The stupidity continues: man banned over 'stolen' pencil.

[buttmunch]

METHUEN, Massachusetts (AP) -- Home Depot Inc. apologized to a carpenter who was banned by the chain worldwide after he absent-mindedly pocketed a pencil he had used up to do some quick math.

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

Panorelli was with a client and had just bought some lumber when the client picked up the pencil sitting next to a cash register for Panorelli to use. Panorelli pocketed the pencil and was met in the parking lot by a 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 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 had no intention of doing business there again, adding, "Why should I put money in someone's pocket when they treat me like this?"

[ourmaninBusan]

They should be GIVING away free pencils. Sheesh...those people
are their cash cow.

If I were that guy, I'd build a giant battering ram and
F&CK UP their front windows one night!

[Elvira]

But the carpenter said he had no intention of doing business there again, adding, "Why should I put money in someone's pocket when they treat me like this?"

Good for him. Sounds like the worker may have some type of disability.
Otherwise, there is no excuse for that blunder.

[buttmunch]

I hate big conglomerates that have a 'one size fits all' policy book that allows asswipes with a teensy bit of power to behave like complete wanks. I continue my quest to find small, owner-operated shops that still remember that customers are why they are there in teh first place.

[Laneena]

I hate big conglomerates that have a 'one size fits all' policy book that allows asswipes with a teensy bit of power to behave like complete wanks. I continue my quest to find small, owner-operated shops that still remember that customers are why they are there in teh first place.

Very well put!

[IceQueen]

Good for him. Sounds like the worker may have some type of disability.
Otherwise, there is no excuse for that blunder.

Having worked 5 years in a Home Depot type store, it happens a lot, and isn't chalked up to having a disability. Really, they are enamoured in making sure their specs are right - they just forget.

[deckchick]

They should be GIVING away free pencils. Sheesh...those people are their cash cow.

I am in the building trade, and I have bought tons of lumber etc from a variety of stores including HD, 90% of the time they toss in a free pencil. They usually have a container full of them for us contractors to use, and it is a given we will walk away with one.

I don't know what that fucktard was thinking barring him, if that was me I would have turned around, gone back to the contracting desk, asked for my main guy and raised hell! I guarantee you if he had, the bonehead would have been tuned up and if I was a big enough customer, even fired. No way in hell should that have ever happened, the store dick got a little over zealous methinks.

[IceQueen]

^^^ LOL - I would just have to walk next door to Lowes- which is in the same parking lot as Home Depot. Easy trip

[alltoofamiliar]

Maybe it was this particular guys first time to "catch" someone in the act!!! He was obviously in need of some kind of attention AND attention is what he got. Too bad it might be in the form of a firing!