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Home Depot
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Author:  djeepp [ Tue Aug 11, 2009 7:58 am ]
Post subject:  Home Depot

I usually open carry when I go to the hardware store and usually don't have any issue. I was in the Midway Menards picking up a few things. As I was walking out, I was approached by the rent-a-cop that I believe is there every day, all day. He said that he had a few people talk to him and told me it would be a good idea to cover my pistol. I politely thanked him for his concern and continued to check out. About the same time, I had a nice teachable moment with the young lady at the cash register who couldn't believe I wasn't a cop. I gave her a quick lesson in the law and she thanked me for informing her.

The following day, I called the store manager of that store to find out what the policy is concerning legal carry of firearms (I did not mention open carry). He told me that Menards does not allow carrying of firearms in the store what-so-ever (I did not mention that they did not post). I asked him if that was store policy or company policy. He said, "I believe that is company policy." I asked him for the phone number for corporate. He gave me their address and said they don't take phone calls.

I did a little searching and found the phone number for corporate. I talked to four different people, two of them twice with no response. Someone called me back four days later and said company policy does not exist for legal carry and they leave it up to the store managers. I asked him to call Midway's store manager and clarify their policy. He said he would. It is now three weeks later and I have not had a response.

Needless to say, I no longer shop at Menards. However, I had an immediate need for supplies since I am in the process of building a $4000 deck on my house. I called Home Depot (they actually post a number for customer service on their website) and talked to a young lady within seconds. I asked what the company policy is concerning legal carry. She looked it up on her computer and read me verbatim what it said. It was something to the effect that Home Depot does not enforce any policies concerning carry of firearms in the store as long as it is performed lawfully. She also specified that employees are forbidden from carrying firearms in the store.

Since then, I have purchased about half of my supplies from the Maplewood Home Depot so far, open carrying every time. No one has said anything to me, though I have seen a few double takes.

I know there have been issues with Home Depot in the past, but so far with their gun friendly policies and the "Meet it and beat it" price matching, I am very happy with the company.

Author:  bstrawse [ Tue Aug 11, 2009 8:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Home Depot

Sounds like we need to write a few letters to Menards - I'll write mine today.
b

Author:  mrokern [ Tue Aug 11, 2009 8:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Home Depot

I OC regularly at the EP Home Depot...I've never had any issues. :D

-Mark

Author:  mnglocker [ Tue Aug 11, 2009 9:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Home Depot

OC at the Buffalo Menards damned near weekly, the one in Golden Valley with some frequency, and the Plymouth HD on a fairly normal basis. Never had an issue.

Author:  djeepp [ Tue Aug 11, 2009 9:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Home Depot

mnglocker wrote:
OC at the Buffalo Menards damned near weekly, the one in Golden Valley with some frequency, and the Plymouth HD on a fairly normal basis. Never had an issue.


I haven't either until this one incident, but I no longer shop there on principal. They didn't have the common courtesy to follow up with me on the specific store I was inquiring about so they don't get my business. I will be sending them a letter and a copy of the receipts for my materials purchases from Home Depot telling them why they didn't get that business or any other from me in the future.

Author:  Scott Hughes [ Tue Aug 11, 2009 10:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Home Depot

Image

My response to policy and postings that portend to say my business is not welcome is "NONE FOR YOU" :!:

Author:  sheepdog [ Tue Aug 11, 2009 12:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Home Depot

Personally, I've preferred Menard's over Home Depot due to the variety of product and good prices (and it's easy to compare the two when they are right across the street from each other, as they are in Forest Lake). However, I've never OC'd at either location, and have never noticed either of the stores being posted.

Hopefully, your actions will get the ball rolling at Menard's corporate offices to iron out their policies on lawful carry of a firearm at their stores. I have a feeling that, in your particular case, it was more of a store policy. I know one of the managers at the Forest Lake Menard's, and he's as pro-carry as they come. Sometimes it seems like it just comes down to the personal opinion of the manager on duty at the time.

It's really disappointing to read about how your calls were handled with Menard's customer service. One would think they could do better than that. Sounds like Home Depot, on the other hand, has their shit together.

Author:  Andrew Rothman [ Tue Aug 11, 2009 2:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Home Depot

mrokern wrote:
I OC regularly at the EP Home Depot...I've never had any issues. :D

-Mark


Me too. Same store, as it happens, and no issues.

Quote:
I will be sending them a letter and a copy of the receipts for my materials purchases from Home Depot telling them why they didn't get that business or any other from me in the future.


Exactly right! Make sure you mention that you have shared your experience with the single largest meeting point for Minnesota's 65,000 permit holders.

Author:  Scott Hughes [ Tue Aug 11, 2009 3:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Home Depot

Quote:
Exactly right! Make sure you mention that you have shared your experience with the single largest meeting point for Minnesota's 65,000 permit holders.


Image

Author:  Moby Clarke [ Tue Aug 11, 2009 7:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Home Depot

I agree with all said, but I can't shop at HD very often as they employ some of the worst and least intelligent people and far too few. Trying to find someone to help you in HD is almost impossible. In Menard's, it is real easy to get help.

Author:  larryflew [ Tue Aug 11, 2009 10:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Home Depot

add another Menards fan

Author:  plblark [ Tue Aug 11, 2009 10:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Home Depot

HD does, however, have a VERY strict employee policy. They make it VERY clear to all employees in orientation that they WILL be fired if they bring ANY firearm onto HD property, even a deer rifle in the trunk in the parking lot.will get you FIRED.

Author:  mrokern [ Tue Aug 11, 2009 10:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Home Depot

plblark wrote:
HD does, however, have a VERY strict employee policy. They make it VERY clear to all employees in orientation that they WILL be fired if they bring ANY firearm onto HD property, even a deer rifle in the trunk in the parking lot.will get you FIRED.


Hmmm, I'd like enough money to buy a house and tons of stuff to outfit it. I think I should get a part-time job at HD, make sure the boss knows I have a gun in my car, and let them fire me for exactly that reason. They can even put it in writing. :twisted:

-Mark

Author:  Scott Hughes [ Tue Aug 11, 2009 11:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Home Depot

plblark wrote:
HD does, however, have a VERY strict employee policy. They make it VERY clear to all employees in orientation that they WILL be fired if they bring ANY firearm onto HD property, even a deer rifle in the trunk in the parking lot.will get you FIRED.


Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.....Another reason to sell that stock :!: :!: :evil:

Author:  djeepp [ Wed Aug 12, 2009 7:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Home Depot

I like Menards. I am not happy about the situation the way it happened. But I'll be damned if I'm going to be treated like I did when all I wanted was simple clarification on the rules.

I'll disagree that help is easy to find in the Menards stores that I shopped at (Maplewood, Midway) but I didn't need help very often anyway. One more plus for Home Depot; their lumber is FAR better quality than Menards or Lowes, and they'll price match on pressure treated and meet and beat by 10% on kiln dried. That means major discounts if you are price matching to Lowes.

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