Family Dollar Stores, Nationwide,Austin, Texas ripoff,discriminatory practices against minorities and employees Austin Texas

January 4, 2005 [T]
Family Dollar Stores Inc
10401 Monroe Road, P.O. Box 1017
Charlotte, NC 28201

Post Office Box 1017
Charlotte, North Carolina 28201-1017
Telephone (704)847-6961

VIA EMAIL: vwali@familydollar.com,

Dear Concerned Shareholders:
Howard R Levine chairman; R. David Alexander, Pres, COO, George R. Mahoney, Jr., Exec. VP, Gen Counsel, Bruce Barkus, Exec VP Store Operations ; R. James Kelly; Charles M. Sowers

Company
Family Dollar Store [discriminatory practices]
Address:
Bouloga Louisiana and Austin, Texas incidents

This information was taken just in today's complaints from a consumer advocacy website that depicts Family Dollar as the bad guys. You guys aren't bad....are you?

INCIDENT ONE
I walk in to the store to shop. I had a small diaperbag on my arm with my 7 month old and my 5 year old. When I was stopped by the manager, she said that I needed to take my money out of the bag and leave it at the desk. I asked why did I need to do that and she replied that Blacks steal when they come in with bags.

I stepped back and said just because I am black you think I came in to steal. She said yes. Then she said, if you dont like my rule you can shop at another store. There is a constant accusation of minorites in this store. I was a witness to another christian family that was falsely accused of stealing and they have no such record in the 24 years of living in this town of ever stealing. Period. So me and my kids left and will never shop their again.

I think something should be done. Just because you are black does not mean you come in to store to steal. I think the owers should know what's going on in their bogalusa store they will lose a lot of customers with that rule because all of my family and friends will hear about this.

Ravion

INCIDENT TWO
January 2, 2004

This company is a joke. They have no respect or moral obligations nor honor for their employees or consumers. The company also has a record of not fulfilling their promises to managers or consumers. What's more, their managers and District Managers are in dire need of learning employment and consumer laws. Otherwise, the financial benefits reaped off the sweat of labor union workers to this date will have to be used not on company expansion, reinvestment or lining pockets of upper management, but in countering a bad reputation as well as company class action lawsuits for fraudulently mishandling employees, harassing consumers with false allegations of theft or worse discrimination of hispanics, asians, african-americans, senior citizens and gay/l*****n genders.

After 10 years in journalism, 5 years in insurance fraud claims detection, 10 years legal paraprofessional work and 5 years legislative, 15 years philanthropy and social services as a hobby, today I was astounded when the manager of the store located at 7th and Pleasant Valley in Austin, Texas falsely accused me of stealing nail glue from the store. I was at the counter purchasing two birthday cards and a writing journal for a senior citizen who's birthday was to be celebrated that day. Initially,

I had picked up a bottle of glue, thinking it was glue to paste a gift with, then I proceeded to the card section, picked up two cards. I then asked an attendant where the journals were and found them next to the glue section. I realized I had the wrong type of glue and the store also did not have the type I needed so I returned the glue to its section. Returning the nail glue to its proper prong, unlike other consumers who choose to throw things on the floor. I went to the register to purchase my selections. This is where I was harassed by the manager and the cashier/stocker/assistant of stealing. When I affirmed this allegation was false, I was threatened that Family Dollar would call the police.

I insisted they do so to report and I would report their harassment and false allegation as well as discriminatory practices against hispanics. The manager continued to falsely accuse me of having the glue underneath the cards. I explained in detail my exact steps in the store before coming to the counter. I also told the manager that he should go to the nail glue section and see that I had replaced the glue I initially took and returned to its proper place. When he said that I was hiding the glue underneath the cards, I looked at the cashier who saw no glue. He claimed I still had the glue and after retracing my steps and explaining to him what I did he then tried to ban me from the store. This manager knew he was wrong to falsely accuse me.

I am in the legal profession. Like the Louisiana incident, the manager said I should shop at another dollar store. I explained to him that I frequent this store intentionally, not incidentally. I rarely purchase dollar store items unless it is for senior citizen group events in my philanthropy work and they are on budget so I am careful with their money. Senior citizens are not physically able to go to these stores and so I scout dollar stores in the vicinity. When i find something I relay to these resting homes what my findings are so they may purchase these hold items later. If there are no items then I just leave. Just because someone doesn't purchase something at the time, doesn't mean they are thieves.

In my case, I am a product scout and usually purchase in bulk when I find an item worth purchasing. Because of the management's ignorance in falsely accusing me of theft without proof, this store will have to endure a reputation as being discriminatory. Now, is that anyway for this chain to be reputed as? Reputation as lacking in respect for the consumer and even its own workers who falsely accuse senior citizens, african-americans, hispanic-americans of stealing? I thought family dollar was smarter than that?

One other consumer that witnessed this incident today, expressed to me that his family had been falsely accused of the same by the same manager-manager assistant african-american group which is using these false allegations to harass and subject consumers to intimidation. Hispanic consumers who have dealt with this prejudice manager have also had similar experiences that suggest the african-american mismanagement is intimidating the hispanic based neighborhood through their abuse of authority in falsely alleging theft by unsuspecting hispanics and other minorities.

The bottom line is, your company is acquiring a reputation nationwide as neglectful and unresponsive to its consumers and employees. Please advise what measures you are prepared to take in overturning the direction of your company before stocks plummet this year as a direct example of your employees' negligence. Before I submit this letter to the League of United Latin Americans and other hispanic civil rights action groups and federal government entities for their investigation into the matter, please ensure a letter of apology is returned. It's unfortunate that this company will fall from within its own devices through neglect in mishandling consumers and negligence in discriminating for simple lack of training management and employees in dealing inappropriately and in bad faith with its consumers. Company investors would also benefit from this information if your company is unable to work with me.

If you would be so kind as to either get a new manager that is agreeable to the hispanic community at this location or if you prefer training the current one and explaining to him that an apology would be acceptable, I would be happy to continue referring consumers of your products.
Thank you,

Ps. Here is a copy of codes of conduct from Family Dollar Stores
Corporate Governance - CEO and Senior Financial Officers Code of Ethics

Highlights | Board of Directors | Senior Management | Committee Composition | Guidelines | Codes of Business Conduct and Ethics

CEO and Senior Financial Officers Code of Ethics

FAMILY DOLLAR STORES, INC.
Code of Ethics For The
Chief Executive Officer
And
Senior Financial Officers


It is the policy of Family Dollar Stores, Inc. (the "Company") that all officers and employees conduct business on behalf of the Company in an honest and ethical manner and in accordance with the Company's Code of Business Conduct ("Code of Conduct"). In addition to complying with the Code of Conduct, the Chief Executive Officer and the senior financial officers of the Company, which include the chief financial officer, the senior vice president - finance, the vice president - finance, and the controller, are expected to comply with the ethical standards and guidelines set forth below (the "Code of Ethics").

This Code of Ethics underscores the serious approach that must be taken to address the ethical issues that confront the Company. Accordingly, the Chief Executive Officer and senior financial officers of the Company shall not commit acts contrary to the Code of Ethics, nor shall they condone the commission of such acts by others within the Company.

Honest and Ethical Conduct

The Chief Executive Officer and senior financial officers of the Company are expected to exhibit and promote the highest standards of honest and ethical conduct by:

Encouraging and rewarding professional integrity in all aspects of the financial organization.


Ethically handling actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and business relationships.


Reporting to the General Counsel of the Company any conflict of interest that may arise and any material transaction or relationship that reasonably could be expected to give rise to a conflict of interest.


Establishing procedures for staff members to inform senior management of deviations in practice from policies and procedures governing honest and ethical behavior, without fear of retaliation or harassment.
Financial Records and Periodic Reports

The Chief Executive Officer and senior financial officers of the Company are expected to promote full and fair disclosure of accurate, complete and relevant information concerning the Company by:

Encouraging open communications with senior management of the Company and accountants engaged in financial audits of the Company to promote full disclosure of all relevant and material financial information of the Company.


Establishing and administering financial accounting controls that are appropriate to ensure the integrity of the financial reporting process and the availability of timely and relevant information.


Providing full, fair, accurate, relevant, timely and understandable information for inclusion in the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in other public communications made by the Company.
Compliance with Applicable Laws, Rules and Regulations

The Chief Executive Officer and senior financial officers are expected to promote compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations by:

Educating members of the finance organization about any federal, state or local statute, regulation or administrative procedure that affects the operation of the finance organization and the Company generally.


Monitoring the compliance of the finance organization with any applicable federal, state or local statute, regulation or administrative rule.
The Chief Executive Officer and senior financial officers should communicate any suspected violations of this Code of Ethics promptly to the General Counsel of the Company. Violations will be investigated and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken in the event of any violations of the Code of Ethics, up to and including termination.

Amendments to and Waivers of the Code of Ethics

From time to time, the Company may amend or waive certain provisions of this Code of Ethics. The Chief Executive Officer and any senior financial officer who believes that a waiver may be called for should contact the General Counsel of the Company. Amendments to and waivers of the Code of Ethics may be made only by the Board of Directors of the Company or a committee of the Board, and must promptly be disclosed on the Company's website, if appropriate, or by filing a Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Exhibit A

FAMILY DOLLAR STORES, INC.

Acknowledgment Certification
Code of Ethics for the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers

I hereby certify that I have read and understand the attached Family Dollar Stores, Inc. Code of Ethics for the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers. Pursuant to such Code of Ethics, I recognize that I must disclose or report all transactions required to be disclosed or reported thereunder and comply in all other respects with the requirements of the Code of Ethics. I also agree to cooperate fully with any investigation or inquiry as to whether a possible violation of the foregoing Code of Ethics has occurred. I understand that any failure to comply in all aspects with the foregoing and these policies and procedures may lead to sanctions, including termination.

Date:
Signature:
Print Name:

M
Austin, Texas
U.S.A.