When Stephanie Curry tried to buy press-on nails at a Walmart Supercenter in Auburn, Maine, she was surprised to find the product locked behind glass.
After an employee unlocked the case, they placed the product inside a handheld plastic lockbox to be removed by a Walmart cashier at the time of purchase.
Curry shared her thoughts about the punitive shopping experience in a TikTok video recorded in the store and posted on October 14, 2025.
Walmart shoppers reacting to the clip revealed that, while not all Walmart locations follow the same anti-theft protocols Curry observed, many do. Customers expressed frustration over the inconvenience these measures cause.
TikTok users listed various items that require employee assistance to access, including socks, toys, food, cosmetics, and body wash. Many shoppers said the locked cases are such an inconvenience that they resort to online shopping or use in-store pickup options instead. Others stated they were “done with Walmart” and now simply shop at Target.
One user commented, “Yeah, if there’s anything I need that’s locked up at Auburn Walmart, I just go get it at Target. I’m not waiting 20 minutes for tweezers 😂.”
In her video, Curry said, “They put them in this container so I can continue shopping so that they don’t have to worry about their product. That’s how crazy the Auburn Walmart is these days. They’re that crazy with the theft, that they’re literally—you can’t even do anything.”
Her TikTok post read:
> So I was walking in Walmart today, and I went to the press-on nail aisle. They have everything locked up. And if you get an item and you’re not done shopping, they will literally put it in a little locked box. Then you can continue shopping. I think it’s crazy. The measures that have been taken! 🤯 💅 🔒
> #Walmart #pressonNails #Shopping #Security #auburnmaine
Locked cases and handheld lockboxes are driving customers toward online orders and alternative retailers.
One shopper shared, “My Walmart does this too. I either order ahead online and have them put it in my car or I’ll just go to Target.”
Another said, “Our Walmart is sooo locked up. The deodorant is behind glass 😪 how are you supposed to smell them all?”
A third remarked, “That’s all of our Wal-Mart’s here in PA. Everything is locked up and then put into locked boxes, but they still keep the products on top of the cases unlocked 🤣.”
As these security measures become more common, customers must decide whether the shopping experience is worth the hassle or if alternative options better suit their needs.
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