Many businesses offer servicemen exclusive discounts as a way of showing thanks. Still, a couple dollars off a pair of shoe laces may not be the big money-saver it appears to be. USAA provides a really handy guide for evaluating the value of a military discount. Check it out:

Military Discount Rule #1 – Do I Really Need This Purchase at This Time? The best place to start is to really confirm that you do need the item. Is this item going to make things easier, safer, help you at work? Taking time to truly understand why we want something helps us understand the purchase choice. Often times, the thought of a discount can sway us into buying something we do not really need.

Military Discount Rule #2 – Do I Admire the Company & Their Products? We all know great products and services that great company’s offer. We can all point to great technology, computers, and recreational items that we know and admire. We all can also point to products and services that do not meet those high standards. Discounts can potentially sway us to purchase items that are less high quality – do not be swayed.

Military Discount Rule #3 – Is Their Pricing Competitive With the Quality They Offer? Good prices should reflect the quality they offer. We would never expect to pay $100,000 for a Yugo – a failed Yugoslavian imported car of low quality. Look for products that are priced reflective of the quality that they offer sold by reputable stores and dealers. If you see high quality products sold by unknown stores or companies at very low prices – you should be very aware of a potential rip off or scam.

Military Discount Rule #4 – Do or Would I Recommend This Company to Others? The best testament to a product or a company is if you would recommend it to others. Social Media, the Better Business Bureau™ and recommendations from friends and family are all areas to get feedback on a company and their products. A company may try to overcome negative business practices with high discounts as a way to sway unsuspecting patrons.

Military Discount Rule #5 – Would I Shop Their Store Without the Discount? A discount should be an added benefit of buying a quality good or service from a reputable company that is offered at a fair price – pre discount. If you would not shop there without the discount, then why are you shopping there?