Round 4 --- throw rocks at boys....Claire's

[FatherTime]

I took my daughter to Claire's today to buy my daughter some things.
I saw hats with the "Boys are Stupid....Throw rocks at them" slogan.

Can I get some help on this?

Customer Service - Claire's/Icing by Claire's
Phone:1-800-CLAIRES (1-800-252-4737)
E-mail:[email protected]

I'm writing an email tonight.

Thanks,

FatherTime

Here is a changed version of Brent's sample letter to Universal Studios:

I am writing in regards to some extremely offensive merchandise offered for sale by Claire's.

I'm referring specifically to the "Boys Are Stupid, Throw Rocks at Them" hats that Claire's sells.

I would hope that Claire's will also have a sense of social conscience and opt do the right thing by pulling these hats from your stores. Selling these hats may be amusing to some, but the message they send is offensive to many, and insensitive (at best) to half the population.

My family does not condone violence towards anyone and I would never allow my daughter to wear a hat that suggested they assault another human, especially based on their gender. These shirts are a fine example of gender-based hatred and discrimination, and they are a discredit to Claire's' integrity as a responsible and ethical corporate citizen.

In addition, these hats are an insult to anyone who has ever spent money at Claire's. I was appalled that Claire's would offer this kind of merchandise, and  I will not patronize a corporation that promotes violence against children. Most people no longer find these kinds of messages to be "humorous" or acceptable, and they vote with their wallets and pocketbooks.

Rest assured I will never take my children to visit Claire's, or spend money in any Claire's store. In addition, I'll take every opportunity to explain to people I meet how Claire's promotes violence against children by the sale of these incredibly offensive and hateful products.

I'm sure you would agree that a hat promoting violence against girls would be in extremely poor taste, and would be boycotted by any number of groups, such a the National Organization for Women. A hat promoting violence against boys is no different, and I hope that you will act accordingly to prevent Claire's from helping to perpetuate violence against children of either gender.

I welcome your comments and look forward to hearing from you.

[Brent]

>spent money at Claire's. I was appalled that Claire's would
>offer this kind of merchandise, and neither I nor the 1300+
>people on my email list will


I'd take out the part about the email list, but otherwise I'd say go for it. I've already written them, and I'll call them tomorrow and start their day off right. :)

[FatherTime]

I thought you wanted a copyright.  :D

[MKx2]

e-mail sent and I too will call them ...

[1angrystepmom]

Letter sent.... of course I changed it a bit to express, I am a mother of BOTH a son and daughters~

Amber

[StPaulieGirl]

Well, insomnia doesn't make for great emails, but here's the one I sent them:

Hi,

I'm not sure if you are aware that Claire's is selling hats with offensive messages such as "Boys are stupid, throw rocks at them".    I have 4 children, plus a grandbaby, and my older girls have been patrons of Claire's for years.  My family does not condone violence towards anyone, especially based on gender.  I hope you will reconsider stocking this kind of merchandise.

Sincerely,


My cat is having a nervous breakdown, and for the last week he's been keeping me up all night.  Yawnnnnn....

[Indigo Mom]

I'm not sure about this one...but instead of bombing each store that chooses to sell these pathetic shirts, would the better business bureau be able to do something about the company that makes these shirts???

Maybe a bunch of complaints to the bbb about this company promoting violence?

Like I said, I don't know if this is an option...anyone know?

[Rakkasan]

Your paragraph four states [em]"I would never allow my daughter to wear a hat that suggested they assault another human being because of their gender...."[/em]

Please consider replacing it with this modifed version St.PaulieGirls line>
My family does not condone violence towards anyone and I would never allow my daughter to wear a hat that suggested they assault another human, especially based on their gender....

[Kitty C.]

That 'company' (David and Goliath) was confronted the first time and flat out refused to do anything about it, claiming this line was one of their best sellers.  Since they have taken such a defiant stand, we're going for their pocket and getting all their clients to quit selling them, thus cutting off their gravy train and forcing them to drop the line completely.  

[joni]

To whom it may concern,

I have been a customer of Claire's since I was in high school.  I got a 2nd ear piercing there and love your store for the novel items that you carry.  I have also turned my 6 year old stepdaughter onto your merchandise.

It's recently come to my attention that your stores are carrying the "Boys are stupid - throw rocks at them" merchandise.  With all of the violence in our schools these days, children having to go through metal detectors to keep them safe, dogs sniffing for bombs and drugs, why on earth, as a retailer to young girls, would you condone such violence?

Do you think it's OK for girls to throw rocks at boys?  Don't you think this line of merchandise encourages this violence?  I am horrified.  Would you carry merchandise that promotes neo-nazism or the Klu Klux Klan?  Not in a heartbeat.  The difference between these examples and the David & Goliath line is negligible.

As long as you continue to promote such violence, be advised that neither myself, my stepdaughter or anyone who can hear my voice will ever place foot in your stores again.

Do the right thing.  Pull the merchandise and as your penance, make your buying department contribute to an organization that works to eliminate violence against all of our children

[Waylon]

Just to let you all know, I spoke with a very nice lady by the name of Donnell (sp?) at Claire's. She was a bit horrified that these hats were on sale, and promised to contact the store manager "Katy Michaels" immediately. Ms Michaels is suppposed contact me by Friday to discuss this. I suspect they'll act reasonably and stop selling these things, but we'll see. I'll let you all know what happens as soon as I hear from them.

If you contact Claire's, PLEASE be polite. Be firm, be outraged, but please be polite. Starting off with a polite, reasonable attitude from the outset goes a long way towards making your point and getting "buy-in" from people. Pissing them off will do nothing but harden their "stance" and will make your message easy to dismiss.

[MKx2]

and I've received a response from Katy Michaels who is going to "look into the matter" and will let me know the result.

Honey ALWAYS gets more flies than vinegar  :-)

[joni]

I emailed customer service and heard nothing.

[MYSONSDAD]

Hello!

Thank you for contacting us regarding the "Boys are Stupid..." merchandise
we carry.  Let me assure you your comments will be given every
consideration.

We have notified our executive staff and merchandising team responsible for
buying this product, making them aware of your sentiments. I sincerely
apologize for any anxiety caused by this product, as is not our intention
to offend or make you feel uncomfortable with any product we carry.

At Claire's we pride ourselves on the quality of our merchandise and
customer service excellence.  We want you to enjoy every Claire's shopping
experience and hope to deserve your business once more.

Again, thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.


Best Regards,

Nicole

[Rakkasan]

Below is the email I received from Claire's with regard to my email concerning the "Boys Are Stupid" merchandise.  It appears to be a form letter response, but it was especially written as a response to complaints about the "Boys Are Stupid" merchandise. So although I did not get a personallized response, they must be receiving enough emails to make it worth their while to create a form letter and probably an auto-responder for the email.  Personally, I take this as a good sign. :)    

Keep bombarding them with those emails

Customer Service - Claire's/Icing by Claire's
Phone:1-800-CLAIRES (1-800-252-4737)
E-mail:[email protected]

Hello!

Thank you for contacting us regarding the "Boys are Stupid..." merchandise
we carry.  Let me assure you your comments will be given every
consideration.

We have notified our executive staff and merchandising team responsible for
buying this product, making them aware of your sentiments. I sincerely
apologize for any anxiety caused by this product, as is not our intention
to offend or make you feel uncomfortable with any product we carry.

At Claire's we pride ourselves on the quality of our merchandise and
customer service excellence.  We want you to enjoy every Claire's shopping
experience and hope to deserve your business once more.

Again, thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.


Best Regards,

Nicole
Customer Service Representative

[MKx2]

Sorry to take so long Joni ...

e-mail directly to

[email protected]

[1angrystepmom]

x(

[1angrystepmom]

x(

[FatherTime]

:)

[FatherTime]

I went back to the store where I had seen the hats.  They are still on the shelf.

I would like to have all the information available to present to a friend who works at one of the local networks news stations.  I would like to be able to show him what others have said about the merchandise.  I want to show the video program from Seattle if possible as well.  I hope to have a local news story aired on the local station regarding Claire's indifference as to violence against children.

I also was thinking of tying in how VAWA, the violence against women act, is gender discriminatory as well.  

Any Ideas?

Also, I never received a response to my letter to Claire's customer service.  I must not matter to them.

Thanks for any and all help on the matter.

[StPaulieGirl]

I received the canned response from "Nicole", that everyone else did.  I think it was Nicole....I'm too lazy to open another browser.  It was the same darn letter....

What do you need?

[FatherTime]

I notified Glenn.  He just informed me that Round 4 is tomorrow at 9pm PST

I just emailed my friend who is a local television reporter as well.
Maybe we can catch them in the act.  I might go in and buy one.  ........

.....

and then return it.

[StPaulieGirl]

Lol, hidden camera?  Make sure you get lots of footage of the typical airhead who works there, and her face when you show her that cap and ask her why her store is selling crap like that )(

Brent gave me the info on where the show airs in my area.  I'm going to try and tune in tonight (no stereo, but I have an AM FM radio) :-)

[msme]

Go in, with a girl, buy a bunch of stuff, maybe a couple hundred bucks worth & have the girl ask if she can have a hat. Say, "Sure," & have her toss it on your pile of stuff. Then, hang out at the mall for an hour or so. Then return everything with the hat as a reason.

Say something like, "When I got home & realized what the hat said, I was very upset. I simply cannot do business with a store that sells merchandise that encourages violence, much less directs that violence towards children."

If they start getting very large returns, they will have to notice. I would do it but I think the closest one is about 125 miles from me.

You never get a second chance to make a first impression!