Don't pocket a pencil when in Home Depot... - DodgeBoard.com

lurker · #1 (**permalink**) 11-21-2005, 11:16 PM

OK... the orange box did say that they're sorry....

Source

Quote:

Home Depot apologizes to customer accused of stealing pencil
November 21, 2005

METHUEN, Mass. --Home Depot Inc. has apologized to a carpenter who was banned by the chain after he absent-mindedly pocketed a pencil sitting next to a cash register.

Michael Panorelli, 51, of Lawrence, was accused of shoplifting from the Methuen store last Thursday and banned from Home Depots worldwide.

Panorelli was with a client and had just bought some lumber when he used the pencil to do some quick math. He pocketed the pencil and was met in the parking lot by a loss-prevention worker who asked for identification.

The worker presented Panorelli with one letter saying he was banned from Home Depot, and another advising that he would be hearing from the company's lawyers.

Panorelli took his story to the Eagle-Tribune newspaper in nearby Lawrence, which published it over the weekend.

On Sunday, Atlanta-based Home Depot issued a written apology, saying the incident was prompted by a narrow interpretation of its shoplifting-prevention rules.

"We will not be pursuing any claims against Mr. Panorelli for this incident," the statement said. "We welcome Mr. Panorelli back as a customer in our stores at any time."

But the carpenter said he'll never do business there again.

"I have no intention of going back in there," Panorelli said. "Why should I put money in someone's pocket when they treat me like this? I think they took company policy a little to far."

MUD · #2 (**permalink**) 11-22-2005, 12:18 AM

What happened to the good ole days when pencils at lumber yards were like peppermint patty mints at a restaurant, you got one free? Its just customary.

K C Muffin · #3 (**permalink**) 11-22-2005, 12:30 AM

I don't s'pose any of you young'uns remember the inch-thick yard sticks that T.M. Deal Lumber Co. used to give out. For free. My mom could make one of those babies sing!!! I'd just like one of those shoplifting goons to try to stop her when she had one of those things in her hand. Bye-bye, goon!