CAP Discount for Buds Police Supply

[RADIOMAN015]

On credit though you change from ACH payment network to another and I believe that the cost per transaction is higher which is why the original question was raised.   The merchant usually is absorbing 2 - 3 percent on the purchase for the convenience...

Ah. In any event, this is a great benefit and I hope our members take advantage of it? You might want to generate an email to NHQ to so that it can be added to the benefits section.

It is highly unlikely that CAP NHQ is going to specifically get & publish that CAP members can buy guns and weapon accessories as part of their membership benefits.   Our benefits should be geared to what our missions are--ain't too many "gun slinging" CAP members showing up at CAP activities

Now if that company has chosen to do that for CAP members, that's their business decision and they could advertise on the internet and other means.
RM

[Eclipse]

^ so...

You called them to set them straight and they told you to mind your own business?

[RADIOMAN015]

^ so...

You called them to set them straight and they told you to mind your own business?

I've never called anyone on any CAP benefit, I think you are the troll in this discussion
RM

[Major Lord]

Those of us who carry firearms for a living appreciate the gesture of a discount, even if its only a token one. Those who buy firearms for self defense , recreation, or collectors, appreciate the offer just as much. I always try to support my brick and mortar gunshop in town, but they are such pirates on pricing I generally go to Gunbrokers.com and shop for the really good pricing. I suppose its a little unfair to the local dealer, but he can't compete against the Open Market for guns, and can't compete against Walmart for ammo, and times are tight.....

Major Lord

[davidsinn]

ain't too many "gun slinging" CAP members showing up at CAP activities

You would really be surprised. Now all of the members that I know that carry do not do it in uniform but I know quite a few that have CCWs and do carry in civis.

[JC004]

...
Our benefits should be geared to what our missions are
...

Whatever you say.  I'm going to tell my volunteers that I best not see them eating a cheeseburger off duty or walking down the street wearing a pair of pants that they got a nice discount on.  I want them to keep giving me their time, energy, and vast amounts of money in tough economic times and I will show my appreciation with an award they have to buy.  Luckily CAP isn't expensive and doesn't take limited resources from people in a time with high unemployment and under employment. 

[RADIOMAN015]

...
Our benefits should be geared to what our missions are
...

Whatever you say.  I'm going to tell my volunteers that I best not see them eating a cheeseburger off duty or walking down the street wearing a pair of pants that they got a nice discount on.  I want them to keep giving me their time, energy, and vast amounts of money in tough economic times and I will show my appreciation with an award they have to buy.  Luckily CAP isn't expensive and doesn't take limited resources from people in a time with high unemployment and under employment.

Well, perhaps I could modify my opinion a bit on this.    What one does locally regarding discounts (as an example short order type food) is up to the unit.  I just don't see CAP nationwide getting a "mcCAP burger" discounted.

IF it is costing the member too much money (in relation to their financial resources) to be in CAP they should find something less expensive to volunteer for OR CAP as an organization, needs to ensure that the overall cost of membership (dues, uniforms, and training) remains at the lowest cost possible to the member.  That is probably more important than any membership external benefit will ever be.
RM 
     

[DakRadz]

I just don't see CAP nationwide getting a "mcCAP burger" discounted.

RM 
     

It only sounds right if you say it as "micSeeAyePea burger."

Just saying.

[JC004]

Cheeseburgers or something else non-duty-related, it's irrelevant.  It happens to be a restaurant that sells that sort of thing in my organization's case because I know the business owner.  I only have 150 volunteers for my local organization - so I don't attract the big benefit deals and I can't do one with cell phone discounts on personal accounts until we get some more corporate phones. 

We have other benefits that I set up at my organization (credit union, discounts at other stores, etc.) - that's just the example I picked because it's clearly not duty-related (although the owner does donate catering for our volunteer training - that's closer.  Good guy - won't even ACCEPT a donation letter or publicity for the catering at big events.). 

You are seriously saying that if CAP is too expensive, it's too [darn] bad?  They should go elsewhere?  Really?  Where I come from originally, I've known many parents especially who have struggled with the costs of CAP to help their kid(s).  Too [darn] bad?  I know Western MA has its share of low income people too.  Too [darn] bad for them?  Seems to me CAP can really help kids who are caught up in that cycle.  I've seen it myself and I can attest to it.

So what if that particular group wouldn't buy the product we're offering a discount on?  Others would and many people are struggling right now.  Why not offer a discount on clothing like my organization does?  CAP can offer the very same discount.  Why not, if we could secure them, offer discounts on computers?  Would they have to be for your official CAP duties only?  What about cell phones?  We are probably eligible to offer that on personal cell phone accounts RIGHT NOW.  Screw them if the phone doesn't meet your standard of being used often enough for CAP?

I see nothing wrong with offering CAP members discounts and deals as a thank-you for all they do, as well as a way to help them with the extraordinary cost of CAP.  In recent years, I've seen two universities offer discounts specifically for CAP.  Screw that!  College steals our cadets!  Horrible discount idea!  I'm all about offering discounts for all sorts of things - duty-related and NOT. 

Offer discounts to members AND reduce the overall cost of CAP where possible.  How about that?

[Eclipse]

Not to mention, but apparently lost here, is that a "discount" is a attractant for the business.  The proprietor might not make as much profit on
those particular sales, but they are getting the business, and just as important, their competition isn't.  In some spaces, who isn't getting the
business is as important as who is, which is why some companies will dump product at a loss to kill their competition.

I would never expect a retail (online or B&M) business to sell me anything at an actual loss, that's a bad idea for everyone.  But a little less profit as a combo "thank you for being someone who tries to help", and "please tell your friends" is a win for everyone.

Direct-buys from manufacturers are a different ball game.  Those $190 sunglasses cost about $10-20 to make and the rest is shipping and markup.  If
a manufacturer wants to sell me something as a "thank you" and "show your friends", good on them.  Cheap advertising and goodwill at little to any "real" cost to the manufacturer.

[lordmonar]

Not to mention that the buisness gets customers.

Someone out there in the market for a firearm....well now they may check out Bud's instead of his competetors.

AS for our "offical" benifits....we get deals on insurance, cell phones, magazine subscriptions, travel discounts (including cruise ships), a discount at officer max, computers....and aviation products.

So....National should not have cut these deals for us because the are not mission related?

Cynical a bit?

[♠SARKID♠]

All,

I know the owners of Bud'sGunshop.com which operates Budspolicesupply.com

They will allow Civil Air Patrol members to submit their current and valid CAP ID to use as a qualification for LE / Military discount on firearms.

LE / Discount information is here: http://go.hea.biz/capdiscount  Please click on the link to view so that they will know we are serious about the program.

Of course these items are for PERSONAL use and not for use during CAP activities.  Note that a Commercial Pilots license also qualifies.  The discounts are pretty substantial on firearms when you compare Smith and & Wesson LE to Civilian pricing.

Enjoy.

OUTFREAKINGSTANDING!!!

[JC004]

HARRIS.  HOW DARE YOU SUGGEST A MEMBER SHOULD GO ON A TRIP INSTEAD OF DO CAP THINGS!  WANNABES NEED TO BE HARD AT WORK 24/7!

[jimmydeanno]

Wait, unrealted?: http://captalk.net/index.php?topic=12680.0

[Major Lord]

Since the lunch hour is upon us here in California, I started dwelling on what a "CAP Burger" would look like. Here are my thoughts:

Bun: Half-baked, for obvious reasons
Patty: Raw meat, for the Captalker's, Vegetarian for CAWG, missing entirely from NHQ
Veggies: A real pickle
Wrapper: Air Force Blue with Gray stripes for S/M's, Blue for Cadets, "paper or plastic" for CAWG, black for NHQ
Cheese: Extra Cheesy
Cost: Free- But you have to wait 365 days for it, and resubmit your request at least 22 times
Name: McCAP for most of America, but also available as a The" Royale Pineda Hamburgesa con Queso" for a select group of Lord Voldemorts' staff members

Major Lord

[Eclipse]

"Can I get fries with that?"

"Some stores have fries, lots of them, really delicious, too, but we don't have them here.  Too much work to make them
and it's too hard to get them in the wrapper."

"But I went to the store across the street, and the guys there showed me exactly how to make the fries,
and how simple it is to get them in the wrapper.  They said they've always had fries and couldn't figure out why anyone
would keep coming to this store if you didn't serve fries."

"Well, we tried to serve fries a few years ago, but the fry guy got sick, and the potatoes weren't delivered, and
then we got stuck paying for the oil because we lost the receipt from the distributor.  It's all their fault, anyway, since
they never do anything and they always expect us to pay for stuff."

"OK, whatever.  I'll be happy to show you how to make fries, I'll even come over on a free night and make some
for you..."

"Nah, we're good with just the burgers.  We prefer them plain and adding fries seems like a lot of work.  Hey, where are
you going?  Don't you want your burger? It's back here somewhere!"

Typical - you get a new customer and they stick around until they go to that other store, and then all they do is complain and
want more stuff.  I'm not telling anyone about those other stores anymore, they should just accept what we have here and be
happy.

[RADIOMAN015]

You are seriously saying that if CAP is too expensive, it's too [darn] bad?  They should go elsewhere?  Really?  Where I come from originally, I've known many parents especially who have struggled with the costs of CAP to help their kid(s).  Too [darn] bad?  I know Western MA has its share of low income people too.  Too [darn] bad for them?  Seems to me CAP can really help kids who are caught up in that cycle.  I've seen it myself and I can attest to it.

YES --- some people do not have adequate funds in order to participate satisfactorily in required CAP activities, in a proper uniform.  That's the way it is, unless someone wants to make some donations, so they can join and be able to wear a proper uniform.  HOWEVER, we can't save everybody, and for some kids it might be better for them just to join the local YMCA/YWCA or another youth activity that just has Tshirts with that organization's name on it for "uniforms"   


So what if that particular group wouldn't buy the product we're offering a discount on?  Others would and many people are struggling right now.  Why not offer a discount on clothing like my organization does?  CAP can offer the very same discount.  Why not, if we could secure them, offer discounts on computers?  Would they have to be for your official CAP duties only?  What about cell phones?  We are probably eligible to offer that on personal cell phone accounts RIGHT NOW.  Screw them if the phone doesn't meet your standard of being used often enough for CAP?

Most discounts offered by ANY membership associations usually can be gotten for about the same price by the general public.  It's always best to be skeptical on any benefit and check it out as a general consumer.  Hey, even the AF has that place down in Orlando FL which allegedly is cheaper for military personnel, BUT a travel agent might find something better for less costs.     

I see nothing wrong with offering CAP members discounts and deals as a thank-you for all they do, as well as a way to help them with the extraordinary cost of CAP.  In recent years, I've seen two universities offer discounts specifically for CAP.  Screw that!  College steals our cadets!  Horrible discount idea!  I'm all about offering discounts for all sorts of things - duty-related and NOT. 

I really don't know what the quality is on those colleges with the alleged discounts for CAP members, again as consumers, one would need to check that out carefully.

Offer discounts to members AND reduce the overall cost of CAP where possible.  How about that?

Discounts (locally and nationally) should be related to our missions (I'd like to see one for radio equipment, we use to have that).  That includes a discount for even simple food items like a pizza for a squadron activity.  I personally just can't get too excited about anything that National HQ would allegedly do for the members.  I would think that since CAP is more of a "local" activity, more success might be achieved..
RM

[Eclipse]

Discounts (locally and nationally) should be related to our missions (I'd like to see one for radio equipment, we use to have that).  That includes a discount for even simple food items like a pizza for a squadron activity.  I personally just can't get too excited about any that National HQ would allegedly do for the members.  I would think that since CAP is more of a "local" activity, more success might be achieved.

Excellent plan - instead of leveraging the buying power of 60,000 members, and a military-affiliated national organization with a  budget of >$25M a year, let's all negotiate our own discounts locally.

The CAP experience is largely local, I agree, however it isn't supposed to be that way.  We're supposed to function as if there are actually more people out there than the ones we can see in the room, yet a lot of commanders, at all echelons, forget that.

[JC004]

Well, since this doesn't make any sense, I am going to talk to make a special point of collecting as many non-mission-related discounts as possible.  It's late in the day, but I can get some tips from other national volunteer organizations some time this week.

Bob - could you help me with the CAP College Accreditation Program standards?  I've never vetted/accredited a college or university before.  I went to a university, though, and I've guest lectured at several for non-profit management programs, so I'm sure that I can judge whether a college or university is good enough to give a CAP member discount or be attended by our members.  If you can take half the alphabet for the majors/minors in undergrad, I will take the other.  We can accredit graduate programs later. 

On a side note, some "scholarships" that colleges/universities give are not actually scholarships, really - they're discounts.  In other words, no money is being moved around - they aren't taking a set of money from an alumni donation, for example.  They are charging you less for qualifying in some way - in this case, being a Wannabe.  Some give discounts for fire/EMS/police/military for real public service.

[Eclipse]

Yep - happy to help. 

Will be kinda DNI-I (Duties Not Involving Internet) tomorrow, but avail after that.