Cheaper clothes, discount travel rates and lower-priced movie tickets – sometimes, it pays to be a student.
Michael (not his real name) uses his university identification card to take advantage of the student rates offered by Greyhound Canada, an inter-city coach service, and tourist attractions such as the Ontario Science Centre. In April, he flashed his ID to score a discount to see the Tim Burton exhibition at Toronto’s TIFF Bell Lightbox. But Michael, 23, sheepishly emphasizes that he “rarely” uses it any more. That’s because he’s no longer a student.
“I know that I’m not doing the right – quote unquote – the right thing,” says Michael, who graduated from University of Toronto with a double major in English and political science in November, 2009. “But it still doesn’t really stop me. I save a few bucks and that’s what makes me happy.”
Michael is part of a cadre of strapped-for-cash college and university graduates who have come up with a creative way to save money: using their student ID for discounts even after leaving school. While some companies, such as clothing retailer Club Monaco (which gives students a 20-per-cent discount off all merchandise), offer year-round bargains, other companies are taking advantage of back-to-school mania by ramping up their student deals. For instance, Air Canada is promoting its Student Pass, a package of six one-way flights for registered students living away from home.
Matt McMillan, vice-president, external, of University of Calgary’s student union, says he’s aware of recent graduates who get student rates for things like cable and banking, but doesn’t think the practice is rampant.
Still, Mr. McMillan, says it’s important for students to maintain a good relationship with the companies that offer them discounts.
“The fact that companies do offer discounts – it’s beneficial to them that students go to those companies, and it’s beneficial for students,” he says. “Keeping a good nature between those parties is important so those discounts continue.”
Toronto-based retail consultant John Winter says companies often overlook the misuse of student IDs because they are still making a profit. Clothing, for example, is often marked up 100 per cent: “If you offer somebody 20 per cent off, you’re still making a very nice profit.”
The goal of most companies is to “retain and expand customer base,” Mr. Winter adds, so as long as these former students continue to patronize their business, the benefits of overlooking ID misuse outweighs the costs.
The YMCA of Greater Toronto offers discounted summer gym memberships for full-time students, and waives the one-time initiation fee for those who live in Toronto year-round until they leave school and start working. With an “honour system” in place, the YMCA says it trusts students to show valid, current identification.
Since its student discount is minimal, there is no incentive for former students to misrepresent themselves, says Lesley Davidson, senior vice-president of the Toronto location.
“The YMCA supports young people through life’s transitions, and from school to work is a major life transition,” says Ms. Davidson. “So if a recent graduate wants to continue their membership with us, but they don’t have the funds ... we will sit down with them and discuss their needs, and if warranted, we provide financial assistance.”
Greyhound Canada, which offers a student discount of 10 per cent off an adult ticket, has a similar policy of requesting a valid photo student ID from all customers who purchase a student discounted ticket.
“When a customer purchases a student discounted fare, we trust the customer is indeed a current student in possession of a valid student identification card,” spokesperson Timothy Stokes wrote in an e-mail.
Despite the company’s policy, Sherry Xie says she took advantage of Greyhound’s student discount after her friends told her the company doesn’t check expiry dates.
