Are there any real benefits to using PXs and BXs in today's military? If so, what? If not, why?

2015-02-15T13:45:36-05:00

I remember back in the 60s and 70s that there were real savings when using a PX or BX on military Posts/Bases. I don't see that any more when I visit them, is this just me or are there others who feel the way? Why is this happening?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 2:20 PM

2015-02-15T14:20:46-05:00

I agree Sir. The commissary still has it's bargains but I think the PX is just loosing the war to the competition and they don't have the corporate support to be competitive. You can find major box stores near every base (i think...at least the posts I have been to), and online shopping also competes. Tactical gear, you can often find cheaper at a off post military second hand store as well.

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Feb 15 at 2015 2:30 PM

2015-02-15T14:30:57-05:00

The PX/BX has one advantage over commercial retailers targeted audience overseas and tax exemptions. For example, a service member is wanting a new HDTV Best Buy has it for 499.00 plus tax (of course this varies from state to state) the PX may offer the same for 499.00 but no tax.

The commissary still has better meat prices but overall not much more than that.

These are my opinions from what I see and from talking with patrons of these establishments.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 8:29 PM

2015-02-15T20:29:47-05:00

I wonder what the source is? It's tax free, and if they just charged base price for outside stores, then they'd still make profit. :/

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2015 7:32 AM

2015-02-17T07:32:57-05:00

I stopped shopping at the PX and commissary about 10 years ago.

SSgt Alexander Ingram hit the problems with the PX/BX/NEX AAFES whatever. The tax break isn't worth the price of the product. The only advantage I see is possibly to personnel stationed overseas (Hawaii is expensive as is Europe).

The commissary is another "resource" that takes a big chunk of our budget. In the long run I guess a married PFC/E-3 with two kids that lived on post would benefit from the commissary but, the quality of food not to mention service is pathetic. You can get better cuts of steak from Walmart.

As far as I am concerned the military could scrap both those programs and take the money to use for a real increase in service members pay.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 17 at 2015 7:32 AM

2015-02-17T07:32:58-05:00

I can speak a little to this.

The Exchange system isn't a "bad" deal per se. It's just that Retail has evolved faster than the Exchange can keep up in the last 30~ years. With the advent of Walmart & the big box stores, the Exchange just can't keep up.

The exchange uses an older model of retail stocking, and hence their pricing is competitive with "traditional" brick & mortar stores, but is not competitive with a store like Walmart who has it's own distribution chain.

It's major advantage is its location on the base. Keep in mind that bases weren't always located with smack dab in the middle of civilian communities. They had to support what was essentially a large group of people "in the middle of nowhere." As bases became hubs, and cities grew around bases, the exchanges became less needed because the free market was just able to do what the exchange could more effectively. More stores, more competition, better prices.

Hope that helps.

Response by SGT Rik Thibodeau made Feb 17 at 2015 8:24 AM

2015-02-17T08:24:09-05:00

As someone else said, the real benefit is overseas. I'd been overseas my entire career as active duty and then as a DAC (16 years total) and of course overseas DACs can use the PX and commissary. The gub-mint sent me back to the US last year and though I work on a base, I'm not a retiree so I'm not allowed to use the PX or commissary now. For the most part it doesn't matter because I can find everything I need off base or online at the same prices. Where it becomes a hassle is that I can't just "run to the PX" or commissary during the day if I need something. I've been in both here and I haven't found anything that I'm missing.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Feb 17 at 2015 8:29 AM

2015-02-17T08:29:47-05:00

In today's world of Wal-Mart and all the "Dollar" stores, about the only real savings I have seen are on big ticket items for the sales tax savings and tobacco products for the same reason.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2015 8:43 AM

2015-02-17T08:43:56-05:00

If every installation had what Fort Bliss currently has, it is a true benefit to the military community.

http://freedomcrossingatfortbliss.com/

Freedom Crossing at Fort Bliss

Freedom Crossing at Fort Bliss, the first-ever shopping, entertainment, and dining shopping center on a U.S. military installation.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Feb 17 at 2015 11:33 AM

2015-02-17T11:33:39-05:00

I couldn't have survived without the base exchanges and commissary when I was stationed in Hawaii. I suspect that the same may still be true inasmuch as it's still one of the most expensive places to live. There must also be an advantage for anyone based in California where state and local sales taxes add as much as 10% to the purchase price of everything (a little more in some locales). Otherwise, I suspect it's hard to beat the pricing civilians enjoy at the big box stores and on line.

Even so, we see young families of those currently deployed from California bases such as Camp Pendleton in dire need of help. Several local posts of the VFW work with The Helping Hand Worldwide to send weekly truckloads of food and diapers to help them out. Not even exhanges and commissaries seem to be helping much there.

That being said, don't the exchanges and commissaries contribute some portion of their profits back to base facilities for the use and benefit of the persons stationed there and their families? I believe this was once the case...

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Feb 17 at 2015 11:36 AM

2015-02-17T11:36:02-05:00

They are great for big ticket items like TVs, furniture and appliances. The tax saved on big ticket items can be significant. For other stuff like toiletries and household goods, not so much.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2015 11:36 AM

2015-02-17T11:36:03-05:00

Aside from savings from no sales tax? I'd say no. The Pearl NEX was oftentimes much more expensive than going to the local Walmart even after the sales tax savings.

Response by PO2 Christopher Morehouse made Feb 17 at 2015 11:44 AM

2015-02-17T11:44:26-05:00

Well, as a resident of Virginia who was stationed in Virginia, I can say that I miss the prices at the package store for booze. Virginia has the highest liquor tax in the country. The price for a keg was usually pretty good, too, as I recall. Not, that I need those very often...

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Feb 17 at 2015 11:54 AM

2015-02-17T11:54:53-05:00

MAJ David Vermillion.... I remember it was great shopping in the PX or BX because the savings and quality of the merchandise along without tax, but it is still good shopping at the PX or BX because saving on taxes. If you see the exact same item in the private sector which is lower than the PX or BX price, you can match prices as long as you have a flyer to back it up the PX or BX is good for bringing down the price to out sell their competition. My wife and I shop at the Post Exchange (PX), Base Exchange (BX), and Navy Exchange (NEX) in our area, we know some of the monies supports the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) which is a worthy cause for the Military Community.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Feb 17 at 2015 12:08 PM

2015-02-17T12:08:41-05:00

I was always of the belief that PXs and BXs offered lower prices due to taxes not being applied to purchases of certain items. Is this not the case? Was it ever the case, and did this change? Gosh, if this was never the case then I kinda feel dumb and would facepalm.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2015 12:29 PM

2015-02-17T12:29:10-05:00

I don't see much savings on price. The savings on tax is more than offset by the cost to get to the PX with fuel costs. Even without fuel cost as a consideration and no tax, it is hard to beat some stores like Walmart or BestBuy on large electronics.

Now Class 6 is another story. Worth the drive!

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2015 1:31 PM

2015-02-17T13:31:19-05:00

About the only benefit I see is for those Soldier's and family members who live on base and they have limited transportation (especially training bases).

The only other benefit, which I mentioned in another response, is the Class 6 store. Worth the drive to get there even when you live off base.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2015 1:45 PM

2015-02-17T13:45:26-05:00

PX is awesome, they always have water or a soda available during the duty day, besides that, rarely buy anything there

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2015 2:12 PM

2015-02-17T14:12:07-05:00

Bought two pistols at the BX and saved not only by not paying tax but also on the lower retail price. And money also goes to MWR. So in my opinion the PX/BX/NEX, Class six (especially in Washington state) and Commissary are great benefits.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Feb 17 at 2015 3:30 PM

2015-02-17T15:30:47-05:00

I started in 79. Back then there definitely were benefits. These days, in CONUS - don't bother.

Now, OUTUS, including Hawaii - it's not only a good bargain, it's vital to survival of the junior members - keep in mind that we have many junior members on Food Stamps...

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made Feb 17 at 2015 6:54 PM

2015-02-17T18:54:43-05:00

The convience of on-base shopping, minimal cost savings. None of the clothes they sell meet the base civilian clothing policy standards. Other than convience, they are basically useless from my perspective.

Response by PO1 Chris Crawley made Feb 17 at 2015 6:59 PM

2015-02-17T18:59:08-05:00

While it is more convenient to hit Walmart, I do go to my nearby base on occasion to hit the AAFES, DECA, and BXMart. I do save on many items, especially meats and booze.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2015 12:52 AM

2015-02-18T00:52:27-05:00

I think that a major point is being missed... Military Reserve Scotch. You know it's good if it's in a plastic bottle.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2015 9:18 AM

2015-02-18T09:18:09-05:00

I'm all in favor of a CONUS only Government owned contractor operated facility slap a walmart logo on the buildings for 20 years with contractual language that their prices must match the off base prices, with the benefit of no tax.

Keep AAFES/Navy PX for OCONUS only.

Response by TSgt Phil Burd made Feb 18 at 2015 3:17 PM

2015-02-18T15:17:23-05:00

Depending on what state you are in, not having to pay the sales tax can be a big benefit. Especially when buying larger $$$ items.