In a light-hearted yet revealing TikTok clip by Brooke (@aye.itz.brooke), the Marshalls employee brings to light the subtle pressures retail workers like herself face when tasked with promoting the store credit card. Through her dancing antics in the clip with 2.8 million views, Brooke portrays the lengths employees go to, almost camouflaging the sales pitch in an attempt to get customers to sign up for the credit card. This candid peek behind the retail curtain sheds light on the strategies to push credit cards onto consumers, often those who may need more time to fully grasp the financial commitment they’re entering into.
The overlay read, “Me performing for my customers so they will sign ip for the credit card so my manager will stop yelling at me in my walkie.”
Marshalls, a beacon for bargain hunters and part of the TJX Companies empire that includes T.J. Maxx, operates over 1,000 stores in the U.S., catering to a demographic keen on scoring deals on name-brand apparel and home goods. However, beneath the allure of discounted finds lies the push for the Marshalls credit card, an aspect of the shopping experience that bears heavier implications than rewards and points.
While offering enticing rewards for purchases, store cards often come with a steep interest rate that can quickly diminish any perceived savings or rewards. This aspect is particularly concerning given that the card is often marketed to those least equipped to manage lines of credit—shoppers drawn to Marshalls for its off-price offerings might already be navigating tight financial constraints. The reality that these credit cards, with their high interest rates and limited redemption options, are pushed onto customers through pressurized sales tactics speaks to a broader issue within the retail industry.
Some commenters understand the risks as customers and want nothing to do with these cards, including one person who wrote, “I always feel bad [because] there is genuinely nothing you could say that is going to make me open a store credit card.”
“Every customer, every time,” one person wrote, noting the employee pressures. Another commenter admitted, “I used to work at Marshalls, and they wanted us to bring it up THREE TIMES in a conversation.” “At our local kohls, you can HEAR the managers in the earpieces nagging them to ask me over and over,” said another person. “I feel so bad for the workers every time. I feel for you all.”
The Daily Dot has reported on numerous people, often current or former store employees, using these tactics and detailing their experiences.
Brooke’s TikTok video, while entertaining, opens up a conversation about the ethical considerations of retail credit promotions. It’s a vivid illustration of how employees are often put in the position of pushing financial products that may not be in the best interest of the customers they serve, particularly those looking for economic relief through discounted shopping. The practice raises questions about retailers’ responsibility to protect their customers from potentially burdensome financial products and the need for greater transparency in how these credit cards are marketed.
@aye.itz.brooke_ ♬ original sound – ja.wanta
As discussions about retail practices and consumer rights continue to evolve, social media platforms like TikTok offer a valuable space for employees and consumers to share their experiences, raise awareness, and advocate for more conscientious retail practices. Beyond its immediate entertainment value, Brooke’s video, while meant to be comical, is also a brief commentary on the intersection of retail pressure, consumer vulnerability, and the marketing ethics of store credit cards in off-price retail environments.
The Daily Dot has contacted the TikToker and TJX Companies.
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