March 21
To Home Depot, the Federal Trade Commission (600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC 20580) and anyone concerned. Reference number 10130001887991.
RACISM, RACISM, Racism.
I own a business and hold a commercial account with Home Depot, where I shop often for convenience. Each month I spend roughly $2,000 there on warehouse and home furnishings. On January 19 I went through what I can only call racism at the Home Depot at 1151 W. Lugonia Avenue, Redlands, CA 92374.
I went in to buy several screen doors, an AC unit and other items, and then to rent a truck from Home Depot to haul them to my business. I went to pay for the screen doors and the rest, and afterward a store associate informed me it was too late in the evening to rent the truck. The female associate offered no help whatsoever. I could not scan an air conditioner, and she would not help me ring it up. She came over to say I had pulled off the wrong bar code, but instead of helping me find the right one, she left to chat with another associate.
I waited in the contractors checkout line wondering whether anyone would help, until a different associate came over. I finally paid for my purchases and walked out to my car. Then I realized the screen doors would not fit in my vehicle, so I went back inside to return them. Management stalled and would not refund or reverse the charges on my commercial account. She kept asking when I bought the items and whether I had the receipt. I told her I had already handed it to her, and she acted as if she were reading it. After several minutes of arguing she credited my account, and I walked back out to my car. Shortly afterward, a pair of police officers walked up to my car and asked me to confirm what I had bought inside. They asked me to go back in with them and show them the purchase receipt.
It could have been merely a misunderstanding, but I do not believe that was the issue. I was humiliated, and I feel my civil rights were violated because I am African American. Home Depot accused me of stealing although I had the receipt for my purchases in black and white. Why were the police called? Was I profiled because of my braided hair and dark skin? I was treated like a criminal, and I want this resolved. As CEO of Briggs & Lay Pro Incorporated, I demand that the Home Depot corporation sincerely investigate. I have sent several letters about this, and Home Depot will not return my phone calls or reply to my letters.
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