Honorably discharged veterans will soon get to shop tax-free...
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  1. #1

    Honorably discharged veterans will soon get to shop tax-free...

    Starting later this year, all honorably discharged veterans, no matter their branch of service, will be eligible to shop tax-free online at the Army & Air Force Exchange Service with the same discounts they enjoyed on base while in the military. It's the latest way in which the organization is trying to keep its customers as the armed forces shrink and airmen and soldiers buy more for delivery.

    Adding 13 million potential new customers will give extra ammunition to the group that runs the stores on U.S. Army and Air Force bases worldwide as it fights Amazon and other retailers for veterans' online shopping dollars.
    Since hiring its first civilian CEO five years ago, the Exchange has upgraded the brands at base stores to include items like Disney toys, Michael Kors fashions and other top names. Like private stores, it's also imposed tighter cost controls, reduced the number of employees and improved people's experience on the website.

    "The intent is to really beat Amazon at their game because we have locations literally on the installations," said CEO Tom Shull. "We're leaning toward not just ship-from-store but pick-up-from-store and eventually deliver-from-store."
    The Exchange is adding shipping centers within its stores to allow it to send products directly from those locations more cheaply and quickly. Twenty-six stores now ship orders, and that will expand to 55 by the end of the year.

    Within the next three years, Shull said the goal is to deliver something on base within two hours of when it is ordered. That's possible partly because the Exchanges are already on base, cleared by security.

    The Exchange delivers most orders on the second day now. Shull said shipping from stores will make a big difference in regions around bases, which are often in more rural areas.

    Expanding online shopping to all honorably discharged veterans is expected to add about $200 million annually within three years to the $8.3 billion in sales the Exchanges generated last year.

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  2. #2
    Super Moderator Platinum Member USMC 2571's Avatar
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    Thanks. Mike. I saw some discussion on another site that questions how much savings would be involved etc but all those details remain to be seen. At first I thought it was being done primarily to help veterans, but I can see that the first consideration is competition with amazon.com, and that will be an uphill battle for anyone challenging amazon.com. Anyway, thanks for the post.


  3. #3
    I saw this last night...and think it's a terrific ideas. I've also heard that PX's, Base Exchanges etc may allow DOD employees and contractors with proper credentials (badges) to shop on base, maybe as soon as next year.


  4. #4
    Hey FTO.....

    Well.....I'm liking that idea.
    I sure hope Moffett Field still has a well stocked PX because I'd be checking it out right away.

    It would be like going back in time for me.
    I've stood every gate/post on that base for 1.5 years.

    Thanks for that nugget of info.

    (EDIT: oh....online only)

    Carry on.....


  5. #5
    Super Moderator Platinum Member USMC 2571's Avatar
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    I'm all for it, Wayne, just a bit disappointed that the main reason for it seems to be competing with amazon rather than mainly to help vets.


  6. #6
    Quote Originally Posted by USMC 2571 View Post
    I'm all for it, Wayne, just a bit disappointed that the main reason for it seems to be competing with amazon rather than mainly to help vets.
    Hey Dave....

    You did bring up a couple of points that one should keep their mental antenna trained on regarding just how economical it will be?....or not.
    We just don't know yet.
    I do hope it works out.

    A good night o all.....


  7. #7
    I applaud any efforts to beat amazon at their own game. Only shop there when there is no other alternative. Helping veterans is icing on the cake!


  8. #8
    Most stores in most any town are cheaper than the Military Exchange, including gas and food.


  9. #9
    Super Moderator Platinum Member USMC 2571's Avatar
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    Good point, Willie.


  10. #10
    I'm following this too - agree with Dave that it's not mainly being done to help vets, and it won't likely be cheaper, but if it gives another choice that takes a few $$ away from Amazon? I like it. And for vets who don't have easy access to options, it may be a really Good Thing (like for me, there are Walmarts and Costco and Sams Club all within 20 minutes drive, not everybody has that).

    Anyway, we'll see how it works out.

    s/f


  11. #11
    Super Moderator Platinum Member USMC 2571's Avatar
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    True---good for folks who have to travel far to get things.


  12. #12
    Haven't been on MCRD, San Diego for a few years, but the PX used to be the Rodeo Drive of the West Coast. If you were going to shop there, you had to make the money of a Colonel Might have changed by now.


  13. #13
    We went to the PX in 2008 when my son graduated from MCRD. As I remember it was very nice, and it seems like it was a bit expensive. They really have high quality merchandise...and Marine Corps items you can't find any other place. I bought a leather belt with a gold Eagle, Globe and Anchor that I wear on special occasions.


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