Day in and day out, people come to The Paycheck Chronicles for information about military and veterans discounts, particularly those offered by Home Depot and Lowes. I’m not sure why those two particular stores are such hot topics, instead of all the other types of stores, but that is what the charts and numbers tell me. There is perpetual confusion and hurt feelings from various former military folks who feel that they have been slighted or are angry that they can not get the discount. Compounding the problem is the fact that while both corporate stores have virtually identical national policies, individual stores choose to implement the policies in various ways. It has ended up with negativity all around.
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.
If you are new to this topic, you can find more information in these articles:
Lowes and Home Depot Revisited, January 2012
Military and Veterans Discounts and Identification, August 2011
Reader Feedback Requested: Lowe’s and Home Depot, June 2011
Home Depot Military Discount: Official, Updated Information, August 2010
Home Depot Military Discount, August 2010
Lowe’s Official Answer on Military Discounts, July 2010
Lowe’s Military Discount Now Available All Year Long, February 2010
I want to thank Lowes & Home Depo ty for extending me a 10% discount in the past, recently I have found out that as aa korean vetran I was not qualitified for this discount. I have no idea how much I have saved using this discount so I can't repay,but again thanks for your consideration. Norman White
Shame on you Lowes and Home Depot! A Korean veteran deserves perks like any other veteran. He risked his life just like the others. I WILL NOT SHOP AT ANY STORE WITH SUCH A DISRESPECTFUL ATTITUDE.
Linda Schrum
Shame on you, you are not intitled to a discount, it is a generous offer. Learn to be grateful for what you have.
Expecting a company to honor an advertised discount is not the same as an "entitlement".
Linda : This is simply not true. Sounds like the Korean Vet didnt do his part and get the right iD or just may not be entitlled …..
Linda,
Can you name me any other national retailers that offer ANY type of a military discount at all?( Weather on holidays or all year around.) I didn't think so, so why then would you not go after the other THOUSANDS of retailers that offer nothing instead of bashing the 2 that do offer discounts. It's too bad for you Linda that common sense isn't contagoius. You must fall down alot.
HH Gregg, Applebee’s, California Pizza Kitchen, Chili’s, Denny’s, Golden Corral, Krispy Kreme, Hooter's, Johnny Carino’s, Little Caesars Pizza, LongHorn Steakhouse, O’Charley’s, Outback, Red Lobster, Red Robin, Subway, Olive Garden, Texas Road house, Tony Roma's, 7-11, Anheuser-Busch Parks, Pro Football Hall of Fame, Big Lot's, Amazon, Dollar General, Food Lion, Banana Republic, Harris Teeter, Gamefly, Jos A Bank, Meneike Car Care, Sports Clips, Sports Authority, Walgreens, Jiffy Lube…just to name a few. Now, what were you saying about common sense? I guess you were too busy being an internet bully.
Well, hey, neither my husband nor I think that Home Depot or Lowe's owes my husband anything, however, I don't think that the store should advertise that they offer a discount and not let us have it. The store manager of Home Depot kindly explained the difference between the military discount and the Veteran's discount several weeks ago, so we waited for Memorial Day to drive 80 miles to purchase materials for our latest project. Whoops, no, you don't get a discount unless you have a photo military ID, Veteran's discharge papers not acceptable on Memorial Day. This is not what we were told, nor is it what is explained on the website. Don't advertise it if you aren't going to give it!
Wow, Liz…that is awful that they wouldn't give you the discount on their advertised Veteran's discount days. Totally against what they say is their policy. Ugh!!!!
They should have given the discount. The dd214 form is acceptable on the four authorized holidays including Memorial Day! If you present a dd214 the cashier is suppose to ask for an accompaning photo ID to compare the names on the two and that is all.
I have worked for Home Depot ovver 15 years.
I am so disappointed and ashamed that when we went into home depot to buy my husband a BBQ for fathers day they would not recognize his veterans 10% discount. He served during the Vietnam war on the DMZ and risked his life for our country everyday for 2 yrs. But he isn’t eligible for the discount, how wrong is that??? When we bought his new garage door at lowes they appreciated his service and gave him the 10% discount. Way to go lowes you have our business every time now. In fact we will be by Sunday to buy that BBQ from you discount or not.
How will they know that you're a veteran if you can't produce any proof?
The DD 214 is proof. Some states (like Virginia) will issue a Veteran ID card. Stores that claime the DD 214 is not proof do not know the corporate policy.
You are SOL(stuff out of luck). I am a Vietnam era wounded warrior, my VA Disability treatment card isn't recognized by the stores because it isn't the "most current" but I still can go to the VA and get medical treatment, who decides who gets the discount & who is DENIED?
hi everyone,from tom in pa. I won't go to home depot, but I do shop at lowe's and all I do is show them my veteran's card and I get 10 % off.
Why is something relatively simple made so complicated? At Home Depot the cashier makes the determination on the discount, at Lowe's you stand there and wait while the cashier calls a store manager to verify the discount. Besides, these types of discounts are rarely advertised. Finding out which stores offer them is usually a matter of luck.
Home Depot in Pocatello, Idah has been selected as a pilot store to not give active duty and retirees an automatic 10% discount but you must sign up with the store and will receive coupons for discounts. This goes into effect on July 16, 2012. If it works in this pilot program it will be phased in throughout the entire Home Depot system. I was just informed about this by the lady at the service desk. Please write to Home Depot and inquire about this pilot program. I will now shop only at Lowes.
They are testing this in all of Idaho. Basically, they are taking away the military discount, because the coupons aren't worth it. $5 off any purchase over $50, and $10 off over $100. I will no longer be shopping at Home Depot because of it.
Home Depot is experimenting in Idaho by taking away the military discount and instituting a coupon system. I got my first coupon today (after registering 2 weeks ago) – $5 off a $50 or more purchase. So I get no discount if I go in and buy $40 worth of materials. If I go in and buy $300, I can use my $10 for over $100 coupon. The rest of the country still gets their 10%. I am offended, and will no longer shop at Home Depot. I am calling on other people who think this is unfair to let Home Depot know about it.
I'm from Boise/Meridian. Horrible service at HD on this "military discount". To many exemptions, etc….
I go down to road to Lowes, show my ID, get the discount and walk out. HD will never get my money again.
Nunya, I'm curious. The military discount is available to folks who have a Department of Defense issued military ID card. If you have that, there should be no exceptions. If you don't, then you don't meet the criteria for the military discount. If you served in the military at any time, you are eligible for the veterans discount available several weekends each year. If they are offering the veterans discount outside of those designated weekends, then they are just being really nice. The corporate office has been cracking down on the use of the veterans discount outside of the designated weekends because there are approximately 23 Million veterans in the US and it is prohibitively expensive to offer the discount to every veteran, every day.
For starters, I think you can be sure that these stores are not operating on a slim profit margin. Furthermore, there is usually more profit for stores with higher volume sales. You can bet if those 23 million vet's all take their business to Lowes, as I have done, H.D's policy would change real quick. Personally, as a veteran, I don't feel anyone owes me a thing. It is nice however, when a company like Lowes showes such respect as they do. I'm grateful to them and that's why I shop there, beside the fact that they are alway helpful and have good products. My $0.2.
10% is 10% not a coupon or a mail in rebate. get with the program or go do your business with those that chose to go to canada dodge being a veteran. love it or leave it.
I am actually amazed that these stores still offer the discount. I know they are very competitive with each other and their margin on commodity items (lumber, nails,etc) is actually very tight. I did not actually expect it to last as long as it has.
Never had a probelm at Home Depot Madison East. If you have your ID you get he discount. Sometimes I think vets protest to much
The Home Depot turned down my card and I'm 60% disabled. Shame on Home Depot for advertising military and veterans discounts and then failing to honor what they say. Protest too much (you misspelled "too"), huh? Vietnam vets took it in the neck.
I too received a discount at home depot a week age……………..but same store
not today. They use the word veteran but do not mean it. a veteran is anyone
who was honorably discharged after serving in the armed forces. however only
a select group of veterans is entitled to their discounts. i get a sick feeling lowes will follow suit. its their business to run as they please………but, don't
lure us in with "veterans discounts" and then tell us we are not the right kind
of veterans to deserve the discount.
My Home Depot store in Houston, TX has apparently adopted the same policy as the one described in Idaho. Is this nationwide now? Where can I actually find a link to the policy?
I have problems with some of the veterans / military discount policies, especially at Home Depot. Last summer, some stores grudgingly gave me a discount when I showed my DD-214 that also indicated that I had been in Vietnam. Other HD's refused; I was supposed to possess a retiree ID card, or a VA disability card. I am eligible for the VA care, but I have not applied for the card. I was informed that retired military, their spouses and their children could receive the discount year round. This includes some National Guard retired members that have not been called up, but worked as civilians for their units during the week for 20 years. They remarried after they retired and the new wife gets the benefits. Their children do also. Why are combat veterans that didn't stay in to retirement considered second class veterans?
Please note: I realize that National Guard and Reservists now are being activated and perform along side the Regulars and in many cases, are not treated fairly by the Regulars; however, during Vietnam, many that joined the Guards and Reserves did so to stay out of harms way. If they stayed in to retirement, they did so without real risk.
Catlo, I understand your point, but I think your complain is directed at the wrong organization. Home Depot and Lowes are basically using the Department of Defense criteria for possession of a Department of Defense military ID. Store level workers are not really in a position to be making determinations about relative any relative "class" of veteran (your choice of words, not mine.) The stores chose to use a criteria designed by the people who specialize in the military and veterans: the DoD. The DoD has determined that retirees and their family members are eligible for DoD issued military IDs and eligibility to health care, commissaries, and exchanges. Lowes and the Home Depot are just using the criteria designed by DoD.
I do not believe that I heard either store calling it a "Veterans' discount, except during the designed weekends each year. They are pretty careful to call them "military" discounts, to correlate with the fact that you have to have a DoD issued military ID to access them.
I know this is not a satisfactory answer, but it is accurate to the best of my knowledge.
Thank you for you appreciation for us soldiers.
Another fine example how veterans are getting crapped on. Whenever we came home from Viet Nam we were greeted at the airport and called child killers are were hit with thrown rocks, if it weren't for our veterans, we would all be speaking a different language noe. Shame on you Home Depot & Lowes for forgetting about us.
Ed, they haven't forgotten us, really, they are doing something others don't do. One maybe more than the other, but still it's a show of respect you don't see at other hardware stores as far as I know.
Excuse me… If you served at all then you get a discount at Home Depot 4 weeks of the year for the rest of your life. HOW CAN YOU CALL THAT GETTING CRAPPED ON? I have worked for Home Depot for over 15 years and I get nothing! There is no employee discount.
You should be thankful that you get any cind of a discount. The real heroes are the ones who expect nothing in return for doing what they've done in the service of others.
screw home depot/lowes I started shopping at my local stores ace,mom and pop stores they need our support.. winston salem,nc
I have just left Lowes and their policies have been slightly altered. According to the manager, they now have a GSA contract and GSA has dictated to them what ID cards they accept. I retired in 1990 and still have the ID card that was issued to me back then. I have never had a problem until now. Lowes says that I have to update my ID card in order to get a discount. I turn 65 next year and have to update it at that time so I really was not planning on doing this but once. I have no issue at Home Depot. I do appreciate the discounts but if they are changing the policy they really need to let you know before you have bought all your stuff and then tell you that the government issued ID is no longer valid.
Jim,
Your store manager was confusing the military 10% dicount with a government (GSA) price list. They are not related.
I like the clarification given above. I have had several different interpretations from Home Depots here in PA. It is a shame there was confusion, as this took a good program and added bad publicity over the confusion. In general, Home Depot provides me the discount based on my VA card. Lowes always gives the discount, but there all discounts require the manager's approval, so there is that extra step.
Two years ago when I was remodeling my condo to become a rental Home Depot gave me a Military discount. The reason the cleark gave the discount, was because I couldn't find my coupon that I had. She asked me if I was in the military or had a family member. I told her no, however my son will be going into the Marines after he graduates from H.S. (a year from that visit) The clerk gave me the dicount. :)
They gave you a military discount because your son was (in theory) going in the Marines in a year, but those of us that served (I deployed five times) …but didn't put in 20 yearsare ineligible, LOL.
I to have a huge problem with HOME Depot. I am a disabled vet and show my card but still get turned down. Lowes has been 100% without any hassel. I'm proud of you Lowes!
We got a 15% discount at the Wal Greens in Va. on Wednesday but no other ones as we travel around. My husband is retired Air Force. We really were surprised at this and happy with it. We were told it was up to each store if they give it or not.
I am a disabled Vietnam vet and I shop at Lowe's and Home Depot in Bridgeport,WV. I appreciate the discount that they offer and take advantage of it when I can. I have found that if you provide the required proof of service and remember that some sale items are not covered, the process is pretty painless. Thanks to both stores for remembering what makes free enterprise possible and lending a helping hand. Another project looming on the horizon.
free enterprise wouldn't be free if it weren't for ALL vets.
I am a Vet…..And I am disappointed at some of the above post. We all raised our hands and took an oath. We alone accepted the responsibility (Drafted or Volunteered) good and bad we deal with public opinion. NO ONE OWES US anything. And for a National Chain to offer a discount discount for service men and women is a nice gesture of support. But don't discredit stores/company if they don't jump up and cater to your every demand. Vets are not a welfare case. Stop demanding a handout or discount. So put your big boy pants on and join a normal society and be thankful to be an American and free. There are no medals or accolades when your a civilian. Rangers lead the WAY!!
Thank you. You stated your point and mine very clear, Hey ksa716 read this one two. Tighten up put your big boy pants on .
Don't know when you served, but I for one did not want to go to viet nam. But I had to go. All most lost my life, my wife, and house I had before I had to go in the Army. My life was turn upside down. And you say we are not owed anything. I for one say you are wrong. I still have proplems coming from being in Viet Nam.
jim,
You may have problems but why should any retailer be responsible for those problems? The government should compensate you which if you have a service connected disability, they probably do.
Tlak about Mamby Pamby. bottom line is you went and you took an aoth. At least you came back.
I get the "veteran discount" but couldn't that be discrimination? What about our firemen and police officers that serve their communities? they place their lives on the line everyday yet they get o discounts.
are you kidding me, dont use the discount then, Take it be thankful and move out
Obviously you didn't get it as I totally AGREE with ranger65. Also I am afraid I can't "put on my big boy pant's" as I am a WOMAN. Not everyone who has served in the military is a MAN.
HOME DEPOT DISCRIMINATES BETWEEN CLASSES OF VETERANS.
I have always understood the program. I am a "veteran" and I was wearing a veteran hat in Home Depot located in Red Bluff, CA on the recent Veteran's Day. When I went to check out, the clerk asked if I was a veteran and I informed him I was. He gave me the 10% discount.. Didn't even have to ask for it. I'll be back!! Thank you Home Depot
I am a Korea Veteran and I will no longer shop at Home Depot. They started to give me a discount and now it's only on certain days. No way to run a business. Thanks you Lowes for helping us Veterans.
So they gave you a discount and stopped. Talk about appreciating what you got… They never should have given yuou a discount in the first place.
In Palm Springs both HD & Lowe's denied me a veterans discount because my VA disability card wasn't the most current that the store recognized. The store has a book with a copy of acceptable ID but mine wasn't in their book. This book was issued by 'corporate" and not on a store by store basis. I have a service connected disability. I felt humiliated that I was singled out because my VA card isn't t current enough.
I started in June 2012 to get an updated card and I am STILL waiting for it. I can spend my VA disability pension else where without the treatment by both HD & Lowe's cashiers & management
I have shopped both Lowes and Home Depot in Longmont, CO and have never had a question of elegability, I always wear my USS Boxer CV 21 cap with the scrambled eggs on the bill.
I never knew of this discount until last summer when I paid over $5K for a privacy fence. The Lowes employee that came to my house and measured for the cost ask my wife if I was a " military veteran ". My wife replied that I was and he knocked off 10%.
I went to Lowes this evening to buy Christmas lights and wanted the " veterans discount" and only then did I learn the real policy.
I guess I need to thank that Lowes employee for giving me that discount when I really never qualified for it.
Make sure you are actually eliglible before wasting your time. The policy clearly states ACTIVE, RETIRED 20+ years, or DISABLED. It's black and white. Have a VA card with "SERVICE ATTACHED" and you will have no problem. I can only imagine how many people come into a Home Depot or Lowes everyday and DEMAND a discount. Being a jerk about you not being eligible will only ruin it for everyone. Have a DD214 and be thankful you get an extra 10% 4 or 5 times a year on holidays….
Read more: http://paycheck-chronicles.military.com/2012/01/2…
The Paycheck Chronicles
Thanks for explaining this to be, I wish the clerk would have explained it the way you did. I wouldn't have been so upset, but we did get previous discounts before and that is what threw us off. I thought all you had to do was served in the Service. Thanks again!
The only objection I have is calling it a "Veteran" discount when it really isn't. The Military discount is a more appropriate name for it. I think they stepped in it by first calling the discount a "Veteran's" discount then trying to manipulate the definition of veteran… I'm a Veteran and if it's a Veteran's discount, for me to be excluded just feels wrong!
I was with my husband and he brought his purchase to the register and my husband showed his V.A. card and she said it had to be service related. We didn't know what she was talking about. I thought all you had to do was retire from the service, but I guess not. I won't be shopping at Home Depot in Salem, Ohio anymore….We were embarresed. My husband served 4 years in the Air Force, and that is how they treat their Veterans!!
I went Home Depot on 2/22/2013 and was told that you now had to on active duty and not just a veteran. I didn't find out about the 10% discount until about 3 years ago. But now I am told that I can only get it on certain holidays. I feal that all veterans should get a discount. The older vets. did not have a choise if we wanted to go in service or not. We are getting old so who cares about us any how.
So what do you do for a living? Do you give discounts?
i am a veteran in ga and most of the time they will give me a discount at Lowes. In Ga veterans get their drivers license free and it is designated as a veterans license. The clerks have been told not to honor the drivers license, but most of the time they do. Do other states have a drivers license designated as a veteran. Why does lowes not want to honor a state issued drivers license?
Lowes in McDonough, Georgia refused to give me the military discount today. Previously, I was required to only show my Georgia-issued drivers license that clearly shows "vet" on the bottom of the license. Those of us who served during the Korean conflict were issued free (forever) drivers licenses and the license was so noted. Now Lowes will not accept it. I know a store doesn't have to offer a discount. But, to offer it to only certain veterans is repugnant. How does Lowes decide who's service was the most valuable?
YOU are NOT a veteran unless you "retire" from the service…. I put in a total of 9 years and I'm just a schmuck in Home Depot. Why should I buy their products made in China and Mexico……Wish they would offer American made products…. I find most of my American goods from the internet.
You couldn't be more wrong and that definition of veteran makes no sense. With your definition of veteran, the hundreds of thousands of servicemembers who recently served in Iraq and Afghanistan are not "veterans" unless they also serve 20+ years. That is nonsensical.
@Rodney, you are absolutely wrong Sir. ALL former members of the Military are Veterans. Not all Veteran's are Military Retiress. I am both a Verteran and a Military Retiree; my wife is a disable Veteran, but not a retiree.
I ran into the problem with Lowes in Florida not honoring their military discount. I'm a disabled Viet Nam veteran and I'm in the process of building a new home. My intention was to buy lots from Lowes using their 10% discount. I was told that I must have a military ID or a VA card. I told them I did not have either, but I did have my DD214, my VA letter stating my disability and my Bronze star letter for Viet Nam service. They would not even look at my letters and just stated that I must have a VA card. I told them that I have not used the VA in over 25 years and I have no need to, so why would I have a VA card? They refused my discount, Lowes does not care about veterans at all.
How dqare you say "
Lowes does not care about veterans at all."? just because you don't have the required ID. Maybe you're the one who doesn't care enough to get the proper ID?
Home Depot has changed their policy on discounts to military personnel. (I am a member of the retired military and showed my ID). I had expected a 10% discount on my order up to a $500.00 maximum but only received a $50.00 discount. I had not heard of this change and after the sale called the customer assistance department to complain.
I had to call several times because no one seemed to be able to explain Home Depot policy. When I asked to talk with a supervisor that may be more informed I was told they don’t allow that. The first customer rep said that I was not even eligible for the $50.00 discount because it was only good for items bought in the store or special order. My order was, in fact, special order and I ask her to look it up on the receipt but she refused.
On my next call I got nowhere and they were supposed to call me back but I never received a call from them and called again. This time they acknowledged that I was entitled to the $50.00 discount but not the larger discount. They said the policy changed around July of 2012 to the smaller discount. I had purchased a vinyl fence from Home Depot in the fall of 2012 and received the larger discount then. So, I think they either were very poorly trained or worse trying to shortchange me.
I sent a letter to the CEO of Home Depot several weeks ago with my complaint and he never got back to me. Lowes does have a 10% discount on orders up to $5000.00. Thank you Lowes, I will never shop at Home Depot again
just signed up for my veterans id card thru the state ,went to lowes to buy my kitchen cabinets. after having served 8 year,2 tours in a war zone Vietnam Service Medal with a bronze star. Waiting for medal conformation for Korean Conflict . did not even get a letter for being on cuba during the blockade . i did not accept the 10% a lot of people got in the late 60's just as a going way present. can't get a discount because i did not want to beat the system ,
I, too, was in the military decades ago. The "popularity" of honoring veterans goes with the mood of the country based on active or recent conflict. If you were in the military during peacetime (as I was), you're a notch above dog-catcher (no offense to dog-catchers). There should be thanks and gratitude to those who serve andthose who have served, but no selective discounts. Why should a veteran that served in active duty for years without serious injuries be honored less that one that was injured after a few months of duty. Honor all vets or no vets. Quit being selective. We worked as a team and should be treated as such.
The cashier did not do his job and broke company rules.