Why I'm Boycotting Home Depot

Last week I made the stupid decision to interrupt finely laid, yet slightly mildewed grout and re-grout part of my shower. It might be one of the dumbest things I've done in a while.  As I sat there with grout all over me I was cursing the "You can do it, we can help" motto from Home Depot. They sucked me in, thinking it was a normal homeowner thing to do and that I could lay grout as well as people who do it for a living.

So when I had to go back there to get clear vs. white silicone, I really cursed the Home Depot (which started in Atlanta, GA and is a U.S. company). Right there in front of me I saw a huge banner saying the that Home Depot sponsors Mexico's World Cup Soccer team. But wait, really? Was I really standing in a Home Depot on U.S. soil, spending my money to support Mexico's men's soccer team? Absolutely not. I stormed out and headed across town to Lowe's.

Now, if they were feeding hungry children in Mexico or helping create an infrastructure for job growth, well, I'm okay with that.  But here's why their support of Mexico's World Cup soccer team unnerved me: 1) we have a World Cup bound soccer team here in America that is playing next week and 2) we have a ton of women's sports teams that go with very little support.  In fact, down the road from Home Depot headquarters, there is a Women's Pro Soccer team called The Beat. I checked the website and didn't see Home Depot as a sponsor. Is there any reason they can't help a team on U.S. soil? Especially given that a few women's pro soccer teams have folded recently due to financial problems. In addition, we have other women's sports they can sponsor like, well, how about our World Cup Women's Rugby team? Yes, ladies and gentleman, they are darn good athletes who are all full time students or full time employees supporting a pro athlete training schedule in their spare time.

From what one of the employees told me (as he shrugged in sheer embarrassment about the sign), Home Depot is opening stores in Mexico. And you know what, that means nothing to me. Use a percentage of your funds from your Mexican stores to support Mexico's World Cup Soccer team. On U.S. soil, I'm not giving another dime to Home Depot until they start supporting a U.S. team. And preferably, a woman's team. If they want international exposure, look no further than the women's Olympic soccer team or women's rugby team. We have some of the best athletes here, let's start supporting them.

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• Filed Under:  
• Rugby, Soccer

This post is related to the following ongoing stories:

• World Cup

There are 3 comments on this post. Join the discussion!

Kathy Z

I am SHOCKED and disappointed in Home Depot. We recently purchased a "fixer-upper" and spent literally THOUSANDS of dollars there. After posting this, I'm going to gather any unused and in "returnable shape" and return them to the store. And, I'll find another store to buy from.

Monday, June 14, 2010 at 10:27pm PDT

Jewell06

Thank you Marie S. This is what I am talking about for the past couple of years. How can we support companies that does not support us? I have known girls (tennis athletes) who have slept by the wayside in London just trying to get to the next tournament, and could not afford the high cost of their hotel for just a couple hours rest. And to think they are all Americans that are not getting help from the businesses we support it's a damn shame. Shame on you Home Depot we are the ones who support you, not Mexico.

Friday, June 18, 2010 at 3:35pm PDT

MarieS

Kathy Z - I did the same thing - returned what I had bought from them.
Jewell06- yes, total Shame!!

Lowe's and Ace Hardware are now my two go-to stores for home improvement!

Saturday, June 19, 2010 at 3:03pm PDT