Shoppers unhappy with Target sell-outs

Women love Target. For many, it's their favorite discount store because of its hip fashions and clean layout.

But in the past few weeks, Target's reputation with  many women has lost a little bit of its shine, as frustrated shoppers found it impossible to find its hottest new goods.

The Latest:  Jason Wu

Target has been making headlines for its new designer labels, such as shirts and dresses from designer Jason Wu, who designed Michelle Obama's inaugural gown.

But if you wanted that cut shirt from the TV ad with the black cat print, you needed to get to get to Target early, really early.

Susan LaBonte is one of many women frustrated to find the racks empty, except for some non-Jason Wu handbags hanging on them.  "I saw that it sold out immediately to all these people that were buying these clothes."

A YouTube video that went viral shows a couple buying almost all the Wu merchandise at one Miami Target store.

The same thing happened late last year, when the zigzag Missoni line sold out in hours.

High prices on eBay

Lisa Adams found the Wu collection on eBay, but  prices were as high as $186, three times the original price.  "I did look for it in stores, but didn't find it.  But I hear it's on eBay, which is a little frustrating."

Target tells the Minneapolis St Paul Pioneer Press that it limited online buyers to two items and allowed stores to do so as well, if they wished. A few did.

But retail analysts say it's the hard to find nature of these collections that makes them even more desirable.  If stores had them every day (as Target does with its Michael Graves collection), the line would have the same excitement.

Target won't say what its strategy will be with future designer lines, and if it will make more product available.

Many women, however, say they'd be happy if each store just set limits on how much one person can buy, so they'd have more of a chance.  As always, don't waste your money.

________________________________

Don't Waste Your Money is a registered trademark of the EW Scripps Co.

"Like" John Matarese on Facebook

Follow John on Twitter