Lowe's Veterans Discount Policy Change

[MarkF48]

Was kind of disappointed when checking out at Lowe's building supplies tonight. Told the cashier I had my DD214 for the military discount and she stated Lowe's will no longer be honoring the everyday discount for honorably discharge regular vets as they had done for the several years that I had been shopping at that store. She was sincerely apologetic and felt bad for the affected customers about the decision corporate had made. If I understood her correctly the everyday discount will apply only to active, reservists, disabled service members, and retired. However during patriotic/military holidays regular vets with the DD214 will be included.

I may be out of the Air Force for some 40 years, but I really did appreciate a cashier thanking me for my service to country, a thanks that a lot of us didn't hear coming back from a tour in Southeast Asia.

I don't usually shop Home Depot, but wonder if they've changed their military discount policy also.

 

[blueriver]

I think they should be ashamed .. After all you are a veteran and still have other privledges? Am I wrong?

 

[creekbend]

I will accept that the housing industry has suffered lately, but contractors are not the only people that buy materials from Lowe's. I would calculate a guess and state that the majority of the people that shop at Lowe's are probably just ordinary working people. I was not aware of any discount offered by Lowe's and there are probably many more like me that were unaware of the discount. The loss of profits would certainly not be that great to necessitate the discontinuation of the discount. Just my thoughts.

 

[Dmace]

I doubt it has much to do with the military discount but Lowe's recently shut down 3 stores here in NH. I'm sure corporate is doing everything they can to save profits...

 

[MossflowerWoods]

That stinks.

I Just learned they had one, and I just used it for the very first time. I was planning all my shopping at Lowe's from now on and even put my old military ID in my wallet.

Times are tough, but this stinks. I've spent MANY $1,000's at Lowes for the last 10 years or more never using the discount even when I was active in the guard! Now that I lear about it, I've lost it.



Such is life,
David

 

[TonyF]

Was kind of disappointed when checking out at Lowe's building supplies tonight. Told the cashier I had my DD214 for the military discount and she stated Lowe's will no longer be honoring the everyday discount for honorably discharge regular vets as they had done for the several years that I had been shopping at that store. She was sincerely apologetic and felt bad for the affected customers about the decision corporate had made. If I understood her correctly the everyday discount will apply only to active, reservists, disabled service members, and retired. However during patriotic/military holidays regular vets with the DD214 will be included.

I may be out of the Air Force for some 40 years, but I really did appreciate a cashier thanking me for my service to country, a thanks that a lot of us didn't hear coming back from a tour in Southeast Asia.

I don't usually shop Home Depot, but wonder if they've changed their military discount policy also.

Sorry, but its old news, if you have been getting the discount for the past year or so, your store is behind. 2nd paragraph...

'LOWE?S EXPANDS SUPPORT OF THE MILITARY WITH YEAR-ROUND DISCOUNT

 

[jinman]

The policy as I understand it has always been as TonyF posted, but some stores bend the rules to include all veterans. However, on a trip to Home Depot in the spring of this year, I was told by a cashier that HD only gives the discount to active, retired, and veterans on Memorial Day, July 4th, and Veteran's Day weekends. When I stated that Lowes gives the discount year-round to active duty and retirees, she said she could give me a "competitive discount" and promptly deducted 10%.

Sears also gives the 10% active/retiree/disabled vet discount even on sales items. I bought a front loading washing machine on sale and saved enough to buy the pedestal with the sale and military discount. A small Sears store and Lowes are directly across the street from each other here and I shop at both. I try to make sure each time I shop to say thanks for supporting veterans. I found out that Sears continues salary and benefits for employees who are in the Guard and Reserve and called to active duty. That's an outstanding policy in my opinion.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Lowes is closing some of the poorer performing stores, due to the economy.

 

[ayelvington]

I'm retired military (30+ years), and I really don't know of any store that extends a military discount beyond active duty, reserve, national guard, or retired.

The discount is a privilege that they don't have to do, and I'm grateful for it. I used it this evening to pick up some lighting for my wife's shop.

I absolutely do not want to diminish the service of "short-timers", but it really isn't the same as currently serving, or giving a life-time of service.

If you really want to get my goat up, let's talk about flag-wavers like Tractor Supply that don't even offer the discount on Veterans Day.

 

[herd]

Yeah, got no use for TSC either in this regard. Once I asked about the discount and received the most "dumb/are you serious" look from cashier. No clue.

To Al Yelvington--I hear what you're saying about a lifetime of service and short timers being different. But, I have to disagree a bit, there are a lot of so-called "short-timers (that is less than career types) who would have gladly stayed were it not for the wounds they received on duty, as in my case, as an infantry solider in Vietnam. We did not give a "lifetime of service," but obviously our actions prove we were prepared to give our life to our Service.

So, yes, I feel I gave enough to not feel bad about asking for the discounty.

As an aside, I have regularly been given the 10% discount at any Lowes I've been to while using my VA ID. This week, I was a Home Depot and asked about the discount, after reviewing my VA ID, she said "for that one we give a discount." When I asked what she meant, she said for VA ID's with "SC" they give the discount.

Guess some story vary, this was at an HD right near Ft Jackson.

 

[AchingBack]

Lowes, and HD gladly give a discount when you present a valid military ID card. A DD214 can be counterfeited, stolen, or simply borrowed from someone. There has been some confusion by some employees at some of the stores while they are moving away from the DD214 as acceptable ID. Even my Navy reserve picture ID card was refused by one cashier at HD. This was after I had already used it on previous purchases.

This prompted me to contact HD customer service in an attempt to find the truth. Below is their reply:

Thank you for contacting The Home Depot Customer Care.

The Home Depot is dedicated to supporting and honoring our men and women
in uniform through our business practices, recruitment efforts and
corporate contributions. We are happy to offer a 10% Military Discount
to thank our nation?s heroes for their outstanding service and to help
make their homes more comfortable and safe.

The Military Discount Policy is as follows:

Our 10% Military Discount is honored for all military personnel and
their immediate family members on Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor
Day and Veterans' Day at all U.S. Home Depot stores, with a valid
military ID. Please be sure to ask for the discount at the time of
purchase.

Effective March 2010, we began offering a Year Round 10% Military
Discount to military personnel and their immediate family members with
the following valid military ID?s. Please be sure to ask for the
discount at the time of purchase.

?Active Duty/Reservist Military ID card with a picture (white
background)
?A retired Military ID card with a picture (blue background) ? Includes
civilians who retired from a Military Base.
?Active Military and Retired Military ID card for spouse/dependants (tan
background)
?Retired Military Id Reservist with picture (red/pink) background for
Retired Reservist and Reservist Dependent.
?VA Card (Department of Veterans Affairs) - MUST have the words SERVICE
CONNECTED under picture.

?VA has Service Connected, POW and Purple Heart (PH) indicators on the
new VIC. Veterans who have been awarded service-connected status after
their VIC has been issued or SC status is not properly documented on
their card, will need to present their letter showing their SC rating to
the eligibility clerk at the local VA Medical Center where they obtain
treatment. After verification, the eligibility clerk will submit a
request to National Card Management Directory (NCMD) System for a new
card to be issued to the veteran.

The Military Discount Policy Terms and Conditions:

?The discount is available on in-stock, special order merchandise and
online purchases. (Up to a $500 maximum)
?This discount cannot be applied with any other discount, promotion,
coupons or on any Cub Cadet products.
?This discount is not available for Installation Services or for
deliveries from the store or the service provider.
?The discount is only available on the day of purchase and does not
apply to previous purchases.
?PRO customers can use this discount for their personal purchases but
cannot apply this discount to their business transactions or pay with
their business accounts.

If you would like to utilize the Military discount online, please
contact our Online Customer Service team at 1-800-430-3376. Their hours
of operation are Monday - Saturday 6 am ? 12 am EST. and 7 am ? 11 pm
Sunday.

The Home Depot appreciates your business and would like you to continue
to rely on us for your home improvement needs. Please let us know if
you have any further questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

The Home Depot-Customer Care
2455 Paces Ferry Rd.
Atlanta, GA. 30339
1-800-553-3199

 

[phiferpharm]

I've used the discount online for Home Depot, as well as in the store. I just got an outdoor Heater and I did have to phone in the order, instead of just purchasing it online, but it saved me almost $40.

 

[Army grunt]

I cant allways rember who gives the diss. so I allways ask, Here is a list of almost 200 places that gives a discount.
200+ Stores & Services Offering Military Discounts
Army Grunt

 

[Western]

I was in the Lowes store in Lake Worth Texas (Suburb of Ft. Worth) a couple of days ago. They had "Military discount" signs at the entrance doors and at each register.

 

[jinman]

I was in the Lowes store in Lake Worth Texas (Suburb of Ft. Worth) a couple of days ago. They had "Military discount" signs at the entrance doors and at each register.

That's funny Dennis. The HD that gave me the "competitive" 10% discount is the one up on Loop 820 and Jacksboro Hwy.

As a military retiree, I always appreciate those who give us a discount, but I realize discounts for special groups always are subject to making some people take offense. I'd bet that I could find folks who don't think homeowners should be granted homestead exemptions on their taxes.

In the case of TSC, I've found that if you shop there often, they will send you discounts and brochures through the mail that include discounts. Sometimes it requires purchases of $100 or more to get the discounts and sometimes it's a discount on purchases up to $250 and nothing above that. I can say that the discounts I get there are sure a lot more than what I get from my tractor dealership. What tractor brand offers 10% discounts to veterans?

My point is that I just enjoy and do business with those who offer the discounts, but I don't think those who do not are less worthy of my business. They are people trying to survive in this economy like all of us and just choose to do business differently. Doing that is what choice is all about in a very competitive marketplace.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

I flashed my old National Guard card and got 10% at Lowe's today.

Not bad! I saved over $7!

David

 

[heehaw]

the discount description from achingback is what i have always "thought" was lowes policy too: but then Arkansas started putting "Veteran" on drivers licenses, an i have been told they give the discount to anyone with a license that has that on it?? I have heard about how Sears treats their military folks, so i tend to try to shop there more than i did before:
heehaw

 

[chopped]

Personally I think Sears can afford to give the discount more than maybe Lowes as their prices are so high .I was once a Sears guy.. Back when they sold house materials ..In fact my dads house he is in now came from sears lol.
I overheard someone getting 10 percent off at Lowes the other day for being a ''contractor''
So there seem sto be that leeway..

 

[MossflowerWoods]

Personally I think Sears can afford to give the discount more than maybe Lowes as their prices are so high .I was once a Sears guy.. Back when they sold house materials ..In fact my dads house he is in now came from sears lol.
I overheard someone getting 10 percent off at Lowes the other day for being a ''contractor''
So there seem sto be that leeway..

Back a few years agho when K-mart bought Sears and changed their name to Sears I completely stopped shopping there. I am thrilled to hear they treat their Guard/Reserve employees well though.

David

 

[toppop52]

But, I have to disagree a bit, there are a lot of so-called "short-timers (that is less than career types) who would have gladly stayed were it not for the wounds they received on duty, as in my case, as an infantry solider in Vietnam. We did not give a "lifetime of service," but obviously our actions prove we were prepared to give our life to our Service.

I have to agree, I believe 11+ months spent mostly in the Highlands, A Shau Valley, Cambodia and Thailand living with the Montagnards, eating chicken feet, snakes and whatever we could catch when there weren't enough supplies, which was anytime past 7-10 days from our last insertion. We couldn't risk giving up our position or mission. So the wonderful memories of that extended vacation ought to be worth a few dollars discount.