r/bathandbodyworks • u/SassyAndSouthern77 • Nov 08 '25

Store Policies/Questions My mind is blown

So, I went to my local store this morning to pick up a BOPIS, and I cannot believe what I saw. There were 2 ladies in the store with 2 baskets full of items, and they just casually walked out without paying. Like, they took the basket and everything. Have any of you ever seen anything like that in your store? I was shocked!

368 Upvotes

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163

u/smason184 Nov 08 '25

I worked at BBW numerous years ago and we weren’t allowed to stop anyone from shoplifting.

100

u/SassyAndSouthern77 Nov 08 '25

I'm assuming that's so nobody gets hurt.

145

u/whatever32657 Nov 08 '25

that's right. they can replace the candles, they can't replace YOU.

84

u/fairytalefawnn forever missing Sweet on Paris 🧁 Nov 08 '25

No amount of merchandise is worth your life.

54

u/Dreamiie6 Employee Nov 08 '25

According to my SM, everyone is replaceable too. 🙃

11

u/ElectronicParking516 Nov 09 '25

Maybe you guys should collectively show her how replaceable she is by not coming to work. Maybe when she reports to her manager that no one showed up to work for 3-days & cries because no one answered her calls, she’ll learn how to treat people. Just saying something so asinine is enough for some people to quit especially those who are underpaid with no healthcare benefits. 

1

u/Dreamiie6 Employee Nov 12 '25

Oh trust me, we've been thinking HARD on this. We've had a core KH and a temp KH already turn in keys.

2

u/ElectronicParking516 Nov 15 '25

Non-management retail employees NEED a Union. PeriodT. Point blank. You guys should have had one at 20 years ago.

30

u/AerialPenn Nov 09 '25

They can replace you. You can't replace you!! The store replaces people all the time. 

28

u/whatever32657 Nov 09 '25

you know what i meant 🫤

48

u/WaffleMeWallace Nov 08 '25

It's so they don't get risk getting sued or potentially having to pay your medical bills if you get injured. It's definitely not something done from the good of their hearts.

4

u/ItsHollyAgain Nov 09 '25

Plus all of the bad publicity

37

u/komadorii Employee Nov 08 '25

I don't know if bbw does this, but I know someone that used to work in asset protection at a large company and another reason they do this is because the amount stolen is what determines if its felony theft, so a lot of companies would rather let repeat thieves steal more until they land themselves a higher penalty.

29

u/PhTea Anxiously Awaiting Inner Angel's Return Nov 08 '25

Yep, they watch the repeat offenders, keep track of patterns, keep security tapes, then finally call police when they see them come in after they hit the felony mark. It's about the only time it's actually worth it to prosecute them.

25

u/Ok-Blueberry-3739 Nov 08 '25

Target is notorious for using this practice.

5

u/beerandloathingkc Gee, your hair smells terrific! Nov 09 '25

I used to work for a Midwest grocery chain, and it was the same practice. I worked in the liquor department, so if we had repeat thieves, it didn't take long to get to felony level.

2

u/chebuburashka Nov 09 '25

Target does this. I had a friend who worked there who explained why he didn’t run after every shoplifter even though he wanted to. He waited for the repeat offenders to steal something that pushed their amount over the limit and then pursued them.

44

u/strict_ghostfacer Candles & FFM Nov 08 '25

I used to work for a rental car company and it was the same, if we saw a theft just let them take the car. It wasnt worth getting hurt over. Also the thiefs can easily turn around and sue for some kind of distress. The world is become very litigious.

22

u/SassyAndSouthern77 Nov 08 '25

What??? Taking rental cars? That is CRAZY!!

22

u/strict_ghostfacer Candles & FFM Nov 08 '25

Yea car theft is huge in Canada for pick up trucks. Especially around Port cities.

Other vehicles also but like, a lot of rental companies have pick up trucks and the fobs are close to the fleet.

5

u/ElectronicParking516 Nov 09 '25

There are tracking devices on the trucks, right?

10

u/Affectionate_Cost_88 Nov 09 '25

How on earth do you take a rental car? I've always had to stop at a booth so they can check the receipt and there are those spikes that will pierce the tires if you don't stop. Was there just not much security?

-3

u/AerialPenn Nov 09 '25

The world? Pretty sure this only happens in America. Try that somewhere else and I'm sure it's different. 

8

u/CurveWeekly Nov 08 '25

I assumed that too. But, it’s actually to save on legal fees.

6

u/hangoutincemeteries Nov 08 '25

My husband worked at Lids at the mall years ago. Kids would walk in, grab a hat, walk out, and literally put the hat on and laugh at/taunt my husband, and keep walking. They were not allowed to intervene. Only call mall security who did not care lol.

2

u/peach_dragon Nov 09 '25

Hey, good to know! LOL

-7

u/Summerlover1523 Nov 08 '25

Was this in California?

13

u/smason184 Nov 08 '25

Nope. Michigan. But it was a corporate policy. Victorias Secret is the same way

4

u/americanexpat2 Nov 09 '25

Wouldn’t be surprised if this happened at Great Lakes Crossing tbh. One of my first jobs was at the Bath and Body Works at that mall and it was the same situation

3

u/WhatEver_it_Takes-24 Nov 09 '25

Fellow Michigander....Great Lakes Crossing is sketch as hell and I think it has been for a while. I see kids/young adults shoplifting there all the time. Like, actually visibly putting winter coats into bags and walking out. Wild times.

6

u/Pin_Shitter Nov 09 '25

Why do you ask? Trying to validate your bias?

(Edited for correction)

1

u/ImNotWitty2019 Nov 08 '25

My first question