I almost never buy anything at AAFES, because their prices are almost always higher even with the tax free advantage. They have captive audiences in some places overseas, but AAFES can’t compete with the likes of Amazon.com or Walmart.
Commissaries, on the other hand, are a very good deal if one buys a selection of groceries versus just searching for bargains. A Crest, for example, might undercut the commissary on some items, but they have much higher markups on other items. If one bought a typical week’s worth of groceries, one would save at the commissary.
I also agree with the article that the commissary increases AAFES sales. If people weren’t driving to the base for the commissary (savings), they almost certainly wouldn’t drive there to shop at AAFES.
I’m talking state side, not overseas. Overseas is an entirely different matter of course. The commissaries are much, much more important overseas. In some cases, military members may not have much of an alternative. They will be forced to pay the higher prices.
Another issue: if fewer people shop at the commissaries or stateside commissaries are eliminated, what effect will that have on prices? Will commissaries have to pay more since they are buying less from the manufacturers? Will they lose economies of scale that come from being such a big buyer? It seems likely, and that would further drive up prices for the military.
This is true.
I’m talking state side, not overseas.... What I hated about commissaries was the officers (wives) would fil three to four carts up with meat (in ‘72 to ‘74) and when the enlisted men got to get inside.....there was only chicken wings, gizzards and that was about it, left. Went to Kroger.
I respectfully disagree...there are many items that are much cheaper and as one example...the ammo in AAFES was at times 1/3 to even 1/2 the cost of the retailers in town...wasn’t subject to the price runups and gouging that was going on.
It all depends on what you’re looking for and the price match policy helps to keep prices in line with downtown...there are many deals to be had.
And what about the impact to those who serve on isolated stateside bases? The nearest grocery store to Edwards AFB is an Albertson’s about 20 miles away and I’ve done the comparisons...those unionized stores rape their customers...just one example...A 2 cup bag of Kraft shredded cheese at Albertson’s is $4+, at the Commissary, is less than $2. If Albertson’s isn’t good enough then tack on another 15 miles to the nearest WM...this is one way mind you and gas prices are over $4 per gallon...
Don’t anyone sit here and try to tell me that the impact on stateside folks is negligible to zero...not every base has a WM right outside the main gate...the EAFB commissary and BX are busy quite a bit.
I would dare to say that those bases that are in close proximity to civilian stores are doing a pretty good job of helping to keep prices down outside the gate as a simple matter of competition...had one poster on another thread claim that those stores were “better” because they offered tons of coupons...what they refused to address is the reason for those coupons...to increase foot traffic by military folks.
What does anyone think is going to happen to prices locally once the commissary is closed? The competition is gone...so then what? Same thing happens whenever the military get a raise, what happens to prices across the board? They go up, negating or eliminating the benefit of the raise.