No mil discount at Duxford
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: South England
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No mil discount at Duxford
Duxford is an excellent place to go, and an a very enjoyable day out, but on a recent visit I discovered that they do not give any mil discount for serving members of HM Forces.
I find this hard to believe since the museum would not be there in the first place if it had not been for us and our ancestors.
I do not mind paying a fair fee for a good day out, but how about rewarding our HM forces with a small concession.
I am sure there are lots of other military type museums that should give discounts but do not.
In the US they all give a discount, no suprises!
I find this hard to believe since the museum would not be there in the first place if it had not been for us and our ancestors.
I do not mind paying a fair fee for a good day out, but how about rewarding our HM forces with a small concession.
I am sure there are lots of other military type museums that should give discounts but do not.
In the US they all give a discount, no suprises!
In the USA the mere mention of being active military makes discounts jump out at you. Rental car companies and Hotels are two that spring to mind.
Try that in the UK (as a British serviceman) and you will be met with a blank stare.
Try that in the UK (as a British serviceman) and you will be met with a blank stare.
RG
Mentioned it when hiring a vehicle in the UK and the price jumps, if you're lucky, otherwise told to s#d off ... "insurance you understand"
Easier to just say 'MOD employee'
PS Was successful at another firm just down the road so it must have been a local thing with the companies I tried.
Mentioned it when hiring a vehicle in the UK and the price jumps, if you're lucky, otherwise told to s#d off ... "insurance you understand"
Easier to just say 'MOD employee'
PS Was successful at another firm just down the road so it must have been a local thing with the companies I tried.
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Bucks, UK
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Military ID works in outdoor shops though ... the same as MLTB, BCU, YHA, BMC, climbing club membership cards. It's a pity I can't aggregate them...
Flashing my RAF ID got me 10% off a new Sea Kayak a few months ago...
Flashing my RAF ID got me 10% off a new Sea Kayak a few months ago...
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: 250 ft agl
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A few years ago I was the ProjO for a visit of some USAF 2/ 3 Stars visiting the UK. They (accompanied by some UK 2/ 3 Stars wanted to go and visit Duxford. One of the USAF guys had actually flown one of the actual aircraft on exhibit and Duxford wanted to take some publicity photos for their own use, but no discount was allowed... Disgusting. 
Should we all hide in shame, embarassed of what we do as no-one appreciates what we do?? Very disappointing...
SMT
Should we all hide in shame, embarassed of what we do as no-one appreciates what we do?? Very disappointing...
SMT
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I got mil discount for entry into 2 nightclubs whilst on the ming last Fri! The first time I asked it was for a joke, the second I thought I'd chance my arm. Saved 2 quid on both occasions.
I've recently returned from a trip to the States and whilst there flashed the old 1250 frequently. Average discount is around 20% but I have had as much as 50%, on anything from food to fairground rides.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Tennessee - Smoky Mountains
Age: 55
Posts: 1,602
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
"Yes, I know we told you could have it, but we changed our minds......"
In any case, it may be a tad difficult to get the B52 out of there.
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: North
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
IWM
From the information on the Imperial War Museum websites the one in London is Free, the one in Manchester is Free but Duxford isnt. No logic in that but worth every penny anyway. And yes I wish I still had a 1250 it was worth a few bob.
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Despite being one of HM's RAF blokes, I'm from farming stock so was brought up to haggle for a bit of discount, and quite honestly if you think that to get get your discount you should just show your ID card all you deserve is 10%. If I can't get at least 15% just on whit alone then I give my self a good talking to.
Just tell the vendor what your prepared to pay for whatever it is, you'll surprised where it works.
Just tell the vendor what your prepared to pay for whatever it is, you'll surprised where it works.
Good in theory, but I can't see haggling going down well in Airlines, Hotels, Car Hire and Petrol Stations... unless your sidearm is visible 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Lincs
Posts: 695
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It pretty much sums up the way our armed forces people are treated and regarded in this country.
As Runaway Gun says, mention it in the US and you immediately get treated like a God, mention it in the UK and you are treated as a third class citizen, infact you will be treated lower than some refugee or illegal immigrant.
Shameful and disgusting.
As for Duxford, it just ranks with the huge amount of other 'attractions' under the heading of 'Rip-Off places to visit in the UK'
Back to bed I think.
As Runaway Gun says, mention it in the US and you immediately get treated like a God, mention it in the UK and you are treated as a third class citizen, infact you will be treated lower than some refugee or illegal immigrant.
Shameful and disgusting.
As for Duxford, it just ranks with the huge amount of other 'attractions' under the heading of 'Rip-Off places to visit in the UK'
Back to bed I think.
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: @exRAF_Al
Posts: 3,297
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I might be going against the grain here, but here goes.
I go to Duxford perhaps twice a year. I don't mind paying a little extra than I might otherwise be able to get away with, because I know it goes towards the upkeep of the fine aircraft and our heritage. If we aren't prepared to shell out to do that folks, then who is?
The idea of a Forces Discount card is a red herring. If you're obsessed with getting a discount though, phone Duxford beforehand and ask to speak with the duty manager. Explain that you're considering arriving with a party of 12 people (don't mention the fact that you're ex servicemen) and its your first visit there. Tell them that you'd expect to be spending £15 each in the food areas and another £15 in the shop. If the trip goes well, you'll be bringing more people too. Explain that you're as inclined to visit in winter as you are in summer. Imply dissability in the party, by asking about wheelchair access, they will have targets to meet and they'll love nothing more than mitigating the cost of their big doors and wheelchair ramps.
Explain though, that you're travelling 75 miles to get there and the fuel bill is horrendous. With that in mind, would they extend to you, a small discount or a special rate in order to make the trip viable? It'll take him/her ohh, at least 3 nanosecends for the idea of an otherwise lost £500 in the till to get a little flexible. Ask for 50% and then be absolutely quiet, don't say a word!! Let him say something. Be ruthless.
Same with anything, get the pitch right and you're laughing. I get my nice clothes from a few places and I always tell the manager (nicely) that I have say, £200 to spend, but I need say, £300 worth of clothes.. so it can be in their till or a competitors. I sell stuff that gives me margins of 80% or so. If someone came up to me with the right attitude, I'd gladly offer then 25% or so. Heck, I'd even go to 35 if the order was right and they got me on a Friday afternoon.
Luckily, they don't.
Of course, if anyone from Duxford is reading this, you're possibly buggered.
I go to Duxford perhaps twice a year. I don't mind paying a little extra than I might otherwise be able to get away with, because I know it goes towards the upkeep of the fine aircraft and our heritage. If we aren't prepared to shell out to do that folks, then who is?
The idea of a Forces Discount card is a red herring. If you're obsessed with getting a discount though, phone Duxford beforehand and ask to speak with the duty manager. Explain that you're considering arriving with a party of 12 people (don't mention the fact that you're ex servicemen) and its your first visit there. Tell them that you'd expect to be spending £15 each in the food areas and another £15 in the shop. If the trip goes well, you'll be bringing more people too. Explain that you're as inclined to visit in winter as you are in summer. Imply dissability in the party, by asking about wheelchair access, they will have targets to meet and they'll love nothing more than mitigating the cost of their big doors and wheelchair ramps.
Explain though, that you're travelling 75 miles to get there and the fuel bill is horrendous. With that in mind, would they extend to you, a small discount or a special rate in order to make the trip viable? It'll take him/her ohh, at least 3 nanosecends for the idea of an otherwise lost £500 in the till to get a little flexible. Ask for 50% and then be absolutely quiet, don't say a word!! Let him say something. Be ruthless.
Same with anything, get the pitch right and you're laughing. I get my nice clothes from a few places and I always tell the manager (nicely) that I have say, £200 to spend, but I need say, £300 worth of clothes.. so it can be in their till or a competitors. I sell stuff that gives me margins of 80% or so. If someone came up to me with the right attitude, I'd gladly offer then 25% or so. Heck, I'd even go to 35 if the order was right and they got me on a Friday afternoon.
Luckily, they don't.
Of course, if anyone from Duxford is reading this, you're possibly buggered.
This infernal souk-haggling gets right up my beak.
"I want to buy £300 worth of clothes for £200?"
"Certainly, sir. Come back with the other £100 and then you can collect them!"
The problem with the greedy few who insist on arguing the price of everything is that the vendors get fed up and just hike the prices accordingly. So if something costs £X but, being a chiselling git, you say you only want to pay £0.75X, then guess what - the next time you'll find that £Y is now £1.3Y, so when you say you'll only pay 0.7 x (£1.3Y), you'll end up paying what it would have been in the first place.
Except that a few, more honest, folk will have had to stump up £1.3Y thanks to the 'gimme dizzie' tight wads.
As for farming stock - since when did any farmer pay any bill on time?
If I was selling something to a farmer, I'd offer 15% off for 'prompt payment' - i.e., within 7 days. Wouldn't cost me anything - the price would already have been marked up by 17.6%, as .85 x 1.176 = 1.00, and most farmers would have a coronary at the thought of paying any bill within 7 days!
But Military Discount is another issue and a way for companies and organisations to show support for the UK's overworked, overstretched Armed Forces. It should certainly be as widespread and generous as it is in the USA.
However, a party of 12 people driving 75 miles there and back to Duxford? In a diesel minibus at 25 mpg, that'd be 6 gallons. Or 27-ish litres. So about £2.20 per head. Hardly 'horrendous'..... You'd need to find a better lie to be convincing.
"I want to buy £300 worth of clothes for £200?"
"Certainly, sir. Come back with the other £100 and then you can collect them!"
The problem with the greedy few who insist on arguing the price of everything is that the vendors get fed up and just hike the prices accordingly. So if something costs £X but, being a chiselling git, you say you only want to pay £0.75X, then guess what - the next time you'll find that £Y is now £1.3Y, so when you say you'll only pay 0.7 x (£1.3Y), you'll end up paying what it would have been in the first place.
Except that a few, more honest, folk will have had to stump up £1.3Y thanks to the 'gimme dizzie' tight wads.
As for farming stock - since when did any farmer pay any bill on time?
If I was selling something to a farmer, I'd offer 15% off for 'prompt payment' - i.e., within 7 days. Wouldn't cost me anything - the price would already have been marked up by 17.6%, as .85 x 1.176 = 1.00, and most farmers would have a coronary at the thought of paying any bill within 7 days!
But Military Discount is another issue and a way for companies and organisations to show support for the UK's overworked, overstretched Armed Forces. It should certainly be as widespread and generous as it is in the USA.
However, a party of 12 people driving 75 miles there and back to Duxford? In a diesel minibus at 25 mpg, that'd be 6 gallons. Or 27-ish litres. So about £2.20 per head. Hardly 'horrendous'..... You'd need to find a better lie to be convincing.
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Canterbury
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Duxford
I went to Duxford yesterday, taking my engineering undergraduate son and a friend of his (another engineering undergrad) with me. A great day out, topped by a magnificent aerobatic display by some kind soul in a Spitfire.
I paid full price to get in. The students got in at half price on production of their students union cards.
What does that say about their attitude to a 1250/MOD90 versus a student union card?
I paid full price to get in. The students got in at half price on production of their students union cards.
What does that say about their attitude to a 1250/MOD90 versus a student union card?
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: @exRAF_Al
Posts: 3,297
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hang on Beagle, are you saying its not ok for an idividual to ask for discount face to face, but it is.. if you've got a golden ticket? Or is that one step above souk haggling because there's a plakky card involved? Quite how that difference to the trader's bottom line would would prevent the scenario you suggest isn't clear..
With regards to your scenario, in a market economy, it just doesn't work like that anyway. There is no way on this planet that a retailer is going to put his prices up on the off chance that he'll be outhaggled by the few, because he knows that the competition is going to simply say 'Aha! He's more expensive than I am.. you can either try and batter him down to my realistic prices or you can trade with me, someone who is honest and gives you a fair price from the outset.'.
Legislation now allows you to add interest for late payers anyway.
I'm sorry. It has nothing to do with appreciation of the military or loyalty nowadays. Organisations and companies would offer Osama himself 25% discount if he pitched them enough card carrying Al-Qaeda members wanting to buy their goods. Its all about money money money, which, lets face it, is behind our calls for your discount anyway.
Another way of doing things is for the website here deciding to offer added value to its subscribers and customers (us). It could work out an idea of how many members would be willing to visit twice a year at say, £x. Then, is should approach Duxford with the data/carrot and ask for a Prune booking reference which it could PM to members wanting to book online (Duxford will want that). And because its creating a new reveue stream for Duxford, it should get a kickback from revenue raised, perhaps to improve services here (not that they're bad, but you get the idea) so we all win out. Together, all consumers are greater than the sum of ther parts. I hope to god they don't all realise that.
With regards to your scenario, in a market economy, it just doesn't work like that anyway. There is no way on this planet that a retailer is going to put his prices up on the off chance that he'll be outhaggled by the few, because he knows that the competition is going to simply say 'Aha! He's more expensive than I am.. you can either try and batter him down to my realistic prices or you can trade with me, someone who is honest and gives you a fair price from the outset.'.
Legislation now allows you to add interest for late payers anyway.
I'm sorry. It has nothing to do with appreciation of the military or loyalty nowadays. Organisations and companies would offer Osama himself 25% discount if he pitched them enough card carrying Al-Qaeda members wanting to buy their goods. Its all about money money money, which, lets face it, is behind our calls for your discount anyway.
Another way of doing things is for the website here deciding to offer added value to its subscribers and customers (us). It could work out an idea of how many members would be willing to visit twice a year at say, £x. Then, is should approach Duxford with the data/carrot and ask for a Prune booking reference which it could PM to members wanting to book online (Duxford will want that). And because its creating a new reveue stream for Duxford, it should get a kickback from revenue raised, perhaps to improve services here (not that they're bad, but you get the idea) so we all win out. Together, all consumers are greater than the sum of ther parts. I hope to god they don't all realise that.
Last edited by Al R; 31st Aug 2007 at 08:53.