Barnes and Noble has an irritating new policy

[ebethmom]

I tried to use my 20% Educator's Discount at a B&N store last weekend. The card that I tried to use had expired. To get a new one, I have to present a letter from the School Board that states the authenticity of our homeschool. Argh. I just hate those hoops! For the last card, I just showed them our local homeschool organization's card and our computer printed homeschool ID card.

The store manager was less than pleasant. She kept saying "Just show us the letter that the School Board sends to authenticate your school." There is no such letter. We send in our letter of intent through registered mail, but the School Board doesn't respond. I know that I can call and have someone send some sort of verification, but that sounds like searching for a needle in a haystack. If she had been the TINIEST bit helpful, I would have gone ahead and purchased my books without the discount.

[zebra15]

Hummm, I didnt have any problem getting our new card. My store simply took the old card and gave me the new card (which btw is now able to be used ONLINE ). Maybe try a different store? A different clerk or ask for the manager? Certainly all the homeschoolers can't be expected to get these 'letters'. Or just do what I've done in the past, Type up your own letter, make yourself a 'homeschool coordinator'.

[dawningmama]

IME, this policy varies from store to store (and even frm manager-on-duty to manager-on-duty). The first year I got my card I had to fill out a big form and show my Letter of Intent. The second year, my hs group card sufficed. Last year they asked for a lett from the district. Then this year, they didn't ask for anything at all.

It also varies from employee to employee what they ask about/allow me to use the discount on. They often say "Is this for educational purposes?" which just makes me want to say "It's a BOOK," or something equally obnoxious about all things being educational. They do seem to universally not let me use the discount on magazines, though. I find that really annoying.

[annettemarie]

If that's a universal policy, it is extremely annoying.

Bethany, I've been asked the same "Is this for educational purposes?" question as well. I usually answer "Well, we homeschool, so it's all educational" and they smile and give me the discount. They've let me use it on Living Crafts magazine as well.

[earthmama369]

That's not a universal policy, just so you know. That's the specific manager giving you a hard time. We use three different B&Ns in the area and at all of them I simply say I'm a homeschooler and I get the discount card. One time one manager asked if I had an ID and I explained that there is no such thing as a universal homeschooler ID and that was that.

[annettemarie]

Hmmm... I wonder if it's time for us to stand up and be counted, and contact Barnes and Nobles headquarters to ask for an official policy.

[lach]

My understanding is that Barnes and Noble has an "official policy," but then it turned out that different states and different districts have different proofs of homeschooling, and lots of homeschoolers were getting upset by the policy, so basically corporate said "this is our official policy, but if the managers know of some reason why it won't work then they can just do whatever."

So it really depends on what manager you get and how much experience they have with other homeschoolers and how much they know about the local district customs.

[iamme]

Originally Posted by lach

My understanding is that Barnes and Noble has an "official policy," but then it turned out that different states and different districts have different proofs of homeschooling, and lots of homeschoolers were getting upset by the policy, so basically corporate said "this is our official policy, but if the managers know of some reason why it won't work then they can just do whatever."

So it really depends on what manager you get and how much experience they have with other homeschoolers and how much they know about the local district customs.

I had taken a year off from hsing. When my "official" papers arrived via mail this year, I took them in to our local B&N. They had me fill out an info. sheet, and handed over a plastic card, stating that we are home educators. The card is good for two yrs., and is also good on their online store. The manager said this was their new policy, and that it was proving to be favorable amongst hsers.

My beef has always been that they don't give discounts on the kits or games. I mean what?? We're talking Mensa games!!

I'm happy, as they are now implementing three educators discount days/year-which means 25% off ALL items!

Emma

[Savoir Faire]

What would they do in places like Texas, where you don't register with the school board???

[onyxravnos]

or in AK where you dont have to register..

yes totally is just a local store giving you trouble. I had no problem I just showed my homeschooler ID which I got from the homeschool coop people online filled out my info and they handed me the new plastic card. easy peasy.

[pigpokey]

When I filed my DOI with the county school board, I sent them 2 copies and a SASE and asked them to send me a stamped filed copy. So they did. One for them, one back for me, which was stamped filed and I think initialed by the clerk. I do the same with my monthly attendance sheets.

[pollyanna]

Well in Mass you don't have to send in a LOI for kindergarten so i won't get a letter this year but am still homeschooling. I also have heard some towns don't send approval letters. If my local B&N deceides that it wants a letter some people wouldn't have any and some would depending what town you live in.

Pollyanna

[mommy2maya]

Sounds to me that it is a privilege being abused by non-homeschoolers. The way I see it is, I'd rather jump thru the hoops and prove I am a homeschooler than have stores do away with homeschooler discounts because the masses have found out about them and abuse it.

[Dakota's Mom]

Here in New Jersey, we don't register with anyone, write a letter of intent, or even acknowledge that schools exist. As far as our local school board, we don't exist. I got an id card from the Homeschool Buyers Coop. Someone just posted a link to them a couple of days ago on another thread. Or you can do a google search for them. You type in your info, email a picture and they send you back the card in a minute or two. You can then print this out and laminate it. When I went to get my card renewed this year they took that without any questions being asked. But they know that you don't have to register here. I've never had any problems.

Kathi

[jake&zaxmom]

Here (NC) Barnes and Noble won't allow the educator discount on...text books!

[Zuzu822]

Originally Posted by onyxravnos

yes totally is just a local store giving you trouble. I had no problem I just showed my homeschooler ID which I got from the homeschool coop people online filled out my info and they handed me the new plastic card. easy peasy.

I just did this today. I brought along my home learner's member card and asked first. The clerk said many homeschoolers ask their district for a letter certifying they're in compliance and when I mentioned I had a membership card for a local group, she said, "That'll work!" No problem. The form was the same one all educators fill out, I just checked homeschooler at the bottom. Very pleased as my boys are so young. I don't have to file with the district for almost three until 2012 and this card will almost take us to that point.

[AAK]

I was told this year that they are wanting something to verify, like a letter. I asked if I could bring in a copy of my letter of intent, and they said that would be fine. But, then the guy renewed me anyways while I was there so I never had to bring it in. As far as what the discount applies too, the computer system rules all. They told me that corporate has made "definitions" about what it will apply too and that it is in the computer, they always try my card and it gets applied to most everything. So, to me it sounds like some of you are just finding snobby people.

Amy

[Captain_Crunch]

This is BN's Official policy...
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/bn-at-...ds2Pid=29387#5

[sebarnes]

Originally Posted by Captain_Crunch

This is BN's Official policy...
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/bn-at-...ds2Pid=29387#5

I read that and then called my local B&N today - even after telling them what was on the website, they require something different for our state. Not that it's a huge deal - I just have to bring in a copy of our notification letter - but apparently the 'official' policy doesn't mean jack to the individual stores

[Captain_Crunch]

Originally Posted by sebarnes

I read that and then called my local B&N today - even after telling them what was on the website, they require something different for our state. Not that it's a huge deal - I just have to bring in a copy of our notification letter - but apparently the 'official' policy doesn't mean jack to the individual stores

Time to find the corporate phone # and complain. JMO