8 Situations Where You Might Get a Discount at Home Depot - The Motley Fool

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Why pay more than you have to?

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Key points

• Demanding what you want at Home Depot is unlikely to score you a discount.
• Military discounts are good every day of the week.
• Like many major retailers, Home Depot honors price matching.

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Within the social media website Reddit, there are subreddits -- online communities dedicated to specific topics. From one such community for employees of Home Depot, we picked up a bag full of tips for scoring discounts. Here, we share them with you.

Honey vs. vinegar

Like millions of parents before him, my father used to say, "You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar." Although I was never quite clear why I would want to catch more flies, I got his point. It pays to be polite.

One of the first things I noticed on the Home Depot employee subreddit is how often the subject of rude customers arose. And according to nearly every employee or former employee who responded, if you're rude to employees, no one will give you a discount.

Each suggestion found below is based on a customer who treats employees with respect.

1. When you're bold enough to politely ask

An employee named Ty wrote, "If you go to a Home Depot and you don't like the price of something, every employee can alter the price of any item up to $50 off without a manager approval. All you gotta do is ask."

2. By requesting a price match

Let's say you're shopping for a new drill or shelving unit. You've found it at a lower price at another store, but want to make the purchase using your Home Depot® Credit Card. Thanks to the retailer's low-price guarantee, "if you find a current lower price on an identical, in-stock item from any other retailer, we will match the price."

To receive the price match, you'll need to bring in the advertisement or a photo of the item and price.

3. When you find a yellow tag

A yellow price tag means an item is on clearance. Clearance sales are one of the easiest ways to scoop up a low price on a product you need.

4. By checking out the online savings center

Think of Home Depot's online savings center as the bargain corner of the store. It's there that you'll find the latest discounts. If you're searching for something specific, Home Depot makes it easy by allowing you to search for sales by department.

5. When you take advantage of your military discount

If you're active-duty military, a reservist, retired, or disabled veteran, you're eligible for 10% off in-store purchases, up to $500. To score the discount, you'll need to show valid ID. Military discounts are not available for online purchases.

6. When you ask about bulk pricing

Typically, Home Depot offers bulk pricing to contractors who spend a certain amount of money on a single transaction. However, some Home Depot stores allow all customers purchasing in bulk to receive a lower price.

7. By purchasing a floor model

Home Depot will sometimes provide a discount on floor models. So, if you're in the market for a grill, patio furniture, snowblower, or lawnmower, request a discount for buying a floor model.

8. By taking advantage of a "Special Buy of the Day"

Do you remember the old K-Mart blue light specials? If so, you know how this works. Home Depot discounts anything from kitchen appliances to toilets and gives customers a specific amount of time to take advantage of the sale price.

The name of the game is buying what you need while leaving a little extra cash in your bank account. If you're strategic about your shopping, Home Depot provides plenty of ways to save.

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