Military Deployment Discount - Self-Storage Talk

acampbell · #1 (**permalink**) 2nd December 2009, 02:37 PM

U-Store-It announced it will give 50 percent off to all soldiers recently deployed.

In light of yesterday's news from the President, are you considering a similar discount?

Gina6k · #2 (**permalink**) 2nd December 2009, 03:16 PM

We have done that and more on a case by case basis in the past. Since we work with the Marines for Toys For Tots, we've usually spent a few years working with the same kids. When they deploy we take care of them.

Here is my question for others, we do a standard Military Discount, but how do you truly determine active vs. recently 'retired' or differentiate from active and someone just trying to pull a fast one? A recent experience prompts me to ask this.

alexlekas · #3 (**permalink**) 2nd December 2009, 03:56 PM

Gina, is it not reasonable to ask for papers? Someone on active duty should not have a difficult time offering up proof. At the very least, seems to me you want a name in teh chain of command as a backup since deployments can be extended, and unless you know that, it creates the potential for a tough situation.

If you are going to offer such discounts, the military would certainly be grateful and, as such, would work with you (I think) in validating whether a soldier, sailor, airman, or marine is the real deal or trying to pull something. The services don't like their guys screwing businesses any more than they like businesses doing that to their guys, and gals. I've spent more time around the military than not and my experience is that the bulk of these folks are straight-up and will work with you in doing the right thing, particularly when they realize that you are doing something for them.

Gina6k · #4 (**permalink**) 2nd December 2009, 04:13 PM

Alexlekas - What kind of 'papers' would a deploying person have? I've yet to see those. All we ever see is a Military ID card.

I recently had a gal come in with military ID. We pretty much gave her the place, and the very next month come to find out, she was 'out of the service' from her soon to be ex-husband. She rented the unit to get his stuff out of their home. So, obviously despite her service to our country, I felt a bit abused. I know! I know... don't take the stuff personally, but I'm human with a big, soft heart.

I don't know as I've never asked or researched, but don't active duty have to surrender their ID cards upon leaving the military? Was her timing just right to take advantage one last time or?

I'm stepping forward to support our military at every opportunity, but as with all facets of life and humans, there are good and bad. If there is a proven way to avoid being taken advantage of via 'papers' or something else we can do within a couple of minutes during the rental process? IF so, then I'm all for it and will train my staff accordingly.

alexlekas · #5 (**permalink**) 2nd December 2009, 04:33 PM

Gina, I'm just thinking out loud and could be wrong, but doesn't everyone on active duty have some documentation beyond an ID card, something that shows they are genuinely assigned to a particular duty station at a particular time? And maybe I am too literally interpreting 'orders being cut', but even so, seems a unit could provide proof of a troop going TDY. Like I said, just thinking out loud.

Gina6k · #6 (**permalink**) 2nd December 2009, 09:14 PM

I spoke with a Marine today, he says they do have to surrender their ID cards upon separation UNLESS they are going Reserve, then they retain the ID. Unfortunately, our conversation was interrupted, and I didn't get a chance to ask about papers.

MusicCity Gal · #7 (**permalink**) 3rd December 2009, 10:52 AM

Gina - Our contracts list a field for Military Id Number. I truly do not get very picky with that. If they are military, active, inactive, or vets, we offer a Military Discount. My husband is a vet and he usually asks enough questions to know if someone is telling the truth or not. To my knowledge nobody has pulled a fast one on us. We feel it is the least we can do.

shaekirk · #8 (**permalink**) 3rd December 2009, 01:23 PM

We also offer an ongoing discount for active military and veterans. We ask for their military ID as proof. Usually the veterans have an ID of some kind as well.

Gina6k · #9 (**permalink**) 3rd December 2009, 03:14 PM

My 'work around' for Vets is they usually also qualify for our Golden Citizen discount.

Yes, Active & Vets would receive the discounted rate, but the one I mentioned is one of those you just have that feeling about, and it was legit. More trouble ensues with the divorce, him accessing his things as she signed the contract etc. Same old scenario.

680 Maple Mini Storage · #10 (**permalink**) 10th December 2009, 09:56 AM

I have been giving 50% discount to soldiers deployed to Iraq and surronding areas ever sence I took over almost 3 years ago. It is stricklly a honor system. They tell me when they return home and there rent goes back to full. I have had onlly one abuse of the discount and that was of a contractor who indicated he was military and was not. I revoked his discount when I found out. This is the only discount that I offer, and I feel that it is the least that I can do for all that they do!

Kevin

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