A TikTok user sparked outrage after posting a hilarious rant about trying to buy a $1.50 nail file at a Walmart, where the glass case was locked to prevent shoplifting.
“This is the future of Walmart,” lamented TikTok user Victoria D’Amore, filming the beauty department at her local store, where the shelves were surrounded on three sides by glass partitions.
“I can’t even go to Walmart and buy a nail file for $1.50 because it’s locked,” she said.
Damore said when she called an attendant over to unlock her case, the attendant was rude and treated her like she was “inconvenience” by letting her make purchases.
“Walmart, you can lock up your stuff, but it’s not your fault that you don’t stop people from stealing from you,” she said, adding that by the end of the exchange, she no longer wanted the file.
It was not immediately clear where the video was filmed, but chain stores in New York and other major cities have begun locking up even minor items to prevent rampant shoplifting.
The video, which has been viewed nearly 100,000 times, struck a chord with frustrated customers who had similar experiences at Walmart and other retailers.
“Half the time you have to wait forever to find an employee to unlock the door. One time I waited 20 minutes to get one item when it only took me 2 seconds,” one viewer commented.
“When you call the key holders they are very rude and say they will come when it’s convenient for them but they never come,” said another.
“If sales drop, go to Amazon.”
Several others said they had stopped shopping in stores altogether, instead ordering ahead and picking up their purchases.
In recent years, a surge in shoplifting cases across the country has led stores such as Walmart, Target, CVS and Walgreens to take steps to lock down inventory.
To access basic items, customers typically have to press a button and wait for an employee to answer and assist them.
Ann An investigation from Inside Edition A survey of New York City stores in the fall found that customers waited up to 15 minutes while waiting for a staff member to assist them, and during one reporter’s visit, it took more than 40 minutes to receive just three items.
