Thread: Weekly Poll: Do you take advantage of Educator Discounts?

So did I ever tell you about the time I came up to the checkout counter at Staples and produced my Educator Discount card? And the checkout attendant, while ringing my card through the register, thought this was the perfect opportunity to commiserate with me, a teacher, about all the "cheapskate homeschool parents" who come through her line with the audacity to get a discount on their school supplies when obviously those cards were meant for classroom teachers. (I'm still miffed about the assumption - - is it my glasses? Were there dry erase marks on my face??)

I'd like to say I corrected the woman and gave her a lesson in all-things-homeschooling, but instead, I pulled my glasses further down my nose, took my "only-for-REAL-teachers" discount, and suddenly felt as though I had stolen a puppy from a toddler.

Then later, I got MAD. I mean I'm not naive or cold-hearted. I realize that classroom teachers have to pay for entirely too many things out of their own pocketbook, and I don't begrudge them a penny of any potential discount. But why would a teacher discount -- which benefits the store by encouraging repeat business - - need to exclude the parents who ALSO support classrooms with their taxes and yet never benefit from those monies or resources??

What about you? Do you take advantage of Educator Discounts at retail or online stores ? (And watch for an upcoming article on the home page that highlights some of the Educator Discounts homeschoolers are eligible for - - some of them may surprise you!)

I said yes, always, but truthfully I only JUST signed up for the Staples one. After a failed attempt at Michaels (where I was told as a homeschooler I don't qualify), I sorta.. gave up a bit. It was a shock when the staples guy told me I DID qualify (with $200 worth of stuff in my cart to pay full price for, I would have choked him if he made some sort of insulting comment LOL).

imho, I teach. I deserve a teacher's discount. I don't make a wage to do what I do, I pay property taxes to support the school system (and teacher salaries) anyway. I'm just as entitled (and maybe a bit more so) as anyone else. I wouldn't lie to get a discount, but if they give me the green light, I'm not going to feel guilty for moving forward.

I have only used the Barnes & Noble one.

I had one at Barnes & Noble for a while. Then, I tried to use it one day, and the cashier gave me a hard time about it. She kept making comments about how easy it would be to fake an homeschool affidavit and get a discount card. She goes on to tell me about how she used to be a police officer, so she is suspicious of everything. I'm sure so many people have faked homeschooling just to get a 20% discount at Barnes & Noble. It just wasn't worth the discounted price, and I told her manager that. Since then, I rarely, if ever, shop at Barnes & Noble, and I never buy curriculum there. I wil wait for it from Amazon. It seems like everywhere I have tried to get a discount that "says" they offer it to homeschoolers, they have always given me a hard time. I guess I don't look like a homeschooling mom or something. I've just given up on it, to be honest.

it never even occurred to me that I COULD.

I have a card for AC Moore, and Barnes and Noble. I can't remember whether my staples rewards is the educator one or just the regular one. I remember starting signing up for that twice and I don't remember which one went through.
As for Michaels they don't give a card but when I emailed them they said they include homeschoolers in their teacher discount, you can show another store's teacher discount card or some other proof that you homeschool to get the discount.

I used to have them giveme hard time even when I was a classroom teacher, so don't feel like you have to take it too personally. Retail is full of jerks. And nice people... but plenty of jerks.

I have never used an educator discount.
I haven't really bought enough stuff from places that had one to motivate me to try.

Originally Posted by Topsy

So did I ever tell you about the time I came up to the checkout counter at Staples and produced my Educator Discount card? And the checkout attendant, while ringing my card through the register, thought this was the perfect opportunity to commiserate with me, a teacher, about all the "cheapskate homeschool parents" who come through her line with the audacity to get a discount on their school supplies when obviously those cards were meant for classroom teachers. (I'm still miffed about the assumption - - is it my glasses? Were there dry erase marks on my face??)

I'd like to say I corrected the woman and gave her a lesson in all-things-homeschooling, but instead, I pulled my glasses further down my nose, took my "only-for-REAL-teachers" discount, and suddenly felt as though I had stolen a puppy from a toddler.

Then later, I got MAD. I mean I'm not naive or cold-hearted. I realize that classroom teachers have to pay for entirely too many things out of their own pocketbook, and I don't begrudge them a penny of any potential discount. But why would a teacher discount -- which benefits the store by encouraging repeat business - - need to exclude the parents who ALSO support classrooms with their taxes and yet never benefit from those monies or resources??

What about you? Do you take advantage of Educator Discounts at retail or online stores ? (And watch for an upcoming article on the home page that highlights some of the Educator Discounts homeschoolers are eligible for - - some of them may surprise you!)

Dang Topsy!
Keep Stealing Those Puppies!

We are a blue collar family. And I un-ashamedly take advantage of educator discounts and military discounts, coupons [if I can remember them] and BOGO sales. We also shop for books at thrift stores, and half priced book stores and GOoB sales--anything we can get. Also--Library Sales!

Oklahoma is super home schooler friendly. So it's not as bad here as it might be in other places. But most act on the assumption that all home schoolers are right leaning religious folk.

ooh! I just remembered.

When the big chain stores started giving out discount cards to educators, when I would apply [a couple years ago] they would want some proof that I home Schooled. I would get to argue with them that Oklahoma requires no official paperwork or filings, nor does it give out any recognition that one home schools their children, therefore, short of showing up with my file cabinet--I have nothing to show them.

Much male-childless-eye-rolling ensued from behind the other counter.