Over the past several weeks we have been rolling out more Target stores across the United States for GCU’s in-store pickup offering.  Card buyer feedback has been very good and both GCU and Kodak are very happy with the results to date.  There have been a few kinks but we’ve addressed them quickly and proactively.  As of today, we have all available Target stores online.  There are approximately 1,050 stores of which 469 were added this week.  These 469 stores are still considered in test mode as they have not gone through the process of having a card ordered, printed and having someone physically look at the printed card.  
 
We could use your help!  
If you live near one of these 469 stores (View the 469 Stores) and would like to help,  please place an order selecting the in-store pickup option for pickup in the store near you (if the store does not show up when selected it could be offline for maintenance reasons so you will have to try again at a later time).  Pick up the card, examine it for quality and send GCU your feedback.  Post on this thread the Target location near you that you’ll be testing so other artists do not test the same store.
 
There are three specific things to examine:  
1.      is the image on the front of the card centered with the white border being very close to symmetrical around the image (it will not be exact but to the naked eye pretty close)?
2.      is the text on the inside of the card straight?
3.      make sure the paper used is scored greeting card paper and not flimsy photo paper and not perforated paper
 
To give us your feedback please email us at Support@greetingcarduniverse identifying:  
1.      Your artist id#
2.      Target store address and store number (found at check out and on your order confirmation email – it is the #TXXXX number)  
3.       if the front image is centered
4.      the white border is symmetrical to the naked eye
5.      if the inside text is straight
6.      paper quality used (remember Target uses 100# cardstock vs. GCU that uses 111# cardstock).
 
Provide any other comments as to the quality of the card or pickup process that you think are relevant.  If needed, please send us a picture of the card.
 
Kodak’s service team will similarly be testing these stores over the next couple of months.  
 
Your assistance is greatly appreciated and needed!  Thank you very much.
 
If you are interested in all 1,050 available Target stores you can go here - Complete list of stores.  If you want to see available Target stores near you, click on In-store pickup in the top header of any GCU page and type your zip code into the "Find Store" area.
 
Mike

That is very exciting!  I see at least 2 stores that I can test and will do so after our upcoming vacation!

Thanks for the info,  Mike!
 
And for Sandra, enjoy your vacation!
 
Penny

Mike,
I ordered a card to be printed at #239 (Columbia, MO).  After the order was processed it was going to be printed at #752 (Jefferson City, MO).  I called the Jefferson City Target and they said the Columbia, MO photo lab was now closed down.  He also said their lab in Jefferson City would be closing next month.  So I cancelled my order.  No need to evaluate either Target photo lab since they are now closed or will be closing.
Jay

I am testing a couple of cards at TARGET #T2201  
4801 Mcknight Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
412-536-1807
 
There is another one I was planning to test, but while it shows on your new list, Mike, it does not show up as an option in my cart at checkout, so I will wait. 288 Mount Nebo Pointe Rd, Pittsburgh, PA
 
I will let you know what I find out when I pick up my order.
 
 
 

For everyone's benefit - I wanted to share with you how great the cards were the I picked up. The card stock was of a good weight, and the printing was good color, centered properly and everything looked and felt good and professionally printed.  
 

http://business.financialpost.com/2012/07/12/target-announces-full-list-of-canad ian-store-openings-for-2013/
 
Discovered this and wonder if these branches will be part of the grand plan...

Are there some Target stores that are not included in this deal? My local one is not listed in either list.
Target
(262) 248-5610 target.com
660 N Edwards Blvd, Lake Geneva, WI 53147
Did I miss something?
Candy

Really good information about Target coming into Canada.  To date there has been no discussion of this.  It is probably too early.  I will though make sure it is on the discussion list with Kodak.
 
Thank you,
Mike

Thank you Sandra and Mike! That's a little disappointing, I was looking forward to testing one of my cards for GCU.  

OK, GREAT!  
 
Let's work on getting the Battle Creek, Michigan store to participate!
 
 

Hi Sandra,
 
Do you know the zip code? I would be happy to check for you. If a Target is removed it is usually due to the printers being down or some sort of maintenance that is being done. As soon as everything is working correctly the store will become available online again.
 
Kindest regards,
 
KC

I'm nowhere near a Target store, weep, weep because I love Target. But today I sold a Korean card at a Target store, that was fun.