3 Reasons I Don't Shop at Target Anymore

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Target is one of those stores that's long had a huge following for a reason. From the cute home decor to the delicious snacks, there are many delightful items you'll find on the shelves at Target.

Target used to be a store I'd visit somewhat often. But these days, it's rare that I walk into Target. Here's why I've stopped shopping there -- at least in person.

1. My local store is a hot mess

The experience of shopping at Target can vary substantially from one location to the next. In recent years, my local Target has gone from being a well-stocked store to one with shelves that are half-bare much of the time. Not only that, but the store is often a mess. So all told, it's just not a pleasant experience.

If your local Target store has fallen victim to a similar fate, you may have more luck shopping on Target.com. While I've stopped going to Target in person, I do sometimes capitalize on the online deals. And generally speaking, the website's inventory tends to be more extensive.

Also, give other stores in your area a chance if Target hasn't been meeting your expectations.

Walmart sometimes gets a bad rap for mediocre quality, but I've recently gotten some pretty decent buys there. And you might save money on some of the items you're looking for by purchasing them at a warehouse club store like Costco or Sam's Club.

2. The store is too crowded

I happen to live in a bit of a Target dead zone in that there's not a store super close by. Since the closest Target to my home serves a number of towns in my area, the store tends to be pretty crowded. And as someone who doesn't enjoy navigating crowds, that makes for a bad experience.

In fact, I strategically try to do my in-person shopping at times when the stores I frequent tend to have fewer people. When I shop at Costco, I tend to get there right as the store is opening, which often does the trick. And I tend to shop for groceries at 9:30 a.m. after dropping my kids off at school, or I'll shop at 9 p.m. because I find the store isn't as busy at those times as it is in the afternoon or early evening.

If you're someone who doesn't enjoy crowds, then it's important to visit stores strategically like I do, whether it's at Target or someplace else. If you're frazzled due to crowded aisles and long checkout lines, you may not be in a position to think through your purchases carefully. That could result in wasted money or forgetting items on your shopping list.

3. The temptation to make impulsive purchases is too strong

Even though the quality of my local Target has declined recently, it's still Target, which means there's still ample opportunity to go off-list and make extra purchases that aren't good for my budget. Also, when I take my kids to Target to buy clothing, which is one of my biggest reasons for shopping there, they pretty much always want to check out other aisles that lead to me purchasing accessories, toys, or other items that weren't planned.

So now, I basically avoid Target to avoid overspending. I buy my food mostly at a local supermarket and Costco, and when my kids need clothing, I take them to a store that only sells clothing. If I need Target-specific brands (which is rarely the case), I order them online and stay out of the store.

You may love shopping at Target. But if your experience has shifted, you may want to take your business elsewhere. And if you find that you're constantly making impulsive purchases at Target, you may want to shop for food at a store that only sells groceries, or take similar steps to avoid the temptation to add to your credit card bill.

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We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Maurie Backman has positions in Target. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Target. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.