A Target shopper shares her disappointment after realizing her $30 shirt doesn’t come with its hanger. She points out a new addition to self-checkout to keep other shoppers from taking theirs, too.
In a video with over 83,000 views, TikToker Meet the Merlinos (@meetthemerlinos) posts a slow-motion video of another shopper scanning their items in the self-checkout area. She focuses on a red box on the side of the register with a white graphic of a clothes hanger.
“Count your days, Target. I paid $30 for a shirt and the associate told me I can’t keep my hanger???” on-screen text reads.
Does Target let shoppers take the hangers?
While many Target shoppers previously snuck the retailer’s plastic clothes hangers into their shopping bags at self-checkout, workers on Reddit say the store asks them to prevent this.
“They recently told us to stop giving guests the hangers, like if they ask, we’re supposed to say no. But none of us are gonna fight about it, and we have a million hangers already anyway. No one cares that you took it,” one worker writes.
However, Target may not even reuse its hangers. In a post on r/Target, one worker reveals a large box full of old hangers in the back room. They question what the store plans to do with the large pile.
In the TikTok’s comments, others lament that Target’s hanger possessiveness may be one way the retailer is cracking down on costs. Target’s sales fell for three consecutive quarters, according to CNN, after the brand decided to end its long-standing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
“Idky ppl are tryna make u sound crazy for wanting the hanger. why would i buy hangers when i can just keep the ones it comes on? i keep 90% of the time. target got money they can buy more hangers,” a commenter writes.
“They could let the hangers go with the clothes but then you’d probably pay a dollar more for the item even tho a hanger is probably 2 cents or less,” another says.
“$30 is nothing these days. I can see where they’d want to keep them. It helps with the added costs the tariffs are costing them,” a third adds.
Do shoppers agree with the TikToker?
Commenters share divided opinions on whether the TikToker should be frustrated about the store’s hanger policy. Some say they always take the hanger home and would be upset if a worker stopped them.
“Honestly I reuse them now so I don’t have to buy more so I hate that I don’t get them,” one writes.
“Always kept the hangers!!!!” another says.
However, other commenters say that it should be obvious that the hanger doesn’t come with the clothing item.
“Right you do realize that you were buying the shirt…not the hanger right?” a viewer says.
“I bought the jeans, aren’t I entitled to the mannequin they were on as well?” another jokes.
In a follow-up video, the TikToker claps back at those who question why she wants the hanger.
“This must be some new generation stuff where they don’t know what shopping in a store is like, because I have never heard of [not taking the hanger]. Ever,” she says.
@meetthemerlinos @target Very cheap, Target ? #target #retail #hangers #shopping #targetfinds ♬ Blue Danube Waltz – London Symphony Orchestra
The Mary Sue reached out to Meet the Merlinos via TikTok direct message and Target via email.
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