Hi, i??m wondering if any of you business owners offer military veteran discounts? Whether you do or not I??m curious as to what your reason is. and if you think it??s good business practice.
I was asked by a client today if we give military and veteran discounts. We do not, as a practice, nor do we advertise as such. ?ÿI??m a bit worried that if I say yes to this guy and come down on his quote price that he will spread the word and then it will set a precedent for how we do business and then everybody in their cousin is gonna ask for one. ?ÿIt??s not that I have anything against the military, we??re patriotic, my son is in the military, but we provide a professional service and I don??t want people to think we??re retail. Thanks so much!
*Bump* This appeared on page 2 and I thought it would probably be missed by?ÿ many.
That is something that has never come to mind.?ÿ No one has ever asked me such a question
If I do a project and decide to give the client a break, that is my decision.
If someone asks me for a break for any reason, that is also my decision, but, the answer will definitely be NO.
As a veteran, I find these individuals begging for discounts embarrassing. The Army value of ??selfless service? has been reduced to ??thank me for my service? and trading respect for a free $15 meal at Applebees on 11/11.
Unless you're dealing with100s of thousands or millions of repeat customers,roundly,no.?ÿ
These are benefits that are provided at a level most small operations can't afford, save a few personal favors to direct friends etc..
Having never served, I respect the hell out of those who have.?ÿ But it seems that some use it every chance they can, for recognition, discounts, and freebies, while others hardly mention it
Discounts (veterans or otherwise) are a sales technique for dealing in commodities at the consumer level. We only offer professional services.
Just this morning had a discount related (not military or veteran) e-mail exchange:
Good morning Brad,
Would the cost of the survey be lower if only three parcels are involved in the boundary retracement.?ÿ The house, barns and bins subdivided on two acres each, as earlier discussed.?ÿ The tillable ground of 42.705 as the third parcel.?ÿ Excluding the fourth parcel of eight acres from the survey.
Thank you,
??Potential Client?
~
Fair question, and I really looked and tried to find a way to say, ??yes?. ?ÿBut, unfortunately, the answer is, ??no, not really.?
You see, when doing retracement ?ÿboundary surveying in Indiana, we have to also survey and locate enough of the adjoiner??s land as well as nearby section corners to be sure everybody is getting their ??fair share? according to deeds, etc.
So, if we exclude that 8-acres?? parcel from this particular survey, we will then have to treat it as an adjoining tract. ?ÿThen we still will have to survey and locate evidence of possession as well as corner markers around the perimeter of the 8-acres in either case, whether it is included or excluded.
Sorry, I really did look for a way to say, ??yes.? ?ÿBut alas, the answer is ??no.?
Thanks,
Brad
I staked a house for a vet coming back from the sandbox a few years back. Sent him his maps and an invoice that said thank you for your service. Total due - $0.00. He sent me a silver dollar (or bigger) size unit coin in return. I still think I got the better deal. That coin doesn't have any use to me since I'm not connected to the service, but it is very cool on my office wall. "Strike Forward"
Service/Unit Challenge coins are a very big deal in the ranks, thats a huge compliment paid in both directions there.?ÿ Pretty cool you can support and be appreciated!
@ontarget1 I consider that a true gesture of good will and gratitude. We don't do discounts but there is always room for charity.
good will and gratitude
A way of life.
We came into this world with nothing and leave it with nothing we can keep.?ÿ We spend our lives gaining things, then giving them away.?ÿ Much of what we earn is paid back out for what we deem to be necessities for which we have little to no control.?ÿ After that, it is our choice as to where we dedicate that extra money.?ÿ Sometimes we choose not to get that extra money, thus keeping it in the pockets of someone who we deem to be worthy of keeping it.?ÿ No tax on what you didn't have to report.
On the other hand.......................there are those who were born with their hand out and raised to believe that is the way the world should function.
Discount....NO, Charitable contributions to organizations supporting veterans...YES, as often as possible.
I've never heard of a Doctor, Attorney, Dentist or any other licensed professional offering such discounts so why should I??ÿ A "simple small job" might get a quote of $1,000 and turn into a contract.?ÿ Every now a can of worms is opened and the client gets the discount when it costs me more to get the job done correctly.?ÿ
@chris-bouffard When I was in college had to see a dentist who told me I was grinding my teeth. I told him I was going to school and didn??t have two nickels to rub together. He said what can you afford and did the work at a big discount, he didn??t have to. Later when I was a rich surveyor I paid the full rate and stuck with him until he retired. I??ve done a few discounted surveys for working.people with limited means because I knew nobody else would. Paying it forward I guess. Somebody looking to take advantage of my generosity would likely not receive it.
Just because I'm paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get me.
I've never given anyone a discount.?ÿ At least none that they ever knew about.?ÿ Same when I charge a PIA a premium.
@rankin_file?ÿ ?ÿ ?ÿ Agree 100% with what you say.?ÿ
I've never been asked for a military discount and I live near a Marine base.?ÿ ?ÿAs a Marine vet married to a disabled Army vet, I wouldn't advertise military discounts on professional services.?ÿ Not that I am ungrateful ... I'm just in "the business" and not "the ministry",?ÿ when it comes to surveying.?ÿ ?ÿHaving said that, helping someone out on a case by case scenario is a whole different story.?ÿ?ÿ