A lot of merchants offer a discount for active duty and veterans? Do you ask for a discount or wait until asked?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 14:15:56 -0500

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 27 at 2014 3:07 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 15:07:15 -0500

I am too poor to be proud. I ask even when I know the answer is "No" just so I can give them my 10% disappointed look.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2014 3:34 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 15:34:40 -0500

I ask for the same reason SFC Mark Merino does

Response by TSgt Kristin Parsons made Nov 27 at 2014 3:32 PM

TSgt Kristin Parsons — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 15:32:03 -0500

I always ask...I'm in Military City, USA so a lot of businesses offer discounts here.

Response by SGT Edward Valiket made Nov 29 at 2014 12:14 PM

SGT Edward Valiket — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 12:14:31 -0500

As a non injured vet I never ask as I do not feel entitled to a discount for doing my duty. Having said that I consider disabled vets deserve the discounts plus some. Nothing pisses me off more than some non deserving soul asking for something they do not deserve. I am a 65 year old business owner that works 70+ hours a week and I am often asked if I give senior discounts and many times they are younger than I am so my reply is because you are younger than I am can I add 5% to your bill? Then I get the deer in the headlights stare.......

Response by SSG Francisco Jimenez made Dec 6 at 2014 9:42 PM

SSG Francisco Jimenez — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 21:42:55 -0500

I always ask

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2014 1:24 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 13:24:39 -0500

When paying, I ask this: "Do you honor military?" Sometimes a I get a sideways glance...like how they hell am I gonna answer this if we don't offer a military discount? Most of the time, I get, "of course we do, I have a brother in the (insert military service)". If you want something supper cool for your smart phone, there is a military discount APP called SCOUT it is available for Android and Apple. Try it, punch in you zip code...and everything around you should pop up. I was pleasantly surprised.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2014 9:54 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 21:54:36 -0500

I don't.

Response by SMSgt Judy Hickman made Dec 20 at 2014 10:42 PM

SMSgt Judy Hickman — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 22:42:51 -0500

I don't always ask, but if I'm buying something expensive I will. Every dollar saved is one more I can save for my kid's college and my retirement (some day).

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2014 12:55 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Dec 2014 00:55:13 -0500

I dont ask, it makes me feel like......."some type of way"

Response by SSG Tim Everett made Dec 22 at 2014 2:11 AM

SSG Tim Everett — Mon, 22 Dec 2014 02:11:00 -0500

I never ask, ever. It makes me feel skeezy and uncomfortable. If they ask if I'm a veteran, I won't deny it but I'll say "Yes I am, and you don't have to give me a discount if that's why you're asking." If they give it to me, I thank them for it.

Response by MSG David Johnson made Dec 22 at 2014 3:42 PM

MSG David Johnson — Mon, 22 Dec 2014 15:42:24 -0500

Absolutely, it's part of memory issues but I ask even if I've been told no before. There are several places who make up a discount on the spot.
My wife and I have tried to get into Olive Garden on Veterans Day and are disappointed by the wait times so don't stop. This year we just happened to go to Red Lobster on 10 November and were surprised to find out they offered the Veterans Day discount the day before and the day after. We went to Olive Garden a day or two after, I told our server about not being able to get in for Veterans Day and asked if they could send a comment up the chain. We go to this particular Olive Garden enough that we have gotten to know several of the staff, this day we had someone new and we weren't expecting any thing, just putting in a comment. The server told the manager and we were given one order free. I was very surprised about this and thanked the server, he got a very good tip.

I've been in Home Depot or Lowes and have forgotten to get the military discount and the cashiers will put it on anyway, can you tell I shop there often?

I'm not sure why someone would feel skeezy about asking for a military discount, I'm very proud to be a Veteran, and if some place doesn't have discounts they might get them because a Veteran, or many Veterans ask.
I live near a city that has an Air Force base, Army Reserve and Marine Reserve units, so we don't get many people who look at us sideways because we are Veterans.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Nov 27 at 2016 10:51 PM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Sun, 27 Nov 2016 22:51:06 -0500

I'm not bashful about asking, if they don't its not an issue but if they do and I missed it by not asking shame on Me ! Besides I have both a Retired Military ID plus a VA card to prove My status so its not a question if a discount is available.

Response by SFC George Smith made Nov 27 at 2016 10:55 PM

SFC George Smith — Sun, 27 Nov 2016 22:55:48 -0500

most of the places I go i already know they give a discount or Not...

Response by COL John Hudson made Nov 29 at 2016 9:57 AM

COL John Hudson — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 09:57:54 -0500

I always ask. The cashier looks embarrassed to reply, "No," but I assuage their feelings by answering, "No problem, just asking," in a comfortable manner. Lots of places do have discounts, but their employees are coached to only provide them when asked.

Response by SSgt Daniel d'Errico made Mar 28 at 2020 2:10 PM

SSgt Daniel d'Errico — Sat, 28 Mar 2020 14:10:02 -0400

If I see a sticker/paper notice that offers discounts to active/retired/former military members, I might ask for the discount. If not, I don't bother with it. My point. Yesterday I stopped by my local pizza joint to pick up my order. The owner of the place saw I was wearing an old flight jacket. No patches, flags, etc. So as I take out my Visa card to pay, he asks if I'm either active duty or retired military. He's done this before and gave me a discount. But this time after I reply "yes" I am (showing my ID), he hands me my order and thamks me for my service. No charge! Makes a man humble, especially when big name franchises either won't or don't ask the same question.

Response by SSgt Daniel d'Errico made Mar 28 at 2020 2:11 PM

SSgt Daniel d'Errico — Sat, 28 Mar 2020 14:11:44 -0400

PS I like this local franchise and we usually buy our pizzas or what ever there, discounted or not.