may sic you on the Mouse....

[DaveA]

FWIW, my local Target has always been courteous. They don't want me to ride in the store (s'okay, I'm not disabled), but they gladly allow me to park it behind the service counter where other customers aren't tempted to play with it.

[hellphish]

I typically walk my Segway through Target in PA mode. I get some odd looks but I've never had any trouble.