If you haven't read Atul's response to people who've written to Home Depot asking them not to advertise on Bill O'Reilly's show, you might be surprised to know that Atul believes that writing Home Depot to complain about Home Depot's choice of advertising venues actually hurts the environment.
Dear ******,
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
But what does Atul say if you write to complain about something much more important... oh, say, you're hearing too many spanish language advertisements in the store? Well, now we know. John D. had the unfortunate experience of hearing 5 Spanish language advertisements while shopping in Home Depot.
From John D.
As we were in the Home Depot we heard a “canned advertisement” over the load speaker. While this is not unusual for retail stores, what got my attention was the language. It was an ad in Spanish. Yes we are all getting used to hearing the occasional Spanish ad in several stores so this was not that big a deal. A few moments later I heard another Spanish ad. In less than 20 minutes in Home Depot we heard four Spanish speaking advertisements. In the same 20-minute period I heard ZERO English advertisements.
I can't imagine his distress. but he goes on:
I started to leave and thought to myself that maybe I should speak to the manager myself. I returned to her check out and asked to speak to the manager. She proceeded to call the manager. After several minutes a gentleman came to speak to me, not the manager since he was busy. I proceeded to explain my view and asked when it was ok for English speaking or Non-Spanish speaking shoppers were welcome in Home Depot. He told me the “correct” answers from a customer service point of view. He explained all overhead ads come from corporate headquarters in Atlanta. He also said they have no control which ads are run and when they are run. I asked him to pass on my issues with his manager and his corporate headquarters. I also told him I would not come back until non-Spanish speaking customers were appreciated as much as the Spanish speaking customers. If I had been thinking, I would have asked if the American dollar was still accepted of if they just took Peso’s now.
Oh the humanity. Finally..
Please don’t misunderstand me, I welcome new citizens into The United States of America, but they need to conform to OUR country. We don’t need to conform to theirs.
Well, that's OK then.
Anyway, John D apparently wrote Home Depot about his unpleasant experience. And guess who wrote back? ATUL!!! So, did Atul blame John D for making Home Depot take time away from building a border fence? Let's see:
Dear Mr. D*****,
Thank you for contacting The Home Depot Customer Care.
We apologize for the inconvenience caused to you.
We appreciate receiving feedback from our customers and want to thank
you for taking the time to forward your concerns regarding the spanish
advertisement.
We apologize you feel this way, however, at The Home Depot we believe
that diversity is the catalyst for innovative thinking, entrepreneurial
spirit and new ways of building our communities. The greater the
diversity of our people, the greater our ability to serve our customers
and communities.
This partnership will help further The Home Depot's ongoing commitment
to create a high-performing, diverse workforce that meets the growing
needs of its customers, partners and neighbors in communities across the
country.
If you would like to speak with a Customer Care professional, please
call us at 1-800-HOMEDEPOT (1-800-466-3337) and select option 3. We
would be happy to assist you.
Sincerely,
Atul
Customer Care
Hmmmm, I count 2 "apologize", 1 "appreciate" and 1 "happy to assist". Atul apparently isn't so put off by people complaining about spanish language advertisements, only about people complaining about racist, right-wing nutjobs. I wonder how he tells the difference between the 2?