So my latest employer offers “discounts” from various companies. All I have to do is create a profile on their program site and then can access various discounts from national companies, like “up to a 16% off Verizon” and other things.
Seems like a good value, at least for some discounts. Anyone have any compelling stories about this kind of thing? I see a lot of “up to x-amount discount” kind of thing and 10% off many things, but is this good for some really great deals?
I get 20% off my cell phone bill each month. I also get free anti-virus software for my home computers.
I received 20% off of Cingular that AT&T honored until I moved away from the USA. At Apple Stores I only need to show a business card, or use the EPP link to buy online (this only works in the USA, though). My HP printer came as a partner purchase, and there are awesome deals from Dell, except I would never, ever, ever buy a Dell.
On the other hand, there are probably 8,000 companies and unions that we give discounts to, too.
My employer has various discounts available (on phone plans, Dell computers, hotels, etc.), but most of them haven’t struck me as much different from “regular” discounts that you can find on the internet. Some of my co-workers are happy with their phone plans, though.
The one exception is discount movie tickets; I haven’t had much luck finding discount movie tickets anywhere other than through my employer (not counting discount packages like “two tickets + soda + popcorn”).
EDIT: I have also purchased discount passes to places like the amusement park or Medieval Times, but that’s not very often.
One nice discount I can get is on stuff I purchase from Staples. I had to register my credit card number but now when I shop there for stuff for use at home, I pay the same discounted price I would get if I ordered stuff for use in the office. (My employer has negotiated discounts on some of the merchandise sold at Staples and so I only get a discount on those items.)
I work for a Fortune 100 company. We are allowed to book hotels and rent cars with our corporate discount. I’ve gotten great rates for personal travel.
Rental car discounts that go with the company contract I can believe, but they are usually with higher priced companies. When I worked for AT&T just after long distance became competitive we got a big discount on it probably to avoid MCI saying how many AT&T employees signed up.
But my company now has a supposed discount card for other places. All the restaurants are in the middle of nowhere, and knowing them I bet they are making a bundle from anyone dumb enough to use their discounts and not shop around.
Thanks for sharing. I see a lot of “up to” certain discounts on things in my queue on the site. I did see movie tickets too, so thanks for that tip.
Appreciate the input!
My employer participates in the Microsoft Home Use Program, which lets me install a perfectly legal full featured copy of Office on up to 2 personal computers for $10. I’ve used that one several times over the years.
Also movie and theme park tickets, although the theme park tickets aren’t much better than AAA or the promotional coupons given out at supermarkets or fast food places.
I was able to purchase a car at a pre-set price about $5K less than what I would have otherwise paid. When I sold it about 1.5 years later, I got back the same amount I paid.
I get 20% off my already crazy-good Verizon plan. I can also get a lower interest rate (if I’m approved) with certain auto loans.