A store closing sale sign next to a bright yellow folding chair labeled “no name chair for sitting.”
via Canva

Big-box aisles hide tiny surprises. Between price tags and fitting-room mirrors, scribbled messages and notes appear like little plot twists; handwritten warnings, cheeky memos from staff, and customer “PSAs” are taped where only the curious will look. And therein lies the treasure hunting nature of it all. Because some notes in department stores really are comedy gems.

1. Apparently, there are customers and painting customers

A sign on a pegboard surrounded by tools reads: "This Booth is for our painting customers! Nothing in here if for sale! Please don’t remove anything from here.
signswithastory / via reddit.com

2. This plate is chip-resistant, not throw-on-the-floor resistant

A white plate with red concentric circles is displayed on a shelf. Handwritten text on the plate reads: "Corelle is chip resistant. Do not throw on our floor! It will shatter.
signswithastory / via reddit.com

3. This store doesn’t need you, customer

A sign on a glass door reads "CUSTOMER ARE NOT ALLOWED" in large letters, with smaller text below stating, "WE DON'T SERVE ANY CUSTOMER." The sign is taped to the window of a building.
signswithastory / via reddit.com

4. You should have chosen kindness, Daniel

A store sign with the headline "RUDE EMPLOYEE AT THIS GAP" shows images of a bearded man gesturing, details a negative customer experience, and compares milk availability at other restaurants with accompanying photos.
signswithastory / via reddit.com

5. Someone is a bit angry

A black sign on a white wall reads "STORAGE" in raised silver letters, with Braille text underneath. The lighting casts slight shadows on the wall.
signswithastory / via reddit.com

6. Dare to play? I don’t think so

Storefront of "The Athlete's Foot" with bold white and red logo above the entrance, featuring a red wing. Mannequins in athletic wear are visible through the glass windows.
funnysigns / via reddit.com

7. What kind of school is Walmart talking about?

A store display labeled "Back to School" features several rows of kitchen knives in plastic packaging, creating an odd and ironic product placement. Clothing racks and shelves are visible in the background.
funnysigns / via reddit.com

8. Very coherent aisle

A store aisle sign listing items: Beer, Pizza, Potatoes, Guns, Bibles, and Sweatpants, under aisle number 11, hanging from the ceiling.
funnysigns / via reddit.com

9. Management is not happy with this

A child's red shirt with a dark green vest is hanging on a hanger with a price tag. Behind it, a sign reads: "Who on Earth accepted this as a return?!?! This item is from the summer of 2000! That was almost 17 years ago!
funnysigns / via reddit.com

10. Wonder how many bump-ins happened before this sign was put out

A shoe store with rows of shoes on display. A white sign hanging from the ceiling says, “DON’T Enter Mirror.” A large mirror on the right wall reflects the store, creating the illusion of another room.
funnysigns / via reddit.com

11. Here’s a head, hope you like it

A store sign with gift boxes on top reads "THE PERFECT GIFT" and "Head" above a clothing rack, advertising up to 65% off department store prices.
funnysigns / via reddit.com

12. Chairs come with instructions now

A bright yellow folding chair with black text reading "no name chair for sitting" on the backrest, displayed indoors among other merchandise.
funnysigns / via reddit.com

13. This store pays you to buy from them

A store sign displays "clearance" and "130% off or more on original prices" in bold letters, suggesting an impossible discount likely due to a typo.
funnysigns / via reddit.com

14. Are you sure that’s what babies need?

A blue grocery store sign reads "baby needs beers & wines," suggesting an amusing and confusing mix-up in aisle labeling.
funnysigns / via reddit.com

15. I’m a bit confused

A glass door with a red "DO NOT ENTER" sign above another red sign stating "Enter Only," creating a confusing message. The interior of a brightly-lit store is visible through the door.
funnysigns / via reddit.com

16. Never heard of that kind of bread

A display of women's clothing, including shirts, skirts, and sweaters, is arranged on hangers beneath a large red "Bread" sign in a store.
funnysigns / via reddit.com

17. “Toilet paper not supplied”

A hand holds a sign in a modern bathroom display. The sign says the toilet in the display room is functional and encourages imagining the space as your own bathroom. Shower and colorful curtain are visible in the background.
funny / via reddit.com

18. Now that’s a deal

A store sale sign reads "$0 off OXO & Oneida kitchen tools and gadgets." The sign is attached to a metal shelf. The word "sale" is highlighted in red at the top left.
funny / via reddit.com

19. Store closing, but also hiring

Indoor view of a department store with bright yellow and red "STORE CLOSING" signs, advertising an entire store sale. Store shelves and counters are visible in the background.
farvvas / via reddit.com

20. Does Sears know something we don’t?

A sign reads: "Zombie attack tomorrow? Chainsaw sale today! Sears!" with a Pizza Hut sign visible in the background.
funny / via reddit.com

Explore more humorous content:

This roundup is proof that the best retail finds aren’t always on the shelves. If these messages and notes brightened your scroll, keep the good vibes going with these 20 Store Owners Who Turned Signs Into Humorous Moments, or these 20 Clever Comebacks That Left a Dent in the Internet’s History Books. You can also enjoy these 19 Public Notices That Were Thought Out Comedy Gold.

Meet the Writer

Matt has spent over the last 8 years as both a writer and editor, working in Seattle and Brooklyn, where he is now based. He loves escaping the tirelessly fast pace of the “Mad Apple” that is NYC by taking walks and runs through parks where he’s able to catch up on the latest tea about society from the city’s ever chatty, always hungry, occasionally maniacal, pigeons. They always have a lot to say. When he’s not taking his urban nature strolls, or dutifully combing the deepest rabbit holes of the internet to find the content that’s worth sinking your mind’s teeth into, he’s likely holed up at a dark-lit dive bar with a new book and/or some friends, or just as easily he could be on the hunt for the next addition to his steadily growing plant family.

These days Matt’s caught up in trying to provide folks as many vivid glimpses into the days long since passed as he can, through fun and engaging collections of hand-picked vintage photos.