An Ace Hardware customer on TikTok claims she was asked to leave the store after being told she couldn’t “browse.”
In a video with over 192,000 views, TikTok user Mija Jimenez (@officiallymija) shows a Phoenix, Arizona-based Ace Hardware employee informing her that she “can’t browse” in the store. When she asks why she cannot browse, the employee responds, “I’m just letting you know.”
From here, the situation escalates.
The employee repeatedly asks if she needs help with anything, to which Mija says she does not.
Once the employee hears this, he asks her to leave the store, calling security as the video cuts out.
“I feel like I stood my ground on the situation but they were really denying me access to browse,” Jimenez wrote in the caption. “Is browsing in a store illegal or something???”
It’s unclear what provoked this situation, though Jimenez thinks race had something to do with it.
Back on TikTok, Jimenez said in a comment that she planned to file a complaint with the corporate office.
Let’s check out the video.
@officiallymija I feel like I stood my ground on the situation but they were really denying me access to browse. Is browsing in a store illegal or something??? #RacistsinArizona #racisteverywhereneedtogo #theyrenogoodhere #Iwasaprospectivecustomer #theydidnthavetotreatmelikethat #imputtingthemonblast #acehardwareinphoenix #pleaselikeandshare ♬ original sound – Mija
Here’s how folks reacted.
This person made a good point.
One viewer said this guy will probably be looking for a new job soon.
And one individual said she needs to call the folks at corporate.
I just don’t understand how this is even a policy.
The world is a strange place, friends.
Source: https://twistedsifter.com/2023/09/is-browsing-in-a-store-illegal-or-something-employee-tells-woman-she-isnt-allowed-to-browse-at-an-ace-hardware-store/