singleviking Loc: Lake Sebu Eco Park, Philippines

Now if they could only eliminate those huge backlogs of benefit applications they haven't gotten to yet, I might be more sympathetic of the VA services. There are thousands of vets that got screwed out of benefits they were told would be available but somehow they never got them. And in my opinion, the new review process is nothing shy of a scam even when the handicaps or ailments vets seek help for are proven to be military related. How many years did it take before those exposed to Agent Orange got their ailments looked at by the VA? And how many vets got pushed out of service on fast DD-214 processing with no physical evaluation for benefits after Vietnam? It took years for even PTSD to be classified as a legitimate ailment. And then we have psychologist doctors at domestic Army hospital facilities that gun down their own brothers in arms and have had numerous unfavorable reviews?
JMHO

Grand Loc: Lebanon, Pa

u r a complete jerk!!!

singleviking Loc: Lake Sebu Eco Park, Philippines

donrent wrote:
Ah sheitt... Another "givemee, givemee, givemee" !!!
Just because you're a veteran, you expect everything for nothing ???? Bullllllllllllllllll !!!
BTW, I'm a veteran too, but I don't expece sumtin fur nuttin !!!


u r a complete jerk!!!

There are numerous stores and businesses that give added discounts to VETS above and beyond that given to the non-vet public but these discounts are now only given on Veterans Day and Memorial Day. How can any profitable business give discounts of 40% when their typical profit margin is only around 20% to begin with? Then add the fact that "Black Friday" sales are designed to draw you into the store for one thing so they can have you buy more items. These "Black Friday" items are sold at near nothing for profit or below cost.
And then there's the issue of manufacturer's allowable discount since many camera and photo equipment manufacturers demand their products be sold at their suggested retail price unless authorized by the manufacturer.

When someone brings this to your attention, you revert to name calling? Why attack the messenger?

izzyandal Loc: Hilton Head Island

Sadly, you are correct.
I live in an low population area and the service we get is good to excellent.

Kamusta ?

Magabang gabay

rickerb Loc: utah

[quote=donrent][quote=waremick]I suppose you don't shop at any sales either genius.[/quote
========================================
Like hell I don't !!! But to expect 40% off is redicous.......[/quote

Wow!! All he did was ask a question. I don't believe he was asking for welfare. jees.
Are you always this nasty or is this some old PTSD acting up again?
Wanna show war wounds? I'll show you mine if I can see yours.

OviedoPhotos

Nicely said. Yes, I'm a vet by the way. 40% is quite a bit to expect. Profit margins to both the manufacturer and retailer are slim these days. To provide such a high discount they would have to jack up the MSRP much higher and then make it look like a deal for you. The citizens of the US have spoken (loudly) that they want low prices and are willing to forgo quality service, so higher MSRP's would hurt the retailers.

izzyandal Loc: Hilton Head Island

I took one for the team. I have the scars to prove it.

waykee7 Loc: Cortez, Colorado

Izzyandal, thank you for your service.

cthahn

Obviously you have never been in business for yourself and think that everyone works on a very profit margine, 50% and higher. Start a camera store and find out.

Leon S Loc: Minnesota

There are a lot of vets out there who have served and don't expect to be carried for the rest of their lives. How about the people who carried the vets while you served. How about those who served in explosive factories making shells and bombs, that lost their jobs when service men came home from service. Those who lost their lives from industrial accidents, suffered from industrial diseases, often fatal, and went on with their life without asking what more can this country give me for their service. By the way, my family has served its share and then some, probably more than you. That being both in the military and in the factories. You my friend are obviously still alive to write your ridiculous request. Learn to stand more on your own and be proud to be able to do so. There is a limit.

rickerb Loc: utah

I appreciate your sentiments. I believe you are preaching to a choir that has been there done that.
I for one, definitely carry my Driver's license that denotes that I am a veteran, when I go to Lowes to buy home products and take advantage of the 10% off they offer to all vets. If you feel that me taking advantage of that is somehow un-American, then I don't even know how to respond.

Riverbud Loc: Fresno, Ca.

I have not seen a 40% discount but here is a link for Vet discounts that might help.

http://www.veteransdiscounts.com/
http://www.veteransadvantage.com/cms/content/cvs-discounts-veterans-advantage
http://www.govx.com

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I was a Naval Aviator during the later part of the Vietnam effort. After about 6.5 years I left the Navy.

The VA paid for most of a flight instructor training program and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA)in the '70s. The total was about $10,000.

After that I stopped keeping track of the VA system.

The last several years of my carreer I had to pay for my own medical insurance and spent about $35,000. A neighbor told me to check up on VA benefits. I learned the rules changed.

The VA has set up a system that includes a lot of neighborhood clinics to provide medical service to Vets. A four page form and 2 weeks of waiting put me into the system. Had I known, I would not have needed spend the $35,000.

Now I'm old enough for Medicare. Normally I would be buying a "supplemental" plan. I've elected to use the VA medical benefit as that supplement saving me a couple hundred every month. My local VA clinic is very good at preventative medicine. I'm getting all the appropriate exams to watch for things that can get fixed.

Once in the VA medical system you have the option of getting a VA wallet card. The VA emphasizes it is not an official identity care but is provided as a convenience. Your existing picture ID is now more important. However, that card is frequently accepted by merchants. I've been offered discounts on everything from clothes and restaurants to museums.

One interesting surprise was the discounts provided by cell phone providers. On presentation of a DD214 copy, Verizon discounts my bill 10% every month.

The most bizarre part of my story is embarrassing. On one of my routine visits to the local VA medical clinic there was a VFW volunteer at a desk with a small sign asking to report if you have had prostate cancer. I have and, after significant surgery several years ago, I got rid of it. The volunteer helped me fill out about 8 pages of paperwork. It seems that if you were in Vietnam and have had prostate cancer, it is now assumed you may have caught it there. Therefore, by the VA's definition, I am disabled. I was not expecting it, but 18 months after filling out the paper work they send me money every month. The also sent a retroactive payment back to the date of filing.

I know this is long, but one more strange circumstance. Now that I'm "disabled" I can camp in my RV for free in Washington and Oregon State Parks. Normally it's about $30 a night for campsites with RV connections. Entry to federal lands, including National Parks is also free.

If you are a vet, or know one, make sure the benefits are not ignored. Even if you think getting federal benefits is wrong and choose not to receive them, at least know what is there.

rickerb Loc: utah

good for you.
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

warrior Loc: Paso Robles CA

Hagel wants to close commissaries Sir! (I see your 29 yrs
or Sgt Maj)