Lowe's Military Discount

[Tractor Seabee]

The two Lowe's stores I shop at require that you be registered in "My Lowes" as a veteran, they stopped taking IDs as proof of service quite awhile ago.
I had to take a copy of my DD 214 to customer service, took just a few minutes. Now they just scan my card and the discount is figured automatically.

But my guess is that if I loaned my Lowes card to someone else, they would be able to use it as well, since they only time they ask for personal ID is when I'm paying with a credit card.

I was at my Lowes today to pick up a few items. The check out cashier knows me as I am a regular and she is one of the head cashiers. I had an in-store return items debit card to use. She asked for my drivers license. That started a conversation on those cards and military. She said the policy on in-store cards has changed; they have to enter your DL into the register and it has to match with the issue record. No match no use card. She went on and said the MD policy has changed also and they are now required to spot checking ID cards along with the "My Loews" card/telephone #. No more loaning your card. I was glad to hear that.

Overall the help at my Lowes is better informed and friendlier than at the closest HD; the reverse of some of the experiences in this thread. They are aggressively advertising for personnel that have working experience with the various department skills. In the last year they have turned over at least 50% of the department leads as a result. Some have told me that w/experience and knowledge they move people up pretty fast to the higher hourly salaries. The managers all know me as when things are wrong I let them know which they appreciate. Poor customer service will get you terminated fast. I also go out of my way to let them know when service is superb and above normal.

Ron

 

[EddieWalker]

I was in Lowes in Tyler yesterday and as the cashier was scanning all my stuff, two supervisors came up to him and reminded him of the new rules regarding military ID. For whatever reason, they pulled him away from where I was standing and kind of whispered it to him so I couldn't overhear all of it. I just caught the parts about military ID and how the rules have changed. I served five years in the Marines, but I do not have a VA card or any VA benefits, so I don't bother with trying to get any sort of military discounts. I don't know if I'm eligible or not.

 

[downsizingnow48]

Eddie you are. Your discharge document (DD214) is what is needed. Not only for Lowes but lots of other veteran affairs.

 

[Diggin It]

If your time was fairly recent, last 20 years or so, it may verify automatically when you sign up through the appropriate MyLowes program links. Mine didn't because it was more distant past, but taking the DD214 to the local store let them confirm and activate it.

 

[TnAndy]

I served five years in the Marines, but I do not have a VA card or any VA benefits, so I don't bother with trying to get any sort of military discounts. I don't know if I'm eligible or not.

4 years Army here, out in 1975. Nothing service connected, so I never went to the VA either.

But I kept hearing about the Lowes discount some years back, so I finally went over to the VA center near us (only 15 miles) got a card, JUST so I could pull it out at Lowes.....but got 'issued' a primary care doc and all. Even though it duplicates my civilian PC, and I do have to pay for visits since I don't qualify low income (but it's very reasonable), I think my VA PC is actually a LOT better than my civilian one...and I like the "2 heads are better than one" concept......they caught a protein in my blood with a 'pre-cursor' for a weird cancer, for example, and that never came up with the civilian PC. I've been seeing the VA onocologist for monitoring for couple years now to see if it goes anywhere...she seems extremely competent as well.

Some things I've found about VA care.....they do a good job, take their time, you don't feel like a cow being run thru a chute like the civilian PC trying to get as many a day in as they can. I've had extensive X-ray panels, CT scan, etc, and the cost has been really cheap....with no 'surprise' bills from a radiologist and stuff like that you often get hit with in the civilian world because you thought you had insurance, but this guy or that guy was out of network.

If you have one within reasonable driving distance, you really ought to look into it. Hey, they even give you travel pay if you live more that a given distance......25 miles I think...

 

[QRTRHRS]

Additional to the vet discount from Lowe's, sign up for their emails and they will occasionally send you special offers. I even got one for something totally free awhile back. I forget what it was, something that only cost five bucks but hey it was free, lol!

Not to bash Lowe's though but I am noticing my local True Value/lumber yard prices are better on some things. They did not used to be. For instance, I picked up some of those long Timberlock screws the other day in several lengths. The six inch long ones were 95 cents and when I looked at Lowe's, they were around a dollar fifty or so.

 

[Garandman]

Much different at the Lowes in my area. When I go there, it is very rare when passing a store clerk that the don't ask "Can I help you?". Now in my Home Depot store, with few exceptions, they act like they don't even see you.

What I dislike about both stores is that very few checkout registers are open accept for the self checkout ones. Now there is where everyone using a self checkout register should receive some sort of discount, even in the grocery stores.

These posts crack me up.

Your profile doesn稚 say where you live, so make any claims you want about �y area. Beautiful women. Great weather. Awesome hunting. Smooth highways. And friendly HD staff. No one will dispute.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Much different at the Lowes in my area. When I go there, it is very rare when passing a store clerk that the don't ask "Can I help you?". Now in my Home Depot store, with few exceptions, they act like they don't even see you.

What I dislike about both stores is that very few checkout registers are open accept for the self checkout ones. Now there is where everyone using a self checkout register should receive some sort of discount, even in the grocery stores.

You cannot get your military discount at the self serve checkouts at both stores; unless, there is a cashier on duty there. HD on-line orders are also blocked from the discount. Excuse is the free shipping. Lowes honors it on every transaction.

Ron

Ron

 

[Diggin It]

These posts crack me up.

Your profile doesn稚 say where you live, so make any claims you want about �y area. Beautiful women. Great weather. Awesome hunting. Smooth highways. And friendly HD staff. No one will dispute.

So, if he said he was in Utah (for example), would you personally drive there to verify or refute his claims?



Didn't think so. Location doesn't really matter then, does it?

 

[snymat68]

Not in the service myself, but just want to pop in here and say thank you to all the current and past members of the military. Your service is appreciated! :yes:

 

[3Ts]

Not in the service myself, but just want to pop in here and say thank you to all the current and past members of the military. Your service is appreciated!

You're welcome (and thank you), on behalf of all of us veterans.

 

[ultrarunner]

My wife and I were at Home Depot yesterday and only one register with a person was open,
and it was at the opposite end of the store, way down by the lumber section.
We then went to Lowes and at least 3 registers with a person were opened, middle section of the store, much more convenient.

Yep... I don't know how they can stay open or maintain huge box stores with tens of thousands of square feet with a single cashier... but that is what I find each and every visit... self checkout which always has some out of service and one single regular check stand...

When they opened the store it had 24 check stands... now it is 8...

Imagine a Costco with one staffed register and 4 self service???

 

[ultrarunner]

Eddie you are. Your discharge document (DD214) is what is needed. Not only for Lowes but lots of other veteran affairs.

Not all vets have DD214... especially if they separated before 1950???

Dad wanted to sign up with USAA and they required a DD214 but he did not have one as his discharged predated DD124... he does have his honorable discharge paper and medal for serving in

DD Form 214 - Wikipedia

 

[Diggin It]

^^ Mine verified there automatically without having to send them anything.

But I really don't understand their setup. It's United Services Automobile Association, privately owned and operated. It's as much as insurance and investment company as anything else with banking added. How did they get the software/access to verify eligibility?

The Wiki answers some of it as being founded and operated by Officers, but it's still a private company with access to personnel information.

USAA - Wikipedia

 

[ultrarunner]

They have access to more recent records but Dad served in WWII and they did not have those...

 

[Oldoak]

Not all vets have DD214... especially if they separated before 1950???

Dad wanted to sign up with USAA and they required a DD214 but he did not have one as his discharged predated DD124... he does have his honorable discharge paper and medal for serving in

DD Form 214 - Wikipedia

Request Your Military Service Records | National Archives

Got my copy about within 3 weeks of requesting it. Lost my original do to water damage.

 

[PILOON]

Yep... I don't know how they can stay open or maintain huge box stores with tens of thousands of square feet with a single cashier... but that is what I find each and every visit... self checkout which always has some out of service and one single regular check stand...

When they opened the store it had 24 check stands... now it is 8...

Imagine a Costco with one staffed register and 4 self service???

Once in a Lowes's I was fed up looking for a specific item and spotted a gaggle of clerks so I excused myself and asked for directions.
The reply was "we are in conference" yeah, as I had approached I could overhear them discussing last nights dates!

Then at local Sears they had 6 cash registers but only one open and again the cashier is chatting with one of the clerks (and not about anything work related).
When I interrupted them with an 'AHEM' or 'Excuse me' thhe reply was 'can't U see we are busy'

IMHO a lot of work ethics have simply gone south. (not meaning to belittle you southern folks, LOL, just a saying)

 

[AllDodge]

not meaning to belittle you southern folks, LOL, just a saying

Now that is funny

 

[QRTRHRS]

Not sure about other states but here in KY, I can do a search on my counties VA rep and get their name and number. I cannot say enough good about the help that my rep (and a co-worker in another area that helped while mine was on vacation).

Whenever there is a local veteran's function, my rep is always on hand to help out. A friend is the service rep for our local DAV branch. He also helps with issues like paperwork.

 

[ovrszd]

Didn't read this entire thread. Just gonna vent my recent experience.

Lowe's is great. Registered myself and use them whenever possible. Beats the crap out of Menard's 11% rebate that means you have to come back to the store and spend more money to get it.

Anyway, I digress. Bought some stuff online from Home Depot. No place in that process to declare military service for discount. Oh well, we'll take care of that when we pick the products up at the store. Wife goes to make the pickup. She has a military dependent ID. We were picking up at two store locations. One in Des Moines. One in Urbandale Iowa. At the Des Moines store the man was very courteous but couldn't give us the discount. Said it simply wasn't possible after the online transaction was complete. Even though there is nowhere on the online ordering system to declare military connection. Okay, eat it. Went to the Urbandale store. Man was extremely rude. Questioned her authority to even ask for such a thing. This with her ID laying on the counter. Okay, eat it.

I'll never, ever, ever shop Home Depot again. Ever.