Target RedCard Debit... What's the catch?

[irishabigail]

Hi all! I've heard wonderful things about buying Disney GCs at Target using your RedCard. I only just realized that there's a debit card option. What I've read is that you attach it to your bank account, and then it works like the debit card you already have. Is this correct? Are there any fees? What's the catch? (I just can't believe they'd give me 5% off without there being one...)

Thanks in advance y'all!

 

[kkandaj]

I wondered this same thing. I just got one about a week ago. I got 5% and I didnt' have a transaction fee or a 0.25 fee like my bank usually charges for debit cards. I've only used it once. I really just got it for the free shipping.

 

[angierae]

I wondered this same thing. I just got one about a week ago. I got 5% and I didnt' have a transaction fee or a 0.25 fee like my bank usually charges for debit cards. I've only used it once. I really just got it for the free shipping.

The gimmick is that they don't have to pay the Visa fees. So giving you 5% is cheaper than paying Visa if you use your Visa card. Plus it gets people to shop there more often.

 

[LJSquishy]

There is no catch. No fees, no weird stipulations, etc. It works just like a normal debit card. When you do use your RedCard debit though, it does take 2-3 days usually for it to post to your checking account so you have to keep track of your purchases. Other than that, it's great.

 

[Disneefun]

If you read their privacy policy closely, you'll find the catch which is this: They can and will sell your information to anyone they choose (whether related to Target or a third party) and you can only choose to opt out of a small portion of it (and they're betting you won't choose to opt out of that).

It's a money maker for them. They not only get out of paying the Visa/MC fees, they make money off of selling your information. Everything has a price. It's up to you whether or not 5% is worth it to you.

Privacy policy: http://www.target.com/redcard/debit-card-privacy-policy

 

[Golf4food]

If you read their privacy policy closely, you'll find the catch which is this: They can and will sell your information to anyone they choose (whether related to Target or a third party) and you can only choose to opt out of a small portion of it (and they're betting you won't choose to opt out of that).

It's a money maker for them. They not only get out of paying the Visa/MC fees, they make money off of selling your information. Everything has a price. It's up to you whether or not 5% is worth it to you.

Privacy policy: http://www.target.com/redcard/debit-card-privacy-policy

And whatever little bit of spam I may get in the mail as a result is a small annoyance (not really an annoyance, our two year old loves to throw spam into the recycle bin when we check the mail) compared to the annual savings we get. Almost 80% of our normal grocery and household shopping goes through target. We save hundreds of dollars per year. I don't mind a few pieces of mail I'm just going to recycle anyway.


Other than that, there is no catch.

 

[JanaDee]

If you read their privacy policy closely, you'll find the catch which is this: They can and will sell your information to anyone they choose (whether related to Target or a third party) and you can only choose to opt out of a small portion of it (and they're betting you won't choose to opt out of that).

It's a money maker for them. They not only get out of paying the Visa/MC fees, they make money off of selling your information. Everything has a price. It's up to you whether or not 5% is worth it to you.

Privacy policy: http://www.target.com/redcard/debit-card-privacy-policy

Yes, this.

I am a frequent Target shopper, but have avoided getting a Red card for the above reason.

 

[bas71873]

And whatever little bit of spam I may get in the mail as a result is a small annoyance (not really an annoyance, our two year old loves to throw spam into the recycle bin when we check the mail) compared to the annual savings we get. Almost 80% of our normal grocery and household shopping goes through target. We save hundreds of dollars per year. I don't mind a few pieces of mail I'm just going to recycle anyway. Other than that, there is no catch.

I agree. And honestly, whatever spam they are sending me, either snail mail or email, I don't notice it. Junk mail gets tossed and my spam filter catches junk email? Combine my red card with the target cartwheel app and I'm a happy shopper. I went to target today and my total rang up to $159. After my cartwheel app was scanned and I ran my red card, I paid $132 and got a $5 gift card for one of my purchases. Win, win for me!

 

[Swimalie]

Yes, this.

I am a frequent Target shopper, but have avoided getting a Red card for the above reason.

I normally won't do anything that will spam me but I have had the Target credit card for over a year now and haven't noticed any increase in junk mail or spam.

As for what the catch is, it's a debit card. Not as safe as a credit card.

 

[disneyfab]

No increase of spam for me either. Not thrilled about that, but love saving the extra 5% and free shipping.

ETA: Not thrilled about the selling of info, not the lack of increase in spam, lol.

 

[kkwis2]

I agree. And honestly, whatever spam they are sending me, either snail mail or email, I don't notice it. Junk mail gets tossed and my spam filter catches junk email? Combine my red card with the target cartwheel app and I'm a happy shopper. I went to target today and my total rang up to $159. After my cartwheel app was scanned and I ran my red card, I paid $132 and got a $5 gift card for one of my purchases. Win, win for me!

Not meaning to hi-jack the thread (I started using the Target debit card about a year as well and love it! I do a lot of grocery shopping and even an extra 5% helps.)

Back to hi-jacking the thread ~ what is this cartwheel app you speak of??

 

[stacielee]

Also, if you purchase online and use Target gift cards to pay, you get 5% off the full purchase price and free shipping. If you buy in the store, you get 5% off whatever balance you have after applying Target gift cards.

 

[bas71873]

Not meaning to hi-jack the thread (I started using the Target debit card about a year as well and love it! I do a lot of grocery shopping and even an extra 5% helps.)

Back to hi-jacking the thread ~ what is this cartwheel app you speak of??

It's an app that (I believe) is only available to access if you log in via Facebook. I got signed up for on my laptop first and played around there first because I find it easier to read. Then I downloaded the app to my phone. I LOVE it.

Basically, it's additional savings of varying amounts, on top of the 5% you get with your red card. You can browse by catagories and then you put items you may want or need in your cart and then the cashier will scan the app when you check out.

At first, you are only allowed 11 (I think) items in your cart (and you can buy up to 5 of those items with the discount applied). But, the more you shop, the more cart space you earn.

For example, Market Pantry milk is in my cart and is 5% off (then I get another 5% with my red card). I always try to remember to check the app or on my computer before I head to target to compare with my shopping list to add or remove things from my cart that I may or may not need.

Today, I noticed that they had cute scarves that offered an additional 25% of, so I put those in my cart. I ended up getting 3 of them for DDs dance teacher for Christmas gifts. They were $14.99/each and so with the app and my card, I got 30% off each scarf!

Also today, large bags of Mars Halloween candy were another 10% wit the app. I noticed at the store that if you bought two, you also got a $5 gift card. So I bought two bags at $9.99/each and saved 15% and got a gift card.

It takes some work, but once you get used to remembering to look at the app before you go to the store, it's worth it!

 

[imsayin]

It takes some work, but once you get used to remembering to look at the app before you go to the store, it's worth it!

I have used the app after I fill my cart. Check the app to see if anything I'm already buying has an extra discount. This prevents me from overspending .

 

[dpswift]

It's an app that (I believe) is only available to access if you log in via Facebook. I got signed up for on my laptop first and played around there first because I find it easier to read. Then I downloaded the app to my phone. I LOVE it.

Basically, it's additional savings of varying amounts, on top of the 5% you get with your red card. You can browse by catagories and then you put items you may want or need in your cart and then the cashier will scan the app when you check out.

At first, you are only allowed 11 (I think) items in your cart (and you can buy up to 5 of those items with the discount applied). But, the more you shop, the more cart space you earn.

For example, Market Pantry milk is in my cart and is 5% off (then I get another 5% with my red card). I always try to remember to check the app or on my computer before I head to target to compare with my shopping list to add or remove things from my cart that I may or may not need.

Today, I noticed that they had cute scarves that offered an additional 25% of, so I put those in my cart. I ended up getting 3 of them for DDs dance teacher for Christmas gifts. They were $14.99/each and so with the app and my card, I got 30% off each scarf!

Also today, large bags of Mars Halloween candy were another 10% wit the app. I noticed at the store that if you bought two, you also got a $5 gift card. So I bought two bags at $9.99/each and saved 15% and got a gift card.

It takes some work, but once you get used to remembering to look at the app before you go to the store, it's worth it!

I was told that you start with 20 cartwheels. Cart wheel is in addition to Manufacturers coupons, store coupons and Target online coupons. If you have a smart phone you can add and subtract coupons in the store.

DD had a tendency to overdraw her checking account with her red debit. The overdraft fees add up I think it is $30 a time. As far as span I have had the debit for several years and use it 2 to 3 times a week and I do not get much spam.

 

[3boymthr]

It's an app that (I believe) is only available to access if you log in via Facebook. I got signed up for on my laptop first and played around there first because I find it easier to read. Then I downloaded the app to my phone. I LOVE it.

Basically, it's additional savings of varying amounts, on top of the 5% you get with your red card. You can browse by catagories and then you put items you may want or need in your cart and then the cashier will scan the app when you check out.

At first, you are only allowed 11 (I think) items in your cart (and you can buy up to 5 of those items with the discount applied). But, the more you shop, the more cart space you earn.

For example, Market Pantry milk is in my cart and is 5% off (then I get another 5% with my red card). I always try to remember to check the app or on my computer before I head to target to compare with my shopping list to add or remove things from my cart that I may or may not need.

Today, I noticed that they had cute scarves that offered an additional 25% of, so I put those in my cart. I ended up getting 3 of them for DDs dance teacher for Christmas gifts. They were $14.99/each and so with the app and my card, I got 30% off each scarf!

Also today, large bags of Mars Halloween candy were another 10% wit the app. I noticed at the store that if you bought two, you also got a $5 gift card. So I bought two bags at $9.99/each and saved 15% and got a gift card.

It takes some work, but once you get used to remembering to look at the app before you go to the store, it's worth it!

You are not quite getting the full 10, 15 or 30 or whatever % off. Cartwheel is x% off after physical coupons (both mfg and target) and any internet coupons then after that they give you the red card % so say you have a cartwheel for 5% off detergent which is on sale for $5 and you have a target coupon for $.50 off and a mfg coupon for $1 off and you have the red card. They would take off the mfg coupon, then the target coupon, then the 5% for cartwheel then the red card which would work out to a savings of $1.84 off the detergent but the total combined red card and cartwheel % savings off the sale price of the detergent would only be 6.5%. If you don't have the coupons the savings would be 9.75% - close to but not quite 10%.

 

[3boymthr]

I was told that you start with 20 cartwheels. Cart wheel is in addition to Manufacturers coupons, store coupons and Target online coupons. If you have a smart phone you can add and subtract coupons in the store.

DD had a tendency to overdraw her checking account with her red debit. The overdraft fees add up I think it is $30 a time. As far as span I have had the debit for several years and use it 2 to 3 times a week and I do not get much spam.

I think this varies by your bank. My bank only charges me $10 if I overdraft.

The other drawback I have noticed with the redcard is it doesn't debit from your bank immediately - there is a 2 to 3 day lag which means if you don't tell DH you went to target and spent $X and he looks at the balance at the bank ATM and not in the check register you could end up with an overdraft.

 

[bas71873]

You are not quite getting the full 10, 15 or 30 or whatever % off. Cartwheel is x% off after physical coupons (both mfg and target) and any internet coupons then after that they give you the red card % so say you have a cartwheel for 5% off detergent which is on sale for $5 and you have a target coupon for $.50 off and a mfg coupon for $1 off and you have the red card. They would take off the mfg coupon, then the target coupon, then the 5% for cartwheel then the red card which would work out to a savings of $1.84 off the detergent but the total combined red card and cartwheel % savings off the sale price of the detergent would only be 6.5%. If you don't have the coupons the savings would be 9.75% - close to but not quite 10%.

No coupons used today. But what you are saying makes sense. Kohls cash works the same way. They take kohls cash off the total first before giving you the % discount.

But, I'm looking at my Target receipt right now and I did save the entire 25% off the scarves and the full 10% off the candy. I'm not a coupon clipper so this works for me. And those darn coupons that target spits out at the register are never for things I buy. I can't figure that one out. I don't have babies anymore. I don't need diapers???

 

[3boymthr]

No coupons used today. But what you are saying makes sense. Kohls cash works the same way. They take kohls cash off the total first before giving you the % discount.

But, I'm looking at my Target receipt right now and I did save the entire 25% off the scarves and the full 10% off the candy. I'm not a coupon clipper so this works for me. And those darn coupons that target spits out at the register are never for things I buy. I can't figure that one out. I don't have babies anymore. I don't need diapers???

They probably are rounding. It probably works out because the amount is so small. I have a feeling though that if you were buying something expensive (say over $100) then it might not work out to the even amount.

Yeah, I never use those coupons either. But I also get store coupons in the mail from them and I print them off their website as well - those ones drive me crazy though as I never know until I print them off if they are mfg or store.

 

[kkwis2]

Thank you for the explanation! I'm not on Facebook, so I won't be able to do it, but it sounds enticing!