With the talks of a proposed merger between DeCA and AAFES, who agrees this is a good idea to keep prices low?

2014-03-31T21:47:51-04:00

There are proposed budget cuts on the table that will reduce funding for commissaries 1.3 billion dollars (from 1.7 billion to 400 million by 2017), so some are suggesting a merge between AAFES And DeCA. This is just another stab at the benefits that service members have relied on to offset the costs of living since entering the service. I wonder where it will stop. Many SM already face financial difficulties, and reducing taxpayer support for commissaries will undoubtedly lead to price increases, worsening the financial burden on many. After 13 years at war, we should have the support of an entire nation, to include policy makers. It's tragic that policy makers and political figures look to the defense budget as a way to tighten up spending. What does the rally point crowd think about Washington's consistent lack of interest in protecting it's military and their benefits?

Article found here:

http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2014/03/exchange-commissary-merger-eyed-to-stem-store-crisis/

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2014 9:56 PM

2014-03-31T21:56:39-04:00

They can do whatever they want with the commissaries and PX. The only thing I buy at the commissary is meat, everything else is already cheaper off post, at least at FT Drum and FT Riley. As far as the PX is concerned, they pretty much cater to officers and sr enlisted with their prices and merchandise. You can go off post to any store and get what you need for cheaper.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Mar 31 at 2014 10:38 PM

2014-03-31T22:38:35-04:00

Undeniably, there is convenience to having these facilities on post however, it is not just for the active duty service members. We cannot allow ourselves to get a position where we believe we have the only voice, when we are in the meetings and steering groups when these things are discussed, we must remember those gold star families, those veterans that were injured and can no longer serve and we cannot forget those that served before us that gave us this mighty military we serve in today.

These PX/BX and commissary benefits are just that, benefits however, we must also remember that while some of these benefits are subsidized it does not always mean the prices are cheapest in the PX/BXs. I want that message to especially reach our younger service members, you don't have to settle for the price of convenience, sometimes you can get a better deal when you price compare outside the gates and with the technology available today (internet & cell phones) you can virtually check prices from the base stores.

Response by SFC James Baber made Mar 31 at 2014 10:51 PM

2014-03-31T22:51:43-04:00

While the commissaries add the surcharge which is similar to a small sales tax, if they merge the Commissary and PX, how long will it be before they have to start charging a "surcharge" via the PX as well to cover expenses.

While I agree that some things are priced higher at times in the PX, you can price challenge any item in the store with or without an add, AAFES policy is that for smaller priced items (items under $100) you don't have to have a competing store's add if the difference is $10 or less, but if it is more just bring the add and they match it, so that solves price issues on many things, I do it with DVD's, printer cartridges, toys, camping equipment, etc., all the time. For more expensive items you don't need an add for anything less than $30 difference, another perk is if you find the item cheaper any place else within 30 days of purchase will give you difference back in cash or gift card.

The commissary doesn't price match, but there is a trick to shopping at the store, give this a try just to validate it before disagreeing with it, payday weekends they raise the prices because they most customers shop on payday or payday weekends, go to the commissary on non-payday weekends and check out all the sale prices or markdowns, I learned this almost 20 years ago while @ Hood, and have been doing it ever since. It is true that WM does have some things cheaper or their own brands, but the commissary is a good source of many items not carried locally.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2017 8:08 PM

2017-01-15T20:08:06-05:00

Very glad this never got traction. AAFES has been a train wreck since they restructured back 10-15 years back. DECA is a model for what the military should aspire for in regards to serving the family first. They will typically hire a military family member as either a checker or as a bagger etc. Although there is a surcharge, their pricing model will put any grocery store to shame to include the walmarts etc.