Home Depot
Accused of Stealing and Police Called After Store Purchase

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.

Company: Home Depot
Country: USA
State: California
City: Redlands
Address: 1511 W. Lugonia Ave

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