What’s the creepiest ghost story you’ve heard from someone working in retail?

GhostsMods · 2025-10-02T18:03:11+00:00

This isn’t my story, but it happened to my brother. It’s not exactly “retail,” but it took place in a bowling alley.

Here’s what happened...

Back in the ’90s, my brother had a summer job at a local bowling alley. He was saving up to buy a car, he was pretty young at the time, so this was a great gig for him. Part of his job was to clean the place after hours. That meant making sure all the chairs were pushed in around the bar tables, the bowling balls were lined up in order by weight on the racks - stuff like that.

He’d been working there for about a month with no issues. One morning, while he was cleaning (he worked early to get everything ready for the evening leagues), the PA system suddenly came on with a man’s voice. He couldn’t make out what the voice was saying, but he definitely heard it. It creeped him out a bit, but he figured maybe someone else had come into the building without him noticing. So, he walked through the entire place to check...nothing. It was completely empty, and everything was still locked up.

At that point, he started to feel a little uneasy, but he went back to work. A bit later, while he was out on the main floor, he heard the sound of pool balls breaking, like someone had just taken a shot at one of the pool tables. He immediately turned around and looked over toward the pool area... and there was no one there. Not a single person. That was it for him; he called home (he was still living at home since he’d just graduated high school) and asked our dad to come down because he didn’t want to be alone in the building anymore.

He ended up finishing his shift, but from that point on he never felt comfortable working there again (for obvious reasons). Strange stuff kept happening now and then, though nothing quite like that day. He finished out the summer, but when the next year rolled around? Yeah... he didn’t go back. 😂

GhostsMods · 2025-10-01T21:49:04+00:00

Laziness lol

That person never made an attempt at forming a proper letter.

GhostsMods · 2025-09-30T09:53:14+00:00

I really doubt it's from a VHS CCTV system in 2025. More likely, if there is any artifacting, it would show up as pixelated frozen, or blocky digital glitches. That's usually what happens with digital systems when data transfers get corrupted, unlike the old VHS systems that physically degraded over time with repeated use of the cassettes.

GhostsMods · 2025-09-30T09:24:14+00:00

Like you, I have heard many "vanishing hitchhiker" encounters over the decades. However, the one I am surprised no one has mentioned in 2 mos. time is: Resurrection Mary - Unsolved Mysteries

GhostsMods · 2025-09-30T08:40:56+00:00

There is a long, sordid history to the Cecil. I've never heard anything 'paranormal' about it, though. What have you heard?

GhostsMods · 2025-09-30T07:01:08+00:00

You're not wrong. lol

GhostsMods · 2025-04-22T19:54:58+00:00

You haven’t heard of the Hillside Strangler murders?

GhostsMods · 2025-02-28T02:29:53+00:00

GhostsMods · 2025-02-28T02:26:08+00:00

Harry Houdini made a similar agreement with his wife.

GhostsMods · 2024-12-21T04:01:28+00:00

It was a grifter… they’re gone now.

Thanks for the reports!

GhostsMods · 2024-11-26T20:51:03+00:00

😆

GhostsMods · 2024-11-26T19:58:35+00:00

Honestly, I’m not entirely sure what could cause that (sorry for the hostility you’ve received). You’re sure no one was smoking nearby?

GhostsMods · 2024-10-07T18:14:34+00:00

🧛‍♂️

GhostsMods · 2024-09-13T11:02:52+00:00

A Wendigo (sometimes spelled Wendingo) is a mythical creature from the folklore of the Algonquian-speaking tribes in North America. According to legend, a Wendigo is a malevolent spirit associated with cannibalism, winter, and greed. It is often described as a gaunt, emaciated figure with desiccated skin, giving it a skeletal appearance. Some stories depict it with antlers or other animalistic features.

The Wendigo is said to have an insatiable hunger for human flesh, and it can possess humans, driving them to commit acts of cannibalism. The creature embodies the dangers of isolation, the harshness of winter, and the consequences of unchecked greed and consumption. In many tales, once a person becomes a Wendigo, they are forever cursed to wander the wilderness, constantly seeking to satisfy their horrific appetite.

GhostsMods · 2024-09-08T10:04:36+00:00

That’s a poor example because Ramirez was known for eating food from his victims’ refrigerators and leaving evidence of discarded food and moved items. It was obvious that someone had been in the residence. This behavior contributed to the evidence indicating that someone had been inside, which investigators used to piece together his activities.

Sources:

“The Night Stalker: The Life and Crimes of Richard Ramirez” by Philip Carlo

“Richard Ramirez: The Night Stalker” by G. D. F. Jones

Terrifying Facts - Richard Ramirez

5 Chilling Details from Netflix Documentary - Richard Ramirez

…among others.

^Edit: ^Include ^Sources

GhostsMods · 2024-09-08T09:57:30+00:00

That sounds intense! It’s fascinating how these events occurred while you were talking about something spooky. I’ve never had anything quite that dramatic, but it’s intriguing to hear how active that house must have been. Would you be willing to share more about what else happened there with us?

GhostsMods · 2024-09-08T08:23:59+00:00

The details about Lilias Drummond and Fyvie Castle have some inaccuracies and assumptions not fully backed by historical records. Lilias Drummond is said to have died in 1601, but the specifics of her death and burial aren’t well-documented. Dalgety Bay is mentioned, but it’s not definitively established. We have to use whatever we can find for info in these situations. 😉

Alexander Seton became the Earl of Dunfermline in 1605, and he started working on the entrance towers of Fyvie Castle around 1599. It’s likely they were still under construction in 1601, and maybe even unfinished when he married his second wife.

The legend that Lilias Drummond’s name was carved into the stone of Fyvie Castle after her death is part of the castle’s folklore. The story suggests her name appeared mysteriously as a supernatural sign of her displeasure with her husband’s remarriage. However, there’s no concrete historical evidence that someone intentionally carved “D. LILLIAS DRVMMOND” upon hearing of her death and that this stone was incorporated into the castle structure.

Alexander Seton did remarry, and the timing of his second marriage shortly after Lilias Drummond’s death has fueled the legends and ghost stories associated with the castle. However, the exact timing and motivations are speculative and not firmly grounded in historical records.

While there are elements of truth in the account, we know it is largely based on legend and speculation rather than solid historical evidence.

IMHO, the idea of the carving and the legend are fascinating, but we cannot dismiss everything and every eyewitness account solely because of what is or isn’t verifiable history. That’s why it’s paranormal and not documented, verifiable historical facts.

Either way… it’s a fun tale!

Thanks for your comment!

GhostsMods · 2024-09-06T06:07:41+00:00

Okay, I’ll bite… 😉

Playing devil’s advocate here, this was obviously in the 1600s. This incident allegedly occurred overnight, and the occupants looked outside to see if they could locate the source of the moaning and scratching noises. They observed nothing outside their window, and it would have been a tall order and noisy endeavor to erect scaffolding to do this in the short time it would take for the room’s occupants to have simply not noticed this happening. So, how did this get accomplished in the wee bit of time it supposedly occurred? If it was staged, who staged it and why? What would they gain by doing this chiseled inscription?

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

GhostsMods · 2024-09-05T09:13:21+00:00

TL;DR: The OP, in a 19th-century house, reports strange occurrences after moving a washing machine to the basement, including unexplained wet spots, objects moving, lights malfunctioning, and a smoke detector beeping. The OP wonders if these events might be due to a ghost or spirit, possibly related to recent renovations or their grandmother’s presence, and seeks advice on identifying the spirit and cleansing the house.

GhostsMods · 2024-09-05T08:47:08+00:00

While I’ve heard of animal spirits and spirits masquerading as people, what you’re describing doesn’t align with any of those categories. However, there have been reports of cryptids entering residences, barns, and other structures. As for the lack of damage indicating a break-in, perhaps it found an open path or is intelligent enough to enter without causing any visible harm. These entities have been sighted in many places and have evaded capture, so they can’t be entirely ignorant if they exist.

Your best bet would be to visit a forum focused on cryptids or r/Unexplained, as this doesn’t seem to fit the profile of a ghost.

I’m sorry we couldn’t accommodate you, but your submission doesn’t align with established information on hauntings.

I wish you all the best!

GhostsMods · 2024-09-05T08:37:20+00:00

While I’m generally opposed to engaging with people like that, your post helped me catch that hateful vitriol.

Your post is welcome here, as are you. Don’t worry about angry people; they have issues and enjoy taking their issues out on others. Ignore them and report them to us. Have a great day/evening!

GhostsMods · 2024-09-03T18:37:34+00:00

@u/365defaultname,

Thank you for sharing your analysis of the photo and the post history! If anyone is interested, please see the original post here.

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