Community Forums

DriVer · 12-13-2011, 03:03 PM

[FLASH TRAFFIC]

Are you getting what you earned?

Today, I went to my Verizon Store and showed the man my VA Administration ID card and I was extended the courtesy of a 15% discount on my calling plan. The discount also extends over to VZ merchandise (not the phones themselves) {read accessories} and no Apple branded products. I am a Veteran only and not retired military. {the man at the VZ store said that he was an Army brat and that the majority of veterans don't know about the discount}

The VZ discount does not apply to any DATA fees that you would incur on a smartphone, air card or MiFi.

Just last week I went to Lowes Home Improvement and showed them my VA ID Card and I got a 10% discount. I've spent $thousands$ there already w/o knowing about my VA ID Card benefit.

Man .... Where has my VA ID Card been all of my life!

[END MESSAGE]

Afubar · 12-13-2011, 03:19 PM

"The VZ discount does not apply to any DATA fees that you would incur on a smartphone, air card or MiFi."

That's funny, I get an additional 12% off my data plan on my Droid in addition to the 15% Veterans discount on the Phone Plan.

Home Depot also offers the 10% discount to Veterans.

DriVer · 12-13-2011, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Afubar

That's funny, I get an additional 12% off my data plan on my Droid in addition to the 15% Veterans discount on the Phone Plan.

Home Depot also offers the 10% discount to Veterans.

Perhaps I will be pleasantly surprised next month if I see a discount on my MiFi data plan. Did you get grandfathered into an pre-existing plan?

As of today, what I was told is that my data pkg is not subject to a discount.

Thanks for the info in regard to HD.

Afubar · 12-13-2011, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriVer

Perhaps I will be pleasantly surprised next month if I see a discount on my MiFi data plan. Did you get grandfathered into an pre-existing plan?

As of today, what I was told is that my data pkg is not subject to a discount.

Thanks for the info in regard to HD.

You're welcome on the Home Depot info. As for the data pkg, nope, not grandfathered in, I just switched to Verizon this past August. It was on my first and every bill since. I think I was also told that the discount wouldn't be on the data but I get 15% on the phone part and 12% on the data. Every little bit helps.

Wayne M · 12-13-2011, 06:21 PM

I sure wish I could memorize this, but since I cannot, I just always ask, "Do you have a veterans or military discount?"

Click Here for Discount list

bdaball · 12-13-2011, 07:44 PM

My experience as a veteran, (not a retiree or disabled) with Home Depot and Lowes is that you must have a photo ID card to receive the discount year round. More information about this subject can be found on Lowes and Home Depot's web page. Look for Military Discounts policy.

A "plain Jane" veteran without a photo ID that only has a DD-214 discharge document can receive a discount on the July 4th week end, Veterans Day and Memorial day only.

Home Depot Corporat office sent me a one time check a few years ago because of a misunderstanding of their policy after I gathered ny receipts for a calender year of purchases to match what Lowes mistakenly provided.

That being said, the individual store managers at times will overlook the photo ID requirement. However I'm pretty sure both stores have clamped down on the policies as it was over-used by non-disabled/retired veterans.

DriVer · 12-13-2011, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne M

I sure wish I could memorize this, but since I cannot, I just always ask, "Do you have a veterans or military discount?"

Click Here for Discount list

I just got my VA ID Card and I'm 63 YO. All these years I thought that if I had a DD214 and a $1.50, I could get a cup of coffee and that was it. I hope that if you are one of those lost veterans, please do yourself a favor and go to VA Center and apply.

bluepill · 12-13-2011, 09:12 PM

It always pays to ask. Same for senior discounts.

bsirby · 12-14-2011, 07:42 AM

Thanks Driver. We have been with Verizon for years and had no idea. Guess where we are going today..... Frank gets a discount at Lowes and Home Depot all year long with his VA card. There have been times at different places that he got a discount just wearing his hat. Someone posted a list of discounts for seniors that have some I didn't know about. I think it was Wayne M. I printed it so I don't forget.

Ed-Sommers · 12-14-2011, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriVer

[FLASH TRAFFIC]

Are you getting what you earned?

While I also use my Retired Navy ID card to get discounts, especially on large purchases, and am appreciative to the Home Depot (et al) for offering the same, the discount is not something that I EARNED! IT IS something given due to my service rendered, nothing more.

Ed

Hipshot · 12-14-2011, 04:09 PM

Home Depot will usually give a $50 off if you open an account. When I got my Porter Cable air compressor I asked the clerk for the veterans discount. She happily applied the discount then asked if I would like to apply for a HD account and receive an additional $50 discount. I told her I already had a HD account, she said that's ok you can have another one. Bottom line $99 air compressor for $40

. Allways ask for the discounts, veterans, military, seniors, whatever.

Ray,IN · 12-16-2011, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed-Sommers

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriVer

[FLASH TRAFFIC]

Are you getting what you earned?

While I also use my Retired Navy ID card to get discounts, especially on large purchases, and am appreciative to the Home Depot (et al) for offering the same, the discount is not something that I EARNED! IT IS something given due to my service rendered, nothing more.

Ed

That is how I feel about it too. Menards stopped the military discount near me, the manager said it was because the local firemen and policemen began complaining it was not extended to them. I thanked him for the prior discounts, and said I didn't expect the discount but it was appreciated.

DriVer · 12-16-2011, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed-Sommers

While I also use my Retired Navy ID card to get discounts, especially on large purchases, and am appreciative to the Home Depot (et al) for offering the same, the discount is not something that I EARNED! IT IS something given due to my service rendered, nothing more.

Ed, You will have to please excuse my excitement but the something earned wasn't exactly my idea but it was repeated to me and it just stuck so I apologize for the comment.

You are correct, the discounts are NOT something that I earned it is a privilege that merchants extend to prior military service personnel in appreciation for their service to our country.

My excitement if I may be allowed the license to call it that was as if a ton of bricks fell on me from out of the sky. I have been ETSed from the military since 1971. Since then I never took anything from anyone and have never collected an unemployment check because I was resourceful and lucky enough to find work.

Throughout my life as an employed individual, I did not have to care about discounts, coupons, green stamps or any other free bee because between my wife and I we worked 4 jobs. We earned just enough to get by. If you ever lived in Fairfield County, Connecticut you would know what I mean.

Here I am at age 63, retired for just about 5 years and I have just as of a month ago got my VA Administration ID Card. I should have had a VA card some 36 years ago. I signed up into the VA system from what I have been reading here in this forum. I'm like a kid in a candy store right now and I hear you about the difference between right and privilege.

When I turned 60, I was in a Dunkin Donut store in Florida I think and the kid behind the counter wanted to give me a senior discount. I was quite upset and almost told him in the most choice of words that I wasn't interested in a senior discount.

My friend MikeT has the ability to bring things down to the lowest common denominator and he said, Mike, you're here & you're 60 and you earned it, take the discount - I would. So that's what stuck.

From what I posted here, one other member told me that he went to Verizon and obtained his military discount so it did help someone other than me and I'll just let it go at that.

In hindsight I do so much regret being blinded to what my DD214 affords me since I have spent thousands at Lowes Home Improvement with no clue that a discount was even a remote possibility. Just a few days ago I went about bought a package of screws, you guessed it, 10% off.

bsirby · 12-17-2011, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriVer

[FLASH TRAFFIC]

Are you getting what you earned?

Today, I went to my Verizon Store and showed the man my VA Administration ID card and I was extended the courtesy of a 15% discount on my calling plan. The discount also extends over to VZ merchandise (not the phones themselves) {read accessories} and no Apple branded products. I am a Veteran only and not retired military. {the man at the VZ store said that he was an Army brat and that the majority of veterans don't know about the discount}

Man .... Where has my VA ID Card been all of my life!

[END MESSAGE]

Frank and I went to Verizon the other day to inquire about this discount. The employees of that store told us only active military or disabled Vets were eligable for this discount. Well we applied for it anyway based on what you were telling us. The employee did tell us they only do a few military discounts a year so maybe it was correct. We'll see next month when our bill comes due.