‘And this is why I never open boxes in my bed’: Virginia woman orders from Hollister. What she finds inside sends her over the edge
A package delivery can come with a lot of unpleasant surprises.
From orders that come in lackluster packaging to ‘new’ products that arrive with obvious signs of use, there’s a lot that can go wrong when it comes to ordering things online.
A user on TikTok recently shared her unpleasant experience opening an order from Hollister. According to her, the contents of her package were so upsetting that it almost brought her to tears.
What Went Wrong With This Hollister Order?
In a video with over 170,000 views, TikTok user Stephanie (@esny.stephanie) shows an order she says she received from Hollister.
“I was in the middle of opening my Hollister purchase… and what is this…” she writes in the text overlaying the video.
The video then shows items from Hollister. On multiple items, strange, yellow-brown grains can be seen.
“I’m actually gonna cry. What is this Hollister,” Stephanie adds in the caption.
What Is This?
In the comments section, users speculated as to what this could be.
“Cat has been laying near it that had worms prior to shipping. That is definitely worm eggs,” wrote a user.
“That’s a carpet beetle nest throw it away immediately,” offered another. “They are very invasive and they eat your furniture.”
But are these really bugs or eggs? It’s unlikely.
Insect eggs tend to be more uniform in size and shape. It’s also unlikely that this is something like rodent droppings or the waste of another pest, as the size, shape, and texture are wrong.
Stephanie has not offered an update, nor does she provide any additional angles on the items. Consequently, it’s unclear what the debris visible on the items really is.
Could It Just Be Cardboard?
One of the more intriguing theories from the comments section came from someone who claimed they used to work at Hollister.
“I used to work at hollister and the items we got delivered to the store also had this sometimes,” this user wrote. “I’m pretty sure it’s just cardboard dust that’s gotten into the plastic wrapping though.”
It’s true that cardboard can leave dust on items, as some internet users have noted. This usually goes away with a single wash.
Still, the user should report the issue to Hollister. In the case that it isn’t simply cardboard dust, she can likely receive a refund and replacement. Additionally, Hollister can investigate the issue to see what caused it in the first place.
@esny.stephanie I’m actually gonna cry. What is this Hollister ? @hollister #fyp #hollister ♬ Blood – Michael C. Hall
How Can You Prevent This From Happening?
While there’s no certain way to force a company to properly pack an order, there are things one can do to prevent something like this from becoming a bigger issue.
First, as some users suggested, one can open their boxes outside.
“And this is why I never open boxes in my bedroom,” said a commenter.
Some have claimed that their deliveries from other stores were filled with bugs. Consequently, they vowed to only open packages outside in the future in order to make sure that no contamination from their delivery got into their house.
Second, one can film oneself opening their packages.
Is There Anything Else That Can Be Done?
Although this doesn’t stop contamination, it can prove to a seller that an item was received in poor condition. From there, it can be easier to open a dispute with the company or with your credit card issuer.
Finally, as many users suggested, one can simply be sure to launder all items before using them.
“Literally why I wash all my clothes before I wear them,” declared a commenter.
The Mary Sue reached out to Hollister via email and Stephanie via TikTok DM and comment.
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