Bad Manners and Brimstone

It wouldn't bother me. There are many scammers out there. Look how many stories there are of family borrowing handicap tags. If the only thing they want is a second ID, it's easy enough for me to do.  Also, you're assuming they are singling out women. We don't know if they'll do the same thing to a husband whose wife is in the military and have a different last name than her.

If it bugs you, it bugs you and you can call corporate. But this wouldn't be my hill to die on.

Edited to say I don't know anything about military or dependent ID's.

I personally wouldn’t complain about this. It seems like it would be easier for them to stop extending the discount to spouses.

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.

Hi Toots, yes, it has my name, picture, spouses name and more.  It's accepted in airports by TSA for domestic travel.

DH's retired military status is directly connected to our "My Lowes" reward card.  It's my understanding the many are.  Until just recently, I was able to get the discount simply by using the reward card.  Now, I also have to show my "dependent's ID" card as well.  The reason being is that too many people are using eligible reward cards or phone numbers to get the discount without being eligible themselves. 

That's really not a problem for us since he retired, he maintains a (retired) military ID card and that qualifies me to have my "dependent's ID" card. 

The problem arises because many veterans do not have an ID card that identifies them as such.  They use their discharge papers to sign up for benefits when they originally apply (there is a more centralized data base now).  The reason last name's have to match is because the spouse of a veteran would have no other way to claim the discount. 

Since you DO have a dependent's ID card, though, I think they were mistaken to not accept that as proof enough.  Historically (before we had the rewards card), it's always been enough when I've used it whereas I have had problems with Home Depot in that regard.  I'm sure it varies by location. 

I think that this is one of those things that you get to decide how important it is to you. I think that it would be fine to say, "Pooey on them! Their policy is flawed, so I will just get my discount at Home Depot!" But I think it would be equally fine to decide that you wanted to make some change and see if you can get someone to adjust the policy. I think etiquette wise, they get to make the policy whatever they want. If they want to offer their military discount to no one, that is their choice. However, you, as a customer, get to select where you make your purchases. If the lack of discount means that you shop somewhere else, that is perfectly fine, too!

DH's retired military status is directly connected to our "My Lowes" reward card.  It's my understanding the many are.  Until just recently, I was able to get the discount simply by using the reward card.  Now, I also have to show my "dependent's ID" card as well.  The reason being is that too many people are using eligible reward cards or phone numbers to get the discount without being eligible themselves. 

That's really not a problem for us since he retired, he maintains a (retired) military ID card and that qualifies me to have my "dependent's ID" card. 

The problem arises because many veterans do not have an ID card that identifies them as such.  They use their discharge papers to sign up for benefits when they originally apply (there is a more centralized data base now). The reason last name's have to match is because the spouse of a veteran would have no other way to claim the discount. 


Since you DO have a dependent's ID card, though, I think they were mistaken to not accept that as proof enough.  Historically (before we had the rewards card), it's always been enough when I've used it whereas I have had problems with Home Depot in that regard.  I'm sure it varies by location.

I didn't realize it's unusual for spouses of veterans to have an ID card.  For some reason I just assumed everyone would go get one.  But I am sure it depends on status and benefits available.  I have the luxury of having a commissary very close so wanted it for that.

This is also one of the reasons I should consider if I do write them.

Quote from: oogyda on June 30, 2020, 02:10:49 pm

DH's retired military status is directly connected to our "My Lowes" reward card.  It's my understanding the many are.  Until just recently, I was able to get the discount simply by using the reward card.  Now, I also have to show my "dependent's ID" card as well.  The reason being is that too many people are using eligible reward cards or phone numbers to get the discount without being eligible themselves. 

That's really not a problem for us since he retired, he maintains a (retired) military ID card and that qualifies me to have my "dependent's ID" card. 

The problem arises because many veterans do not have an ID card that identifies them as such.  They use their discharge papers to sign up for benefits when they originally apply (there is a more centralized data base now). The reason last name's have to match is because the spouse of a veteran would have no other way to claim the discount. 


Since you DO have a dependent's ID card, though, I think they were mistaken to not accept that as proof enough.  Historically (before we had the rewards card), it's always been enough when I've used it whereas I have had problems with Home Depot in that regard.  I'm sure it varies by location.

I didn't realize it's unusual for spouses of veterans to have an ID card.  For some reason I just assumed everyone would go get one.  But I am sure it depends on status and benefits available.  I have the luxury of having a commissary very close so wanted it for that.

This is also one of the reasons I should consider if I do write them.

I don't have one, as the spouse of a veteran.  My husband just went through an ordeal to get a new card -- you're supposed to call and make an appointment, but they don't answer the phones.   When they finally do answer the phone, the appointments were always "full".  He finally had to just show up, even though you're not supposed to. 

Quote from: oogyda on June 30, 2020, 02:10:49 pm

DH's retired military status is directly connected to our "My Lowes" reward card.  It's my understanding the many are.  Until just recently, I was able to get the discount simply by using the reward card.  Now, I also have to show my "dependent's ID" card as well.  The reason being is that too many people are using eligible reward cards or phone numbers to get the discount without being eligible themselves. 

That's really not a problem for us since he retired, he maintains a (retired) military ID card and that qualifies me to have my "dependent's ID" card. 

The problem arises because many veterans do not have an ID card that identifies them as such.  They use their discharge papers to sign up for benefits when they originally apply (there is a more centralized data base now). The reason last name's have to match is because the spouse of a veteran would have no other way to claim the discount. 


Since you DO have a dependent's ID card, though, I think they were mistaken to not accept that as proof enough.  Historically (before we had the rewards card), it's always been enough when I've used it whereas I have had problems with Home Depot in that regard.  I'm sure it varies by location.

I didn't realize it's unusual for spouses of veterans to have an ID card.  For some reason I just assumed everyone would go get one.  But I am sure it depends on status and benefits available.  I have the luxury of having a commissary very close so wanted it for that.

This is also one of the reasons I should consider if I do write them.

In the US, a veteran is somebody who served in the military.  It could be for 4 years or 30 years.  In most circumstances, a person must have served at least 20 years to be considered *retired* and eligible for continued privileges such as commissary and medical (and to carry the ID to prove it).

A person who served less time will not have an ID card that says they've served in the military.  They prove that by providing a copy of their discharge papers.