The Great Retail Refit: Why No Amount of Signs Can Stop Determined Shoppers
Picture this: your small local supermarket, doors locked, shutters down, and a billboard-sized sign screaming “CLOSED FOR REFIT.” You’d think that would be enough to keep the masses at bay—right? Think again. In the wild world of retail, logic, signage, and even physical barriers are no match for the determined shopper. Welcome to “Refit Hell,” where the customers just won’t stop trying to get in.
If you’ve ever worked retail, you’re probably already nodding and chuckling. If you haven’t, buckle up—because this is a journey into the strange, hilarious, and sometimes baffling world of customer behavior when the “closed” sign goes up.
When “Closed” Isn’t Enough: The Relentless Retail Customer
Reddit user u/MidropeMog recently shared a tale from the trenches of a UK convenience store, where even the world’s largest “CLOSED” sign wasn’t enough to deter a veritable parade of would-be shoppers. Despite weeks of publicity, locked doors, and half-lowered shutters, roughly 40 customers tried to force their way in—some rattling the doors, others limboing under the shutters, and a pair of confused teens even managed to wander the aisles before being gently evicted.
As u/MidropeMog quipped, “I honestly wonder how some people get out of bed in the morning without accidentally setting themselves on fire.” It’s the kind of exasperation only retail workers can truly appreciate, and, as the Reddit comments reveal, it’s far from a unique phenomenon.
Signs, Barriers, and the Blatant Ignoring of Both
It turns out that no matter how many signs you post, some customers will move heaven, earth, and hazard tape to get what they want. Take u/TheManOfSpaceAndTime’s experience: after running out of newspapers on Black Friday, he plastered his gas station with giant “OUT OF NEWSPAPERS” signs—only for people to physically move the signs aside to ask for, you guessed it, a newspaper. “It went as ridiculous as it sounds,” he wrote, and anyone who’s stood behind a retail counter knows exactly how that feels.
And it’s not just newspapers. u/kcvngs76131 recounted a truly wild coffee incident: despite a coffee pot being covered by a heavy-duty bag, locked, and labeled “OUT OF ORDER,” a customer broke the lock, cut through the bag, and helped herself to a pot of “blue coffee”—then complained that no one told her it was broken. As u/headphonesallnight chimed in, “The coffee addiction makes people feral.”
It seems no sign can outmatch the willpower of a caffeine-deprived customer at dawn.
Blackouts, Fires, and Floods—Still Not Enough
You’d think natural disasters or emergencies would finally deter people—but not in retail! u/Time-Space-Anomaly describes customers knocking to complain about closed doors during a total blackout (“Our hours say you should be open!”), while u/Charlie_Brodie remembered being berated for not serving someone during a literal fire evacuation: “But you’re meant to be open, I need this right now!”
Even when the building is flooded, the power is out, or fire alarms are blaring, someone will always try to get in (and will probably be annoyed that you can’t serve them fries or ring up their purchases). As u/MissVixTrix described during a flash flood: “A bunch of idiots forced open the doors, waded in, then bitched because the fridges were turned off (and half full of water) and so were the registers so they couldn’t use their cards.”
The community consensus is clear: if there’s a way in, someone will find it—and if there isn’t, they’ll make one.
Why Don’t People Notice the Obvious? A Community Weighs In
What’s at the root of this phenomenon? Is it willful ignorance, absent-mindedness, or just a sheer determination to stick to routine at any cost? The Reddit crowd had theories (and plenty of snark).
u/Cfwydirk offered a silver lining: “Those people were put on this earth for when you have self doubt about how smart you are.” Quoting George Carlin, u/sdrawkcabstiho reminded us, “Think of how stupid the average person is and realize half of them are stupider than that.”
Others suggested that some folks seem to simply believe rules, signs, and physical barriers are mere suggestions. u/Industry-Common told of university professors and students—supposedly the cream of the crop—who would push aside barricades and then complain there weren’t enough signs announcing the closure.
And sometimes, as u/Flibertygibbert pointed out, there can be deeper issues at play, like the early signs of dementia. But more often than not, as u/Ahielia put it after watching people hurdle dumpsters and duck hazard tape to wander into a construction site: “I’m certain most people wouldn’t pass an IQ test if they were up against a fish.”
The Never-Ending Cycle—And a Dash of Empathy
Why does this keep happening? Maybe it’s the comfort of routine, the optimism that “surely there’s an exception for me,” or just plain inattention. One thing’s for sure: retail workers deserve medals for patience and creative signage.
But, as the comments show, sometimes all you can do is laugh. And maybe, next time you see a “closed” sign, spare a thought for the weary worker on the other side—trust us, they’ve earned it.
Conclusion: Share Your Own Tales from the Retail Frontlines!
Have you ever had a customer ignore a “closed” sign (or been the customer yourself)? What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen in a store under construction or emergency? Share your stories in the comments below, and let’s commiserate together. And remember—when in doubt, read the sign. Or at least, try not to limbo under the shutter.
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Original Reddit Post: Refit hell...the customers just won't stop trying to get in!