‘You Get to Checkout, and Nothing Is 40% Off’: Shopper Accuses Old Navy of Misleading Sales Tactics
A frustrated shopper has called out Old Navy, alleging the retailer uses deceptive discount promotions to lure customers into its stores. In a TikTok video that has amassed over 714,600 views since November 8, TikToker Shelby Grant (@shelby.grant) shares her grievances, accusing Old Navy of engaging in “scam” tactics.
‘Can We Talk About This Scam?’
“Can we talk about how big of a scam Old Navy is?” Shelby begins her viral rant, highlighting what she sees as a pattern of misleading advertising.
She claims the retailer frequently promotes discounts like “40% off almost everything,” only for shoppers to discover the exclusions at checkout. “You get up to the checkout, and… nothing you got was 40% off,” she says, expressing frustration over the fine print that often accompanies such deals.
Most recently, Shelby says she was drawn in by a promotion advertising “50% off everything,” only to learn at checkout that the discount was exclusive to Old Navy credit card holders. “So nothing I bought was 50% off because I don’t have a credit card,” she explains, adding, “You’re clickbaiting me to get in your store.”
Commenters Weigh In
The video’s comments section became a space for others to vent their frustrations with Old Navy’s pricing practices.
“Am I crazy, or didn’t Old Navy used to be a cheaper place to shop?” one user asked.
Others suggested Shelby might have missed the fine print, while some shared tips for navigating the retailer’s sales. “I go in for sizing and then wait for the website to be 40–50% off, no credit card,” one commenter advised.
Another user pointed out, “Online prices are ALWAYS cheaper, so you HAVE to price match at checkout. Waste of everyone’s time.”
A History of Complaints
This isn’t the first time Old Navy has faced criticism for its promotional tactics. The retailer was previously named in a class-action lawsuit alleging it sent misleading promotional emails. The complaint claimed phrases like “today only” and “last chance” were used to create false urgency around sales, which were then extended or repeated in subsequent communications.
Old Navy isn’t alone in facing scrutiny over its advertising practices. Recently, another TikToker went viral with a rant about Kohl’s coupons, alleging they aren’t as widely applicable as they appear.
The Daily Dot has reached out to Shelby Grant via TikTok comment and Gap, Old Navy’s parent company, via email for further comment.
