Veteran/Military Discounts

[Rams]

I've been involved in quite a bit of construtction projects the last few years.   Have always been about to go to Lowe's and get a 10% Veteran's Discount.   Was helping my son build an outbuilding this past weekend and we (he) needed some lumber so, we went to Lowes' (also his preferred lumber dealer).   Got what we wanted/needed and got to the checkout stand where I asked to input my phone number to get the 10% discount.  

Was politely advised that the Veteran's discount is now only 5% but, only on other products, not wood.   I asked why, was told that Veteran's Discount no longer applies to wood products.   Not real happy about that so, put the items on the Lowes' charge card that gives a 5% discount on everything.   Pay the bill when it comes due and you save.   

But, I'm still not happy about losing that Veteran's discount.

Rams

[da prez]

Thanks Rams. Home Depot has a 10 percent discount with a phone app. (usually does not work in the store).
  I bought two identical items from Menards and H D.
 Menards was 15 percent higher than HD. Just an fyi.
 Menards has the best prices on doors.

                            da prez

[Rams]

Unfortunately, I don't believe Menards is in Mississippi.

Rams

[da prez]

No daily discount at menards.  Memorial day only.  I shop all three. I usually know who has the best price on what


                     da prez

[Jess from VA]

I appreciate veteran's discounts, but no one owes us a discount.

I want all my stores and building supply stores to remain open for business too.  Everyone is getting screwed these days.

Unless I am shopping for some expensive thing, I never remember to ask about veteran's or old age discounts.... probably due to the old age brain.

Yesterday, doing my daily walk, I happened past a house with stacks of stuff in the driveway, including lumber.  I asked the nice lady if this was for neighborhood salvage, and it was.  When I got home, I ran right down here in my truck and loaded up some decent stuff, and a couple hand saws.  No charge.  

I need a 1 X 6 X 8 PVC board to keep some water out, and it looks to be over $30.  

[bassman]

Both Lowe's and Home Depot have discontinued Veterans Discounts on major appliances (stoves, dishwashers, washers/dryers, refrigerators.......) in my area....first HD and then Lowe's immediately followed suit.

[Rams]

I appreciate veteran's discounts, but no one owes us a discount.

Did I suggest anyone owed myself or anyone else a discount?

Didn't think so.   But, they got my business because of the pricing that the Vet's Discount brought the price to so, I use it.   They offer discounts to gain business, pure and simple.   

They were my first stop for all the kinds of items they offered because of the discount.
Now, I'll do more calling, asking questions and seeking a better retailer that offers better service than Lowe's or Home Depot.   

When I have to find, select, load on their carts and then load onto my vehicle, that's not real service.   That discount was the only reason I went to the bigger chain stores.   

I get much better service at a higher price at the Mom and Pop's places so, I guess they'll get more of my business.

Rams

[Jess from VA]

I meant no insult Ron.

Around here, Lowe's has much better service than Home Depot.  But it's twice as far away.  I go to the Depot when I don't need any help, and Lowe's when I do.

Good service is hard to find most everywhere, I think because they can't get people to work.

The little tiny lady from Bangladesh at my Walmart checkout gives the best service I get anywhere.  I try to tip her every time, and she says no tips allowed.  So I heap praise on her.

[f6john]

The Veterans discount was their program to honor Veterans service to the country. How does prices going up change the matrix to give honor to a group that deserves it? Anybody think Lowes is on the verge of going broke? I think they are making a mistake but it’s their ball and their game. They will still thank us for our service at the checkout but it’s not worth a whole 10%. JMHO.

[Rams]

I was told by another employee that the CEO of Home Depot was just brought on board with Lowes'.   Dont know that is a fact but, he instituted the lower Veteran's Discount at HD first and then moved to Lowes' where he changed their discounts.   So, they are both on the same sheet of music.


Rams

[Thunderbolt]

Last time I was attempting to use the discount at Home Depot on a small freezer I was told that I could try it at the checkout but they didn't think it would be honored on major appliances.  It did not.  Also was told  that the reason Lowe's quit giving a discount on lumber was that too many veterans were letting their contractor friends use their discount.  I should have applied for mine long ago, but just got it a couple of years ago.

[cookiedough]

5 percent is better than nothing off.  10% off nowadays for anything is very hard to find. 

Look at credit card savings as well.  I use to get 5% cash back now down to 2%.  Am sure somewhere some credit cards get 3-5% cash back still though, not sure?    Most charges are for food or gas and since we go to Costco for gas (and somewhat food), I use my Costco Visa card for ALL my gas and get 4% cash back on anywhere I go for gas.  Granted the 4 percent off goes back to my Costco savings card as a credit to use in store purchases, but yearly we get like 300-500 bucks to use for free on purchases from Costco, which is only usually 3-4 trips though to that store to use up.  Does not take much to spend 100 bucks in any store on one trip.

[old2soon]

      I've taken advantage of my Veterans discount when and where I can. If the establishment says No I Never argue. When I remember too I take advantage of what I call old farts discount!  I know which stores here in town offer discounts on what day. Haven't been to a flicker show in awhile but when I do I ask fer the old farts gimmee off!  RIDE SAFE.

[Binkie]

Rams…I just checked Lowes website and it says they give 10% military discount. But there are restrictions like appliances, wood etc.

[turtle254]

Rams…I just checked Lowes website and it says they give 10% military discount. But there are restrictions like appliances, wood etc.

website not up to date

[Ramie]

Just bought carpet at HD and asked for my veterans discount and was told you don't get it on anything that includes installation. 

Ask them if I could by the carpet then pay for the installation separately.  Nope can't do that the installation is free. 

If it's free then it shouldn't count against my discount.  Nope that's the way we have to do it. 

Would have been nice to have the extra $400 but I guess since insurance is paying for everything it's free right?  Nope, I've been with the same insurance company for 40 years and they've taken probably $100k in premiums and this is my second claim.

I think maybe my insurance company should give me a discount.

[Beer van Huet]

Just curious.
When I was stationed at March AFB back in 1992, veterans would visit the base facilities occasionally for petrol, food, base exchange items, liquor and the hospital. They could even fly space A.
When my tour was finished, I took the opportunity to travel with my family in an RV through the desert States into Texas and along the Gulf coast from Corpus Christy to New Orleans, following the Mississippi upstream to Memphis on to Washington DC. Then back along the Atlantic coast to Florida where I caught my plane in Miami back to Europe.
Needless to say I spent the vacation of a lifetime in your beautiful country for 8 weeks and still had to decide on each leg what to visit and what to skip (the majority, unfortunately).
With my (active duty) military card, I could buy cheap gas, food and stay overnight at campsites on USAF, USN, Army and Coastguard facilities all around the country.
Hell, I could even buy a duty free car or motorcycle with special military rates if I wanted to.
In short, my experience as a military in the US back then was really great.
So, when I read these comments I wonder if things have changed.

 

[Jess from VA]

Hey Beer, it seems our paths have crossed.  I was stationed at March AFB CA until 31 Dec 1992 (assigned to HQ 15 AF co-located there).

I'm curious what you were doing there?  It was a SAC tanker base (A10s) with a Reserve Wing of F4 Phantoms (with a large component of southern border surveillance and intelligence gathering).

And was lucky enough to get a whole 30 day leave during my 5+ years there for a return to Turkey (with my Turk wife).  We could have taken Space A (active and dependent) military plane travel, but all that waiting around for planes, jumping all over, going over and back would have taken half (or more) of the 30 days, so we went commercial.

The benefits for active duty remain the same (though health care for your dependents has been pretty iffy even since my time in service) (and forget dentists).

The discussion in this thread is really only about private companies providing voluntary/patriotic veteran discounts.... which were not all that prevalent back when I served.

Military and Commissary/BX facility benefits have always been widely available for retirees (or Reserve/Guard on periods of active duty), but not so much for mere veterans of some period of active duty who did not retire after 20 years.

It's not hard to understand private companies cutting back on veteran's discounts after our political leadership has intentionally (and maliciously) created national economic hardship with rocketing inflation, fossil fuel shortages, supply chain problems, a tanking market, likely full economic recession, and a situation where no one wants to work anymore (esp entry level jobs).  

The first rule of private business is... don't go out of business.

[Beer van Huet]

Hi Jess,

I see I got the dates mixed up.
Been in March in '94-'95.
I was transferred to 9 AREFS flying KC-10's.
We were mainly doing CONUS and Pacific flights and I Channel rides to Hickam, Andersen and Yokota to Diego Garcia and Fujeirah (Emirates) dropping off supplies.
I joined a local motorcycle club on base, all kinds of people and bikes.
As a matter of fact, that is when me and my wife Cynthia bought our first motorcycles.
I guess I was preoccupied with small children and family business before that.
But when you have the chance to live in California and don't ride a motorcycle, you've missed some of the worlds best countryside for riding. So we went straight to the shop and got one.
The club consisted of about 20 people, riding weekly to different BBQ's, bars and dealers.
I remember there was an old lady, I think she must have been around 80 who rode a HD. Couldn't hold the bike very well so we usually pushed her until she got some speed, LOL
The trips were ranging from San Diego to Big Bear. And Temecula, when there was a hot rod or vintage car show.
I also went to the Laughlin River Run with some friends and had a great time there. Through the middle of the desert with a refueling stop because of the HD peanut tanks.
Initially, I wanted to buy a HD as well, being completely unaware of motorcycles. In those days there was a long waiting list however, and I decided to buy a second hand Yamaha Virago 1100.
Good thing I did. Traded it in when the Valkyrie came on the market.

[Rams]

Rams…I just checked Lowes website and it says they give 10% military discount. But there are restrictions like appliances, wood etc.

Yep, the restriction is, no Veteran's discount on wood or appliances.  

Edited: They do have a 5% discount if you use Lowes' credit card but, that discount is worthless if you don't pay it off quickly.   My understanding is, most folks stretch those payments out which only makes Lowes' credit division more money.

So, that means the other stuff I might buy there (until that goes away also) allows the 10% discount.   Which basically means that I don't need to drive past other stores to buy that screw driver or screws/nails or anything else.   Just as Jess said about stores/companies have to stay in business, this buyer needs to stay solvent so, why go to the big box stores if it doesn't offer me an advantage.

Not long ago, I was in the market to buy about twenty blueberry plants (seeking several different varieties) for our landscaping needs.   Saw the selection and prices at Lowes' and some of the local tree and plant nurseries, just by luck, I happened onto a grower that was a supplier to the big box stores.   When I saw his prices versus the big box store and nursery prices, I was shocked at the mark up at the big box stores.   Around 200% mark up at the big box stores.

Rams

[semo97]

The HD discount on certain items has been in effect for several years. Lowes just started certain items not so long ago. Contractors get 5%. Several years  ago vets were buying thousands of dollars worth of material and building homes. That had to stop. HD put a ceiling on the amout of money you got a discount on in a years time, I think Lowes has one now. This got all out off hand from the begining. It was for active duty duty, retired and 100% disabled vets. You had to show the brownish colored DOD ID card, and fill out paper work to prove it. I went through all of that. Then, I am not being against anyone that was in the military and had only the Department of Veterans Affairs ID card. You were not retired, rated 100% disabled or active. The businesses got so much crap from those that it was not set up for, they gave in to all vets. Now they will have a hard time stopping it, so they just cut back on certain products and there will be more coming. Times are going to be hard to stay in business and for all of us. Gut check time.

[Jess from VA]

Hi Jess,

I see I got the dates mixed up.
Been in March in '94-'95.
I was transferred to 9 AREFS flying KC-10's.
We were mainly doing CONUS and Pacific flights and I Channel rides to Hickam, Andersen and Yokota to Diego Garcia and Fujeirah (Emirates) dropping off supplies.
I joined a local motorcycle club on base, all kinds of people and bikes.
As a matter of fact, that is when me and my wife Cynthia bought our first motorcycles.
I guess I was preoccupied with small children and family business before that.
But when you have the chance to live in California and don't ride a motorcycle, you've missed some of the worlds best countryside for riding. So we went straight to the shop and got one.
The club consisted of about 20 people, riding weekly to different BBQ's, bars and dealers.
I remember there was an old lady, I think she must have been around 80 who rode a HD. Couldn't hold the bike very well so we usually pushed her until she got some speed, LOL
The trips were ranging from San Diego to Big Bear. And Temecula, when there was a hot rod or vintage car show.
I also went to the Laughlin River Run with some friends and had a great time there. Through the middle of the desert with a refueling stop because of the HD peanut tanks.
Initially, I wanted to buy a HD as well, being completely unaware of motorcycles. In those days there was a long waiting list however, and I decided to buy a second hand Yamaha Virago 1100.
Good thing I did. Traded it in when the Valkyrie came on the market.

Well, I was gone after Dec 1992.

I had my Honda CB750K there, and traded up to a dresser 80" HOG, and rode all over the place, West into the mountains, not East into the cities.  Big Bear, San Juacinto, San Gorgonio, and I also rode to the 10th Laughlin Run, with the two gas stations out in the desert EVERYONE had to stop at.  Also attended some vintage hot rod shows, and even entered my restored '69 droptop Corvette in one, and won a prize.

My Hog at March (not mine, but just like mine)

 

My March AFB house around 1990.  (159 Gilley Street, I still remember)

[Rams]

The HD discount on certain items has been in effect for several years. Lowes just started certain items not so long ago. Contractors get 5%. Several years  ago vets were buying thousands of dollars worth of material and building homes. That had to stop. HD put a ceiling on the amout of money you got a discount on in a years time, I think Lowes has one now. This got all out off hand from the begining. It was for active duty duty, retired and 100% disabled vets. You had to show the brownish colored DOD ID card, and fill out paper work to prove it. I went through all of that. Then, I am not being against anyone that was in the military and had only the Department of Veterans Affairs ID card. You were not retired, rated 100% disabled or active. The businesses got so much crap from those that it was not set up for, they gave in to all vets. Now they will have a hard time stopping it, so they just cut back on certain products and there will be more coming. Times are going to be hard to stay in business and for all of us. Gut check time.

I understand what has occurred and all I have to say is that all discounts are implemented to drive more sales.   It's when the retailer drops those discounts that folks get upset.

Edited:  Having been the General Manager of a retail store, I can assure you that no discount will go into the minus column.   It just means that for the discounted item(s) there is less profit.   That includes employee discounts.   Although on clearance items, there may be no profit or an actual loss but, the store wants to get rid of any clearance item(s).

Rams

[Binkie]

Hey Rams….I was on the phone with my son(USAF active service) while he was checking out at Lowes. I asked him what his discount was…he looked and it was 10%.  He is stationed in NC in Goldsboro.

[Rams]

Hey Rams….I was on the phone with my son(USAF active service) while he was checking out at Lowes. I asked him what his discount was…he looked and it was 10%.  He is stationed in NC in Goldsboro.

Did he buy Wood or an appliance?  Was just at Lowes yesterday with my son, bought several items, some were discounted, some weren't.  

Something I didn't expect to happen (because it's never happened before), using my "military discount" on the items that it would apply to, we saved about $57.00.   Went to pay for it with the Lowes credit card and the computer/cash register allowed an additional 5% that usually is allowed with the credit card discount so, ended up with 15% on some items.   But again, none of this was wood or an appliance.   Very strange IMHO.

Rams