Money Moral Dilemma: Is it wrong to use student discounts when I'm a high earner?

msduncan1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82076983#Comment_82076983

Doesn’t sound like someone whom sees any issue with using a student account despite being a top earner, certainly would embarrass me if I was with them.

Cimscate

Technically not wrong but I volunteer at a large garden chain which is a Charity where people can buy a student membership for a year at very reduced rate. While I don't blame them for taking advantage of it, I personally find it quite annoying when someone does so and obviously is very wealthy. Especially as I give my time freely and happily as I love the gardens I work at and know what amazing work they do with schools etc

Jemma01

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82077101#Comment_82077101

If it was called something else and not "student membership", would you still have a problem with it? Do you use discounts and offers elsewhere when you buy things online? Do you use supermarket royalty discounts? Do you take advantage of your employer's discounted offers?

If this charity did what employers do with discounts and offers would this be a problem? The charity probably looked for a way to reward it's staff (and also sell something they can benefit from) and this was the easiest way to do it without creating their own version which would cost an arm and a leg to organise.

VT82

Crack on. Shops still make a profit even when giving student discount otherwise they wouldn't offer it. This includes independents too. They would rather you shop there with discount than not shop there at all. Use it with a clear conscience.

Pancakes75

Oof yes it seems greedy. As someone else said I would be embarrassed to be with someone who did that, particularly as you are in the top 5% of earners.

You do seem to have some self awareness though for asking the question rather than keeping it secret, so well done for being inquisitive!

John_Gray

If you are really a student, then it would be morally wrong not to use the student discount card.

"Use it or lose it" - any discount non-use by you might have an effect on all students by reducing the total range of discounts available. Make the fullest possible use of your "top 5%" income by spending using the card. Everyone wins!

elsien

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82076983#Comment_82076983

although independent shops choose to offer the discount so obviously factor that into their calculations

Badminton_player

Yes, no problem, use the discount, a business gives discounts to all sorts of people, like Forces, or Nurses who have good incomes already. It is just to get customers, like any other promotion.

In fact I find it annoying that some entertainment places in particular give discounts to 'students', forces, NHS & Police etc. as many students have jobs & regular income , and public service workers get good pay, but get to pay less than my 15 year old girl who has no income, and so I have to pay more for her out of my pension than better off people.

But you pay tax, N.I. Council tax, VAT etc. so I'm sure you contribute to society in many ways. Any company offering you a discount will be happy with your money, and maybe with your discount you will spend more often. Good for you.

keithyno.1

No, it's not wrong to use it. As long as you hold a National Union of Students card legitimately and haven't lied or cheated to obtain one, in other words haven't broken any rules pertaining to obtaining one. If the card entitles you to discounts then go for it! Retailers and other businesses who offer the discount to card holders will have built that into their business model so will still make a profit on those transactions - no one's going to lose money by you using the card.

Mishomeister

Sounds like a made up thing. NUS cards have long been rebranded into TOTUM in 2018. The fact that the author doesn't know this, means there is no way he is a student.