Reader Feedback Requested: Lowe’s and Home Depot Military Discount and Veteran’s Discount
Update 5 May 2011: The discount has not changed.
Thanks to Stephen Holmes of Home Depot’s Corporate Communication department, we have an official answer on the Home Depot Military Discount policy. In response to my post last week, he emailed me the following statement:
“We offer a 10 percent discount, up to a $500 maximum, to all active, reserve, retired or disabled veterans and their family members with a valid military ID. All other military veterans qualify for a 10 percent discount during Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Independence Day.
But I think it’s worth also noting that we support the military, military spouses and their families in many more ways that go beyond the discount. It’s a personal issue to us because we have so many of our own associates who have served over the years and about 1,700 who are currently serving on military leave of absence.”
Thank you to Mr. Holmes for giving us a clear view of the rules. Mr. Holmes also encouraged me to send him any other questions, so please post them in the comments.
Hope this helps!
I hope that Home Depot will send out a memo to their employees. Managment needs to make sure all employees, part time, full time and seasonal know this policy.
I shopped for some ceiling fans, one employee told me the discount was only for Memorial Day weekend (the weekend had just occurred); another told me they dropped the discount; but the clerk at the front told me the discount was in effect all year for 10% off…but she did add it was for up to $500 purchase. There is a difference between receiving 10% off purchases up to $500 purchase and "a 10 percent discount, up to a $500 maximum."
I am Preston McKee, a disabled veteran and did not receive my 10% discount at Home Depot located at W. 7 Mile & Meyers in Detroit, MI? I showed my Service Connected Veterans ID and was told it was only for the holidays. Am I eligible for the discount if I take my receipt to the store?
Preston, the stores are clearly not following the policy clearly. If you've the energy to argue with them, you might try calling the customer service phone number. Unfortunately, we can't force them to give the offered discount.
Thanks for your service.
"Can't force them"? So, you're basically saying that your company policies are worthless, and that your store managers are insubordinates.
What I don't understand is why the Military discount is limited to "active, reserve, retired or disabled veterans and their family members with a valid military ID. All other military veterans qualify for a 10 percent discount during Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Independence Day."
What about those like myself that served 12 years of active duty but did not retire, become disabled, or join the reserves. Why are we always left out of the Military benefits picture? Does my 12 years served NOT COUNT for anything? I am a Viet Nam Vet and take great offense to the way the Military Discount is treated every place that I've been! To me it is very unfair to leave the rest of us out. We served our country and did a damn good job at that. Only difference in us and the category of people that are typically listed is that fact that we do not have a Military ID of any sort. We do however have a DD214.
Where is the Thank You in this situation? I would love to hear an explanation to this scenario.
Kathy Sahu, USN VETERAN, Cryptography
GO TO LOWES
Yes Kathy, your right on the Home Depot thing. My wife and I just bought an older house and we are fixing it up. For the last 4 months at least 2 times a week we have been going to Lowe's and Home Depot getting our supply (more Home Depot). Today I went to the Hickory store to get some building supplies etc… . I have an older VA card just never updated it, but it don't matter the cashier said, it don't look like our paper copy does and you can't get the discount. I said call the Manager. The manager arrived and looked at my card and said yea she's right we don't honer it unless your disabled vet, active or retired. I explained I shop there very regular with 200.00 plus in purchases due to me updating my home we bought. His response sorry I can't give you the discount… we changed policy a month ago hell I've been in there 8 times this past month to now. I said a few words not to kindly about the nice notice to all who have served and said my business will be Lowe's or the small man they need it. Note: the cashier was pretty shitty that's more so that I got that way back.
I fall into the same scenario, Kathy, so needless to say I also think that it is very unfair to isolate just us few.
Bill in Billings, MT
right on kathy i wish there was a lowes closer to me
first of all active service men and woman are fighting wars diable vets are mostly in hospitals or homes so they wont go to home depot what a chop job home depot you suck
your not right,,,a veteran is someone who has been in a war are you that nieve that between 1977 till irac many retired and never saw war they are not vet and by the way don't you know that the ones with homes are the Vietnam vet and who are retired and spend the most money repairing their home and home depot now here are allowing vet with a VFW card you need to read the laws put on the back on the back states we are real vet and fought in a conflict and are deserving of ALL benefits under the Federal law..i have involved the Carson Newman UT and the churches here in tn and i will not give up this is wrong and its not the 10% its what is right now who is right..list from 1000 have been sent to senate congressmen all you have done is woke up a sleeping giant which in the long run will cost you sales….GOD BLESS AMERICA
- Show quoted text -
No you are the one who isn't right. A veteran is someone who served in the military not just someone who went to war.
I too am a Veitnam Veteran and have a military ID. I am not retired military. I did a 6 year term and came back home. I have had no problemsgetting a discount with any store but the Home Depot in Poplar Bluff Mo. To me being a Veteran means you served your time protecting our country and our freedom. All veterans should get the same treatment. If one gets a discount, all should get a discount. If not then, we all should shop at Lowes where they treat all veterans equally.
I agree with Kathy. I am also a Vietnam Vet and I fought hard for my country. We put our lives on the line every day we were there. The soldiers that were in the Vietnam war get overlooked in so many ways by this country. It would be nice to be shown some type of respect and be recognized for the time we served. Gail
Lowes offers everyday a Military Discount of 10% off any purchase with an Active Duty or Retired ID Card or a Department of Veterans Affairs ID Card. To those who served those 12 years or 14 years who do not have a Retired ID Card can call the Department of Veterans Affairs to see about getting their Department of Veterans Affairs Card and then they can qualify for the 10% off ANY purchase, no maximum ceiling everyday of the year. Lowes also offers all Veterans who haven't gotten their Department of Veterans card or who doesnt have an Active Duty or Retired ID card can show their DD214 or other service cards to get the 10% on advertised holidays.
I agree, they need to share this info with all their employees and enforce it. But you get the same discount at Lowes every day without hassle and no maximum purchase with the discount. The most important factor is NO HASSLE !!!! Home Depot stopped giving our church their Tax exempt status, just said they dont do that any more. I won't return to Home Depot.
It is strange that Home Depot will match Lowe's sale prices and give a additional 10% to ensure they have the lowest price. But will not continue or match Lowe's military discount policy 24/7. Now only on certain holidays.
Thank you for reading.
Posted by Jerry Hansen USN / on August 24th, 2010
'5would
Amen, I served over 9 years and also served in Korea & Vietnam . I was told by Home Depot that they changed their policy & now I am not eligible except on certain holidays. I inquired at Lowes and was told they will honor my service 365 days a year . Guess where I will shop from now on ?
how do I get a picture ID military card
.
Please check your information- Lowes policy on Military Discount is exactly the same as Home Depot's. Thank you
Hey! I didn't know about any service discounts at either Lowes or Home Depot. I've blown a ton of money at both places over the 35 years since I retired.
I don't suppose they offer retroactive adjustments. I could add a new wood-shop building out back! I've outgrown the old one.
after reading all comments; this is what i know for a fact; in ohio home depot has let several employees go because of giving military discounts after they made their changes in march 2010 of this year. they then in turn changed military discounts again this year to even less military personnel. the employees were confused concerning discounts to who or whom and were let go because they were giving to family members of military veterans; who were also employees of home depot. it appears if you are employee of home depot no discounts but the memo states family members; nothing about employees of family members. home depot has made big error concerning this but will not rectify their mistake. home depot claim they are for military but they don't give anything to military employees who work for home depot. they are not for discounts of any kind to anyone. they keep changing their policies to suit their needs only. thanks for any updates to this comment.
After making 3 visits to my local HD in Clinton, MS (last visit on 09/05) to buy a washer and dryer, I was unable to get a military discount. The sales lady was rude about it, would not research availability, and told me that the discount was not available because the washer was "Entergy Star" rated, and only qualified for the entergy star rebate. I went to Cowboy Maloney's.
If you do not have a military ID, you will fall under the discount offered on Memorial weekend and 4th of July weekend. Thank you for your service.
My local Home Depot refused my husbands dependent ID card and was told only the active member could use the discount. Before I rejoined the reserves i used to use my DD214 as i did not have an ID card, and they stopped accepting that also. Does my time served not count because I wa sno longer serving? People, we need to speak a lot louder than this if we are to be heard. The People of this country get the benefit of our serving to protect their rights and freedoms, the least we can get is the benefit of a small discount as a thank you.
Today, I was told the discount has officially ended for the military at home depot. To that I say, I will now shop only at Lowes.
Lowes and The Home Depot have the exact same policy when it comes to the military discount. I have checked at both places personally.
Just used my retired ID card and received a discount in Dayton Ohio. No questions asked.
Sadly, today I was told that Home Depot no longer offers a 10% discount to military personnel. I have been a home depot customer for all home improvements, I told many military members to shop home depot because they appreciate what we do for our country. But today that stopped, so today I and hopefully all other military members decide to spend their hard earned money at LOWES, where I hear they appreciate the military all year round. And for that I say your welcome.
hi ray …. how do I go about getting a military picture I D card….charlie.
You must be entitled to a military ID in order to obtain one. Check in at your local or nearest military Pass & ID office; be sure to bring all relevant documents to prove your entitlement. If you're active or retired from any branch of the U.S. military, or a qualified family member, you most likely already have a military ID. If you're a veteran who doesn't meet the criteria, you won't qualify for or receive a military ID; veteran status alone does not qualify one for the military ID. If you're a disabled vet with access to the VA, suggest you look into VA ID card requirements.
The Home Depot can NOT stop giving you tax exempt status, what is most likely the case is there is an issue or a problem with YOUR tax exempt registration and YOU need to take care of it on your end. If your church does indeed qualify for tax exempt status, it cannot be taken away from you by a company. Check on the churches tax exempt registration with the store to see what errors there may be.
So many of you people posting on here really need to get your facts straight. Home Depot DOES offer a 10% discount to ACTIVE, RESERVES, RETIRED AND DISABLED VETS WITH VALID ID also DEPENDENTS WHO HAVE VALID ID. As to why they do not offer it to ALL who have ever served? Write a letter to Home Depot's corporate offices; to get bent out of shape with the store associates isn't going to change ANYTHING. They do not make the policies; however, they are required to enforce the policies handed down to them from the head honcho's at corporate.
Becky, I went to Home Depot today, presented my valid active army ID, and was told that I was still ineligible. The fact is that some stores are not honoring any discount but the holiday one.
Guess we can only be veterans on 3 holidays. Funny I thought it was 24/7 for a lifetime !!!
We will no longer shop at Home Depot because they no longer offer the 10% to ALL past military. The same thing they sell at Home Depot we can get at Lowes plus enjoy a 10% discount.
I was informed that you can only receive one discount at a time. I'm in the reserve and my husband is active and I want to purchase shutters. There is 15% discount running for a promotional period and I was told I can only get the 10% military discount or the 15% promotion, NOT both. Please clarify your policy.
Thank You for your assist.
SaRonica
30 Oct 2010 – I was just at my local Home Depot at The Forum in Live Oak Tx and presented my ID card for the 10% discount, but I was turned down because my ID card was "pink". The clerk stated that Corporate stated not to take "pink" ID cards. This means that I as a Retired Reservist having served over 27 years and my fellow Retired Reservists and family members are not eligible for the discount. Lowe's honors the "pink" ID card and gives the discount. I thought I met the policy Mr Holmes stated in that I was a retired military member and have a valid military ID card. This must not be the case!
I am a Viet Nam veteran. To get a 10% discount do I need to bring in my DD-214 to prove I am a veteren? Thanks, Jerry
your not right,,,a veteran is someone who has been in a war are you that nieve that between 1977 till irac many retired and never saw war they are not vet and by the way don't you know that the ones with homes are the Vietnam vet and who are retired and spend the most money repairing their home and home depot now here are allowing vet with a VFW card you need to read the laws put on the back on the back states we are real vet and fought in a conflict and are deserving of ALL benefits under the Federal law..i have involved the Carson Newman UT and the churches here in tn and i will not give up this is wrong and its not the 10% its what is right now who is right..list from 1000 have been sent to senate congressmen all you have done is woke up a sleeping giant which in the long run will cost you sales….GOD BLESS AMERICA
they want a picture id i have my VFW card with my name and driver lic not good enough so your dd14 or 15 will not count
You are wrong. A veteran is anybody that has served. Serving during wartime or in combat does not matter. However, there is a distinction made between when using the term "combat veteran", which lets you know that particular veteran has been involved in a military operation. That is why all veterans can be a member of The American Legion, but not all can be a member of the VFW.
Obviously you have never served or you would not say what you just said and been hateful about it towards other veterans.
Stockwis, a 'Veteran' is someone who took the oath, served their country, and received an honorable or medical discharge. So, you are wrong.
We asked about the discount and was told it was only for specific items, and only if we used a HomeDepot Card.
We asked at Lowe's and was told to bring in our old receipts and they would give us the discount on past purchases… we just found out about the discount.
Where would you shop????
I am only shopping at Lowe's from now on since Depot changed their policy and don't accept all honorably discharged vets. who now don't meet their new requirements. Have always gotten the 10% until recently. Shame on you Home Depot, you are only spiting yourselves. Obviously , the person who modified the policy never served their country, but reaped the benefits of those who did. Never get another from me!!!
I just (4/26/2011) left Home Depot where they told me the 10% discount policy was only for active duty members and not retirees. First time I had shopped at this particular HD and I told them that I also got the discount at other HDs. They said the policy just changed…I did not know enought to ask them when the policy changed…has the policy recently changed?
We purchased a wooden shed on display outside the front of our local Home Depot. When I asked about the military discount they said that did not apply to this type of shed because it was in some other category – I cannot remember which. Please clarify.
I recently went to purchase a new refrigerator at HomeDepot and at checkout the person at the register told me there was "NO" military discount on appliances. Verified through a manager at my request. Thanks for your service HomeDepot!
I'm glad to see Home Depot has given an unambiguous possitive response to those who serve our country. I hear from their store clerks that this response is now part of their training program.
The new policy has actually made it more deficult for me to get the discount because I am an ex-member of the British military and my proof of service document is not listed as one of those "approved" in the trainig documentation. I used to have no problem getting the discount. The irony of this is I spent most of my six years in intelligence under the command of the USAFNSA in Germany.
I will plead my case with Mr. Holmes!
We have many business owners (contractors) using military ID's to get the 10% off a purchase they make for the business, as a Vet I see this as an insult. The Vets discount was for the needs of the Vet, not the needs of contractor businesses. Is this worded anywhere in the policy. Every pruchase they make for every different job has been followed by an ID card, if the owner doesn't have one (no service) they have one of their employees make the purchase. This is wrong on every level.
Thank you
Flash! Home Depot has discontinued year-round military discounts. They will only offer on a few holidays– July 4th, Vets Day etc… Was in my local store today (12/27/10) and was told this came down from their corporate HQ last week!
Iwill no longer shop at H0me depot and thilk allother vets should do the same. also their name should be taken off of brads deals.com list
Home Depot discount is more of a disclaimer,very disappointed and a joke. Will not accept ,VA I.D.card if it does not read service connected on Veterans affairs I.D. card. ((((I do not need this hassle))) for only a few days out of the year,to receive a discount. I will now shop a LOW'S where you can receive a military discount every day. (NO HASSLE) I was lucky I was not wounded. So at Home Depot they will not accept the VA Card
All this is interesting. We were at Home Depot today to purchase kitchen appliances. They are running a 10% off Maytag sponsored special on certain appliances. When we asked about the Vet's discount, we were told that we couldn't have it – that it would be "double dipping". Wait a minute – the sale is being sponsored by MAYTAG! The Vet's Discount is supposed to be Home Depot's service to Vets. So how is that "double dipping". I'm with you folks. Probably gonna cancel my sale at Home Depot and see if Lowe's has the same appliances. Really sorry to see that Home Depot has taken this road…
Home Depot has joined the list of greedy corporations, with managers that are being paid far too much money. This military discount (in my thoughts) was just a scam for getting more business. If they were really concerned about the veterans in this fine country, all of these complaints and concerns being mentioned on this site would never exist. My concern is why does Home Depot favor some veterans and not the others. There are many War Veterans that served during dreadful combat situations, just because they did not make a living in the service(s), nor was injured, or in the reserves stateside), or on present active duty and never subjected to any harm. Why, again, are the Vietnam heroes that served, and many lucky enough to return without injury (physical), are excluded. This sickens/irates me.
I have been a loyal customer with Home Depot for years and have two Home Depot's credit cards. Well they are being cancelled. I also believe that the people in Haite (spelling), are being treated better than vets.
Corporate Fat Cats, along with the Government, have always seperated themselves from the Vietnam Vets, Probably the Kor/Vets also. This seems to be the way it is for us. We are continually being hidden in a dark room. HomeDepot and Lowe’s are not alone. Time to start spending my money back into the Mom & Pop Hardware stores in my city. They deserve it for being slammed by these big discrimanting businesses. Atleast they treat everyone the same. The full house Carpeting that was being ordered at Home Depot has been cancelled.
Vietnam ’68.
To all of you: at both Lowe's and Home Depot: My brother, honorably discharged from Army/Vietnam can not use his DD214 anymore, not even with PASSPORT, DRIVERS LICENSE AND BIRTH CERTIFICATE (to prevent "fraud"). If you served in the military years ago, you can ONLY get a photo military ID is you financially qualify for VA benefits. There is no "military photo ID" for long-separated veterans not getting or asking for VA benefits. Lowe's and Home Depot are being disingenuous and cynically wrapping their corporations in the American flag when their "thanks" only applies to a sub-group of people who served their country.
Found a work-around for the HD military discount… When we showed my dad's card and they wouldn't honor it, we got into it with the manager. We shared that Lowes DOES honor it and almost walked away from a $1,000 purchase. Finally they let us know that they cannot honor the military discount, but since Lowes does, they can give us the "competitor discount." It's something that they don't publicize, but if you ask this way they should honor the 10% off anyway.
We'll still shop primarily at Lowe's but this is good to know for rare instances where you can only find the item you're looking for at HD. Hope this helps others.
As a Home Depot shopper of many years I have appreciated the discount that I enjoyed when presenting my VA id card to the cashier.
No more of this I was recently told : corporate decision (Orders from the district manager in Venice Fl.)
Hey guess what. I used to buy just about everything at home depot but I am now going to make a management decision of my own and do my shopping at Lowes which is the same distance from my home. I am asking all of my fellow vets to join me.
Just went to Lowe's today and was informed the everyday Military 10% discount IS no longer valid. Checked Lowe's website for confirmation and found nothing. Awaiting email from corporate to verify this new policy.
They are enforcing this policy because the ones without the card or DD214 are asking for the discount and have never served in the military.
Why does Home Depot treat veterans differently? I firmly believe a veteran is a veteran regardless of how long he or she served. I will always take my business to Lowes NEVER again to Home Depot.
Me to, AF VET and CG AUX present. NO DISCOUNT ANY MORE
As not only a retired Navy Vet with 30 years active service, I'm also a General Contractor in the state of WA. I have the required State Resellers Permit on file with Home Depot Corporate offices that allows the tax on items I purchase for my contracting business to be tax free. For over 9 months I have received both the 10% military discount and no tax on business purchases as I was informed by HD Customer Care in July 2010 that these were two separate entities. Last week I was checking out at my local HD and was told I would no longer be able to receive both the Mil. discount AND have the tax removed from my purchase. I asked for a manager, even showed him the email from July 2010 and he would not budge. I left my shopping cart sitting, loaded, in front of the cashier.
Through an ongoing exchange of emails with HD Corporate Customer Care, HD claims there is nothing in writing to support this policy. I find this unacceptable and HD has lost one of its Professional customers.
This was my response to a survey that was sent to me today resulting from a phone call I had made to Home depot Corporate Office.
"My issue was addressed, I just don't approve of your policy towards honorably discharged military veterans. You are taking some veterans and not others. I have been using my discharge papers and my driver's license as my photo ID to prove I am the person on the discharge papers to get my daily 10% discount. This is what your store instructed me to do for over a year now. I consistently spend a lot of money in Home Depot. I think your new policy towards military veterans is deplorable. I find it hard to believe a dependent of a military veteran can get the 10% discount daily in Home Depot and I as a honorably discharged veteran who actually served his country does not just because they have a military photo ID and I don't!. What is wrong with this picture. If you are going to continue to do this as your new policy, you are discriminating! You would be better off to just stop giving a military discount period, to all military veterans. At least, that would be fair!
My course of action is going to be this:
1) I am going to get rid of my Home Depot stock and never buy it again.
2) I work with 15,000 people in Sikorsky Aircraft in CT and I am going to give you as much bad word of mouth advertising as possible.
3)I am going to give as much of my business to other businesses as possible, even if costs me more money in the long run.
I am going to search out forums and blogs that deal with your store in any way and post very negative posts and start new threads dealing with this subject!!"
Thanks for reading…David
I have the same problem when I go to Lowes and Home Depot. The way I see it I served this country for everyone including the people that make the policy on Military discount. To me a VETERAN is a VETERAN
Quit going to Homes Depot and go to Lowes it is a classier store and has just about the same prices. They appreciate veterans and give the discounts to you as long as you have a id card.
I just left the Orange Monster and was told as a retiree no discount except on military holidays…said was a new policy…hope Lowes doesn't follow suit.
Went to Home Depot last week with an ACTIVE DUTY ID CARD and they said that the discount is no longer applicable, except on military holidays. LOWES gives me the 10% discount every time. I guess LOWES appreciates the military a little more, and they will get all of my home improvement business!!
We use Home Depot reguraly and at times are able to enjoy the 10% veteran discount. Notice that I said "at times". There's no ryme or reason in these situations. Just one day they do give us the discount and the next day they don't. There is no posting of the rules anywhere in the store and there is definatly no clear cut training for the employees. I think it is just luck of the draw on who you get to check you out. The last time my husband was in making a large purchase, the clerk told him is was only for "active" military members. His comment to her was that if that is truly the case, then it should be called "ACTIVE MILITARY PERSONNEL DISCOUNT" not "VETERANS" discount as there is a big difference in that advertising. We are currently checking out Lowes for our future home needs purchases.
"Many of the stores have made the decision not to honor the military discount year around. We will honor the discount year around if items are purchased online. I apologize again for the inconvenience." This was the response today from a Home Depot Customer service rep. My son DID NOT receive the military discount at our Home Depot in Arkansas! Our business will be taken to LOWES.
went to home depot today and were told there is no longer a military discount at all – (as of 4 days ago) going to Lowes
I shop at Lowe's now for most of my lawn needs because of the 10% military discount. Thank you Lowe's.
As od 11 May 2011 home depot will only give military discount 4 times a year per the Home Depot in Fort Worth Tx
I am currently in Home Depot I have been buying paint for the last 3 weeks I even made a major carpet purchase. I have used the Home Depot in Benton, AR and Mabelvale. Today at the Mabelvale location I purchased lights and was told no discount. The same store that gave me a discount the day before. So I Google Home Depot military discount and this article pops up. I immediately show them and wahlah they have to uphold my discount. So use this article how can they argue with their corporate office!
The HD I shop in Sarasota FL, told me that the MILITARY discount will no longer be avaliable after July 2011. All Military – Active, Disabled or Retired.
Is this true? If it is true – I'll shop elseware!
5-22-2011. Just came out of homeDepot.Showed myDept of VET. Affairs card. Was told discount only on HOLIDAYS????????I'am disabled . Sure glad it all FIXED???????
Larry, does your VA card indicate that you are a disabled veteran? If so, then the store has made a mistake. If your ID does not show that you are a disabled veteran, then you need to get the VA to fix that. Without an ID that states that you are a disabled veteran, you are eligible for the patriotic holiday weekend discounts. Memorial Day is one of the weekends that both Home Depot and Lowes offer discounts to all veterans.
I shop at the Home Depot in Keller, TX 2 or 3 times a week. I have always used the military discount without any problems but today when I went in to buy a small tool, the cashier told me that the store was no longer honoring military discounts. I asked to speak to the manager and he very rudely told me to come back on a holiday and they would honor it then.
Home Depot's biggest competitor, Lowes, offers a 10% discount. For Home Depot to say that they only offer the discount on holidays is an insult to all Veterans. They get the good press of saying they give a discount to military without realistically having to do so because no vet interested in the discount is going to wait for a holiday to shop at Home Depot when they could just go to Lowes any day of the week.
I am very insulted by the manager I spoke to and Home Depot's lip service to the military. Get your good press some other way.
I just called the Home Depot customer service line and spoke to a woman named Marie. She reiterated that the discount is only offered on specific holidays. I referenced her to this article and she stated that she did not know who Stephen Holmes is and that the information published here is incorrect.
HOME DEPOTs in VA BCH as well as LOWES offer 10% year round for military just show them your ID
On their website, it specifically says, "In addition, the 10% discount is available to active and reserve military personnel, retired or disabled veterans and their spouses or dependent children EVERY DAY, upon request."
I called them back and made them aware that it says this on the website and the individual I spoke to refused to acknowledge it. They just kept apologizing and repeating "All military personnel and veterans are eligible for a 10% discount during many national holidays such as Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day and Veteran's Day. "
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servle….
I am a Vietnam Veteran and have been a regular customer at the Home Depot store in Greenfield, Massachusetts. I have for months received a 10% discount without question. I have a VA medical card which I use for medical care from the VA and it has my picture on it.
Last week I purchased several items and took out my VA card and was told by the cashier that the military discount was no longer available to people who "only served for a few years." It was only available to active duty, retired or veterans with service-connected disabilities.
Feeling very insulted and pissed off, I asked to speak to the manager for an explanation…he said "people have been abusing the policy and anyhow it is not fair to people who have served for 20 years or more if guys who were in for 2 or 3 years get the discount." My PTSD was triggered and I had to leave before threatening to do harm to the man.
Guess what HD? I NOW SHOP AT LOWE'S WHERE ALL VETERANS ARE HONORED FOR THIER SERVICE REGARDLESS OF CIRCUMSTANCES.
Changing your policy is insulting…it pits one group of vets against another and makes you look mean and selfish. It also will cause you to lose money and goodwill.
I am very sorry to hear about your encounter Robert. I also received an almost hostile response from the store manager when I spoke to him a few days ago after the cashier would not process the discount. I asked them to pull the policy up on their website and he read it to me, but was told that although I was active duty military and was providing identification showing it, he would not authorize a discount.
He made me feel like I was begging for a hand out and not attempting to use a discount that Home Depot has very LOUDLY advertised. I think that it is very shameful for Home Depot to say that they offer a 10% discount on their website only to find that the stores are not honoring that.
It seems to me that Home Depot is seeking to gain a positive image by being "supporters of the military" without actually following through. Surely this is some kind of fraud or misrepresentation of that situation?
Meant to title my post as @Disabled Vet but it put that as my name. Anyhow, sorry to hear about all of this happening. Maybe Kate can get to the bottom of it all?
-Scott
Scott,I've pinged my folks at Home Depot again. Honestly, I'm getting a little sick of sticking up for them when clearly there is some huge miscommunication internally. I also agree with Disabled Vet that there is something really wrong about loudly promoting a discount and then making people feel wrong for trying to use it.
I'm not sure what sort of resolution might occur, but I am just as irritated as my readers and I hope that they straighten out this mess quickly. It's just wrong.
Thought I would share my experience with home depot yesterday.
Went to make a purchase, was told by cashier that the gentleman who was holding up the line I was in was just complaining about that and that the store no longer offered the military discount except for on certain holidays. She suggested completing the purchase and calling the number on the bottom of the reciept. I told her I would just go to Lowes who would price match home depot and give a 10% military discount.
On my way home I called and spoke to the manager Tommie to get some details on the Home Depot policy change because I had just used the discount the day before without any problem. Tommie supported what the cashier told me and said that the discount is no longer being offered except for on certain holidays.
I got home and googled "home depot military discount" and immediatly found the following on their website:
"All military personnel and veterans are eligible for a 10% discount during many national holidays such as Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day and Veteran's Day.
In addition, the 10% discount is available to active and reserve military personnel, retired or disabled veterans and their spouses or dependent children every day, upon request."
Being both a member of the Army Reserve and a Disabled Veteren I saw that I doubly qualified for the discount. I called the customer care line at 1 (800) 466-3337.
They repeated what the store manager had told me about the discount being offered only on holidays. I asked them to look up the policy on the website and they did and when they read the second sentence saying that "In addition, the 10% discount is available to active and reserve military personnel, retired or disabled veterans and their spouses or dependent children every day, upon request." they asked me to hold to be connected to their corporate office.
After holding, there were two people on the line and one said she was passing me off to the other. The lady said "I am going to attempt to go over the Military Discount policy with you" and then began to read verbatum what was on the website.
After she read "In addition, the 10% discount is available to active and reserve military personnel, retired or disabled veterans and their spouses or dependent children every day, upon request." I told her that is why I was calling because the stores were not honoring that.
She told me that this was supposed to be taken off the webpage and did not match the policies on her computer. I asked if the manager should have still honored what was on the webpage and she said yes. She took my name and number and said someone would call me back tomorow.
I then called the store back and asked for the manager. The lady answering the phone asked if was "about the military discount stuff" and I said yes. She asked if she could help and I said sure and asked her what she knew about the policy. She said she "knows it only works on holidays now". I asked if she knew about the rest of the policy that was on the website and she said "no i didnt know I was going to be schooled on this".
I asked for her name, which she said was Linda, and told Linda that I was not trying to "school" her but just ask her about a recent policy change in the company that she worked for. She calmed down and told me she would try to find the policy on the website. after a couple minutes she said she was having trouble hiding it because she did not have manager access. she put me on hold.
15 minutes later she picked back up and said she could never find the policy on the website. I told her that if she searched any search engine for "home depot military discount" that she would find it and she immediatly snapped at me that she tried that and does not have manager access.
I asked to speak with the manager and after another 10 minute hold was put on the phone with Tommie again. I told Tommie that I was the person he had spoken to earlier about the military discount and that I had read the policy on the website and that it was consistant with what he had told me.
Tommie then told me that he knew what the website said but that he had been on a conference call on Monday and that the new rules for military discount had been clearly explained that no military discount should be honored except for certain holidays.
I asked Tommie if he was willing to honor the discount for the $10 stud finder I had wanted to buy earlier and he said no. I asked him again that even tho the website said that I was 100% eligible for a discount is he still refusing and he said yes.
It is clear to me that this is an attempt by a major corporation to use the sacricies made by military service members to appeal to the patriotic customer base without actually having to make any realistic attempt at following through.
As a prevoius commenter pointed out, if thier new policy is to only offer the discount on holidays for all military regardless of status, then it is many times more insulting than to not offer it all. Offering something 4 days out of the year that your biggest competitor offers 365 days out of the year is silly. Why would anyone military wait for 4 dif days a year to pay the same price and get same discount from the competitor?
It is clever what they trying to do… get the good exposure without having to pay any money for it, but in my mind it is criminal to exploit soldiers and service members that way.
I know this was long, but I tried to give as accurate a description of what happened as possible. thank you for reading and I hope home depot gets exposed for this.
I recently obtained a VA ID card because Home Depot told me they were going to start requiring a veterans photo ID for the discount. I had been using my DD217 (essentially a wallet size DD214) without much problem to receive the discount.. Now that I have a VA photo ID they won't give me the discount because my disability isn't service connected. I'll go only to Lowe's now, only a quarter mile away. I guess HD doesn't offer the discount to those who were able to avoid getting seriously injured, and I came too close to that on more than one occassion.
Oh, gosh, Reservist. That is ridiculous!
I was just rejected for the discount today, having just gotten it less than a week ago. The cashier got out an apparently newly printed sheet, and the only difference was that on the VA Benefits Card, the words "Service Connected" were shown just below the picture. So, once again, we find the very important reasons why Adobe made PHOTOSHOP and we have a little sheet laminator at the house. This will be about a 10 minute fix, indeed! I think it's going to be necessary because I'm betting Lowes is going to clamp down also — they push each other, and I can't see Lowes maintaining the "loose" policy.
My husband went to Home Depot this morning and when he tried to get the military discount he was told that they no longer will be giving it. Will be doing our shopping at Lowe's only from now on.
I agree with all these comments. It seems hard to believe that Home Depot does not respect the men and women that served in past conflicts.Are we any different then them. I respect all of them and I would not treat them any different than I would like to be treated. SHAME on HOME DEPOT. I hope they enjoy spending the extra money.
what about a veteran who receives penson, with a department of veterans affairs id card. can they receive that 10% discount?
Ray, it depends on whether the veteran has a service-connected disability. Thank you for your service.
Hey, just saw maybe you are a lady or girl!!! that comment was not a slam. ive called them many times and always talked to a lady.
Thanks for your service!!!
in strongsville ohio, at lowes your va card is sufficient, at home depot your card must say either "service connected" "pow" or "purple heart" then you get it all the time, if your va card is not notated as one of the three then you only get the discount on vets day and so on. yes it sucks, since the only reason my card says service connected is because I was awarded 20% disability, the pow and purple heart are obviously what they are. Yes any Vietnam Veteran ( in-country service) should get the discount, Blame the pin-head in the home office who is nothing more than a lousy Bean counter, Im sure his ancestore are proud of him or her, it;s probably a "her" based on my experience with Home Depot.
in strongs ville ohio home depot your card has to say service connected or pow or purple heart, or you get discount only on special days. At lowes you get 10%every day if you have a card. they were giving it to scum bags who just "said" they were vets but had nothing to prove they were, needless to say that stopped after I was behind a scum bag and I complained loudly to the Cashier,Manager, and the scum bag.so now no card no discount, and they dont take dd-214"s either. there are 4 million vietnam vets, but ther are 14 million claiming to be one. can you believe it?.
its like all our new congress all talk no actions give to the rich take from the middle class and poor i was in for 3 yrs over 1 in Vietnam shot in my leg not disabled and never would i go to a VA hospital
First of all thank you for your service to our country but when it comes to the discount did you join the service just to get 10% discount? The discount is for active military disabled military or retired military. You were paid for your service for the time you served. I think its time to get over it!
Oh absolutely…years of fighting and sacrifice and domestic and mental anguish abolutely do NOT render any perks! And we have the audacity to utilize a 10% retail discount? What were we thinking???!!!!!!!!!!
Lowe’s Official Answer on Military Discounts
July 14, 2010 | Kate
Reader Feedback Requested: Lowe’s and Home Depot Military Discount and Veterans Discount
Because it is one of the most frequently searched questions at The Paycheck Chronicles, I contacted Lowe’s and asked them to clarify their military discount policies.
Here is the response I received:
“All active, reserve, retired and disabled veterans and their immediate family members with a valid, government-issued military photo ID card are eligible for the discount year-round.
Valid, government-issued military IDs include the Veterans Identification Card (VIC); the Uniformed Services Identification Card, both Active Duty and Active Duty Family Member; and, the Common Access Card.
Lowe’s continues to give a 10 percent discount to all veterans who have a DD214 on Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Veteran’s Day
Read more: http://paycheck-chronicles.military.com/2010/07/1…
The Paycheck Chronicles
Why does Lowe's allow x-military who are NOT eligible for the Military Discount take the discount? According to your guide lines only military with a VALID ID CARD (Active, reserve, retired or disabled vets). Each visit I made to Lowe's I see Military Discount to people who are not eligible or do not have a valid ID card. I am a retired VET ad served my time, while others who are not eligible get the perk. Lowe's must be loosing HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS because their employees do not understand the requirements
for the discount.
Thank You
Steve
I am retired Military, and have never had any problem in Lowes or Home Depot using my 10% discount. Biggest problem I have is remembering to ask for it.
Just go to Lowes…when we go to Home depot we can never find someone to help us!Lowes is always helpful,no hard time and glad to take money from Home Depot!!!
I wrote two letters to Home Depot Customer Care, 2455 Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta, GA 30330, 04/24/11 and 06/01/11 without the courtesy of a reply as of this date. The letters addressed military discounts for a retired US military member (24 1/2 years). Your assistance in obtaining written reply to these letters will be greatly appreciated.
Mr. Scully, I wish that I could help you. Unfortunately, I have no power over Home Depot – I just report the information that they disseminate. It is their official policy to offer military discounts to retired military members who have a valid military ID, but I have heard that some stores are having difficulty interpreting the policy.
Good luck to you.
So I guess some of us are only veterans on certain holidays according to your interpretation. I wish that was the only days I had to serve in Vietnam. How about the true vets WW1 and WW2? Thanks for nothing.
I am an active Guard Member, I own a Construction Co. If I buy materials for a job or myself would I also recieve the discount.?
Probably, but should you?
Ive not used it for clients.
I am a retired military member and have been denied a discount at two different Home Depot's. That's why I stick with Lowe's.
Seems their corporate office is not relaying the information to the stores. Looks like a lot of lip service to me.
Lowe's offers 10% discount to Veterans year around in case no one knows that.. We always go to Lowe's never a problem and better customer service..
Thanks, AMANDA and no questions ask at Lowes.
I used the discount today, use it quite often. All you have to have is your VA ID Card or Military ID.
Just got off the phone with a rep at 1-800-HOME-DEPOT. I called to find out if their stores will give their 10% Veterans Discount only on Veterans Day (Friday), or all weekend (Fri/Sat/Sun). To my surprise, the rep said that they never give 'simple veterans' a discount. She said that she was a veteran, and that she has never gotten a discount, on Veterans Day or any other day. Strange response, as I called to find out WHEN the veterans discount was active, not IF there was such a thing. I certainly did not call to find out if the rep who handled our call ever took the discount. So, since they can't seem to get it right, I think that Home Depot should just stop their military discount program completely. Maybe that would be easier for them to be consistant with.
Wow! Its not only that the employees are rude about explaining the program and most don't even know what it is. But this one does not even know it exists. I am laughing but it is really pretty sad….
It's pathetic the way Home Depot treats veterans who proudly served our country. Unless you are active duty, or retired or disabled you don't get a discount except for on Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Veteran's Day. Then to get the measly 10% discount, you have to have a picture military id. To get that you have to have a certified or original dd form 214 and request an appointment at the county clerk's office. I was honorably discharged quite awhile ago and having moved several times since then, I lost my original dd form 214 so I had to have my local veteran's office fax St Lous, MO to have them send me a certified copy. That takes over 2 weeks. Then I have to go thru the ordeal of making the appointment and by then Veteran's Day will be over and I will have to wait until Memorial to make use of the discount. It's 10% for crying out loud, not 30 or 40%. Give me a break, will ya, Home Depot? I am going to shop at Lowe's from now on.
I spent 8 years in the naval reserve. 2 separate voluntary in listments. i spent 3 months in a navy hospital with blood poisening from navy doctors, pumping me full of penicillin, becuse of an massive infection from an opration gone bad. I have 2 honorable discharges. the only card I carrie , is an American Legion card with no picture on it. Shame on you and lowes, for not honering us vets, that don't carrie a picture ID. I guess "Ace is the place" you've just lost my busniess and many others… "GOD BLESS THE USA"…
Our Lowes has started to require an "Overide" by a manager while Home depot just does a scan of a discount page. I think Lowes is attempting to make it such a hassel that you will just skip the discount.
I agree % per cent with John…go to Lowes.
I hold a uniformed services blue I.D. card which states U.S. Navy retired. On two shopping trips to Home Depot I was denied the10% discount. I was told the i.d. was good only on certain holidays. I was asked for a V.A. red white and blue card.
Went to Lowe's and they readily accepted that i.d. and gave me the discount and thanked me for my service. Goodbye Home Depot,. Hello Lowe's.
I wanted to correct a misunderstanding on some of these posts…Home Depot actually does give their military discount for orders placed by phone. You can pick out your items online, call with the SKU numbers, and they will give you the discount, no questions asked. I just did this and saved nearly 50 dollars.
Home Depot may have found a way to deny us what they claim to give by their own military discount policy. I went to purchase an appliance today at Home Depot because they advertised 10% off appliances for today only. When I tried to use my military discount, the store manager claimed that the 10% off price was already a discount (not a sale price) and he could not apply two discounts to any item. Creative way to deny us what they say they give.
Home Depot is a commercial business not a branch of the DOD or VA. Therefore if they want to call a (singular) program "The Home Depot Veterans Discount Program" (there is no Military Discount program and then a seperate Veterans Discount program listed anywhere on their web-site or on the documentation the store manager provided) then that program should be for all veterans. I agree that they don't have to offer any discount. I really don't care about the discount. What I don't like is being told I'm not a Veteran.
I have an update to my previous posting about "discounts vs. sale prices" and the refusal of Home Depot to honor a military discount with so called discounted items. After returning to the same store the next day and finding the actual store manager rather than the manager on duty the evening in question, she was extremely gracious and stated that Hone Depot wants to keep their military customers and gave us the military discount as well as the sale/discounted price on the appliances we bought. We subsequently returned, bought more appliances and she personally wrote them up and processed the sale giving us the military discount on top of the lowest prices for those as well. My faith in the store to do the right thing has been restored.