Lowe's changes veteran/military discount

[RFGuy]

Posting this for anyone interested. I know many times in the past on this forum, Lowe's hardware/big box store has been brought up as a good place for purchasing items including Shopsmith parts such as the PowerPro. This was because they used to offer a 10% discount on most items for active service or military veterans. It seems like they are cutting this program back quite a bit. In fact, it seems that major appliances are now excluded from this discount. Also, the PowerPro used to be listed on the website, but I can only find a few Shopsmith upgrade items on the Lowe's website now. Not sure if any of Shopsmith's products get a 10% discount anymore from Lowe's. Below is one article that discusses the discount issues with Lowe's:

https://bestlifeonline.com/lowes-milita ... lash-news/

[jsburger]

Home Depot is the same for appliances but it is different. AAFES (BX/PX) has partnered with Home Depot to fulfill appliance orders. You order the appliance on the AAFES web site (available to all veterans) and the order is fulfilled and delivered by Home Depot. The products on the AFFES web site are already discounted. It is supposed to start this year.

https://www.military.com/daily-news/202 ... -deal.html

[DLB]

Home Depot is the same for appliances but it is different. AAFES (BX/PX) has partnered with Home Depot to fulfill appliance orders. You order the appliance on the AAFES web site (available to all veterans) and the order is fulfilled and delivered by Home Depot. The products on the AFFES web site are already discounted. It is supposed to start this year.

I did not know that 'regular' veterans could shop on line at AAFES! Last time I shopped at AAFES was in the 80's as a contractor at an overseas US military base. I've confirmed that this is available and will check it out. Tax-free shopping, that's an 8.25% cost avoidance where I live.

At both HD and Lowes now I find it is a guessing game whether or not an item will be discounted (though not on major appliances). For example I wanted a DeWalt 60V battery string trimmer at HD. I selected one packaged with a Blower, Battery, and Charger and it was not eligible. I selected the same thing without the Blower, at a lower price, and it was eligible. Neither was on sale. Employees said they could not tell me which items it might apply to without ringing up the sale. Makes it difficult if you are considering options based on price.

- David

[thunderbirdbat]

I often compare package deals online before going to the store. If you add the item to the shopping cart online, the discount is displayed if eligible.

[jsburger]

Home Depot is the same for appliances but it is different. AAFES (BX/PX) has partnered with Home Depot to fulfill appliance orders. You order the appliance on the AAFES web site (available to all veterans) and the order is fulfilled and delivered by Home Depot. The products on the AFFES web site are already discounted. It is supposed to start this year.

I did not know that 'regular' veterans could shop on line at AAFES! Last time I shopped at AAFES was in the 80's as a contractor at an overseas US military base. I've confirmed that this is available and will check it out. Tax-free shopping, that's an 8.25% cost avoidance where I live.

At both HD and Lowes now I find it is a guessing game whether or not an item will be discounted (though not on major appliances). For example I wanted a DeWalt 60V battery string trimmer at HD. I selected one packaged with a Blower, Battery, and Charger and it was not eligible. I selected the same thing without the Blower, at a lower price, and it was eligible. Neither was on sale. Employees said they could not tell me which items it might apply to without ringing up the sale. Makes it difficult if you are considering options based on price.

- David

That was a change made a couple of years ago.

[JPG]

What pray tell is a "regular" veteran???

[garys]

What pray tell is a "regular" veteran???

A "regular" veteran is a veteran that is not retired from the military, or disabled. These groups are not elegible for all the benefits that a retired or disabled vet can get.

[jsburger]

What pray tell is a "regular" veteran???

Maybe a poor choice of words. All that served are veterans. However, if you served and made it a career and retired you get some extra privileges. You and your spouse have a retired DOD ID card that gets you access to any military installation. That gets you access to the Exchange, the Commissary, the Gym, MWR (Morale,Welfare, Recreation) , etc.MWR has boats and trailers, camping trailers, ski equipment here in Utah, discount concert tickets , discount travel options, etc.

Non retired vets don't get those privileges. If you are enrolled in the VA medical system (all vets are eligible) you get a VA ID card but that is only good for the VA. It doesn't get you on DOD installations. 5-6 years ago Congress told the VA to issue all veterans an ID card to identify them as a Vet. These are different than the VA enrollment card. It just says you are a Vet and still does not get you access to military installations. That means you can use it for discounts in stores that require veterans ID for discounts instead of carrying around your DD214 that shows you served.

Now the Exchange system Is allowing all veterans regardless of status access to the online web site for purchases, You have to be in DEERS (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System) to verify your eligibility and get in. All vets should be in the system and if not you can correct that with your DD214.

Sorry James, a long explanation but many vets out there don't know the things that have changed in the last few years.

[JPG]

Long (and accurate) is good!

Thank You

[dmuecke]

I attempted to purchase the 500 to 520 table upgrade from Lowes May 2023 my order was cancelled two times. I finally attended a webinar and purchased it with a small discount from Mike Young, however there is no free shipping from Shopsmith. I was told that purchasing from Lowes would be discontinued. I sure hate to here that as I purchased a Power Pro DIY upgrade through Lowes a few years ago and saved a ton of money.