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TEACH Handbook
(Updated
07/04 Word Document)
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of our
2009-2010
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Discounts Extended to Homeschoolers
I have heard that Wal-Mart offers a 10% discount
of fabric and notions for Home Economics related purchases, but I have not
verified this.
Many museums offer a special
membership to educators, so it is always worth it to ask.
Skip over this section if you are the type who has no qualms asking for lower
pricing, but I know some of you probably just HATE to haggle. First off, you are
a real "educator" and don't let anyone tell you differently. Secondly,
you aren't taking anything from the store that they aren't pleased to give.
Businesses are used to giving discounts to those other than public school
teachers, people such as tutors, coaches, scout leaders, and others involved
with teaching, such as music teachers. The IRS gives tax breaks to the store and
the manufacturer for contributing to educational enterprises. You are also
helping their Public Relations programs, which love to boast how much they help
education. Hope that helps.
Types of Businesses to Ask
Homeschoolers have asked and received discounts at all sorts of places of
business:
- Arts & Crafts
- Bookstores
- Catalog Suppliers of all sorts of things
- Computer Stores (computer hardware and software for teacher &
students)
- Furniture Stores (student desks & chairs)
- General Merchandise
- Hardware Stores (For all those bookshelves and projects)
- Museums
- Music Stores
- Office Supply
- Science Stores
- Sewing Stores
- Sporting goods
- Video Stores
Who to Ask
Ask for the general manager in most businesses or for the sales person in
charge of corporate accounts at larger businesses. Ask that person if they
give an "educators' discount" BEFORE you tell them you are a
homeschooler. A "yes" answer will give them less room to wiggle out
once you do tell them you homeschool. If they say "yes," tell them
you are a homeschool teacher (No need to go into great detail.) and you'd like
to apply to get an educators' discount as you "plan to be purchasing
several hundreds of dollars of merchandise from them for your homeschool
within the next year." OK, so maybe you are exaggerating, but with a
discount and winning the state lottery you might!
What to Expect
The business may want any combination of the following, so be prepared.
- Always keep a copy of the letter you received from your school district
acknowledging your intent to homeschool. This will serve as the
"official" document that many businesses seek.
- If you are a member of Home School Legal Defense Association or Christian
Home Educators of Ohio, always keep your HSLDA or CHEO card in your wallet. This also is all
you need to identify yourself as a genuine educator.
- Have a written statement on letterhead from your school saying you are
authorized by that school to make purchases. It won't matter that you've
made up that school letterhead on your computer and your husband has nicely
signed it as "principal" so you may make purchases in the school's
name. (And vice versa so your husband can shop at his favorite
"homeschool supply" stores.)
Do you know of any other resources that offer
discounts to homeschoolers?
Please email the webmaster and make this page a great resource for TEACH!
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