Man walks into Home Depot, uses a tool, and puts it back on the shelf — says he will do it again
Why couldn’t I think of that?
We’ve all heard the Home Depot slogan: “How Doers Get More Done.” But one customer took that advice a little too literally. A TikTok user transformed the store’s tool aisle into their personal pit crew station and it’s both genius and concerning.
In a clip that’s currently setting the “DIY” corner of the internet on fire, a shopper was caught unboxing a tool and using it right there in the store. Because apparently, buying something for a single use is for amateurs.
The TikTok video by Chui (@chuistyled) has amassed 515k views till now. It captures the ultimate “main character” energy when most of us are still struggling to find an associate to unlock the cage for a $20 drill. But this man decided that the store’s floor model was essentially a free rental for their immediate automotive crisis.
The man used a screwdriver, re-packed it, and tossed it back on the shelf
In the footage, the customer isn’t just testing the weight of a wrench or checking the grip on a screwdriver. They are actively working on a car part using a Phillips head screwdriver inside the store. Once done, he puts it back into the packaging and back on the shelf like nothing happened.
“He really brought the project to the tools,” one viewer commented, perfectly capturing the absurdity. It’s a bold move to treat a multi-billion dollar retailer like your dad’s garage. But in the era of terminally online life hacks, the line between a smart shortcut and blatant disrespect has blurred.
The ‘Unboxing’ Loophole — is it allowed at Home Depot?
The real burn here isn’t just the audacity; it’s the potential precedent it sets. If we’re allowed to use the tools before we buy them, why stop there? Why not bring a raw steak to the appliance aisle to test out the grills? Or a load of laundry to the Maytag section?
When a customer decides that their personal convenience outweighs the literal rules of the establishment, it’s not “doing more.” It reveals how far customer service expectations have warped. The store isn’t a workshop. And using a brand-new tool, then putting it back on the shelf is nowhere allowed in the store rules.
In fact, it might be considered shoplifting, at-least by Home Depot. People, on the other hand, saw it as a “hack” that feels illegal but is not.
The Internet is split between ‘Genius’ and ‘Straight to Jail’
Predictably, the comments section is a wasteland of conflicting opinions. Some users are applauding the hustle, claiming that with the price of tools these days, you should be able to see if they work before you commit. “If I’m paying $300 for a Milwaukee impact, I’m making sure it can handle my lug nuts,” one user argued.
Others, however, aren’t so impressed. “This is why everything is locked up behind cages now,” another user countered. It’s a classic case of the few ruining the many’s shopping experience in the name of a 15-second viral moment. But even store employees did not condemn the act. One even wrote,
“Just put it back and don’t tear up the package too much. oh and we do it all the time. If you’re nice, we’ll open it for you and retape it after you leave.”
Should you be trying this Home Depot ‘hack’?
Home Depot has long been the sanctuary for the weekend warrior. But this level of rogue DIY is a sign of the times. When “Doers” decide that the rules of the store are merely suggestions, the “exclusive club” vibe of a loyal customer base starts to feel like a liability.
Home Depot might as well add an “In-Store Mechanic” to their list of services now. Because people are going to do this anyway. As even Chui wrote, “I’ll do it again.” But even if bad luck wasn’t on Chui’s cards that day, you should not always count on that. So, maybe keep your car repairs in the driveway and your tools in the cart. Or, you can just run to a public library to rent tools for your niche needs. Keep it legal.
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