Readers had mixed feeling about whether or not I should use a $20 Target gift card that requires me to set up a wedding registry (I’m not engaged), but ultimately provided an ethical solution.
Laura’s perspective is that I’d be earning the money. “I would use it. You did go through the trouble of opening the mail, reading the exclusions, etc. Besides, if you are willing to go through the hassle of using the registry, I say go for it.”
Evie, who is boycotting Target, said even if she did patronize the store it wouldn’t be worth her time. “Since I won’t shop at Target, if I got something like that it the mail, it would go in the trash. Besides, I don’t think it would be worth the time to set up a registry.”
Mike is willing to take on the challenge if I pass. “To heck with boycott or karma…Target has challenged you to give them info on yourself and your likes. Use it using a extra email address you might have set up but rarely check. I just went to the registry and looks simple enough and should be able to add many items and be done with in under 10 min and for that you get $20 bucks… i say go for it … or ship it to me and let me play their game.”
Becky thinks I should acknowledge the card was sent to me in error and trash it. “I really cannot believe everyone thinks you should use it! NO, you should NOT. I love coupons, but creating a wedding registry just to get 20 bucks? YOU are not engaged. It was sent to you in error. It also says you may not transfer it to a friend… throw it away. What if it was $20 for creating a baby registry and you were not pregnant? Would you create a fake baby registry to get $20? Is it any different?”
Tahrer has a clear conscious. “Sending it to your friend would be very generous. However, I don’t think it would be considered wrong if you use it. That is because the qualifications only specify that a registry must be made. Once you perform the qualifications then you have a right to use it.”
Renee Strange had the best idea yet. “Since you’re torn on the issue, ask the clerk at Target what THEY think. My bet is they’ll shrug their shoulders and say, no problem! It’s an opportunity for them to make money.”
I’m going to do that Renee! Thanks for so many great ideas, everyone.
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price. 
Use it and create a “Gift registry” for yourself. If you friends or husband don’t know what to get you over the next year, they will have a list!
Sends Target business and you end up getting items you want and need :O)
I’m for living in the truth. just toss it. and the less you think about this, the less clouded your mind will be – making room for more important things? that’s my first take.
Sign up for the registry.. put something on it that you actually will purchase.. and then go purchase it with your gift card! A lot of the times they send those things out as a marketing technique, maybe if you find you really enjoyed the experience, you will tell other brides/ future moms etc. and the word of mouth marketing will have worked. You earned the $20!
I like your conclusion – go for it 🙂
Don’t know why they sent that to you, cause not everyone got that card (I didn’t get that card). The Co. must think you are engaged – sounds like a mistake to me. I would call customer service and find out about that before I’d use the card. I have no issue with Target, it’s silly how people boycott Co’s. People and Co’s have a right in this country to support whomever they want to support (period). To make a public display is just drawing attention to yourself. If you don’t like a co’s practices – don’t shop there, but don’t try to disrupt other people’s shopping!
I would use it. It was sent to you, and I’m sure that you can find some things that you can use at Target.
Target is willing to pay you for information. Since we give so much info away for free, I don’t see a problem with this. Target invites customers to complete their surveys every time you shop. I don’t see any ethical dilemma here at all.
I’m boycotting Target too – for sexism. This is another example of it. Encouraging a woman to get married??? That’s disgusting.
But…$20 is $20… I would say just give it to a financially challenged friend if you can get away with it. It’s not a big deal.
Just by you posting this Target has gotten a lot of press!
I would copy all of the responses and email them to Target’s Corporate Customer Service and ask them what you should do. Tell them the truth. 90% of the time when I am in a situation like this I tell the truth to the company and they are thankful for my honesty and I get the coupon or money or whatever it is.
Just have to add my two sense. I have done secret shopper stuff that require me to do things all the time even though I would never do those things. I have had to set up Bridal Registries, etc., while giving fake wedding dates, etc. and this was all per the instructions of the particular service that was paying for my services as a secret shopper.
So, I don’t see how this is any different.
Go for it! It is up to them to do a better job of marketing to the right groups or individuals.
If you sign the wedding registry, do you list any names, like the groom? Will all you info be fake?
Wha if you really wanted to register at Target at some later date, what then?
Don’t use it. Take the high road.
After reading all the posts on this and the original blog question, I think you’ve reached a reasonable conclusion. By asking the company (employees) directly, you’ll be able to find out whether you can use the card with a clear conscience. Only one small thing… Is all this hassle worth only $20 of merchandise?
Use it. Even if Target did send it by mistake, it’s their mistake but I think they’ll just appreciate the business it may create anyway. Someone said to register gifts that you would like to receive. I think thats a GREAT idea and a win win situation. You can use the giftcard to buy one of those items and it will also provide a convenient list of things you want (maybe for your birthday, Christmas, etc) Target gets the sales……..they won’t care if it’s purchased for a wedding or not! …………..hey, how can I get one of those gift cards, lol???