How Does Target Pickup Work?

how does target pickup work

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Table of Contents

What is Target Order Pickup? How does target Pickup work?

If you’re looking for the answers to these questions, you’ve come to the right place.

I wrote this article to explain Target Order Pickup, how it works, and how to order from the Target website and app. I will also explain the difference between Target Drive Up and Target Order Pickup.

Let’s begin.

How Does Target Pickup Work?

Target Order Pickup lets customers pick up their items in-store. Almost every Target store has Order Pickup, allowing customers to pick up purchases at their chosen store.

You can use Target Order Pickup to purchase items from the website or the Target app and pick them up at a nearby Target store, saving you a ton of time.

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(Source: Target)

How To Buy Products Through Target Order Pickup

Here’s how to purchase items through Target Order Pickup.

  1. Shop on the Target website or app and choose the pickup-eligible items.
  1. Choose the nearest and most convenient store. Target will notify you once your order is ready. 
  1. Go to Guest Services to pick up your order after receiving the confirmation.

Note: It can take select stores up to six hours to prepare your items.

How To Order From the Target Website

Here’s how to order from the website using Target Order Pickup:

  1. Go to the Target website and sign in to your account (or create one if you don’t have one).
  1. Find the item(s) you want, and choose the color, size, and quantity (if applicable).
  1. Click the Pick it up or Ship to Store option on the product’s page. 

The default store for pickup will be the one you chose previously. You can enter a city, state, or ZIP code to search for new stores.

  1. Choose Edit store to view nearby store pickup alternatives.
  1. Continue to Checkout and place your order.
  1. After receiving a pickup notification, go to the store to pick up your purchase.
  1. Visit Guest Services or the specified pickup location of your selected store to collect your item(s). You will receive information on the pickup location through email once your order is ready.

How To Order From the Target App

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Here’s how to order from the Target app using Order Pickup.

  1. Sign in to your account (Ensure you have the app’s latest version on your mobile device.).
  1. Find your item(s), then choose the color, size, and quantity (if applicable).
  1. Click the Pick it up or Ship to Store option on the product’s page. 

The default store for pickup will be the one you chose previously. You can enter a city, state, or ZIP code to search for new stores.

  1. Choose Edit store to view nearby store pickup alternatives.
  1. Continue to Checkout and place your order.
  1. After receiving a pickup notification, go to the store to pick up your purchase.
  1. Visit Guest Services or the specified pickup location of your store to collect your item(s). You will receive information on the pickup location through email once your order is ready.

How To Check Local Target Store Availability

Here’s how to check store availability on the Target website and app.

How To Check Local Store Availability on the Target Website

Check an item’s availability at particular Target stores using the Check other stores function on Target’s website.

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  1. To see if it is available in your store, go to the product details page for the item on the site. 

The inventory of the store you’ve selected as My store will appear immediately at the top of the page.

  1. To find inventory at a different store, click Edit on the product details page for the item. 
  1. Enter a ZIP code or city and state. Select Find stores to browse stores or look for a new store. You’ll receive a list of stores that stock the item.

How To Check Local Store Availability on the Target App

  • Search for an item on the Target app and visit the product details page to see if an item is available at your store. 

The inventory of the store you’ve selected as My store will automatically appear at the top of the page.

  • Here’s how to locate inventory at a different store.
  1. Go to the Account tab.
  1. Switch your My Store to the store you want to look up. 
  1. Go to the product details page and check the item’s availability at the top of your screen.

Note: Supplies are limited, and availability is subject to sudden adjustments. Thus, Target can’t guarantee data accuracy of production. To verify the availability of an item, I recommend you call the store.

How Does Target Curbside Pickup Work?

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(Source: Target)

Target Drive Up is the name of Target’s curbside pickup service. 

This service allows you to pick up items at the designated pickup curb of your selected store.

What Is the Minimum Order for Target Drive Up?

There’s no order minimum, and the Target Drive Up service is free. 

You can also place drive-up orders using Target Circle offers and digital coupons.

(Source: CNBC)

You can use Drive Up at Target by placing an order using the Target App. 

The service is accessible through the Target app and at select stores. If your store offers the Drive Up service, here’s what you can do.

  1. Visit the product detail page to find the Drive Up option.
  1. Search the Target app for the item(s) you want.
  1. Drive Up will appear under Pick it up for eligible products.
  1. Select Drive Up, then pick Add to cart.
  • You can add one backup grocery item per item on the Target website.
  • Once you place your order, you can add a backup item. Target will only charge you for a backup item if the original one is out of stock.
  1. Follow the prompts to finish your order.
  1. You’ll receive a push notification once your order is ready for pick-up.
  1. Inform the Target employees you’re on your way to avoid waiting long. Open the app and select I’m on my way to get your order ready for pickup.
  1. Stop at the designated parking spot with the Drive Up sign. A Target associate will bring your order to you.

Can I Cancel My Target Drive Up or Pickup Order?

Yes. You can cancel your Drive Up or Pick Up order on the Target website and app.

Target will also cancel your Pickup order if you don’t pick up the items within the pickup window.

Target holds Drive Up and Order Pickup orders for three (3) days, provided they don’t contain fresh groceries. If you don’t pick up your order within three days, Target cancels the order and refunds you via your original payment method. 

You can extend your pickup window by another three days via the Order details page on your Target account. However, you can only extend your pickup window before the end of the initial window.

If your order contains fresh grocery products, Target will only hold your order until the end of the next business day. If you don’t pick up the order before the end of the next business day, Target cancels it and refunds you via your original payment method.

You can’t extend pickup windows for orders containing fresh products.

How To Cancel Your Target Drive Up or Pickup Order

Here’s how to cancel your Target Drive Up or Pickup order, whether on a desktop, laptop, or mobile device.

How To Cancel Your Target Drive Up or Pickup Order on the Target Website

  1. Go to the Target website and log in to your account. 
  2. Go to Orders.
  3. Click the order you want to cancel to see the Order details page.
  4. Choose Request cancellation.
  5. Choose your cancelation reason, and then click Cancel item.

How To Cancel Your Target Drive Up or Pickup Order on the Target App

  1. Open the Target app on your mobile device and log in to your account.
  2. Tap Purchases in the Account/Name tab.
  3. Choose the order you want to cancel to see Order details.
  4. Tap Cancel items.
  5. Choose your cancelation reason.
  6. Choose Cancel items.

Note: Alternatively, you can cancel your order by calling Target Guest Services at 1-800-591-3869 and requesting an order cancelation. 

Target Order Pickup vs. Target Drive Up: What’s the Difference?

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(Source: Target)

The difference between Target Order Pickup and Drive Up is that customers can pick up orders through the Target app in-store. 

Target Drive Up lets you order products through the Target app in the same manner, except associates deliver the items to your car.

You can purchase eligible Drive Up products at the location of your choice. You can pay your orders once you pick up the items.

Target prepares “Drive Up” orders within two hours of order placement. 

Expect longer wait times if the pickup store is crowded, especially during holidays.

What If I Don’t Claim My Drive Up or Order Pickup Purchases?

If you don’t pick up your order within three days, Target will cancel it and return your payment in full. 

Target won’t cancel and refund orders with fresh groceries until the end of the following business day.

If you include items from the Starbucks Café in your Drive Up order, Target can only keep them for 30 minutes after order placement. After that, they will dispose of the items.

On your Order details page, you can extend the pickup window for orders without fresh items by an extra three days. You must complete this action before the original pickup window closes. 

Note: You can’t extend orders for fresh groceries.

Some Target stores provide fresh grocery items for pickup for a limited selection of products, including milk, cheese, fresh produce, and frozen food items.

Target Curbside Starbucks Order

You can add a Starbucks order to your Target Drive Up order. 

Order through Target Drive Up order and add your preferred Starbucks beverage. 

You’ll get a notification asking you to add a Starbucks order when you confirm (through the Target app) that you’re on your way. 

Choose the add for Drive Up option after choosing your beverage; it will be ready when you arrive.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What if I Order an Item and It Isn’t in Stock?

Target cancels an order if the items are out of stock. The store sends you an email to notify you of the situation.

What Do I Need To Bring To Pick Up My Order Pickup Order?

Show the Guest Services associate your Mobile Wallet barcode or the following valid IDs.

  • Government-issued photo ID
  • State-issued driver’s license
  • State-issued ID card
  • U.S. passport
  • Military ID
  • Certificate of Citizenship
  • Certificate of Naturalization
  • Permanent Resident
  • Green Card
  • Native American Travel Photo ID

Can Someone Else Pick Up Your Target Curbside Pickup Order?

Choose Edit pickup or Add pickup person from the Order Pickup Info drop-down menu during Checkout

A screen will appear where you can manually enter a pickup person or pick from your saved shopping partners list. 

Choose Save and proceed after checking the box next to the shopping partner who will pick up your order. As soon as you complete your purchase, Target saves your shopping partner info and informs the individual they have an order they can pick up.

They can pick up your order with a valid photo ID. 

You can also add a pickup person after receiving the email notification that your purchase is ready for pickup.

Can I Use Coupons With Target Drive Up?

During checkout, you can add any valid discount or promotion on the Target website or app. You can’t use physical coupons, but you can use Target Circle offers on Target Drive Up or Order Pickup purchases.

How Can I Get Free Target Gift Cards?

Target gives free promotional gift cards when you pick up orders. Orders now include a free promotional Target GiftCard for eligible items. 

Target will email you the gift card number and access code, which should automatically load to your account.

Do You Tip Target Drive Up?

Yes, associates accept tips. 

In addition to rating your shopper, Target encourages you to tip them if satisfied with their service. 

You can tip your shopper in cash when you receive your items.

Note: Shoppers keep 100% of their tips. 

Here’s how to tip from the Target website.

  1. Access your Target account.
  2. Select Orders.
  3. Select the Online tab.
  4. Select the order you want to tip.
  5. Select Rate & tip your shopper and follow the prompts.

Here’s how to tip from the Target app.

  1. Access your Target account.
  2. Select the Online tab under Purchases.
  3. Select the order for which you’d like to tip.
  4. Select Rate & Tip and follow the prompts.

The Bottom Line

I hope I’ve made it easier to understand Target Order Pickup and Drive Up and how the two services differ.

Regardless of your chosen service, both are convenient ways to shop and save time.
You should also know Target’s store hours for an even more convenient shopping trip.

Written by: Omar Deryan

Founder of OJ Digital Solutions

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