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The Daily Dot

Stacy Fernández is a freelance writer, project manager and communications specialist. She’s worked at The Texas Tribune, The Dallas Morning News and run social for The Education Trust New York. Her favorite hobby is finding hidden gems at the thrift store, she loves a good audio book and is a chocolate enthusiast.

Stacy Fernandez

Left: A Walmart Clearance shelf; Center: Photo of a Walmart store; Right: Screenshot of Tiktok user @colleen4376.

walmart_trick_us_clearance_section_tiktok.jpg

‘Is Walmart trying to trick us???’: Walmart shopper finds Crest Toothpaste, Squatch Soap in the clearance section. Then she looks in regular section

Rachel Kiley is a writer who sometimes writes things and sometimes is based in L.A., but is definitely always on Twitter @rachelkiley.

Rachel Kiley Author Photograph

Rachel Kiley

Chili's employee reminding customers to take survey on left. Chili's storefront on right.

chilis_employee_take_survey_reminder.png

‘That’s so messed up’: Chili’s server shares why you always fill out the surveys—and take them seriously

Braden Bjella is a culture writer. His work can be found in Mixmag, Electronic Beats, Schon! magazine, and more.

Braden Bjella

Bartender preparing espresso martini with overlaying text that reads: "When someone orders an Espresso Martini during a rush" on left. Coffee beans spilling out of bag on right.

espresso_martini_rush_hour_tik_tok.png

‘I would let you know real quick’: Bartender reveals what they really give customers who order espresso martinis during a rush

reddy_ice_machine_how_its_made.png

‘I was today years old’: Woman buys bag from Reddy Ice machine. Then she discovers how it’s really made

Brooke Sjoberg is a freelance writer who graduated with her Bachelors in Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin in 2020.

Brooke Sjoberg

row of oil at store(l) Pouring Oil on engine(c) man shares lack of regular oil in store(r)

types of oil

‘O’Reilly’s has it’: Man shops regular Mobile 1, Valvoline, Castrol oil at Walmart. Then he realizes it’s all gone

Ziosk Tablet(l), Man talking(c), Chili's(r)

Man gets the check on Ziosk tablet

‘Ziosk is taking a cut’: Man gets the check on Ziosk tablet, used at Olive Garden and Chili’s. Then he uses his iPhone calculator to verify the tip percentages

Man upset, explaining his experience at Harbor Freight on left and right. Harbor Freight store front in center.

harbor_frieght_lifetime_guarantee_tik_tok.png

‘I’ve done this a lot’: Man buys Harbor Freight tools. Then he tries to use the ‘Lifetime’ warranty

Photo of a T-Mobile store exterior; Screenshot from @sste.ph's Tiktok of a T-Mobile employee cleaning an IPad screen.

t_mobile_screen_protector_tiktok.jpg

‘He said it was free’: T-Mobile customer agrees to ‘free’ screen protector on iPad. Then she sees what the worker charged her

Screenshot of Tiktok user @the1vinnyc; Screenshot from @the1vinnyc's Tiktok with her hand hovering over a loaf of Sara Lee bread.

bread_hack_tiktok.jpg

Woman uses ‘real bread’ trick to test Sara Lee, Great Value, Nature’s Own, Sunbeam, Wonder bread in the store. Here’s what passed

Screenshot of Tiktok user @memeslife08; Photo of a Target exterior sign.

target_loss_prevention_uno_reverse_card_tiktok.jpg

‘I’ve shopped at this Target for the last 20 years’: Woman notices ‘floorwalker’ following her through Target. Then she pulls an Uno Reverse card

Person cutting into chicken nuggets with text over reading: " Excuse me, Walmart" on left. Image of Walmart store on right.

Walmart_Great_Value_Chicken_Nuggets.png

‘I’ve never had that happen before’: Walmart shopper buys Great Value chicken nuggets. Then she cuts all of them in half

Split image. Woman reacting to restaurant policy on left and right. Waitress being tipped in center.

Y5BMg9Bb-On_Top_Of_Tipping_Restaurant.png

‘On top of tipping?’: Woman flips through restaurant menu. Then she sees the ‘sharing charge’

Rebekah is a freelance reporter for the Daily Dot.

Rebekah Harding

Hi C Drink(l) Woman shares what happens when your pour out Hi C Drink(r)

Hi C pour

‘I’m so disgusted … somebody explain now??!!!’: Woman buys pack of Hi-C. Then she opens it up, pours it out

Sprite can in the pile of ice cubes on the black background(l) Walmart Store Front(c) opened case of sprite(r)

walmart sprite

‘They got to get rid of it somehow’: Shopper buys 24-pack of Sprite from Walmart. Then they open up the cans

Mustafa Gatollari has been an internet culture writer for over a decade. He has a passion for connecting what’s trending on social media to solid research—helping to separate clout-chasing claims from facts.

Mustafa Gatollari

Bic Lighter(l), Person talking(c), Dollar General sign(r)

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