Can You Film in Home Depot? My Filming Incident Went Sideways Fast

Filming in Home Depot: Why We Were Kicked Out During a Tool‑Deal Livestream

When I was kicked out for filming in Home Depot during a Saturday night tool-deals livestream, it caught me completely off guard. One minute I’m helping our community save money, the next a manager is smacking my camera and pushing me toward the door. In this article I want to walk you through what happened, what I learned about filming in big box stores, and what every creator should know before they hit “Go Live” in any retail aisle.

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Why I Started Filming Tool Deals in Home Depot and Other Big‑Box Stores

I’m a contractor and a small business owner. For years I’ve shopped at places like Home Depot, Lowe’s, Tractor Supply, and Harbor Freight because that’s where I can find the tools and materials I need to keep jobs on schedule and still put food on the table. I know what it feels like to stand in the aisle, staring at shelves of tools, and wonder, “What’s actually worth my hard‑earned money?”

That’s how the livestreams started. Instead of just grabbing what I needed and leaving, I turned those regular supply runs into live tool‑deal walk‑throughs for our YouTube community. I’d show prices, compare kits, talk about what I’ve used on real jobs, and answer questions in real time. Over time, those streams turned into something bigger than just “content” – they became a public‑broadcast‑style service for the tradespeople, DIYers, and families who follow us.

If you’ve ever picked something up because you saw it in one of our videos, or you rock VeryCoolGang by VCG Construction merch, you’re part of the reason we’re able to keep doing this. When you support the VCG Construction merch store, it helps pay for cameras, travel, time, and everything else it takes to bring you more honest tool coverage.

Saturday Night Tool Deals and the VeryCoolGang Community

Those livestreams slowly turned into our Saturday night “date night.” My wife would come with me, even though she wasn’t originally into tools. She grew to love the positive chat, the inside jokes, and the families watching together. Viewers would tell us it was their kid’s birthday or graduation and ask for a shout‑out. Others, who were elderly or wheelchair‑bound, told us the streams helped them escape the feeling of being stuck at home and let them “walk the aisles” with friends. 

For us, this wasn’t just about tools. It was about community. It still is. That’s why what happened in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania hit so hard. It wasn’t just a manager telling me to stop filming. It was the way the situation escalated and how it made my wife and our viewers feel.

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Years of Positive Filming in Home Depot Stores Before This Night

Before Glen Mills, I’d filmed tool deals in Home Depot stores all over the place without a single serious issue. Many times, managers and associates actually helped. They’d point out new promos, tell us which kits were being marked down, or ask for the channel name so they could watch later. Some employees have even become regular members of the VeryCoolGang community. 

This particular Home Depot in Glen Mills, PA used to be my home store when I lived in nearby Edgemont. I knew the layout, the aisles, and plenty of the staff. I had livestreamed there multiple times, promoted their deals, and never once been told we were doing anything wrong. That history is important, because it’s part of why what happened on this Saturday night felt so strange and unnecessary. 

Over the years we’ve covered everything from cordless platforms to storage solutions and blade comparisons – both on YouTube and on our Tool News blog. It’s always been about helping people buy smarter, avoid junk, and understand where their money goes. The Glen Mills stream was meant to be just another one of those nights.

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The Glen Mills Filming in Home Depot Incident: What Actually Happened

On this particular Saturday, we were already in the area serving food at a Catholic high school. After we finished, we decided to swing by the Glen Mills Home Depot and do our usual live tool‑deal walk‑through. At first, everything was completely normal – we hit the aisles, checked prices, and chatted with viewers in the live chat like we always do.

Then I noticed a man in an orange apron standing nearby, watching us. I registered that he was probably an employee and kept an eye on him as I continued talking to the camera. A moment later he approached, introduced himself as a manager, and his name tag indicated he was a customer service manager. He told me there was no filming allowed in the store and that we would have to leave.

I know that businesses like Home Depot are private property. They can set their own rules, including no‑filming policies. So I did what I believe you should do in that situation: I apologized, asked him to confirm that he wanted us to stop streaming and leave, and then I started signing off the livestream so we could head out. It felt odd to jump straight to “you have to leave” instead of “please stop filming,” but I respected his authority in the store. 

From “No Filming” to “This Isn’t a Free‑for‑All”

As I’m telling the livestream we’ve been asked to stop filming in Home Depot and that we’re going to wrap things up and go, the manager adds a comment that really threw me: “No one came to us. This isn’t a free‑for‑all.” I still honestly don’t know what he meant. We weren’t blocking aisles, yelling, or shoving cameras in anyone’s face. We were just walking the aisle, talking to the audience, and showing prices.

When I tried to get clarification on what he meant, everything escalated in a way I never expected. He smacked my camera and started pushing his shoulder into my back, nudging me toward the front of the store. In that moment, I genuinely thought he might try to turn it into a fistfight. I want to be clear: I did not want a physical confrontation, especially not while my wife, our viewers, and families with kids were watching live. 

My wife was visibly shaken and told him to stop touching me. I told him to stop putting his hands on me and my camera, ended the stream, and focused on getting out of there. Up until that night, we hadn’t done anything different than we’ve done in Home Depots across the country. To be treated like a problem – or worse, like a criminal – for sharing deals was both confusing and upsetting.

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Can You Film in Home Depot? Understanding Store Rules and Your Rights

So, can you actually film in Home Depot? The answer isn’t as simple as “yes” or “no.” Stores like Home Depot are privately owned businesses that allow the public to enter. That means they can set their own policies about what’s allowed inside, including whether customers can record video or audio. If a manager tells you to stop filming or to leave, refusing could potentially become a trespass issue, depending on your local laws. Resources from groups like the ACLU explain how property owners can control recording on their premises, even while you may have broad rights to record in truly public spaces like streets or parks.

If you want to dig into the details, the ACLU of Pennsylvania’s guide to taking photos and making video and audio recordings and the ACLU of Virginia’s “Know Your Rights” PDF on photography and recording both walk through how the law generally treats public vs. private spaces and when property owners can ask you to stop recording or leave. They’re great starting points, especially if you’re a creator or contractor who films on the go.

It’s also worth noting that Home Depot itself records customers in store through cameras and other security technologies. You can see this in their own Privacy & Security Statement, which explains how they use in‑store video for safety, analytics, and loss prevention. The irony isn’t lost on me: the company can film you, but depending on the store and the manager, they might not want you filming them.

I’m not a lawyer, and nothing in this article is legal advice. I’m sharing my experience and pointing you toward resources so you can do your own homework before you film in any store. If you’re unsure about your rights in your state, talk to an attorney who understands local privacy and recording laws.

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Lessons I Learned About Filming in Home Depot and Other Retail Stores

Ask First When You Can

Looking back, there are things I’ll do differently going forward. When I walk into a new location, I’m going to look for any posted “no filming” signage, and, if I’m planning to livestream, I’ll do my best to check in with a manager before I ever hit the Go Live button. A quick conversation like, “Hey, I do tool‑deal walkthroughs for my audience, is it okay if I film in the aisles as long as I’m respectful and don’t bother customers?” can prevent a lot of headache.

How to De‑escalate When a Manager Objects

If a manager asks you to stop filming in Home Depot, don’t argue in front of customers or staff. Acknowledge what they’re saying, tell your audience you’ve been asked to stop, and end the recording as quickly and cleanly as you can. That’s exactly what I was doing when things escalated in Glen Mills. If contact is made with your person or equipment, keep your cool, get somewhere safe, and make notes about what happened. You can always follow up later with corporate or legal counsel if you feel it’s necessary.

Staying Visible and Professional as a Creator

When you walk into a store wearing branded gear, you’re sending a message: “I’m not here to cause trouble, I’m here to work.” I like wearing pieces from our own line, like the VCG Construction Logo Screen Printed Black Hoodie. Not only do they keep me comfortable on the jobsite and in the aisles, they also make it clear I’m representing a brand that’s built on helping people find the best tool deals.

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Honest Customers, Shoplifters, and Where Stores Draw the Line

One of the most frustrating parts of this whole experience is the contrast with how many big box stores treat shoplifting. We’ve all seen or heard stories of people walking out with carts full of unpaid merchandise while employees are instructed not to pursue or physically intervene. Yet here I was, a paying customer and a creator promoting their deals, having my camera smacked and being shoved toward the exit for filming. It felt backwards. 

To be clear, I’m not saying employees should put themselves in danger to stop theft. But it’s hard not to notice the difference in urgency between someone quietly livestreaming sale prices and someone wheeling hundreds of dollars of unpaid tools out the door. When honest customers and creators feel like they’re being treated worse than the people actually hurting the business, something is off.

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How This Night Changed Our Livestreams

Up until the Glen Mills incident, in‑store livestreams were something my wife and I genuinely loved. Now she’s understandably reluctant to be on camera inside stores, and I don’t blame her. Getting physically pushed in a place that had always felt familiar and safe changed the way both of us look at filming tool deals in person. 

We’re not done helping people save money on tools, but we are adapting. Expect to see more online deal breakdowns, jobsite tests, and deep‑dive comparisons on our Tool News section, along with extra behind‑the‑scenes content tied to new drops in the VeryCoolGang collection. There are plenty of ways to keep serving the community without putting my wife or myself into situations that could turn physical again.

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Conclusion: My Takeaway on Filming in Home Depot as a Contractor and Creator

I respect that Home Depot and other retailers have the right to set rules inside their stores. If a manager asks you to stop filming, you stop. What I can’t accept is when a simple policy conversation turns into unnecessary physical contact with a customer who is complying and trying to leave. For me, that goes beyond “enforcing store policy” and lands squarely in “this should never have happened.”

I’m sharing this story so creators and shoppers don’t get blindsided like we did. If you film tool deals or vlogs in stores, know the rules, have a plan to de‑escalate, and protect yourself and the people with you. And if you’ve got a similar story, I genuinely want to hear it – drop it in the comments. In the meantime, thank you to everyone who watches, shares, and supports what we do, whether that’s on YouTube, here on the blog, or by grabbing something from the VeryCoolGang merch line. You’re the reason we started doing this in the first place.

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FAQ: Filming in Home Depot and Recording Inside Retail Stores

Can you film in Home Depot without permission?

Policies can vary by location, but in general, Home Depot is private property. That means managers and corporate can decide whether filming is allowed, and they can ask you to stop recording or leave if they don’t approve. Refusing to comply after being clearly asked to leave can turn into a trespass issue in many jurisdictions, so it’s usually best to respect the request and step outside.

Is it legal to livestream from inside a store like Home Depot?

Livestreaming from inside a store isn’t automatically illegal, but there are two big factors: store policy and local law. The store’s rules can prohibit recording, and many states have specific laws about recording audio without consent in certain situations. Before you go live, it’s smart to check the store’s stance and review guides like the ACLU’s resources on photography and recording so you understand the basics where you live.

Can a Home Depot manager make you leave for recording video?

Yes. Because the store is private property, a manager or other authorized employee generally has the right to ask you to stop recording and to leave the premises. If you stay after being told to leave, you can run into trespassing issues. That doesn’t mean every confrontation is handled well, but as a practical matter, once they ask you to go, the best move is almost always to comply and follow up later with corporate if needed.

Can a store employee touch your phone or camera if you’re filming?

Physical contact with you or your equipment is a separate question from whether you’re allowed to film. A lot of stores have strict policies about employees not laying hands on customers, except in very limited safety situations. If someone hits your phone or camera, or puts their hands on you, staying calm and getting out of the situation is priority one. Once you’re safe, you can document what happened, contact corporate, and, if you choose, talk to a lawyer about your options.

What should you do if you’re told to stop filming in Home Depot?

The safest approach is simple: stop recording, tell your audience you’ve been asked to shut down the livestream, and leave if requested. Don’t argue in the aisle. If you feel the situation wasn’t handled appropriately, you can document the incident, reach out to Home Depot’s corporate office, or seek legal advice afterward. That’s essentially what I tried to do in Glen Mills – sign off, de‑escalate, and get my wife and myself out of the store. 

How can creators avoid problems when filming in Home Depot or other stores?

A few basic habits go a long way: ask for permission when possible, avoid filming close‑ups of employees or customers without consent, keep aisles clear, and be ready to end the stream immediately if asked. Wear professional, branded clothing so staff can see you’re part of a legit operation, not just looking for viral conflict. And always remember that no video is worth risking your safety or the safety of the people with you.