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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Discounts for public service employees

134 replies

Doonewanker · 21/09/2018 20:48

Had a fb message earlier today saying that my kid's swimming teacher would be giving discounted prices for his swimming lessons for kids of police officers.

(Don't know what level of discount.)

He said that he hoped that in time he'd be able to extend this discount to NHS workers too.

I'm neither.

I understand police/BHS workers' job are fucking tough and that the annual pay increase is abominable. Along with questionable pensions, benefits compared to the past etc.

Is this a new thing? Do we now normally discount for public sector employees?

Not goady - not particularly bothered either way but genuinally want views.

He's on a public fb page. Noticed he's had at least 20 messages today from non clients saying they'd like to take up his offer. Great business advertising if nothing else!

What you think? Sorry if done before.

OP posts:
Original poster
Doonewanker · 21/09/2018 20:50

Not BHS - NHS obvs.

OP posts:
Therewearethen1 · 21/09/2018 20:51

My husband has a blue light card for being a prison officer and seems to get crazy discounts with it. I find it a bit odd but it is very common for emergency services and similar to get quote hefty discounts sometimes.

Gillian1980 · 21/09/2018 20:52

Fairly common in my city. Often see it advertised at all kinds of places.

LoisLittsLover · 21/09/2018 20:53

Yes, quite common in my experience. I do find it frustrating that my brother works in the marketing team for our local police force get a discount at loads of shops whereas I am a social worker and don't. I think it's hard to know where to draw the line.

Original poster
Doonewanker · 21/09/2018 20:53

Where have I been?!

OP posts:
Cheby · 21/09/2018 20:53

NHS workers get discounts in a lot of places and have for years. All sorts of places, food, clothes, insurance, nursery fees.

TittyGolightly · 21/09/2018 20:53

It’s one of the few perks of NHS life.

MacosieAsunter · 21/09/2018 20:54

Yes, I have numerous cards for NHS discounts. I just got 50% off a new kitchen, a further 10% off integrated appliances and 25% off the tiling.

Nicknacky · 21/09/2018 20:55

I have a blue light card which gives me discounts in many places.

Lazypuppy · 21/09/2018 20:58

I'm civil servant and i get extra discount in so many places!

Hobbes8 · 21/09/2018 20:58

NHS workers get quite a lot. The garage near work gave me a discount in new tyres because they knew I worked at the hospital, and when I popped back in and asked them to change a brake light bulb they did it for free. Some chain restaurants do discounts - I know Nando’s do. There’s something I can sign up to for a few quid a month that gives discounts on theme park tickets and stuff like that.

It’s lovely but I’m on quite a good wage so it seems a shame it’s not offered to lower income jobs. I’ll take it though! But I guess private companies offer discounts all the time that I don’t get - I know supermarkets give really good discounts to staff.

Original poster
Doonewanker · 21/09/2018 21:00

Sorry - I'm obviously completely oblivious.

As you were.

OP posts:
Happygummibear · 21/09/2018 21:01

Just to clarify... you are referring to civil servants not public service.

Those who work in the public sector I.e. working in the council offices are no longer civil servants so don't get these discounts. Police are still civil servants despite being under local authorities.

And no this isn't a new thing.... has been around for a long time .

lovewatchingrainfall · 21/09/2018 21:03

Wow my eyes have been opened.. I didn't realise that they get so many different things discounted. My husband works for the NHS and even he didn't know

MrsGarethSouthgate · 21/09/2018 21:03

@MacosieAsunter - who was the kitchen discount with, if you don't mind me asking?

Lougle · 21/09/2018 21:06

Yep, I've just bought a new Hewlett Packard printer and got an NHS discount. I can get an NHS discount on my printer inks, too if I buy direct from them through their Benefits website.

MilkAndSevenSugars · 21/09/2018 21:07

I get 20% off my EE bill every month, and so do 5 of my friends. Works out at a tenner a month off for me. Actually, I can send you (or anyone else) the code if you want as none of my friends/ family are upgrading soon. CBA till tomorrow though as Wine tonight Grin

Didiplanthis · 21/09/2018 21:10

How did I not know this ? I've worked in NHS for 25 years.....

gettingbacktoresearch · 21/09/2018 21:11

I have cssc membership as I’m NHS and that gives me free entry to historic palaces and national heritage sites plus other discounts for about £4 a month... I have also managed to get 40% discount on my O2 tarrif due to the NHS thing... I also have an NUS extra card for £12 a year for being a student with the OU and that gives me loads too including half price amazon prime....

NotUmbongoUnchained · 21/09/2018 21:13

Yes my husband gets NHS discount. He used to get armed forces discount too. I still naughtily use my expired NUS discount, nobody has noticed yet that it ran out years ago.

FaithInfinity · 21/09/2018 21:16

Yes Bluelight Card is good. EE and Vodafone do 20% discount off line rentals and with Vodafone you can add up to 5 friends to get the same discount!

Vision express do discount including free sight tests.

Shadow01 · 21/09/2018 21:19

Mountain Warehouse do a 15% discount for blue light card amd forces and 20% for nhs workers

londonrach · 21/09/2018 21:22

Ive worked for nhs since 2001.... how come i dont know this... how do you get this and why wasnt i told!

Fiffyshadesofgreymatter · 21/09/2018 21:24

I give 30% off to emergency response, military and charity workers. I think they've earned it. I'm sure other people probably deserve but that's where ive drawn the line.

Clevs · 21/09/2018 21:25

@londonrach

Google 'Blue Light Card'. Alternatively just keep your NHS ID on you and ask in shops when you go to pay. Some shops give discount that aren't part of the Blue Light Card scheme.