TexasCHLforum.com

On-line exchange to open in 2017: (maybe?)

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2016 ... -2017.html

Cool. I've been out a long time, but I wonder how often it'll beat Amazon.

About time. Wonder how they will validate eligibility? I see long delays as folks wait to hear that their DD-214 has been received but not yet reviewed.

A military retail board has approved it. But....

"Pentagon officials confirmed that the proposal is still under consideration."

So we'll see.

BTW, you can window shop: https://www.shopmyexchange.com/

I've made three attempts since I first applied for my CHL back in 2002 to obtain another copy of my DD-214. Two were by methods advised here on this forum. So far, none have been successful. The application just seems to fade away into oblivion and no one knows anything about it and I'm told to do another one. I think the only thing I haven't tried yet is a paid service and it hasn't been that important yet to go that route.

Amazon might be tough to beat.

Way back in the day (77-83) I found that (stateside) the exchange had a hard time beating Walmart, at least on day-to-day stuff. It was convenient when living on base but when we lived off-base we didn't hit it that often. Funny thing was that when I was stationed at Ft. Stewart we'd make occasional runs down to the Jacksonville NAS exchange because they did have some great deals.

Currently, for retirees, verification only requires your last name, DOB, and last 4. I don't know if they'll do it the same way for all vets.

When I first joined the USAF, the exchange was a great resource with prices that were unbeatable. Later, they decided that AAFES could not be in competition with local stores. Forget the fact that it was a pretty exclusive "club" that could use the exchange. Forget that we were being paid peanuts compared with our civilian counterparts. They could not be "in competition".

After that, you could beat the exchange price on pretty much everything. Looking around on the website now, it doesn't look like that's changed.

This looks like a benefit without benefit.

I've been retired now for over 20 years. In all that time, I don't think I've been in an exchange more that a dozen times. I've never ordered from AAFES online. I can do better elsewhere.

It will never beat Amazon. However, AAFES will price match with anybody, which often times lets you take advantage of the no tax, cheap shipping (for large items) and cheap service plans that work really well. I bought our fridge through them. AAFES listed it at $1900. Price matched it down to $1300 with another website, and price matched the free shipping too. Got the AAFES 5 year service plan for $59. 3 years later, when it unexpectedly died, the service plan paid me the current retail replacement price of a similar model fridge, which was $1800, plus $300 for my lost groceries. I then price matched the new fridge down to $1500, and bought it and the service plan through AAFES again.

maverick2076 wrote:It will never beat Amazon. However, AAFES will price match with anybody, which often times lets you take advantage of the no tax, cheap shipping (for large items) and cheap service plans that work really well. I bought our fridge through them. AAFES listed it at $1900. Price matched it down to $1300 with another website, and price matched the free shipping too. Got the AAFES 5 year service plan for $59. 3 years later, when it unexpectedly died, the service plan paid me the current retail replacement price of a similar model fridge, which was $1800, plus $300 for my lost groceries. I then price matched the new fridge down to $1500, and bought it and the service plan through AAFES again.

Wow now that's how things are supposed to work out

C-dub wrote:I've made three attempts since I first applied for my CHL back in 2002 to obtain another copy of my DD-214. Two were by methods advised here on this forum. So far, none have been successful. The application just seems to fade away into oblivion and no one knows anything about it and I'm told to do another one. I think the only thing I haven't tried yet is a paid service and it hasn't been that important yet to go that route.

Amazon might be tough to beat.

I got out of Navy in 1983. Last year I requested and received a copy of my DD-214 in less than two weeks using this website:
https://www.archives.gov/st-louis/milit ... ompfs.html

bblhd672 wrote:

C-dub wrote:I've made three attempts since I first applied for my CHL back in 2002 to obtain another copy of my DD-214. Two were by methods advised here on this forum. So far, none have been successful. The application just seems to fade away into oblivion and no one knows anything about it and I'm told to do another one. I think the only thing I haven't tried yet is a paid service and it hasn't been that important yet to go that route.

Amazon might be tough to beat.

I got out of Navy in 1983. Last year I requested and received a copy of my DD-214 in less than two weeks using this website:
https://www.archives.gov/st-louis/milit ... ompfs.html

I separated in 1980 and easily got my DD-214 the same way. Took no time at all.
Why in the world do we even need a BX system for folks in the U.S.? Government doing what should be done by private business. I can see it if you are stationed in Turkey or some other overseas place but a BX or Commissary on a U.S. base is just a taxpayer expense. Pay the service people a little more and close this silly system down. The commissary at every base I was at always had inferior meats and produce compared to the civilian stores. Paper towels are paper towels everywhere.

For the electronics & stereo gear of course


Oh, to be young and stupid again.

C-dub wrote:I've made three attempts since I first applied for my CHL back in 2002 to obtain another copy of my DD-214. Two were by methods advised here on this forum. So far, none have been successful. The application just seems to fade away into oblivion and no one knows anything about it and I'm told to do another one.

Hmmm, you fill out the form, then you have to fax / or mail that signed confirmation page in. I use a free fax service. Like others, get a copy back in about 2 weeks time.

Having been an Exchange customer for my entire life (18 years as a dependent, full active duty career, then as a retiree), the Exchange system has definitely changed and not necessarily for the better. Yes, you save on state tax and they claim to price match (but it must be the exact same item down to part number), but in the last many years, only occasionally have they beat downtown even with the tax advantage. A few of the things I have bought at the exchange in the last couple of years (because they were cheaper) were a Garmin GPS, a digital camera, and a Henry .22. The Class VI used to be a good deal before it was taken over by the exchange system, but Specs downtown has a far better selection and pricing. Clothing Sales used to have great prices on uniforms and gear, but that too was taken over by the exchange system and now two sets of the new OCP uniform with boots and patches plus sewing will set you back close to $500. Gasoline is the same price as downtown (even though they don't pay state tax--the mega profits go to fund the subsidized child care). Some other retirees may call me a heretic, but if they were to close the exchange tomorrow, it would be meh. The exchange is not a competitor to Wal-Mart or even JC Penny's. It is convenient to pick up an anniversary card on the way home or to grab something at lunch time, but it is NOT the place I shop. They are probably opening up to vets in an attempt to keep their customer base up.

Now, on the other hand, the commissary truly is a major benefit for active and retirees.

Best thing about Navy Exchange for me was being able to buy beer, wine, and liquor on Sundays and get kegs cheap in Newport, RI... The Naval Air Station Oceana Virginia officer's club was a great place to meet ladies, who needed an unmarried officer to sign them in.... Even for Marines, and surface pukes like me.