Burlington — Local services in Brick Township

Did you know it is possible to have a HOSTILE experience shopping at a Burlington Coat Factory? Checked out this location last night (5/9/25) with a friend (both of us mid 20s not that it matters).

When you first walk in, at either entrance, there is someone standing with a rope basically to prevent anyone from entering. They don't explain what this is or why- and seem bothered and annoyed when you ask what is going on or if the store is closed.

Nope- a security measure. Makes ZERO sense. You have cameras and other ways to catch people for a reason. Instead, Burlington has adopted this beyond ridiculous strategy of making their customers feel like they are criminals just for ENTERING the store. (And exiting for that matter! You need to go through these ropes to exit, too!)

The store is covered head to toe in signs stating they prosecute anyone who steals. However, there is not anything in this store that you could PAY someone to take.

Do you really need someone guarding every door and hostile signs to prevent someone from stealing.....a Juicy Couture comforter? An overpriced SAMPLE of a Benefit blush that is in a locked plastic cube? Please.

In the age of online shopping, stores should be making it more welcoming, not less, to be on site. Unless of course, Burlington intends to make the shopping experience so unpleasant that they do so little business and force themselves to close and sell off- all the while blaming theft and the customers.

Again, I can't stress enough: I sincerely doubt there is a genuine theft problem here as there is NOTHING decent on any of the shelves. Nobody wants any of this! Keep it!

I will not be returning to this location as it is a perfect embodiment of everything that is wrong with the modern age of shopping.

EDIT: See the response from the business below. I really laughed out loud when I read that. Hysterical! I would almost up my review to 2 stars because their response was so...

Obviously it’s Burlington, so you don’t have high hopes to begin with. However- this location makes suburban NJ seem like you’re checking into Rikers for a crime you didn’t commit. The motto here is guilty until proven innocent.

The Brick Plaza location has 2 entrances- both staffed with employees wearing police-style ballistic “LOSS PREVENTION” vests. They guard the doors with tension ropes like a high-end NYC nightclub, and maintain access to the sales floor. Not sure how blocking exits is up to fire code, but I’m not a fire inspector (nor do I play one on TV).

Actual fitting rooms are permanently closed, but you can use a makeshift dressing room constructed of cheap plywood near the front door. Who needs privacy when everyone inside and outside the main doors can see your fashion show? Also- no chairs or benches near shoe departments; just a dirty floor for your kids to sit down and try footwear on.

How could it get worse you ask? Bathrooms are locked and only accessible via an employee escorting you there and typing the PIN. Maybe flag down a worker wearing a fake police vest to radio someone to meet you there. Even the water fountain hasn’t had a filter changed since Bill Clinton was in office. A porta-potty in the parking lot would be more fitting.

Save yourself the embarrassment & aggravation and shop anywhere else that doesn’t criminalize their customer base. Corporate is too cheap to run air conditioners and staff registers as employees are busy counting steps playing fake security guards.

They don’t care either- hopefully they’ll be bankrupt next. Apparently everyone is stealing and they must be locked into a long-term lease which they...

Nice to see more cashiers working but my checkout took well over 30 minutes. I had a cart full of baby items, glass candle holders, bowl and a picture frame. The cashier waited until I can hardly fit all items on the table before starting to ring me up. At least she could have made more room??? Even after I put all the items on the table she stood their and stared into space? I’m sorry but how long does it take to start scanning an item? What a silly policy that all items must be on the table before scanning. If that must be followed why not make more room or put my items elsewhere so I can check out efficiently. She still managed to double scan me for an item and the refund process took forever. The management was really no help. They need to train better or offer full support to staff who seems new and confused. The other cashier stood their in agreement with me not sure why she was taking so long. She also had an issue with not removing a sensor on a previous guest.

What an awkward checkout experience. Please train your staff before putting them on registers. Should have just left the stuff with the cashier and walked out instead of...