Changes to the Joann's Discount! AAAAAAHHHHHH!

Joann's has changed their discount card policy for homeschoolers. They will send you a card, no problem, but to activate it you MUST have either an HSLDA membership card or a PEAH card. Ok, so that's not that different than the online application, right? Wrong... because PEAH won't generate a membership number for you anymore. You have to spend a minimum of $29.95 to purchase their membership card. :evil:

I'm ticked off!!!!!

I'm going to try to just take my curriculum in to the store and see if they'll do it, but the website clearly states that you have to have either a PEAH membership or an HSLDA membership.

 

I think that was the same rules as when I signed up a few years back, but PEAH gave out the numbers for free then.

I don't shop at JoAnns. I like the little fabric shop that is in the little town nearer my home... and the customer service is usually better.

 

It used to be that you signed up online, and entered the PEAH number online. Now you sign up online, but must have your card activated in store. So you have to show your PEAH ID in the store. It wouldn't matter if PEAH would give out the numbers for free because you don't need the number.. you need the card. The rules have changed and it stinks, big time.

Crazy thing is, you aren't buying a membership with PEAH. You are literally just buying a card. There is no oversight and no further contact. You are purchasing a product: an ID card. That's it.

 

Yeah that sucks.

Does AC Moore offer discounts? I shop there a few times a year (would more if it was closer) and also we now have a Micheals not too far off.. do they have a discount I wonder?

 

I vaguely remember Michael's having a discount. I'll shop at Mardel, Hobby Lobby, and Micahel's from now on. I just wrote the company a letter letting them know that I am not happy about the changes and that I'll be spending my meager dollars elsewhere from now on.

(I've never heard of AC Moore)

ETA: Last night I found a treasure trove of supplies (classroom, craft, and educational) at, of all places, Oriental Trading Company!

 

We have an AC Moore by us. I have been loving just their 50% off coupons lately(facebook and email). They have a selection of art basics at $5 a piece so I have just been going in and getting one at a time for $2.50. I just need some drawing paper and then some specialty things and I will have all the art supplies I need for next year.

I did not know Joann's had a discount. I will have to check into that.

 

If you go to their website and scroll to the tiny links at the bottom, one says "Teacher Reward Program." You put in your request for your card. If you are and HSLDA member, you're good to go. Otherwise, you must by the PEAH ID card set from the PEAH website. You'll have to show one or the other of the card in store to activate the discount card.

 

The website also says that an affidavit to homeschool is also acceptable. I know this because I just signed up using my affidavit and drivers license. If you have a letter from your school district that is also acceptable.

 

Ahhh.. yep Birbitt's right, if you go to the store you don't need the membership cards to peah or hslda

"Visit Guest Services at any Jo-Ann store
Teachers - require current teacher identification and state-issued photo ID
Home School Educators - require an affidavit to home school or other documentation that reflects home school teacher status OR PEAH or HSLDA proof of membership and state-issued photo ID"

 

We don't have any sort of documentation from our district or state.

I just called my store they said they had to have the PEAH ID card or an HSLDA card. I asked if I could bring my curriculum to prove and she said, "That doesn't prove anything." :roll: Neither does the PEAH card.

 

Some stores that ask for teacher ID , I just show them my OfficeMax, Staples and Barnes and Noble Teacher cards..that usually works.
I would do this in person and not ask over the phone. Barnes and Noble did the same thing but when I went in person and said that our state doesn't offer teacher ID's or affidavits to homeschoolers but I have these two teachers discount cards from other companies she said OK.

As for Michaels they didn't have a teacher discount...until now!! Now every Friday is 10% off your total purchase. You have to show a teacher ID card, but since they all know me there and I recieve the Knack newsleters as a teacher they were cool with it.

 

In Ohio, they send me a letter saying that I am "excused" from madatory attendance for the year. That letter should work fine.

What is PEAH?

 

I just went this afternoon if you have your old card and if its out dated they just give you a new one no question ask... so if you have a old card already just give it back and they will you a new one.

 

I'm with Jackie...What is PEAH?

 

I would just arrive at the store with a print out of the page that says what I quoted (the first page you come to when you click teacher rewards), and take with me the free printable id card from homeschoolbuyerscoop since you don't have to have an affidavit. Don't you have to have a log of hours? YOu could take that.

 

I lost my old card. lol. That's why it occurred to me to renew my card. The last time I went in, I couldn't find mine.

 

I'm going to send this letter and see where that gets me. Maybe if enough people draw attention to the issues they'll change the policy next year.

Your idea is a good one. I might try that once I get my card (I had already signed up for the card when I put it all together about how things were).

 

I'm still wondering what PEAH is!!!

 

http://peah.com/

 

Thanks, Crystal!

Though I can't see why they would accept this one COMMERCIAL ID, and not any others.... I mean, I could make my own Homeschool card just as easy!