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Pros: Well. .they're online. Hmm. That's about it for that.
Cons: Nightmarish customer service. Added extra for shipping after the sale.
The bottom line: Astoundingly inept service. Target.com seems to be the bastard stepchild of the real world department store.
The problem: We needed to buy a swimming pool in time for my nephew's birthday party. We had 3 weeks to get it there.

Me (online, natch): "Let's check Target. .(tappity tap) Hey! They've got it! AND it's cheaper! AND they can get it here in 7 to 10 days! (commence joyous celebration and fetch credit card).

NEW Problem 12 days later: No pool. No calls from Target. Doleful looking nephew. Hmm. Not so good.

Welcome to my story of my own personal nightmarish experience with Target.com. Prepare to be amazed by their sheer incompetence, blinding ignorance, and balls the size of church bells.

Let me pick up where I left off. We're at the 12 day mark, and no pool. I emailed customer service on day 8, no response. Now we're irritated enough to pick up the phone and find out what's going on.

My representative was initially pleasant. We'll call him Tim. It took him a few nervous minutes, but he did find my order on file. Tim tells me that my order has not been sent out, and has been referred to Accounting. Apparently, my credit card did not properly go through. Tim doesn't know why, and doesn't know what Accounting plans to do about it. Words exchange, and Tim finds his supervisor at my request.

Tim's supervisor is a woman. We'll call her NastyEvilWoman. She tells me that I need to check with my credit card company, and get back to her as to why my card was declined. She also tells me it's not policy to notify customers if there is a problem with the order. Nice policy.

I do just that. Credit card people say Target never put the order in at all. Nothing was declined. I owe no money. I'm not over my limit. And I'm eligible for a platinum card. (sigh).

I call NastyEvilWoman back. She's unpleasant, really. Heavy sighing on her end, I'm obviously an irritant, calling back, and all. Words exchange, and Nasty gives me back to Tim, to put in my order ALL OVER AGAIN.

Naturally, I'm unhappy. I say so to the person in the room with me. I use the word 'godamn'. Tim pipes up from his end on the phone, "Ma'am, I'm going to hang up if you curse again." IMAGINE my restraint. Unparalleled.

Order is submitted for the second time, and seemingly, successfully! I request another of Tim's supervisors for follow-up, (and a chance to complain about my lousy Target experience, again.)

This person is God-like. She apologizes, and is seemingly sincere. She arranges for express shipping, at no extra charge to me. She arranges to have me sent a $10 gift card for my misery. I like GodWoman.

Day 18: $10 gift card arrives. Yay! Freebie! Hmm. No pool.

Day 20: Pool! In good condition! Exactly the one I ordered! Whew.

Not so fast.

Day 32: Credit card statement arrives. Husband (pointing): "Waz zis?" Gah! It's an extra $25 charge for express shipping! GAHHH! The one below it for a $10 gift card!

Called evil, profit-boosting Target people. I tell of shipping charges on bill. Hmm, they say. (clucking noises commence) She shouldn't have told you that. We can't do that, you know, boost up the shipping like that. You gotta pay. (brightly) But the gift card charge was a mistake. We'll credit your bill back.

(calculating) Day 63: No credit on bill from Target. Call Target people, who have never heard of me, my pool, or my lousy overcharge. Tim's successor suggests returning the pool for a complete refund. Righto. No problem.

I'd like to add: If you work for Target, tell someone about me! Get me my money! I'll give you a kickback!

And let customers curse unrestrained when they're seriously unhappy. Venting is good.