BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Erie County Clerk Chris Jacobs is starting on online petition to ask Lowe's to reconsider its military discount policy, following hundreds of calls from concerned veterans.
Jacobs' office runs the "Thank a Vet" program. Any Erie County veteran who honorably served can sign up for free to get a card that entitles them to discounts at more than 700 businesses.
For several years, Lowe's stores in Western New York have honored that card, even though the national policy states otherwise.
A Lowe's spokesperson says their everyday military discount program only offers 10% off to active duty troops, those who retired with 20 or more years of service, and those who get benefits from the VA. That leaves out the majority of veterans.
"It's ridiculous," Korean War Vet Richard Arendt told 2 On Your Side. "A veteran is a veteran."
Arendt is remodeling his home kitchen and has spent a lot of money at Lowe's. Now, he's been told he will no longer be eligible for the discount.
"It's a fine store," Arendt said. "They got everything we need, but we can take our business some place else."
U.S. Air Force Veteran Joseph D'Amico agreed, saying he will shop at other home improvement stores. D'Amico got all the way to the checkout line before being told his discount card wouldn't be accepted.
"So I walked out," he said. "And it was pretty embarrassing at the time."
Different local Lowe's stores are telling veterans different stories as to when the "Thank a Vet" cards will no longer be accepted.
"I was told that by the end of the month, which would probably be June 1, that they weren't going to accept it anymore," said U.S. Air Force Veteran Bill Martin, who had stopped at the Orchard Park store. Another veteran said the manager at the Amherst store on Niagara Falls Boulevard told him it would only be accepted to May 21. Another store already stopped accepting the cards.
Jacobs hopes the national retailer will reconsider its position.
"We're trying to be a voice to say we have gotten so many calls in the last couple weeks, people who have gone to Lowe's before and now are actually turning their carts away," he said. "I don't think Lowe's really intended this."
Karen Cobb, a Lowe's spokesperson, said the company feels "the discount we offer is generous and we extend it as a courtesy." She added that all veterans are eligible for the 10% discount on Memorial Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day.
Veterans or anyone who would like to sign Jacobs' petition can do so online or by calling (716) 858-4737.
