Home Depot addresses rumors it denied Veteran’s store discount after story goes viral on social media
SHOPPERS have threatened to boycott Home Depot after a customer claimed that the retailer refused to give a veteran the store discount.
The allegations stemmed from a viral Facebook post in 2015.
One social media user claimed to have witnessed the encounter and slammed the retailer for the questionable story.
Home Depot was accused of denying the man his veteran's discount at a store location in Spokane Valley, Washington.
The X user said if the story is true, they will "no longer support" the store until the situation is "made right."
Home Depot replied to the tweet, claiming that the story was made up.
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"Hi, no it is not true," the home improvement company commented.
"It is a fake viral story first published in 2015 that resurfaces occasionally. We value and respect all our military customers."
Home Depot currently offers a military discount for active service members, veterans, and their spouses.
Those who are eligible can enjoy 10% off certain purchases.
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CHECKED OUT
Home Depot shoppers also expressed concern recently over the switch to self-checkout kiosks.
Shoppers said they feel like they're doing all the heavy lifting on the checkout line.
A few have said many stores don't allow customers to scan big-ticket items themselves, forcing them to search for employees who are nowhere to be found.
Several retailers implemented new anti-theft policies after seeing an increase in organized crime post-covid.
Stores like Home Depot, Target, and Walmart have initiated new measures such as increasing security, enforcing random receipt checks, and limiting self-checkout items.
Some are saying these new policies are ruining the shopping experience.
Alleged Discount Denial Post From 2015
This post was published by David Carleton on August 17, 2015.
"So I am at Home Depot today and the older gentleman in front of me shows his ID for a veterans discount. The clerk tells him he does not qualify for a discount so the gentleman asked to see a manager. They ask me to go to another line because this may take a few minutes. I tell them no thanks I want to hear this.
So a young cocky full of himself moron comes to talk to the gentleman and says no you do not qualify. The gentleman tells him he has always gotten a discount there. So the moron says well we have told our people to tighten the rules and we only give what corporate requires we give and you do not qualify. The gentleman says he will then take his business elsewhere. The young moron replies that is your choice. The gentleman starts to leave and I step in.
I tell the moron if one of your idiot friends walked through the door right now you would have the option of giving him a discount and with your attitude you would do it. So step over to the register and give this guy his discount. He says he does not qualify for it.
So I tell him look here is how this is going to work. Either you give this guy a discount and I call Home Depot corp and tell them how good of a manager you are in spite of the stupid policy.
Or I go home call Home Depot corp tell them I stupid the policy is and their manager is a moron, then I blast face book and it goes viral and you get to be the moron you are.
I think you know which one he chose!
So people please blast Facebook with this story.
It was store E Spokane #4714 5617 E Sprague Ave Spokane Valley, WA 99212
What a shmuck, he also told the gentleman that he would have to talk to the CEO of Home Depot to change his mind.
I hate people who do not respect our military.
BLOW IT UP PEOPLE"
Some consumers stopped shopping in person, opting for a "pick up" option at stores.
Others are threatening to shop elsewhere.
DECLINING SALES
Crime isn't the only thing worrying the retailer.
Home Depot posted its sales results on Tuesday which showed a poor performance compared to the same time last year.
The retailer posted sales of $36.4 billion for the first fiscal quarter of 2024 which is 2.3% down from the same quarter in 2023, according to a press release.
The results noted that comparable sales for the latest quarter decreased by 2.8%, and comparable sales in the US decreased by 3.2%.
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Meanwhile, Target shoppers can save over $660 on kitchen essentials during the 4th of July sale.
Additionally, a Walmart customer slammed the store after a new anti-theft measure stopped them from purchasing what they needed.