STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

laken1 · Hermes

Police / firefighter / military discounts...

Cortney1982 · Chanel

The only place I know of that give discounts to military is Wilsons Leather, they have a sign in their window.

I don't see why they think they are entitled to a discount, or should be. I get asked sometimes if we give military discounts, of course not. It's just a job, that YOU CHOSE, everybody has jobs. It may not be high paying, but their are plenty of other people who get paid much less who do their part for society and do not get discounts.

My dad was in the Navy, and then the Navy Reserves. The only discount he has ever gotten is a senior discount which comes handy at the movies and restaurants.

iwekewai · Nine West

Cortney1982 wrote:

I don't see why they think they are entitled to a discount, or should be. I get asked sometimes if we give military discounts, of course not. It's just a job, that YOU CHOSE, everybody has jobs. It may not be high paying, but their are plenty of other people who get paid much less who do their part for society and do not get discounts. My dad was in the Navy, and then the Navy Reserves. The only discount he has ever gotten is a senior discount which comes handy at the movies and restaurants.

This statement I find rather disturbing but everyone’s initialed to their own opinion. Yes they chose their job but I’d like to think that their job is a little more important that lets say someone who works in some corporate office. Where would we be without the military or law enforcement? What if no one chose that job? Oh and I bet your dad got discounts he just didnt use them. I'm sure he gets more now that hes a Veteran.

Quite a few places give military or government related discounts like hotels, restaurants, car rental places, and the like. As far as I know their not huge discounts but I’ve never looked too far into it. I’ve only used the hotel discount on a few occasions when the BF was being deployed to Iraq. As for the rest I’ve never used them nor has the boyfriend, usually we just forget and have no problem paying full price.

I don’t think you should feel un-American for not offering a discount. I know some people might have a problem with it but you probably don’t want to do business with them anyway.

ETA: I'm a 911 Dispatcher and BF is in the Army

-- Edited by iwekewai at 02:51, 2006-04-26

atlgirl · Gucci

Cortney, you continue to amaze me (though I guess I shouldn't be amazed at this point) by your constant negative attitude and your general sense of disdain. Many military, police, and firefighting personnel regularly put their lives on the line doing very hazardous work, in order to keep the rest of us safe. Companies choose to offer these people discounts as a sign of appreciation for what they do for the rest of us. I know *I* wouldn't want to do any of those jobs, and I am grateful that others step up to protect and serve.

Laken didn't mention in her post that anyone acted as if they felt "entitled" to a discount. It sounds like they were simply asking if one was available. And I don't see anything wrong with that.

Laken, I don't think you should feel bad that your company doesn't offer discounts. Simply saying, "I'm sorry, we don't" should be sufficient - unless you have people who act insulted that you don't offer them, and those people aren't the type of customers your company wants anyway. I don't know what type of work you do, but I think often people ask just to see what will happen - it's a nice bonus if a discount is available, but not a big deal if it's not.

At certain events, I get asked pretty regularly if I will discount my work. I always answer that I don't, and I explain why, and you know what? 99% of people buy from me anyway. I think our society has trained people to ask for discounts. Most people seem to have the mindset of "nothing ventured, nothing gained" which I can totally understand. But unless they're specifically setting out to make you feel bad, I'd simply treat it as any other question that you have to say no to - simply handle it in a businesslike manner and move on with the transaction.

tri_sarah_tops · Marc Jacobs

I'm currently active duty Navy and I never use or ask for discounts and I definitely don't feel entitled to them. I used to use them when I was a single E-1 and making $800 a month because on that salary I needed just about any discount I could get. Now, between my husband and I, we make enough that I would feel guilty taking advantage of a discount that I'm only entitled to because of my job, especially since I just sit at a desk all day and I'm hardly in any danger.

Tati, I don't think you should feel bad about not offering a discount. Most people really don't expect them and I think that the people who ask have just made it a habit to ask every time they pay for something, especially if they live in a military town. Most of the buinesses that offer them are large corporations that can afford to lose a small percentage of a sale here and there. No business should feel obligated to offer them.

shopgirl82 · Chanel

Cortney1982 wrote:

The only place I know of that give discounts to military is Wilsons Leather, they have a sign in their window. I don't see why they think they are entitled to a discount, or should be. I get asked sometimes if we give military discounts, of course not. It's just a job, that YOU CHOSE, everybody has jobs. It may not be high paying, but their are plenty of other people who get paid much less who do their part for society and do not get discounts. My dad was in the Navy, and then the Navy Reserves. The only discount he has ever gotten is a senior discount which comes handy at the movies and restaurants.

wow. i'm right there with you atlgirl.

laken1 · Hermes

I knew we had someone here in the military - I thought it was you tri-sarah-tops but I didn't want to ask you specifically if you didn't feel comfortable answering but I'm glad you did. I surely didn't intend to start a bashing session - um, again, some of the people closest to me fall into these categories - I think it just surprised me so much because I had like 6 people ask me yesterday. I work for a motorcycle driving school for whoever asked.....

Yeah, and for the record no one has acted entitled or even grumbled when I say no, but I was wondering how common it was. I've always worked for banks & we didn't discount anything for anybody

Collette · Chanel

I used to be active duty Army as was my father, Courtney I'm sorry you feel that way. Yes it is a job we choose, and often a job that we love. Honestly I never really used any of the discounts we were given nor do I now as a Retired Army Veteran. I served time overseas and risked my life as well as millions of other young men and women. Do you know that per hour most E1 make less than minimum wage an hour. We're on duty 24/7 there are no breaks when you are deployed. If their families back home get a discount on airfare, groceries, yes I do feel it's something they are entitled to. Often they are paid so little they dont have enough money for day care so it's often difficult for their spouse to work. I think they are more than entitled to a break every now and then.

Cricket · Gucci

My husband is in the Air Force. Personally, I don't feel he (or we) are entitled to any discount off the base. But it sure is appreciated. I take it as a "thank you" from that company, and I will accept their "thank you" if they choose to offer it. We get a couple of dollars off at the movie theater, 10% at the Carl's Jr. down the street, little things like that we use a lot. I ask when I remember, and I'm very appreciative of it. But, if someone doesn't offer the discount, I don't think twice about it. It doesn't make them un-American (I HATE how that term is thrown around so loosely after 9-11. People label other people un-American for things they wouldn't have even thought about pre 9-11). Laken1, I would just explain that you don't offer the discount and move on. Most people don't offer a discount, and it's not a big deal. If someone thinks bad about you for not offering one, then that's their problem, and they probably do have some sort of entitlement issue... and maybe a big ego. But IMO, that would be very rare.

And Corteney, being in the military, police, firefighter... are not just jobs. My husband risks his life every day. He is a fighter pilot (F-16) and he has a very dangerous job. Yes, he chose that job, but he did not choose it selfishly. He could make a hell of a lot more money flying for the airlines, than being an Officer in the Air Force. He chose to defend the country, and I respect any company that makes an effort to reward him for his choice. I appreciate it.

laken1 · Hermes

Cricket wrote:

And Corteney, being in the military, police, firefighter... are not just jobs. My husband risks his life every day. He is a fighter pilot (F-16) and he has a very dangerous job. Yes, he chose that job, but he did not choose it selfishly. He could make a hell of a lot more money flying for the airlines, than being an Officer in the Air Force. He chose to defend the country, and I respect any company that makes an effort to reward him for his choice. I appreciate it.

Drew · Gucci

I'm sorry but I feel like I have to step in here because I think Courtney is being bashed for her opinion. I didn't have the same reaction as most of you had when reading her post. It seemed to me she assumed those who asked had a sense of entitlement, which I think is kinda wrong. As a lot of you have said military discounts are meant as a thank you. Maybe she didn't see that side of it when the question was posed, I don't know but I won't assume she was being mean spirited.

Besides, lots of people, I have no doubt most, joined the military not to defend their country or because of an over-whelming sense of patriotism, but rather because the military offers great benefits and pretty much a lifetime guarantee of pay and probably promotions. I know this because my entire family is military; we have air force, army, and navy in the family (civil service too). I was raised for a good part of my life in military housing and went to school on military bases and socialized almost exclusively with military families while growing up. My experience taught me that people choose the military for a better way of life and accept the possible consequences of going to war as a concession for their financial safety. That's why you see the stories on the news of people turning down big jobs in favor of the military, because it's not the norm. It is the exception; usually people leave the military after getting what they wanted out of it (education, experience) in favor of civil jobs. So in that sense Courtney is right that most people just choose that job like any other job.

I have no idea about firefighters or policemen and am only commenting on my point of view as a military brat.

I would also like to state that I really don't have an opinion on the topic of whether or not discounts should be given, I guess I don't care. I just fealt you all were being a little harsh on Courtney, I don't think she said anything vulgar.

Irene · Dooney & Bourke

I am going to respond to no one specific.

First, there are many people who have dangerous jobs besides military and police. Coal miners who have to worry about horrible conditions or caves falling in (as we have seen earlier in the year), anyone who handles blood has to worry about infectious diseases, sewer cleaners who have to worry about all diseases, etc - and none of them get any discounts. I just wanted to make clear than having a danerous job doesn't automatically mean that those people get discounts.

Secondly, being in the military and a police officer is more than just a job (like being a doctor). It's a career that people chose to have in order to serve the good of society.

Thirdly, I don't think companies that don't offer discounts to these people should feel bad. They may simply not be able to afford it or don't feel it is necessary for the type of service they offer, or some other reason. I think it's nice to have a discount, but I don't think ANYONE is entitle to it.

As for companies that offer discounts to miilitary, I know Busch Gardens does. I think also many other theme parks do as well.

-- Edited by Irene at 15:50, 2006-04-27

Cortney1982 · Chanel

I know people risks their lives. Besides having a construction business my bf is also a fire chief at a volunteer station and has even been hit by a vehicle while he was at a scene of a car accident. Both jobs are dangerous but he chose them and he doesn't feel he is owed anything by anybody even if he saved their life or house. It is just his nature to good for others without expecting anything in return.

JoceyBaby23 · Gucci

Irene wrote:

I am going to respond to no one specific. First, there are many people who have dangerous jobs besides military and police. Coal miners who have to worry about horrible conditions or caves falling in (as we have seen earlier in the year), anyone who handles blood has to worry about infectious diseases, sewer cleaners who have to worry about all diseases, etc - and none of them get any discounts. I just wanted to make clear than having a danerous job doesn't automatically mean that those people get discounts. Secondly, being in the military and a police officer is more than just a job (like being a doctor). It's a career that people chose to have in order to serve the good of society. Thirdly, I don't think companies that don't offer discounts to these people should feel bad. They may simply not be able to afford it or don't feel it is necessary for the type of service they offer, or some other reason. I think it's nice to have a discount, but I don't think ANYONE is entitle to it. As for companies that offer discounts to miilitary, I know Busch Gardens does. I think also many other theme parks do as well.-- Edited by Irene at 15:50, 2006-04-27

These are all good points Irene.

Marg · Kenneth Cole

Here's my take on this after much pondering.

My husband is a police officer. Yes, he chose his job. Yes, it's dangerous - more than you know. Does he feel he's 'entitled' to anything - no! He would not even ask for a discount - he's not that kind of person. They are offered discounts at local chain restaurants, and they do use them. They are on duty and get their meals for 50% off - many times leaving them uneaten/partially eaten due to taking a call in the middle of their break.

As for companies not offering discounts - we don't ask for them and don't expect them.

99% of police officers aren't going to ask for a 'discount' when they are not on duty. They really do not want people to know that they are cops because they usually have their family with them.

As for choosing his job - yes he did and I am so proud of him. He protects all of us, sometimes in situations that would make you all not sleep well at night. I just pray he comes home each night.

Does that help explain?

blink · Coach

When I was a waitress in the 90's, my restaurant, and all the others in the same suburban city limits, gave a discount to local police in uniform only (I actually can't remember if it was 50% or a free meal). Now, I don't know if it was a city ordinance or not, but the restaurant owner enjoyed police dining there because it insured a measure of safety having a uniformed officer in view and his marked car parked in the lot. So like you mentioned, that was kind of a visual reward.

A little unrelated, but the bottom line is that plenty of businesses DO like to be supportive of all these, I guess you could categorize them as, heroic type careers; fire, military, law enforcement. The reason, besides just a little patriotism, is that it can promote loyalty of their customers and it can attract future customers that other businesses without such incentives cannot.

If they ask if there is a discount, I don't know why that would be considered an indication of entitlement to it, they are juist asking the same way we would ask a business if they have student discounts, senior discounts for our family members, service industry worker discounts, multiple purchase discounts, VIP discounts, daily specials, double coupon days, or whatever else. These days, I feel like most people can't really afford not to ask, even if there is just a slight chance of saving some dough. I don't know what kind of company you work for, but if you do get a lot of requests, there may be another larger competitor in your industry that can afford to and does offer discounts to the people in these careers. It's nothing to feel either annoyed or unamerican and guilty about, especially because it isn't your decision.