Save All Day with Employee Discounts

When it comes to saving money, Duke’s PERQS, the employee discount program, makes it easy to cut costs – from sunup to sundown.

With partnerships for dining, entertainment and childcare, faculty and staff can saves at businesses throughout the Triangle.  In all, Duke Human Resources offers just over 150 discounts through the program,

“It may sound strange, but having these discounts makes me feel part of a community,” said Jeanne Rabold, a senior analyst programmer with Community and Family Medicine uses a discount for breakfast at Biscuitville. “It’s something special that makes me feel more valued that Duke has gone out of its way to provide discounts for us.”

Here are just some of the ways you can save on goods and services by spending a day with PERQS.

Care for Your Kids 

On the way to work, parents at Duke can cut costs as they drop off children at local childcare centers. Through the Duke Child Care Partnership, employees can earn monthly savings at four or five-star licensed facilities. 

For just over a year, Lindsay Bray has used Raleigh’s The Learning Experience and Bright Horizons centers to care for her children while she’s at work at Duke Health’s Carolina Family Practice & Sports Medicine in Raleigh. Using the discount saves Bray about $200 a month on care for Camilla, 2, and Hudson, 1.

“It means I have more for the things they need, like food, clothes and basic necessities,” said Bray, a clinical athletic trainer/physician extender. “Kids are expensive and this helps our family a lot.” 

For a full list of childcare options, visit the Duke Child Care Partnership website.

The Most Important Meal

At least once a month, Rabold rolls up to the Biscuitville drive-thru on Chapel Hill Boulevard in Durham and orders a breakfast of coffee, scrambled eggs with turkey sausage or bacon and a muffin. It’s a little treat she gives herself on her way to work, but she’s also acting kind to her wallet – she saves 10 percent off each purchase.

“The selection of food is good and the people there are very friendly,” Rabold said. 

PERQS provides discounts at five different Biscuitville locations in Durham. Just show a valid DukeCard ID at purchase and save. 

Additional breakfast options that offer a PERQS discount can be found on this PERQS page.

A Quick Tune-Up

If your car gives you trouble on the way to work, there are several options in Durham that offer discounts on parts and service, whether it’s for a new tire or oil change.

Massengill’s Auto Service on Rigsbee Avenue provides a 10 percent discount to all employees and offers shuttle service if they have to hold onto a vehicle. West Morgan Street’s Tire King Complete Car Care also provides a 10 percent discount on oil changes and will even rotate tires for free.

Find a full listing of automotive discounts on the PERQS website.

Share Lunch with Coworkers

Alivia's is just one lunch spot where Duke employees can save. Photo by April Dudash.

No matter what kind of food you might be looking for, PERQS offers plenty of options when finding a restaurant to please tastes of you and coworkers.

Alivia’s Durham Bistro, with American fare, offers 10 percent off, and employees can fill up at the Jade Buffet while saving 10 percent, too. 

“My family and my colleagues at Duke love dining at El Rodeo restaurant off of University Drive,” said Anne Jones, a staff assistant at the Nicholas School of the Environment who saves 10 percent at the Mexican restaurant. “The staff there are so friendly and kind and now they recognize me as a Duke employee.”

See where else to save on burgers, buffalo wings and more on the PERQS website.

Work Out at Work

Among the many workout features at Brodie and Wilson recreation centers is this climbing wall. Photo courtesy of Duke Recreation.

If you’d rather get a little sweaty during a lunch break, faculty and staff can sign up for discounted memberships at gyms, including Duke’s own Brodie (East Campus) and Wilson (West Campus) recreation centers.

Through the Duke Fitness Club, employees can save 10 percent on monthly costs for an individual membership. Both centers include a variety of cardio and weight equipment, as well as a pool and racquetball courts. Wilson even offers a rock-climbing wall.

Membership information is available online.

Grab Some Groceries 

If you find yourself scrambling with what to make for dinner, know there are plenty of options at BJ’s Membership Club, which sells items in bulk from meats to fruits and vegetables. Duke employees not only get $10 off a $50 “Inner Circle” membership fee, but a bonus three months for free. A second option to join BJ’s “Rewards” membership costs $80 annually instead of $100, allows you to earn 2 percent back on every purchase and also provides three extra months for free.

“I probably save between $50 and $70 a week on groceries, paper products or medicine like ibuprofen,” said Rita Williams, a patient account associate at Duke’s Private Diagnostic Clinic, who feeds three children and her mother along with herself and husband. “The only thing we’ve never bought there is a computer.” 

Visit the PERQS website for complete details and an application.

Want to start saving? Find discounts on clothing, travel, movies and more on the PERQS website.