It's simple really. Support Bill O'Reilly or you take our minds off being an Environmentally Conscious company.
Wait! What?
Yes, it is true. Home Depot cannot walk and chew gum at the same time. The whole company focus must be shifted between Bill O'Reilly opponents or environmentalism. And, they value environmentalism so much, Home Depot wants us to ignore O'LIEly's anti-environmental rants so that Home Depot can get on with even more great environmental progress!
Hard to believe, but true: Not opposing Bill O'Reilly will result in more progress. This is the claim made by Atul, Home Depot representative:
Dear C (me),
Thank you for contacting The Home Depot Customer Care.
We appreciate you taking the time to forward your concerns regarding The Home Depot's sponsorship of Bill O' Reilly's show on FOX.
The Home Depot has a strong passion for being environmentally
responsible both in the Company's operating principles and in
responsible retailing through our industry-leading Eco Options initiative, a program that allows customers to easily identify products that have less of an impact on the environment and empowers them to help make a difference in their own homes. We have led many initiatives with interest groups to develop standards and set environmental goals for ourselves and suppliers. Some of these at great expense and sweat equity to the company.
Our advertising campaigns have one simple objective to communicate with audiences in the most effective way possible. The Company is receptive to many forms and styles of media as we seek a balanced representation of programming to reach our customer base.
Unfortunately campaigns like this one cause us to take time away from our sustainability goals and address a variance of political views.
Sincerely,
Atul
Customer Care
Sweat equity? Um, hey, Atul, that's known as "working your workers extra hard -- without extra pay." Extra pay would mean there was a financial cost, not a 'sweat equity' cost. Not exactly a selling point when addressing the working public.
And, as I point out in my response, your argument does not hold water:
Dear Atul,
Thank you for answering my Email. Unfortunately, your reply makes no sense whatsoever. You work in public relations / consumer affairs. Your job is to communicate with customers, happy and unhappy. "Campaigns like this one," therefore, have no impact on the ability of Home Depot to pursue their so-called environmental goals.
In fact, advertising on Bill O'Reilly is contrary to Home Depot's supposed environmental goals. Bill O'Reilly repeatedly ridicules environmentalists, denies that climate change exists and is the polar opposite of 'environmental concern.'
By advertising on Bill O'Reilly, Home Depot is seeking customers who have no interest in your so-called 'environmental goals.' Fans of Bill O'Reilly do not believe in such things.
As such, your "environmental campaign" is being frustrated by your own advertising on Bill O'Reilly. The only explanation is that Home Depot does not actually believe in the "green whitewash" being spread over the company. It is a false portrayal of Home Depot.
I'm happy to shop at the Lowes, over 4 miles from my home. And when the Home Depot closest to my house has competition across the street, I will cheerfully spend all my money in Lowes.
Nothing supporting Bill O'Reilly will ever enter my home.
Good luck to you.
C (me)
Well, that was a fun response to write, but I really feel like Atul is not going to share my concerns within the company. As in most cases such as this, I believe "Consumer Affairs" job is to blunt any complaint and prevent executives from really knowing what their (former) customers think.
I forwarded Atul's response and my own reaction to the CEO and CFO of Home Depot:
To: francis_blake@homedepot.com, carol_tome@homedepot.com
Dear Mr. Blake and Ms Tome,
You should be interested in seeing the responses your Consumer Affairs department is providing to your former customers. Your responses are illogical on their face.
Also, I want to call your attention to how much I appreciate my Email response coming from India. The more Americans you can put out of work the better. But, wait! Who will buy your products if all Americans are out of work? Another logical roadblock.
There is a Home Depot just down the street from me on Lemmon. Instead, I have begun driving farther - miles farther - to shop at Lowes. Nothing supporting Bill O'Reilly will ever enter my home.
Customer service was ruined by the former CEO of Home Depot. Now, you publicly support a global warming denier and opponent to each and every environmental issue.
Good luck with that.
I'm shopping at Lowes.
Cheers!
C (me)
Well, nothing a little humor and politeness can't help... Good-bye orange-red Home Depot.
Hello blue Lowes!