A teacher says she was banned for life from Anthropologie and its associated brands after cutting a security tag out of an online purchase. Viewers say they’ve also been banned by the retailer for similar offenses.
Why was the teacher banned for cutting out security tag?
In a video with over 118,000 views, TikToker Anna Bellucci (@annabellucci_) says she was banned from making purchases on Anthropologie, Free People, or Urban Outfitters in 2018 after she recieved a pair of overalls with a security tag still attached.
She explains that she purchased the overalls for a theme day at the school she taught at.
“I paid for expedited shipping. They came and I was really irritated because this had happened to be two or three times within the past several months. I order clothes from them, and there was a security tag,” she laments.
She calls customer service and demands an immediate refund, which they agree to. However, with theme day approaching, she decides to cut the security tag out and wear them.
Bellucci decides to be honest about her DIY alteration to the overalls and reaches back out, letting the brand know they can recharge her card. However, the customer service worker says they can’t. She sends the overalls back with the security tag cut out.
“Since that time, I’ve never been able to buy anything from Anthropologie online again,” she says.
Bellucci remarks that she still buys from the brands by circumventing the ban and even promotes their products on her social media accounts. However, she notes that using a fake email, her husbands credit card, or a private browser no longer works.
She offers an apology and asks the brand to un-ban her.
Has Anthropologie banned other shoppers?
In the comments, other former Anthropologie shoppers say they were also banned from online shopping for bizarre reasons. On the subreddit r/UrbanOutfitters, many posters claim they’ve been banned from Anthropologie’s sister brand, too.
“I ordered white sneakers from free people… blue ones showed up. I returned them, got banned for returning the ‘wrong’ sneakers. Tried to let them know that no you sent me blue ones, but banned for life anyway. Every order canceled,” one shares.
“They delivered broken furniture to me, said they’d get a resolution back to me. Never did. I disputed the charge, which is why they finally got back to me to offer to PAY FOR MATERIALS FOR ME TO FIX IT. I said no and kept the CC dispute which was settled in my favor. Now I can’t by anymore. Honestly they’ve saved me thousands,” another writes.
“OH MY GOD SO AM I!!!!!!! Bc urban outfitters claimed I never sent back a freaking SHOWER CURTAIN that they sent me on accident!!!!” a third adds.
In a follow-up video, Bellucci says she was shocked to see how many other shoppers were also banned.
“The number of comments I got from people who are in the same boat over far less serious offenses is insane,” she remarks. “I had no idea the extent of Anthropologie’s ability to hold a grudge, to be spiteful. It’s bizarre.”
@annabellucci_ @anthropologiehome @anthropologie can you please forgive me? Consider this my Anthro apology. I've done a lot of growing up in the past 7 years and I'm too old and tired now for all the games, I'll pay you for the overalls (I actually have also called several times over the years and tried to pay/ begged random customer service associates to lift the ban ?). Come on now let's put this behind us and wipe the slate clean because I really need new Nellie hooks and I've got my eye on one of your brass semi flush mounts? Please tag anthro and implore them to show your girl some mercy ? #anthropologie ♬ original sound – annabellucci_
The Mary Sue reached out to Bellucci and Anthropologie via email for further comment.
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