Home Depot no longer giving daily 10% discounts on VA cards

[nickel plate]

Central California: Today I went to my local Lowe's, bought about $75.00 worth of products and received the usual (thank you Lowe's) complimentery 10% military discount with my Vererans Universal Access Identification card-I was an active U.S. Navy volunteer during the 1960s.
Drove across town to Home Depot to buy $60.00 worth of other things that were exclusive to HD and was told at the check out stand that my ID card was no longer valid for their 10% standard discount as of (HD policy change)two weeks ago-they now only accept on a daily basis an active duty military ID and my Veterans card is now only good for a 10% discount on U.S. National holidays. I'm posting this primarily so you don't walk into a Home Depot expecting a 10% discount as usual and then to find out at the check out stand that their military discount policy has changed. Not too hard to figure out where I'll be hardware store shopping in the future.

 

[bcp]

Veterans and Active Military: We Thank You For Your Service - The Home Depot

The Home Depot Veterans Discount Program* (Updated)
As we announced earlier this year, we offer a year-round, 10 percent discount, up to a $500 maximum, at our U.S. stores to all active duty military personnel, reservists, retired or disabled veterans and their immediate families. We offer this discount to thank them for their outstanding service to this nation and to help make their homes more comfortable and safe. Customers requesting the discount should present a valid military ID.

In addition, a 10 percent discount is also offered in recognition of Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day and Veterans Day at all U.S. Home Depot stores for all other military veterans. So as a veteran, we invite you into our stores this weekend to take advantage of the discount.

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http://paycheck-chronicles.military.com/2012/05/04/home-depotlowes-military-and-veterans-discounts/

Several recent comments bring up the same mistaken point, saying that the stores have changed their policies. The policies have not changed, but individual stores are certainly changing their behavior. The implementation of the policy at the store level has been lax since the discount program began. It has always been a Military discount all year round, and a Veterans discount several weekends a year. The companies have choosen to define Military roughly in line with the qualifications for a DoD issued military ID: active duty, National Guard or reserve or dependents, retired military and dependents, and disabled veterans. If you meet the eligibility as Military, then you qualify all year round. If you meet the eligibility as Veteran, then you qualify for the discount on the designated weekends.

Many stores have been generously giving the Military discount to Veterans for several years. They have been gradually trying to return to the clearly stated policy. I actually feel badly for these stores who are trying to do something nice and are getting bashed for it.

 

[two_bit_score]

I thought that was always a matter of discretion for individual store managers. Maybe some others will let us know what they have experienced.

.

 

[zzvyb6]

You can get 10% off coupons for Lowes at your Post Office as part of a change of address package. Or, you can buy them by the dozen on eBay for a few bucks. Home Depot and Menards also honor them. I always carry a few in my wallet. They have an expiration date on them but, so what?

 

[rsewill]

[It has always been a Military discount all year round, and a Veterans discount several weekends a year. The companies have choosen to define Military roughly in line with the qualifications for a DoD issued military ID: active duty, National Guard or reserve or dependents, retired military and dependents, and disabled veterans. If you meet the eligibility as Military, then you qualify all year round. If you meet the eligibility as Veteran, then you qualify for the discount on the designated weekends.

What is the difference between a retired military and a veteran?

 

[bcp]

What is the difference between a retired military and a veteran?

Retired: 20-30 years of service

Veteran: 2 years or more service

 

[sfloggie]

* A Veteran is anyone who served 180 days or more of Active Duty.

* A retired military could be medical or full retirement. Medical Retirement could be at anytime in your career in which your time is not up, but you medically can not continue. Normally you receive care through the VA.

Full retirement is when you have served 20 years or more. The RC/NG have to wait until they reach 60 years of age to receive full retirement. Those who reach 20 years or more while Active Duty start Full Retirement at that time.

All of this is not exactly as stated in the regulations as it is a summary.

Best to all who lost a loved one that was a Veteran and those who served or are serving. Despite what some Americans think..freedom is not cheap and many gave and give their lives for it. Jim

 

[sfloggie]

bcp,

I just found out you are right about the two years. I joined in 1968 and they noted that one was considered a Veteran who had served 180 days or more and received an Honorable Discharge. After you comment I did research and found that it is defined as two years after 09/07/80.

Thanks for the update. Jim

 

[ljohnson778]

* A Veteran is anyone who served 180 days or more of Active Duty.

* A retired military could be medical or full retirement. Medical Retirement could be at anytime in your career in which your time is not up, but you medically can not continue. Normally you receive care through the VA.

Full retirement is when you have served 20 years or more. The RC/NG have to wait until they reach 60 years of age to receive full retirement. Those who reach 20 years or more while Active Duty start Full Retirement at that time.

All of this is not exactly as stated in the regulations as it is a summary.

Best to all who lost a loved one that was a Veteran and those who served or are serving. Despite what some Americans think..freedom is not cheap and many gave and give their lives for it. Jim

I'm not one who thinks freedom is cheap... I thank all who serve, or have served. Our past, present, and future is thanks to all you have sacrificed. Thank you all.

 

[nickel plate]

Veterans and Active Military: We Thank You For Your Service - The Home Depot

The Home Depot Veterans Discount Program* (Updated)
As we announced earlier this year, we offer a year-round, 10 percent discount, up to a $500 maximum, at our U.S. stores to all active duty military personnel, reservists, retired or disabled veterans and their immediate families. We offer this discount to thank them for their outstanding service to this nation and to help make their homes more comfortable and safe. Customers requesting the discount should present a valid military ID.

In addition, a 10 percent discount is also offered in recognition of Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day and Veterans Day at all U.S. Home Depot stores for all other military veterans. So as a veteran, we invite you into our stores this weekend to take advantage of the discount.

-----------------

http://paycheck-chronicles.military.com/2012/05/04/home-depotlowes-military-and-veterans-discounts/

Several recent comments bring up the same mistaken point, saying that the stores have changed their policies. The policies have not changed, but individual stores are certainly changing their behavior. The implementation of the policy at the store level has been lax since the discount program began. It has always been a Military discount all year round, and a Veterans discount several weekends a year. The companies have choosen to define Military roughly in line with the qualifications for a DoD issued military ID: active duty, National Guard or reserve or dependents, retired military and dependents, and disabled veterans. If you meet the eligibility as Military, then you qualify all year round. If you meet the eligibility as Veteran, then you qualify for the discount on the designated weekends.

Many stores have been generously giving the Military discount to Veterans for several years. They have been gradually trying to return to the clearly stated policy. I actually feel badly for these stores who are trying to do something nice and are getting bashed for it.

You need to recognize that there are many military card carrying veterans on TBN and throughout the vast internet world . Your corporate action to recently deny most military card discounts at the check out stand will likely shift sales activity toward Lowe's or others as they still honor all valid military ID cards.

I ask to please keep my prayers seperate from the above topic and thus dedicated to those in the military alive or who have fallen, MIA or injured in battle. Blessed all, Navy hymn...