T.J. Maxx — Local services in Gardendale

I've visited here twice this year, and both trips were consistently uncomfortable and frustrating due to recurring issues that are especially difficult for someone like me, dealing with Lupus and having to get out in the heat. First, the checkout lines are bafflingly long every single time. It's incredibly frustrating because there seem to be plenty of cashiers, so I don't understand why the wait is so excessive. For someone with my health condition, standing in line for that long is not just inconvenient, it's genuinely taxing. Adding to the awkwardness in line is a giant, TV-sized security camera hanging right above you, making it feel like everyone's on display. However, the most significant and consistent issue occurs as you leave the store. Passing the last registers, there's always a staff member standing against the wall. It's clear she's not watching the cashiers; instead, she's staring intently out at customers in the store. On my first visit, as I walked by, it felt a bit uncomfortable passing empty registers before the exit, so I reflexively said "Thanks" to her as a nervous courtesy, even though she hadn't rung me up. I figured she would at least acknowledge me, but she completely ignored me, not saying a single word and just looked straight through me. The second time, I went in there, I didn't even try to speak to her. I just glanced at her and kept walking, realizing from her demeanor that she wasn't going to respond anyway. Her expression was equally cold – a look that felt utterly unwelcoming and judgmental. This behavior is particularly perplexing. I've considered that maybe this person is just trying to appear busy, or perhaps she's even a manager. But if she is a manager, her uncommunicative and seemingly hostile staring is completely unprofessional. When you've already endured the heat and a taxing wait, only to be made to feel unwelcome and scrutinized as you leave, it truly diminishes the entire shopping experience. This consistent, uncomfortable staring, combined with the long lines and intrusive camera, really detracts from the overall shopping experience and makes me...

First off, I’ve always enjoyed shopping at TJ MAXX in Gardendale AL! However, I will never shop at TJ MAXX at any location! I don’t carry a purse, I just carry my wallet, keys and my phone into the store I’m shopping at! Yesterday’s date was May 7th, 2025 and I checked out between 12:00-12:30! When I got to my car I immediately realized I had left my phone at the cash register (#3) so I put my things in my car and went back into the store to get my phone! When I asked for my phone I was told there wasn’t a phone left in the store! The young woman that had checked me out 2 minutes prior looked like she had deer in the headlights look on her face! She then says you’re free to look “right here” and pointed to the exact place where I had left my phone! I knew I had left it there and I knew she was lying when she said I hadn’t left it in the store! When my husband came home he called the store, it took him calling 5 times before someone answered the phone! When someone finally answered the phone and he explained what he was calling about he was then placed on hold! In the meantime he was on his way to the store! He was on hold for 18 minutes before someone got back to him! Then he was asked if it was an Android or an IPhone! He described the phone and the color and kind of case it was in! They were still insistent that no phone had been left but they quickly changed their story when he said he was calling the Police Department and having the security footage looked at! THEN someone said “are you the guy that called about the phone? I’ve got the phone”. It miraculously appeared when he said he was calling the police! It’s so sad that in today’s society that an employee of a store STOLE my phone off of the counter and lied about the phone being there in the first place. I know what register I checked out at and I know the description of the employee and I am considering filing a report at the police department. I will not shop at a store where their employees steal from...

I’ve always loved TJ Maxx and used to shop here 3–4 times a week. But lately, the Gardendale location has gone completely downhill when it comes to dogs inside the store. I understand service dogs are always allowed, and that’s not the issue. The problem is that every time I walk in now, there are more and more dogs and not just small ones, but huge dogs freely walking around the store.

It’s unsanitary, uncomfortable, and honestly unsafe. I’ve even talked with other customers who feel the same way, and employees themselves have noticed it too. During my last visit (about two weeks ago), a woman came in with TWO large dogs, and I was told by a staff member that sometimes she even brings THREE. There is absolutely no way these are legitimate service animals.

This is out of control and makes shopping here extremely unpleasant. I should be able to enjoy my time at TJ Maxx without having to dodge around multiple big dogs roaming the aisles. Something needs to be done about this before more loyal customers, like myself, decide to stop coming...