Study shows 24-percent savings with AAFES

  • Published
A recent study of Army and Air Force Exchange Service prices shows that troops save an average of 24 percent when exercising their AAFES benefit.

Conducted in October 2010 by an independent research firm, the Market Basket Survey focused on the percentage of savings military patrons receive based on market, retailer and department.

The survey compared prices at nine locations including Baltimore, Md.; Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; Killeen, Texas; Omaha, Neb.; Tacoma, Wash.; Phoenix, Ariz.; Hampton/Newport News, Va.; Honolulu, Hawaii; and Los Angeles, Calif.

Due to the variations in currencies overseas, AAFES officials said they focused on operations in the U.S. However, the value proposition remains consistent throughout the world.

The results, indicative of the AAFES Command's ongoing efforts to survey prices both locally and nationally, reaffirm AAFES' commitment to providing the best possible prices for authorized patrons, wherever they're called to serve, AAFES officials said.

If shoppers do encounter a lower price, AAFES goes as far as to match the price with or without a competitor's ad.

For example, if a shopper spots a price difference of less than $10, the shopper notifies the cashier and the price is matched on the spot.

For price discrepancies greater than $10, shoppers need to bring in a current local competitor's ad to receive the reduced price.

In either scenario, the product must be identical to the item at AAFES.

"The Exchange even offers a 14-day price guarantee on any purchase made at the exchange," said Col. Virgil Williams, AAFES' chief of staff. "That means if an item is sold at a lower price by the exchange, or any local competitor, the price is matched up to two weeks after the sale."

Complete details concerning AAFES' price matching policy are available online at www.shopmyexchange.com/CustomerService/priceMatch.htm.

"Whether price matching or surveying our everyday prices, the results speak for themselves: Shoppers save at the Exchange," Colonel Williams said.

(Courtesy of Army Air Force Exchange Service Public Affairs)