Editing Discounts and allowances (section)

== Dealing with customer characteristics ==
The following discounts have to do with specific characteristics of the customer.

=== Disability discount {{anchor|Disability discount}} ===
A discount offered to customers with what is considered to be a [[disability]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Discounts for Disabled People |url=https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/discounts-for-disabled-people |website=Gov.uk}}</ref>

=== Educational or student discount{{anchor|Educational discount|Student discount}} ===
{{See also|Computer lab#Academic software bundles}}
These are price reductions given to members of educational institutions, usually students but possibly also to educators and to other institution staff. The provider's purpose is to build brand awareness early in a buyer's life, or build product familiarity so that after graduation the holder is likely to buy the same product, for own use or for an employer, at its normal price. Providers also offer student discounts as means of offering a product within the budget of a student, which would otherwise be too expensive, thus gaining extra sales. Students may be able to get discounts on products, services, entertainment, and more.<ref>{{Cite web|title=How to Get the Best College Student Discounts|url=https://www.savingforcollege.com/article/how-to-get-the-best-college-student-discounts|access-date=2021-05-10|website=Savingforcollege.com|language=en-US}}</ref> Educational discounts may be given by merchants directly, or via a student discount program. Many brands like [[Apple Inc.|Apple]], [[Dell]], give exclusive discounts to students on their tech products, so that the students get to learn from the latest technology available making their work lesser. Additionally, travel websites also offer student discounts to help make travel more affordable for students. Some websites may also offer other perks for students, such as free cancellations or additional loyalty points. Students can get discounts not only from tech and travel but also from lifestyle brands.

=== Employee discount {{anchor|Employee discount}} ===
A discount offered by a company to [[employee]]s who buy its products.

In 2005, the American automakers ran an [[Employee pricing|"employee discount" for all customers]] promotional campaign in order to entice buyers, with some success.

=== Military discount {{anchor|Military discount}} ===
A discount offered to customers who are or were members of a [[military service]]. Types of military discounts include discounts for active-duty military, veterans, retired military personnel, and military spouses or dependents. In the United States, military discounts frequently require proof of ID to show eligibility such as a DD Form 214, DD Form 215, or DD Form 217 from any branch of the Armed Forces, TRICARE Cards, Veterans Affairs Cards Uniformed Services Privilege and Identification Cards (USPIC) or other official documentation. Eligibility for military discounts can also be verified online or via mobile by verification companies. In Australia, [[DefCom Australia]] is a similar discount card.

=== Age-related discounts ===

==== Toddler discount, child discount, kid discount{{anchor|Toddler discount|Child discount|Kid discount}} ====
A discount, or free service, offered to children younger than a certain age, commonly for admission to entertainments and attractions, restaurants, and hotels. There may be a requirement that the child be accompanied by an adult paying full price. Small children often travel free on [[public transport]], and older ones may pay a substantially discounted price; proof of age may be required.

==== Young person's discount ====
Discounts are sometimes offered to [[young people]] below a certain age who are neither children nor in education, for example:
*In the UK, 16-25 [[railcard]]s offer 1/3 discount on rail travel, and other discounts, in exchange for an annual fee <ref>[[Rail Delivery Group]], [http://www.16-25railcard.co.uk/ Get 1/3 off train travel with a 16-25 Railcard], accessed 13 February 2024</ref>
*An Enhanced Partnership in the [[north east of England]] offers fares of £1 for a single bus journey for all under 22s on any bus service in the region.<ref>Bradley, A., [https://newcastle.gov.uk/citylife-news/leader-welcomes-new-ps1-bus-fare-young-people-and-cheaper-multi-operator-adult Leader welcomes new £1 bus fare for young people and cheaper multi-operator adult tickets on the way], ''Newcastle City Council'', published 22 March 2023, accessed 13 February 2024</ref>

==== Senior discount ====
{{Redirect|Senior discount|the band|Senior Discount (band)}}
{{anchor|Senior discount}}
A discount offered to customers who are above a certain relatively advanced age, typically a round number such as 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, or 75; the exact age varies in different cases. The rationale for a senior discount offered by companies is that the customer is assumed to be retired and living on a limited income, and unlikely to be willing to pay full price; sales at reduced price are better than no sales. Non-commercial organizations may offer concessionary prices as a matter of social policy.<ref>[http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/for-your-home/aged-74-and-over-aud3/ Example of government concession]: UK residents over 75 are entitled to a free [[television licence]]</ref> Free or reduced-rate travel is often available to older people (see, for example, [[Freedom Pass]]).

In the United States, most grocery stores offer senior discounts, starting for those age 50 or older, but most discounts are offered for those over 60.<ref>[http://www.iweeklyads.com/grocery-stores-with-discounts-for-seniors/ Grocery stores with discounts for seniors]: Grocery stores with discounts for seniors</ref>

==== First responder or healthcare worker discount ====
Discounts specially offered to firefighters, ambulance workers, police officers and other emergency services personnel are called [[first responder]] discounts. Hospital staff may sometimes receive discounts as well. In the United Kingdom, the "Blue Light Card" is an example of a discount scheme available to staff working for emergency services, the [[NHS]], [[social care]] providers and the [[British Armed Forces|armed forces]].<ref>[https://www.bluelightcard.co.uk/index.php Welcome to Blue Light Card], accessed on 21 January 2025</ref>

=== Special prices offered to friends of the seller ===
A discounted price offered to friends of the salesperson, an attitude which is parodied in the stereotype of a salesman saying "It costs [such-and such], but for you..." In [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]], and the UK, discounts to friends are known as "mates' rates."<ref>[http://springwise.com/tourism_travel/interconfriends/ Mates' rates program at Intercontinental Hotels]</ref><ref>[http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/thework/1120246/ Kwik Fit 'mates rates' by DDB UK]</ref> In French this discount is known as ''[[wiktionary:prix d'ami|prix d'ami]]''. In Spain this is known as "precio de amigo" in Spanish, or "preu d'amic" in Catalan. In German the term "Freundschaftspreis" is commonly used.

=== Special prices offered to local residents ===
Discounts are common in tourist destinations. In [[Hawaii]], for example, many tourist attractions, hotels, and restaurants charge a deeply discounted price to someone who shows proof that they live in Hawaii; this is known as a "[[Kama'aina]] discount," meaning ''child of the land'' or a local resident.<ref>[http://www.honolulumagazine.com/Honolulu-Magazine/June-2009/Kamaaina-Summer-Discounts/ Honolulu Magazine, June 2009]</ref> It may be referred to in Hawaii or elsewhere as a resident discount.

=== Discount card ===
{{Main|Discount card}}
Sometimes a document, typically a [[plastic card]] similar to a [[payment card]], is issued as proof of eligibility for discounts. In other cases, existing documents proving status (as student, disabled, resident, etc.) are accepted. Documentation may not be required, for example, for people who are obviously young or old enough to qualify for age-related discounts. In some cases, the card may be issued to anyone who asks.

=== Coupons ===
{{Main|Coupon}}
Coupons are associated with [[Sunday circular]]s and help consumers who struggle to make ends meet.<ref name="OnlineDeal">{{cite news |last1=Dickler |first1=Jessica |title=For online shoppers, Friday is the best day to score a discount, report finds
 |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/06/friday-is-the-best-day-to-score-an-online-deal-report-finds.html |access-date=14 September 2024 |publisher=CNBC |date=6 September 2024 }}</ref> A coupon is a discount, either of a certain specified amount or a percentage to the holder of a [[voucher]], usually with certain terms. Commonly, there are restrictions as for other discounts, such as being valid only if a certain quantity is bought or only if the customer is older than a specified age. Today coupons are not only printed in newspapers, and brochures. Coupons are offered to customers at the counter after they have paid for their purchase.

=== Rebates ===
{{Main|Rebate (marketing)}}
A refund of part or sometimes the full price of the product following purchase, though some rebates are offered at the time of purchase. A particular case is the promise of a refund in full if applied for in a restricted date range some years in the future; the hope is that the promise will lure customers and increase sales, but that the majority will fail to meet the conditions for a valid claim.

=== Promotional allowance {{anchor|Promotional allowance}} ===
Promotional allowances are also known as trade-in allowances. These are price reductions given to the buyer for performing some promotional activity. These include an allowance for creating and maintaining an in-store display or a co-op advertising allowance. Trade-in allowances are most common in the automobile industry, but they are also given for other durable goods.

=== Brokerage allowance ===
From the point of view of the manufacturer, any brokerage fee paid is similar to a promotional allowance. It is usually based on a percentage of the sales generated by the broker.