Yet ANOTHER reason to despise Home Depot

[CatWoman]

Home Depot destroys 1 million pounds of supplies in wake of hurricane

ST. THOMAS, Virgin Islands - A trip along the winding mountain countryside in Saint Thomas reveals scenes that are not scattered across network news shows anymore.

Tarps cover the homes of people fortunate enough to have a promise of federal aid. Music equipment that used to amplify voices from a Sunday morning choir dangles from a church ceiling. A visitor can look straight through it, like a dollhouse. Vehicles with drowned engines remain parked along random roadways, power lines are entangled and personal belonging are piled up waiting for pickup.

“A lot of people lost everything, like me,” said Kenneth Turnbull, softly kicking a piece of plywood from in front of his multi-unit childhood home. “I lost everything out of my home.”

So for many on the island, Home Depot’s decision to destroy its entire stock of merchandise following Hurricanes Irma and Maria — rather than give it to those in need — seemed especially cruel.

The company crushed one million pounds worth of goods, according to Waste Management records obtained by Channel 2 Action News. They were sent to a local landfill and claimed on the company’s insurance — rather than sorted for hurricane survivors.

The company doesn’t dispute the destruction but, citing liability concerns, insisted to Channel 2 Action News that no other options were available.

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/2-investigates/home-depot-destroys-1-million-pounds-of-supplies-in-wake-of-hurricane/691725218

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. Oh, dear.

I have used them for various household repairs. I need to get a new garbage disposal and was going to go to HD to get one and have it installed. And to be honest, I don't really want to deal with local plumbers because (I live in Santa Fe, NM) I honestly don't really trust them. I suppose I can go to Lowe's. Are they okay?

[CatWoman]

2. after recent events I have committed myself to either Lowes or Ace Hardware

actually, I prefer the hands on and expertise I get at Ace.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

5. Okay. I'll go to Lowe's.

Thank you.

[catbyte]

6. I've been boycotting Home Depot since 2012 when I found out they were teabaggers

I switched to Lowes & actually like them better--more stock and much better service. I wish there was a local mom & pop hardware store near me, but there isn't.

[Cha]

3. That's cold. What a heartless act

of destruction.. and yes cruel.

[ProudLib72]

4. I'm glad I read the rest of the article

I was about to forgive them because of the liability issue until the article mentioned the "Good Samaritan" statute. There was only one reason for this: greed. They didn't want to waste time and have to pay employees to check each item. Instead, they wanted to restock with fresh supplies and force those devastated by the storm to pay. I can picture some CEO making the decision to recoup loses by taking advantage of the storm victims. In fact, they most likely view this as a windfall.

[herding cats]

7. Oh, damn.

That's just so messed up. There had to be some sort of liability waiver they could have had a charity/nonprofit sign. I've been active in such things before with nonprofits. It's not unheard of in dire circumstances.

[dalton99a]

8. WTF

This is so fucked up.

[BSdetect]

9. Its rapacious vulture monopoly capitalism. Nothing really new.

[safeinOhio]

10. Lowes, not so fast.

Local hardware and lumber yards are your best bet.





https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2011/12/lowes-continues-its-lonely-anti-all-american-muslim-crusade/333988/