Lowe's won't honor veteran's discount

[stolender]

I purchased an item on-line at a Lowe's in Colonie, NY and asked, when picking up the item, that the price be adjusted to reflect the veteran's discount that they offer. I had my NY driver's license and a copy of my DD214, the original of which is on file with my local county clerk's office. I was denied the discount because I didn't have a card indicating that I was on active duty, or a card issued by the Veteran's Administration. As I've never claimed veteran's medical benefits, I don't have said card. Every establishment offering a veteran's discount has accepted my proof of service and extended the courtesy discount, as Lowe's always did until today. If any of you GJ forum members are vets, please complain to Lowe's by phone, e-mail or letter. I won't be shopping at Lowe's until they change their policy.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

Sorry to hear about the unpleasant experience. If I were you, I'd stay local, as in store local and run this up the manager or regional manager of that store. I'm just guessing here but I don't think this was a matter of credentials. Every Lowe's I've gone to goes out of their way to honor the vet/military discount. A copy of a DD214 of all things is credential enough.

Like I said, don't think it's a Lowe's problem but a "that store" problem. Pen a letter to the manager, name the names of the people and/or the position in the store they worked. I'd be curious to see the outcome.

 

[Stuey]

That's utterly disgraceful.

Could it be that this one associate was misinformed? Ask to talk to the manager.

 

[sanddan]

I know it's not Lowes but Home Depot will no longer honor veteran's discount for internet only orders. Maybe Lowes is going the same direction on this?

 

[stolender]

I called Lowe's corporate customer service and they verified what the local assistant manager told me when I picked up the item. How petty can they get?

 

[4x4gearhead]

That's bs my man. Like Stuey suggested, go in there and talk to the manager, if that doesnt work I would try to use another store in your area if there is one. I hope you can get it straightened out. Above all, thank you for your service.

 

[48RON54]

I didn't even know they offered a veterans discount....... Guess I should ask these things when shopping......... sorry to hear aobut your bad experience

 

[GirlnAgarage]

http://www.lowes.com/cd_In-Store+Services+_745829091_

Military Discount

Lowe's established the 10% Military Discount to support the men and women who are currently serving our country in the Armed Services1 and to honor Retired Veterans and VA Recipients.2 This 10% discount is also extended to the immediate family3 of those who are currently serving, Retired Veterans, or VA Recipients.

To qualify for the Everyday 10% Military Discount, you must:

Be currently serving in, or retired from, a qualifying branch of the Armed Services, or be the immediate family member of someone who is and have a valid military ID Card.

Or:

Be a veteran who receives VA benefits and have a valid Veteran Identification Card (VIC).

We honor all Veterans on three specific holidays: Memorial Day, 4th of July and Veterans Day. During these three holiday weekends, we extend the discount to all veterans who served honorably and who present a valid Form DD214 or other proof of service. The Lowe’s Military Discount is extended to the Veteran community on these three holidays only.

The Military Discount must be used on personal purchases only and cannot be used for Lowes.com purchases, previous sales, or the purchase of gift cards or services including product installations. It cannot be combined with the Lowe’s Price Guarantee, or promotions such as "Spend and Get," "New Mover," "Project Starter," "Your Choice," or discounts such as Quote Support Program (QSP) quotes.

1 Armed Services — US Army, US Navy, US Air Force, US Marine Corps, US Coast Guard, or the National Guard and who are in active, reserve, or retired status.
2 Retired Veterans and VA Recipients — Veterans who have retired after 20 years of service and/or those who receive VA Benefits
3 Immediate Family — Spouses and/or dependent children (up to 18 years old.)

 

[GirlnAgarage]

I called Lowe's corporate customer service and they verified what the local assistant manager told me when I picked up the item. How petty can they get?

Who is the "they" that denied the DD214? Was it the person working the counter? If so, who was that person? Was it an CS employee? Was it a manager?

I'm confused on who you talked to on the phone, who said they would honor the discount and who denied the discount. Can you clear that up please?

 

[Stuey]

If he was picking it up in-store, they could have done a return and rebuy to be able to apply the discount.

 

[48RON54]

I understand company policy is company policy but I must say I'm confused about the entire thing.......

What is the veteran's discount? 10% or so? Seems like a rather minor issue for them to stick to their guns on when it could result in so much bad press for them....

 

[woody 73]

One) You talked too Mr. lowes at your store aka (the local **** head); sorry boys & girls on the GJ younger then 18.

Two) Lowes corporate would never agree to what happened at your store, think of all the bad press and lost sales. If they had been there in the first place Mr. DH (see above) would have been out the door.

Three) The wheel that squeaks the loudest gets the grease, that means you see the Top manager.

Four) send them a copy of this post, I am sure they would love all the replies.

Five) make a copy of their own store military discount and make sure they see it for any future buying times.

Six) Don't give up so fast , keep at it until you receive what you started out to get in the first place.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

^^ woody you hit the nail on the head.

I don't think this a "Lowe's" issue as a corporation. This is an employee in the store and/or manager issue.

 

[Fretters]

On a different approach, you also have to look at things from the other side on occasion. Granted, this could just be a way to try and skimp out of the discount in some cases, but they probably also have some people trying it on who've never seen a days service in their life. They could have good reason for becoming a bit **** with their validity checks. There are as many or more dishonest people out there as honest ones remember.

 

[justang1997]

I purchased an item on-line at a Lowe's in Colonie, NY and asked, when picking up the item, that the price be adjusted to reflect the veteran's discount that they offer. I had my NY driver's license and a copy of my DD214, the original of which is on file with my local county clerk's office. I was denied the discount because I didn't have a card indicating that I was on active duty, or a card issued by the Veteran's Administration. As I've never claimed veteran's medical benefits, I don't have said card. Every establishment offering a veteran's discount has accepted my proof of service and extended the courtesy discount, as Lowe's always did until today. If any of you GJ forum members are vets, please complain to Lowe's by phone, e-mail or letter. I won't be shopping at Lowe's until they change their policy.

Seems like according to their policy, you can only receive the discount on July 4th, Memorial day, and Veteran's day since you are not retired or disabled or currently serving.

Sent from my Q10 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Blow Molded Case]

Lowe's new policy at least where I go is no military unless it's labor day, vets day and memorial day.

Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

 

[GortonsFisherman]

Lowe's has the worst in-store management that I've ever encountered. Abysmal.

Thanks for your service, stolender!

 

[WWIIjeep]

Five) make a copy of their own store military discount and make sure they see it for any future buying times.

What good is that going to do him when the corporate policy says this:

To qualify for the Everyday 10% Military Discount, you must:

Be currently serving in, or retired from, a qualifying branch of the Armed Services, or be the immediate family member of someone who is and have a valid military ID Card.

Or:

Be a veteran who receives VA benefits and have a valid Veteran Identification Card (VIC).

He said he doesn't receive VA benefits and doesn't have a VA ID card. Veterans who served less than 20 years, or who don't qualify for service-related medical retirement are not considered "retired military" by anyone, including the federal government.

He, and many of the rest of us do qualify regardless, on three days per year:

We honor all Veterans on three specific holidays: Memorial Day, 4th of July and Veterans Day. During these three holiday weekends, we extend the discount to all veterans who served honorably and who present a valid Form DD214 or other proof of service. The Lowe’s Military Discount is extended to the Veteran community on these three holidays only.

http://www.lowes.com/cd_In-Store+Services+_745829091_

I believe Home Depot's military discount policy is just about the same. If individual stores do it differently because that particular manager interprets policy in his own way, that doesn't mean corporate policy has to comply. Many other companies make similar distinctions between active and retired military versus veterans in general. I'm not saying I agree with it, just that's the way it is and really, the way it always has been.

 

[Vin]

one more reason to stop shopping at Lowes

 

[lotsoftools]

What good is that going to do him when the corporate policy says this:



He said he doesn't receive VA benefits and doesn't have a VA ID card. Veterans who served less than 20 years, or who don't qualify for service-related medical retirement are not considered "retired military" by anyone, including the federal government.

He, and many of the rest of us do qualify regardless, on three days per year:



http://www.lowes.com/cd_In-Store+Services+_745829091_

I believe Home Depot's military discount policy is just about the same. If individual stores do it differently because that particular manager interprets policy in his own way, that doesn't mean corporate policy has to comply. Many other companies make similar distinctions between active and retired military versus veterans in general. I'm not saying I agree with it, just that's the way it is and really, the way it always has been.

x2. I think the OP has been getting the discount previously when he shouldn't have been per the Lowes policy.

 

[oldldh]

As a Retired USAF MSgt, I have never had any trouble receiving the 10% "Military Discount"...

But I have a Military "Retired" ID Card...

The lack of a "U.S. Government Issued ID Card" is the problem...Not the store...

The folks who have a V.A card, and receive V.A. medical benefits...are "Disabled Veterans", and are receiving V.A. Disability Payments for a service connected disability...

The problem the OP has, is not the store, his DD214 will get him the 10% discount three days a year...Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Independence Day would seen to be his
"Big Shopping Days", if he wants to receive the 10% GI Discount...

Lowes Inc didn't have to give veterans anything, they chose to do so...

The reason the GI discount doesn't work on line, is the "Orderee" can't "see" the "Orderer's" ID card...I have to show my ID card to a Dept/Store Manager with every purchase...

Both Lowe's and Home Depot have virtually the same policy...

Remember---They DIDN'T have to give anybody anything...They CHOSE to do so!!!

 

[WWIIjeep]

one more reason to stop shopping at Lowes

Why?

Home Depot's policy is virtually the same as Lowe's.

http://www.thecouponprincessonline....VeteranMilitary-Discount-Policy-by-state.aspx

Copied from that site because the policy is virtually impossible to find on Home Depot's website, and apparently, it may vary by state.

Note that both companies call it a military discount, not a veteran's discount.

And note again as I said before that I don't necessarily agree with it, as I only qualify for those three days per year too, but I accept it for what it is.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

one more reason to stop shopping at Lowes

Having a reading comprehension problem is a reason to stop shopping there? Good to know!

 

[JimDon]

I used to work at Lowes. Actually I was a manager -- of about 4 departments. They couldn't get people to hire on, so they'd make one guy a manager of a bunch of departments and then overload him. I quit shortly after I realized they were not honoring the "at least one weekend a month off" that they had promised when I was given the management job.
Truthfully, I have never seen or encountered a bigger group of hick, and just plain stupid people running that place. The idiots they brought in that were " managers from their headquarters had a hard time walking and chewing gum at the same time. What a bunch of inbred mfers. I really don't know how they could come up with that many idiots that were born under a rock and fathered by a salamander. I was so happy when I left, didn't have to put up with droolers any longer. So I am not surprised that they F'd over our vets with some stupid policy change or just neglecting to honor the existing one.
Cheers,
Jim

 

[Jarhead0408]

I used my old active duty ID card to get the discount for years until one day a cashier told me that wouldn't work. I was told the discount only applied to those with 20 years of service, currently active, or with a service connected disability.

I do have a service connected disability, so I can still get the discount, but it ticks me off that it doesn't apply to all vets.

 

[woodrail]

I only wish more of you guys could understand the amount of **** that the store level people have to put up with.

Everything from MAJOR shoplifting to scams to fake gift cards to people that intentionally cause loud issues to save $20 on a refrigerator.

Now take on the tool "rental" folks, the product switchers, the folks that throw dewalt combo packs over the garden department fence, the ones that stuff power tools into rolls of insulation, and those that choose to just openly walk out the door with product.

and let's not forget employee theft!!

Here's a hint: Ask the department manager for a 10% discount nicely. Chances are very good you will get it if you are a good customer.

 

[Mr. Brooks]

The only reason it is a "veterans" discount and not all military is strictly profit margins. If they advertised "retired or currently serving" discount, they would get bad press and lost business, so instead they would rather be policy pushers when members of military come in and request it, thus having small incidents instead of large media issues. The three day thing is a cop out as well.

If you are going to advertise something "10% military discount", don't have an asterisk, and long paragraphs of exclusions and details.

I bet the walls of the customer service areas we all shop at would fall down without all the disclosures, exclusions, and legal jargon keeping it all together.

Thank you all for serving our country, regardless of length of service or branch of military. I thank you!!

 

[57JoeFoMoPar]

The Lowe's near us honors my girl's military discount no questions asked

 

[leftyz]

My father went through the same thing, also in Upstate NY. He served his stint in the Navy but didn't "retire" and is not disabled, so he doesn't qualify.

 

[b-body-bob]

Here's a hint: Ask the department manager for a 10% discount nicely. Chances are very good you will get it if you are a good customer.

Not 10% but if you use a Lowe's card you get automatic 5% off at the register. I pay mine of monthly so it's same as cash other than the discount.

 

[jigga27]

Policy is in black and white. Active duty, 20+ yr retirement, or disabled vet get the discount all the time. Somebody that did a few years and separated get the discount only on CERTAIN days. Home Depot has the same policy. There is NO issue here.

 

[nehog]

...As I've never claimed veteran's medical benefits, I don't have said card. ...

Get the card. It doesn't cost one red cent (or a coppery colored cent either!) Once you have that card it opens a number of doors for you. Trust me--that little piece of plastic has literally saved my life multiple times. Get the card. Go online and fill out the forms, and get the card. Oh, and you can fill out the form online and get the card. OK, if you hate computers, go to the nearest VA facility and ask for eligibility and they will take care of you. And then you'll have the card. (and some of the best, lowest cost, medical care possible.)