Walmart is no stranger to generating buzz when it comes to their anti-theft devices, but did the company take it too far with this woman’s purchase? One TikToker placed an order with the retail giant, only to receive something unexpected–and inconvenient–in the mail.
In a viral TikTok, Cara Barnett (@cara.barnett) shared how she ordered an e.l.f. eyebrow pencil from Walmart. However, when her package arrived, it wasn’t in the typical box she expected. She films her boyfriend holding a transparent security box that Walmart usually stores its beauty products and high-theft items in. He uses some sort of Milwaukee power tool to cut the box and get to the pencil.
Barnett adds in the text overlay, “POV: Walmart delivered your eyebrow pencil in a security box and your man said, ‘Don’t worry, honey. I got it.’” She thanks him in the caption, writing, “Blue collar men fr saving the world one power tool at a time.”
‘The box for an elf product is wild’
Barnett’s viewers were just as surprised as her that Walmart would go through all that trouble for an eyebrow pencil. Barnett revealed in a comment that the product was just $3, so several viewers were confused as to why the security box was needed.
One top comment read, “THIS for an elf pencil is crazy,” while another joked, “The security box is more expensive than the brow pen.” Several pointed out this has happened to them, like one user who commented, “[Walmart] made me do this for a BAR OF SOAP.”
Is Walmart going too far with its security?
Walmart has made headlines before for frustrating its customers with the over-the-top security measures they have employed in recent years. This isn’t even the first time a shopper has received their order in a security box. In 2024, one woman went viral after her razors from Walmart were delivered in the same clear security package. She also DIYed a solution by hammering the box open. The creator ended up getting a refund for her trouble. A Redditor posted that the same thing happened to them when they ordered a Blu-ray DVD.
With the rise of anti-theft devices and more essentials being locked up, folks are either leaving without the product or taking matters into their own hands. One shopper ended up stealing from Walmart accidentally. The woman in question tried to ask for help, and the process became so convoluted, she ended up taking the items home without paying for them.
@cara.barnett blue collar men fr saving the world one power tool at a time ?? @Ben Thompson #fyp #bluecollar #boyfriend ♬ My Kinda Lover – Remastered 2010 – Billy Squier
Walmart isn’t the only retail store that has angered patrons. Target has also come under fire for locking up skincare items, laundry products, and basic essentials. One woman accused the store of “ruining the vibes” by locking everything up. At least one store has admitted that these anti-shoplifting measures may have backfired. In a Q1 earnings call earlier this year, Walgreens CEO Tim Wentworth admitted “that the company’s anti-shoplifting measures may have contributed to lower in-store sales,” per CX Today.
“When you lock things up…you don’t sell as many of them. We’ve kind of proven that pretty conclusively,” Wentworth reportedly said.
The Mary Sue reached out to Barnett via TikTok message and Walmart via media contact form.
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