Posted on 11/20/2005 3:10:38 PM PST by raccoonradio
(CBS4) METHUEN, MA-- Home repair giant Home Depot is getting hammered by the public over a dispute with a customer.
The customer is a handyman from Lawrence. On Saturday, he was banished from all Home Depot stores, apparently over a pencil. Now, the store is releasing a statement to apologize for the incident.
The used pencil wasn't even for sale. It was out at a register when Michael Panorelli borrowed it and put it in his pocket. Home Depot barred Panorelli from all its stores.
It was a 41-cent carpenter's pencil, but the small piece of wood is causing one Methuen carpenter some big headaches.
"I was in the process of picking out the lumber put pencil in my pocket," said Panorelli. "I forgot the pencil in my pocket and walked out the door."
Panorelli says he was buying $117 worth of wood at the Methuen Home Depot Thursday when his friend handed him a used store pencil to mark the wood. But when he forgot to return it, security came running.
"Big commotion for one stupid pencil -- a used pencil," said George Salas, Panorelli's friend.
Salas was with Panorelli when the incident occurred and couldn't believe what happened next.
"This (the letter from Home Depot) basically says I have to stay out for a year," said Panorelli.
Home Depot confirms Panorelli was handed a letter ordering him to stay away from all Home Depot's for one year punishment for removing goods without paying.
"They told me the pencil was worth money to the store and I was stealing it and I'm barred from the store because of that pencil," said Panorelli.
Whatever the ban, Panorelli says his Home Depot days are over for good.
Customers CBS4 spoke with say they don't blame him.
"I don't think it's right at all," said one customer. "It's just a pencil. Come on now."
CBS4 contacted Home Depot, which released this statement:
"The Home Depot contacted Mr. Panorelli, however we have been unable to speak with him directly. We apologize for any inconvenience this matter has caused him. We will not be pursuing any claims against Mr. Panorelli for this incident. We welcome Mr. Panorelli back as a customer in our stores at any time."
Time for store personnel to take Customer Service 101, remedial-level.
Way to screw the pooch. That one pencil is going to cause them thousands of dollars of lost profit.
Yhe idiot that caused this should be fired. Too stupid and power drunk with his tiny position to work there.
Hopefully, there's a Lowe's in his town
hell i mremeber when lumber yards gave away capenter pencils
Yes, there are some nearby.
HD was actually going to have their lawyers deal with this guy. (See other article, linked above). Over a 41 cent pencil!
OK, but on our way back from SE LA last month, the first thing we could find open was a Home Depot and they have great bathrooms. We didn't buy a thing, just went in and used their biffy. It was another 50 miles before we could find a gas station.
LOL...
Mr. Langone seemed like a real nice guy. He has a Italian/New York kind of accent and was obviously real smart. He said they valued their customers and that he sure hoped I'd go back to Home Depot and shop again and if I ever had any problems to call him back.
I can see that Home Depot did something dumb here with this pencil thing but that happens sometimes. All I can say is that I liked this guy that called me one day just to say he'd like me to keep going to Home Deport. It was some time later as I was reading something related to business matters did I run across the name Kenneth G. Langone again and realize just who called me that day.
If there is one Lowe's should advertise that they are giving away a carpenter's pencil with each order of lumber.
Nope, nearest is about 16 miles away. But if Lowes is smart, there soon will be one.
By the way the Boston papers had articles about this today; one of them named the security guard who dealt with this man and supposedly _his job is not in jeopardy_ ,as he was just enforcing Home Depot's "no tolerance" shoplifting policy.
I wonder if you are supposed to pay for the paint stir sticks too. They do have barcode printed on them, but I ususally take a bunch and stick them in my pocket. Some for the paint, some to keep the kids in line. :)
So who is he. Can't see it stated on the thread
Co-founder of Home Depot and is involved in other companies. Rich as hell.
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