Author Topic: Military Discount and Different last name  (Read 1810 times)

Hanna

Military Discount and Different last name
« on: June 30, 2020, 05:22:07 am »
Hi All,
Curious as to how you would feel about this.  Lowes offers a military discount which we really appreciate.  A few years ago they began registering the military discount under your phone number, then when you are at the register you just provide the number.  They never ask for ID but I am almost always with my husband.  Yesterday I was alone.

The cashier pulled up the account with my husband's name on it after I provided the number and said "Is your last name XYZ?" and I said "No, but that is my husband."  She told me she couldn't give it to me, and I was about ready to leave it there and just pay when she said "Would you like me to call a manager?"  I said "Actually yes, I don't care about the discount but you do understand that not all women change their names when they get married?"

The manager came over and I showed him my military dependent card.  It has my name, my picture and my husband's name on it, matching the name on the cashier's screen.  He did not really look at the card, but told me I would need to provide a driver's license, again saying it was since our names are not the same.  I again said something like, "You do understand women don't always change their last names?  I can actually get on an airplane using this card.  Are you telling me you don't accept it"?  He said "That's our policy." and I said, "Yes, but you are the manager and can do whatever you like."  He nodded his head in agreement.

I said I was done shopping there and walked out. 

Am I ridiculous for not wanting to provide a second photo ID?  My only reason was just being incensed that it was all about a woman not taking her husband's name.  It felt wrong to give in to that but on the other hand, it's just a benefit that they offer - not something that I am at all owed.  Also, Home Depot has never done this.  I show them my ID and that is it. 


« Last Edit: June 30, 2020, 06:41:57 am by Hanna »

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SioCat

Re: Military Discount and Different last name
« Reply #1 on: June 30, 2020, 06:45:51 am »
If it’s their policy, then it’s their policy. A quick search of their military discount confirmed that he was right and that spouses last names have to match. I think it’s a little special to suggest that the manager make an exception for you because “he’s the manager and can do what he like”.

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lowspark

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Re: Military Discount and Different last name
« Reply #2 on: June 30, 2020, 08:06:00 am »
I think you are in the right. They should have just accepted your ID, and the store manager certainly does have discretion to make exceptions or offer discounts any time s/he sees fit.

I think that the bigger issue is that this appears to be their corporate policy that women who don't change their name do not get a discount.
That is abhorrent! It is something I would complain to corporate about.

Email them directly. Complain on their website.
And most importantly, complain on any and all social media that you are on. Call them out and make sure to tag them and open that post up to "everyone" as opposed to just friends.
And have all your military friends do the same.
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baritone108

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Re: Military Discount and Different last name
« Reply #3 on: June 30, 2020, 08:09:34 am »
In light of Sio Cat's post, why don't you write to Lowe's corporate office and see if they will change their policy to accept the military ID/dependent card regardless of whether the names match.  I understand your frustration.  I didn't change my name when I first married but gave up in frustration and did so after about 18 months.  That was over 40 years ago and I was surprised by the social pressure I received at work, etc.  It should be different today.
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PVZFan

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Re: Military Discount and Different last name
« Reply #4 on: June 30, 2020, 08:18:46 am »
I think showing the military dependent card should have been sufficient, but if it's their corporate policy it's their policy. I think, right now, retail management is not feeling particularly magnanimous about making exceptions. The manager seemed prepared to give the discount if you produced an additional ID, so he was willing to bend the corporate policy for you with just one additional ID.

If you want to challenge the policy, write to corporate.
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Jem

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Re: Military Discount and Different last name
« Reply #5 on: June 30, 2020, 08:46:22 am »
I'm not familiar with a military dependent card, but why would your actual name on the military card not be enough for the discount? Is it because you are a "dependent" and not "actual military?" That would make at least some sense to me (I wouldn't agree with the policy, but I could at least see the distinction). It doesn't seem to be a "you didn't take your husband's name" thing though since your name was actually on the card. Any additional ID would show that name, right? I am not following this policy at all!
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Hmmm

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Re: Military Discount and Different last name
« Reply #6 on: June 30, 2020, 08:55:13 am »
Their policy is stupid. Showing military ID card should be the default. I can see why they thought it was a good idea because it would be really easy for anyone to give a phone number of a friend or relative and ask for the discount and claim to just have a different last name.

It is a pretty weak manager that couldn't look at your military ID and make that call.

I agree with others that I would contact corporate and ask they change their policy to require showing a military ID or a phone number with and ID with matching address (not name).

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DaDancingPsych

Re: Military Discount and Different last name
« Reply #7 on: June 30, 2020, 10:23:10 am »
I am a little confused. So, he wanted to see your driver's license? And the last names still would not have matched? If he had given the discount at that point, I would think it silly, but fine. If he still had not given the discount, then I think that they have an issue. The manager made it sound like a corporate policy, so I would have asked for who was on top of him. (I am guessing a regional manager of sorts.) I would have worked my way up the chain until I came across someone who could change the policy.

I will say, I am not familiar with a military dependent card, so I might need educated about it. If you pulled it out, I may not have understood that it was proof that you were... well, a military dependent. Then again, I have never worked a job where I needed such proof, so maybe they are quite common and these two should have been familiar with them.

Hanna

Re: Military Discount and Different last name
« Reply #8 on: June 30, 2020, 11:36:57 am »
If it’s their policy, then it’s their policy. A quick search of their military discount confirmed that he was right and that spouses last names have to match. I think it’s a little special to suggest that the manager make an exception for you because “he’s the manager and can do what he like”.

Wow! I didn't know that was an actual policy!!

It actually makes me glad that I walked out.

I was just irritated with him particularly and not so much with the chain itself.  Not I see it in a completely different light.

Hanna

Re: Military Discount and Different last name
« Reply #9 on: June 30, 2020, 11:38:52 am »
In light of Sio Cat's post, why don't you write to Lowe's corporate office and see if they will change their policy to accept the military ID/dependent card regardless of whether the names match.  I understand your frustration.  I didn't change my name when I first married but gave up in frustration and did so after about 18 months.  That was over 40 years ago and I was surprised by the social pressure I received at work, etc.  It should be different today.

I think I will do that.  This morning I had decided to just forget it (and continue shopping mainly at Home Depot going forward) because there are obviously bigger issues in this world.
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Hanna

Re: Military Discount and Different last name
« Reply #10 on: June 30, 2020, 11:42:16 am »
I'm not familiar with a military dependent card, but why would your actual name on the military card not be enough for the discount? Is it because you are a "dependent" and not "actual military?" That would make at least some sense to me (I wouldn't agree with the policy, but I could at least see the distinction). It doesn't seem to be a "you didn't take your husband's name" thing though since your name was actually on the card. Any additional ID would show that name, right? I am not following this policy at all!

I didn't get the impression either person involved knew either beyond "Hey, she admitted that's not her last name!"

I am convinced I could have just answered "Yes, that's me!" and she would have processed it.





Hanna

Re: Military Discount and Different last name
« Reply #11 on: June 30, 2020, 11:44:55 am »
Their policy is stupid. Showing military ID card should be the default. I can see why they thought it was a good idea because it would be really easy for anyone to give a phone number of a friend or relative and ask for the discount and claim to just have a different last name.

It is a pretty weak manager that couldn't look at your military ID and make that call.

I agree with others that I would contact corporate and ask they change their policy to require showing a military ID or a phone number with and ID with matching address (not name).

I do think they are seeing a problem with people using the phone number.  And my husband does always show military ID now there, but this manager on the phone last night told him it's policy to show a driver's license, also.  Perhaps, but it's never once been asked of him.

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TootsNYC

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Re: Military Discount and Different last name
« Reply #12 on: June 30, 2020, 11:55:53 am »
Some states issue a wallet card copy of your marriage license so you can prove that you're married. Having kept my own name, I wish I'd been issued one. It hasn't actually come up, but if I were traveling and we had medical problems, I'd want it.

I can totally see that they want to avoid giving the discount to sisters and cousins and friends. And son-in-laws (there was a post on Reddit's Choosing Beggars where the guy was so pissed he couldn't get a discount a Lowe's anymore).

But if your military dependent ID is government issued AND identifies you as a spouse or qualified dependent, why are they adding on another layer?
   I agree, I might write to Lowe's corporate and point this out. (it's also more work for them)

The only other thing I'd ask is this:
Does your military ID identify YOU, personally, specifically? In other words, does it have a photo on it?
   If it's an ID that you could hand to someone else and they could successfully pretend to be you, then I absolutely think it's OK to ask for proof of identity AND proof of military status.
   But they'd be stupid not to do it for the military member as well. The phone number should just be a way to pull up the records fast, not a validation of status.

My friend and I shared a Barnes & Noble discount using the same phone number for a long time. But B&N doesn't really care, nor does Rite-Aid.

But a military discount, I'd hope they'd actually care more.
« Last Edit: June 30, 2020, 11:58:47 am by TootsNYC »

Hanna

Re: Military Discount and Different last name
« Reply #13 on: June 30, 2020, 11:58:21 am »
I am a little confused. So, he wanted to see your driver's license? And the last names still would not have matched? If he had given the discount at that point, I would think it silly, but fine. If he still had not given the discount, then I think that they have an issue. The manager made it sound like a corporate policy, so I would have asked for who was on top of him. (I am guessing a regional manager of sorts.) I would have worked my way up the chain until I came across someone who could change the policy.

I will say, I am not familiar with a military dependent card, so I might need educated about it. If you pulled it out, I may not have understood that it was proof that you were... well, a military dependent. Then again, I have never worked a job where I needed such proof, so maybe they are quite common and these two should have been familiar with them.

It's a military ID and privilege card, issued for spouses and dependents.  I think if you looked at it and were not in the military (or did not look too closely) you might not realize that I am not the actual service member. It's accepted by TSA for domestic travel, and when it's issued you get your own DoD ID number.  I mainly use it to visit the commissary. 

I suspect I could walk into Lowes with it and register my own phone number, too.   Pretty sure that particular manager also doesn't know women can be in the military.

I hate being stroppy about this - they don't owe me a discount.  But really despise people using a "policy" as justification when that policy is enforced as an exception rather than consistently.
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TootsNYC

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Re: Military Discount and Different last name
« Reply #14 on: June 30, 2020, 11:59:43 am »
Their policy is stupid. Showing military ID card should be the default. I can see why they thought it was a good idea because it would be really easy for anyone to give a phone number of a friend or relative and ask for the discount and claim to just have a different last name.

It is a pretty weak manager that couldn't look at your military ID and make that call.

I agree with others that I would contact corporate and ask they change their policy to require showing a military ID or a phone number with and ID with matching address (not name).

I do think they are seeing a problem with people using the phone number.  And my husband does always show military ID now there, but this manager on the phone last night told him it's policy to show a driver's license, also.  Perhaps, but it's never once been asked of him.

Does the military ID have a photo? Can it prove your actual identity, or could someone hand theirs to another person, and that person use it?
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