Racial profiling feared at Wal-Mart
 

Racial profiling feared at Wal-Mart
Store managers delay a black customer for two hours. It took police 19 minutes to figure out he did nothing wrong.
By MARK ALBRIGHT, Times Staff Writer
Published December 2, 2005

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TAMPA - GAF Materials Corp. is handing out gift cards from Target as a reward to select employees this holiday season. That's because Wal-Mart, the discount store that held the business for years, last week called sheriff's deputies to apprehend a GAF manager on a bogus bad check rap while he was trying to buy this year's gift card supply.

"I keep going over and over the incident in my mind," said Reginald Pitts, the 34-year-old human resources manager for the roof material manufacturer's Tampa distribution center. "I cannot come up with any possible reason why I was treated like this except that I am black."

Wal-Mart has launched its own internal investigation of the incident, which store officials concede upfront "was handled very poorly."

"We've apologized to Mr. Pitts and are trying to find out exactly what happened so it does not happen again," said Sharon Weber, spokeswoman for the chain, based in Bentonville, Ark. "We do not tolerate racial discrimination or racial profiling at Wal-Mart."

GAF has been spending about $50,000 a year on gift cards at the Wal-Mart Supercenter at 11110 Causeway Blvd. in Brandon. For years GAF sent a white, female administrator to buy them without incident. This time, when she was on vacation the day before Thanksgiving, Pitts did the job himself. He phoned in the order for 520 cards, got the accounting department to issue Wal-Mart a $13,600 check and then encountered a royal hassle trying to exchange it for gift cards at the store.

"For a while there I thought I was going to prison," he said. "It was a totally humiliating experience."

For about two hours, store managers stalled on accepting the check for the already-printed gift cards, while Pitts stood waiting by the customer service desk. He had handed over his GAF business card, his driver's license and the toll-free numbers to GAF's bank. His accounting supervisor assured them over the phone that GAF, the nation's biggest roofing systems maker with revenues of $1.6-billion in 2004, was good for the check.

Two African-American Wal-Mart clerks watching all this from nearby told Pitts that several similarly sized transactions were made for other companies that day without delay, Pitts said. They suggested to Pitts that he was subjected to all the extra scrutiny by their bosses because he is black.

The thought made him physically ill.

Dressed in khaki pants and a blue button-down-collar dress shirt, Pitts finally got upset over the lengthy wait. He asked for the check back so he could go to another store. But store managers, who had kept huddled in a nearby office during most of his two-hour ordeal, refused to return it. The only explanation he got was that the store was having trouble "verifying" the check or who Pitts was.

Later, two Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies appeared. One grabbed Pitts by the arm. He objected to the rough handling and asked if he was being arrested.

"We need to talk with you about this forged check that you brought in here," Pitts recalled deputy Bryan Wells saying. Later Wells explained the reason for the firm arm grab: "Well, Wal-Mart called us and reported to us that you committed a felony, and that's the way we approach felons," Pitts recalled.

Read the rest here...
http://www.sptimes.com/2005/12/02/Ta...ing_fear.shtml :mad:

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Dammit. Just dammit. This was posted on a listserve yesterday but I never got around to reading it.

Wal Mart, you about to make me stop shopping there. :( :mad: :(

With this and the other stuff I've heard about Wal-Mart, I'm reconsidering too. :mad:

I probably got it from the same one

LMAO You on the Delta listserve, LMAO ;)

just joshing, lmao

The Soror probably got it from a listserve you are both on. :D

It appears that GAF is handling this well, instead of sweeping it under the rug. At my last employer we had problems almost every year with our bank when bonus checks were given out. Almost to a person, every black person that came in with a check and wanted to outright cash it ($2,000 would have been on the low end of the scale and for a director, it would have easily been 5 figures) was given a hard time. One black female director who wanted to open a Money Market account and get some cash from her check was given such a hassle for such a long time (i.e. your signature does not match the signature on your driver's licence, why is your check so much bigger than everyone's elses? The signature of the VP of HR--who signed the checks by hand--does not match, etc.) that she understandably left.

My company raised a stink for a minute, but the end result was nothing. It would have been very easy to move that business, but they chose to take the punk way out.

I will be interesting to see how Wal-Mart handles it. I know they will put it all back on the individual employees in the stores, but I wonder if it is the culture. Interesting thing though, at least as of a few years ago the Exuctive/Sr. VP of HR at Sam's Club was a black man.

this reminds me of a situation my cousin had at wal-mart. she just had a baby and she wanted to exchange a bottle of milk she bought for another kind. now, she's a professional woman but she was having an off-day. the manager took one look at her and said "we don't do returns on WIC items.":eek:

after my cousin told her that she was not on WIC, she said "well how do i know that you didn't bring this over from New Orleans?" :eek: :eek: :mad:

Please tell me that this did not really happen :eek:

S____!!!
S_________!!!!!!

S________________!!!!

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

I don't do Walmart, unless ABSOLUTELY needed. This just gives me one more reason to avoid them. I saw an in-depth investigation on MSNBC and it was weird. They have a bizarre corporate culture, instead of WWJD it's what would Sam do. And they have predatory biz practices. :mad:

You've GOT to be kidding me. :mad: :mad:

Oh hayle no! :mad:
I work in a store that is UFCW (United Food Commericial Workers Union) so I avoid Wal Mart unless it is necessary. And these stories are definitely more reasons to avoid them

I saw that too. I agree that they have a bizarre corp. culture and I STILL would not shop there.

I'm talking about REAL NEED. I've been in 2 walmarts in my life. Once on a roadtrip, when we hadn't seen another similar store for about 2 hours, and it was our last potential stop before our destination. The other was b/c we need to get last minute flowers for a funeral in southern Oregon. Taco bell wasn't selling flowers, so we had to go to wall mart:(

reason #80 ookabillion why Walmart is EVIL.

That is trifiling.

I went to a KMART once in SC when I was 18. They had a clearance bin with undies in them (real cheap - like $1.99 cheap)that I was looking thru. I picked some out, walked around looking at other stuff for a while, then decided not to get them and put them in another area (misshelved them). I went back to my mother and told her that they all looked tacky and didn't want any of them (I was into VS big back then, so I was completely put off). Anyway, we're leaving and there's 2 police cars outside. We were looking like "Wonder what done happened in there????" Then the manager comes running up to US and says they need to see us inside. They assumed that I was shop lifting and called 2 police cars, and was acting crazy - "so where's the underwear...where's the underwear?" I showed them where I put them :mad: and they were like http://www.websmileys.com/sm/sad/507.gif . My cousin was still inside and had just bought over $100.00 in stuff. She not so politely told them to return everything and I returned what little I had bought as well.

UPDATE
 

Fla. Wal-Mart Axes Manager Over Bias Issue
By MITCH STACY, Associated Press Writer Tue Dec 13, 3:40 PM ET

TAMPA, Fla. - A Wal-Mart manager who called sheriff's deputies about a black businessman mistakenly suspected of trying to pass a bad check was fired for using "poor judgment," the store chain said Tuesday.

Wal-Mart said manager Mark Cornett violated company procedures when he called the law on Reginald Pitts, who had presented a $13,600 check to pay for holiday gift cards for his company's employees.

Pitts, 34, a human resources manager for GAF Materials Corp., said he suspects he was treated that way because he is black.

Wal-Mart spokeswoman Sarah Clark said Cornett tried to verify Pitts' check, but could not do so because a privacy block on GAF's account. However, she said Cornett should have returned the check to Pitts instead of calling sheriff's deputies.

Cornett was fired because of "poor judgment and poor customer service," she said.

Clark denied there was any racial profiling.

Wal-Mart apologized to Pitts for the Nov. 23 incident in suburban Brandon. But GAF decided to buy its employees gift cards from Target instead.

Re: Racial profiling feared at Wal-Mart
 

"AND THAT JUST PROVES MY POINT!!!"

WALMART is not the great place you think it is...be aware people....BE AWARE!!!

CT4 you knew I was going to say this right? LOL!!!

LoJ

Re: Re: Racial profiling feared at Wal-Mart
 

Yup. :(
I just came from Bi-Lo. I have not been to Wal Mart since this happened. :(

Re: Re: Re: Racial profiling feared at Wal-Mart
 

Good...I am so happy...

"one more unsatisfied customer..."

LoJ

While what happened to Reginald ticks me off, this situation really pisses me off. I am SICK TO DEATH of some people treating us like nonentities, criminals, and hooligans. WTF if she did bring it from New Orleans? If the sh!! is within date code it's still OK especially if it is retorted. A freaking store manager should KNOW THIS but then again that manager seems to be an asswipe.

Sickening. :mad: :mad:

I do not shop at Wal-Mart anymore. Because I've noticed that when you leave Wal-Mart, if you are Black you have to show your receipt as you exit, to the greeter. Meanwhile a white person can have items that aren't even bagged but they don't get stopped.

One day I walked right pass the greeter as he was asking for my receipt and I proceeded to walk to my car. Some security guy came out to my car and asked for my receipt and I asked him if he was accusing me of anything? He said No. I then proceeded to tell him I wasn't showing him anything, if he wanted to see the receipt "go rewind your camera at register 8 and watch the sales rep ring me up, me hand her my credit card and her hand me a receipt and bag".
The security guy then replys," well that's okay this time but I'm just doing my job." I said,"what ever" and got in my car and left.

I am a very equal opportunity person and I have friends, co-workers, and family members of various races, but as a Black woman who has been to several Wal-Marts I do believe they use racial profiling. TARGET IS MY FAV NOW.

WHAT!!!:eek: Now I know you have to show a receiot if you have a large item (ex. large TV, washer/dryer) that, but I have NEVA heard of showing your receipt as you leave with bags! :eek:

BOOO on Walmart! :o :mad:

I think that depends on the ignorance of the person at the door. I never have to show my receipt (unless it's a large item - i.e. computer :D ). We have, however, noticed some bias on which children get offered the smiley stickers. But again - I don't make a to do about it because usually Mr. or Mrs. Ignoramus is Jenna or JimBob Trailerpark trash (and you think you can look down on me? Puhllleeeeease. Keep yo stank stickers - and I hope your $5.95/hr is well worth your actin' hateful to a kid) :o ...

Let's start a revolution. Down with Wal-Mart!!!!

This type of stuff makes me want to scream.

I am down....I have had these sentiments for a long time now...

LoJ

I'll be down.

Haven't really shopped WalMart in years, plus they have several lawsuits against them from their former African American employees, they even accused them of stealing and kept them on lockdown for several hours in the store!:eek: Also, have heard via emails how Black Women are a target -no pun intended- for gang initiations at certain stores in predominately white shopping centers, my girlfriend said last week that they were watching her rather closely! do not shop there alone! Have been a Target shopper for a few years!:D

i have to do that at the walmart by my house..

http://www.siyclone.com/forum//style...spitcoffee.gif

I'm surprised none of you mentioned this yet
 

Wal-Mart Web Site Makes Racial Connections



EXCERPT

Wal-Mart Web Site Makes Racial Connections
DVD Shoppers Get Offensive Referrals

By Ylan Q. Mui
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, January 6, 2006; Page D01

Wal-Mart apologized yesterday after its retail Web site directed potential buyers of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "Planet of the Apes" DVDs to also consider purchasing DVDs with African American themes.

The world's largest retailer said in a statement that it was "heartsick" over the racially offensive grouping and that the site was linking "seemingly random combinations of titles."

"It's just simply not working correctly," said Mona Williams, vice president of corporate communications for Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

The company said it was alerted to the problem early yesterday afternoon after word began spreading among bloggers. When visitors to Walmart.com requested "Planet of the Apes: The Complete TV Series" on DVD, four other movies were recommended under the heading "Similar Items." Those films included "Martin Luther King: I Have A Dream/Assassination of MLK" and "Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson."

Fortunately, where I live in Seattle, there is no Walmart within logical driving distance...

We have to "Target" or "Fred Meyer" it...

I prefer Target over Fred. But our Target doesn't have supermarket, yet.

But this past Christmas I was visiting my MIL Hayle out in Apopka, FL and Walmart shopping was just too psychotic for me. Unfortunately, I purchased my own brother and his "family" a Walmart gift card before I read all of this lunacy. But now I really don't feel too bad about it 'cuz my brother's "wife" (the woman he is legally married to, but now wants to get a divorce... Don't ask, 'cuz I don't know...) is caucasian, so she won't have too much harassment when she goes to the Walmart stores in SoCal... I mainly got the gift card for my little nephew--he needs diapers and stuh--and there was no "Babies 'R Us" stores within driving distance in Apopka--that I knew about and my MIL Hayle wouldn't have gone psycho about driving to it...

But, now, this poor guy in Tampa and the stupidity he suffered... Well good for GAF in support. And Walmart deserves losing a huge account like that for that much stupidity!!!

Besides every Walmart I "visited" while in Florida and Georgia, all the workers had bleeding gums and rotten teeth and they looked like they just got out of a crack house...

Also, Walmart would want to be careful having stoopid workers in SoCal... Let's just say that Walmart might want to build "flame retardant" buildings... We just have a nasty habit of wanting to warm ourselves by a fire after the store really got looted by some real Dorsey HS and Crenshaw HS "fools"...

Monet, I like Target too...don't tell anyone though--I work for Fred Meyer! :D

Wal-Mart in Bellingham has some tore up looking employees too

Girl, my daughters and I were at walmart once and went thought the self ck...why did an undercover loss prevention person meet us out side asking to see our reciept for some jeans my child had just bought. I was pissed off...this was even after the little old lady had checked my reciept at the door. :mad:

After reading this entire thread..Hell I'm down too :mad: