Posted on Feb 15, 2015
Are there any real benefits to using PXs and BXs in today's military? If so, what? If not, why?
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I remember back in the 60s and 70s that there were real savings when using a PX or BX on military Posts/Bases. I don't see that any more when I visit them, is this just me or are there others who feel the way? Why is this happening?
Posted in these groups: 
PX/BX
Military Discounts
PX/BX Military Discounts
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 24
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MAJ David Vermillion.... I remember it was great shopping in the PX or BX because the savings and quality of the merchandise along without tax, but it is still good shopping at the PX or BX because saving on taxes. If you see the exact same item in the private sector which is lower than the PX or BX price, you can match prices as long as you have a flyer to back it up the PX or BX is good for bringing down the price to out sell their competition. My wife and I shop at the Post Exchange (PX), Base Exchange (BX), and Navy Exchange (NEX) in our area, we know some of the monies supports the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) which is a worthy cause for the Military Community.
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MAJ David Vermillion
A great comment, I had forgotten about the return money for morale purposes. Thank you.
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MSG Floyd Williams
We bring relatives and friends with us as guest to shop on base, it is a privilege others wish they can have.
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I stopped shopping at the PX and commissary about 10 years ago.
SSgt Alexander Ingram hit the problems with the PX/BX/NEX AAFES whatever. The tax break isn't worth the price of the product. The only advantage I see is possibly to personnel stationed overseas (Hawaii is expensive as is Europe).
The commissary is another "resource" that takes a big chunk of our budget. In the long run I guess a married PFC/E-3 with two kids that lived on post would benefit from the commissary but, the quality of food not to mention service is pathetic. You can get better cuts of steak from Walmart.
As far as I am concerned the military could scrap both those programs and take the money to use for a real increase in service members pay.
SSgt Alexander Ingram hit the problems with the PX/BX/NEX AAFES whatever. The tax break isn't worth the price of the product. The only advantage I see is possibly to personnel stationed overseas (Hawaii is expensive as is Europe).
The commissary is another "resource" that takes a big chunk of our budget. In the long run I guess a married PFC/E-3 with two kids that lived on post would benefit from the commissary but, the quality of food not to mention service is pathetic. You can get better cuts of steak from Walmart.
As far as I am concerned the military could scrap both those programs and take the money to use for a real increase in service members pay.
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CSM (Join to see)
SPC(P) Lisa Carlisle
Good point! It also benefits the single Soldiers that live in the barracks that do not have a car, or families that only have one car.
If the military put effort into AAFES it can be very rewarding for service members and families. I just left Fort Bliss a couple months ago and that post has the best exchange in the entire military hands down.
There is a Buffalo Wild Wings, a Smashburger, an Irish Pub, a Texas Roadhouse, a Dairy Queen, an Under Armour store, all the usual food court fast food and a 12 screen movie theater with an awesome concession stand. Now that is what service members and families deserve on every installation.
Good point! It also benefits the single Soldiers that live in the barracks that do not have a car, or families that only have one car.
If the military put effort into AAFES it can be very rewarding for service members and families. I just left Fort Bliss a couple months ago and that post has the best exchange in the entire military hands down.
There is a Buffalo Wild Wings, a Smashburger, an Irish Pub, a Texas Roadhouse, a Dairy Queen, an Under Armour store, all the usual food court fast food and a 12 screen movie theater with an awesome concession stand. Now that is what service members and families deserve on every installation.
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SFC (Join to see)
CSM (Join to see), if we allow restaurants on post like Buffalo Wild Wings and Burger King then there’s no reason why we couldn’t allow a super market chain to open on post. In my area Market Basket has the best prices. They should do away with the commissaries and privatize. The civilian sector seems to get it right.
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I don't see much savings on price. The savings on tax is more than offset by the cost to get to the PX with fuel costs. Even without fuel cost as a consideration and no tax, it is hard to beat some stores like Walmart or BestBuy on large electronics.
Now Class 6 is another story. Worth the drive!
Now Class 6 is another story. Worth the drive!
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I was always of the belief that PXs and BXs offered lower prices due to taxes not being applied to purchases of certain items. Is this not the case? Was it ever the case, and did this change? Gosh, if this was never the case then I kinda feel dumb and would facepalm.
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MAJ David Vermillion
Thank you for your insight, I really don't know either. All I do know is that years ago the savings seem big, but like I been hearing on RP the big box stories seem to take away from the PX/BX. It's more like convenience and depending on your time , money and location I guess the savings can mean different things to different people.
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CPT Aaron Kletzing
Yes, reading people's experiences at PX/BX around the world is really making me re-think my assumptions re: the value of shopping at these places.
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SSG (Join to see)
It generally is... we usually hit the commissary up for about 300-400 a month and then supplement that with food bought off post. If I had to buy everything off post, it would cost me an additional $100 a month. The grocery stores always have loss leaders which are less expensive... however when you go in and buy a wide range of items, your always going to come out less expensive at the commissary.
The commissary system seems a lot leaner from an employee perspective, that your average supermarket. They close a whole day for restocking, and if you happen to shop the day before they close for restocking, they are going to be out of some popular items.
The commissary system seems a lot leaner from an employee perspective, that your average supermarket. They close a whole day for restocking, and if you happen to shop the day before they close for restocking, they are going to be out of some popular items.
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They are great for big ticket items like TVs, furniture and appliances. The tax saved on big ticket items can be significant. For other stuff like toiletries and household goods, not so much.
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PO3 Robert Peeler
I used them when I was in. Even when I had a car. Easier and cheaper most of the time to just walk there and walk back to my ship or barracks.
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I couldn't have survived without the base exchanges and commissary when I was stationed in Hawaii. I suspect that the same may still be true inasmuch as it's still one of the most expensive places to live. There must also be an advantage for anyone based in California where state and local sales taxes add as much as 10% to the purchase price of everything (a little more in some locales). Otherwise, I suspect it's hard to beat the pricing civilians enjoy at the big box stores and on line.
Even so, we see young families of those currently deployed from California bases such as Camp Pendleton in dire need of help. Several local posts of the VFW work with The Helping Hand Worldwide to send weekly truckloads of food and diapers to help them out. Not even exhanges and commissaries seem to be helping much there.
That being said, don't the exchanges and commissaries contribute some portion of their profits back to base facilities for the use and benefit of the persons stationed there and their families? I believe this was once the case...
Even so, we see young families of those currently deployed from California bases such as Camp Pendleton in dire need of help. Several local posts of the VFW work with The Helping Hand Worldwide to send weekly truckloads of food and diapers to help them out. Not even exhanges and commissaries seem to be helping much there.
That being said, don't the exchanges and commissaries contribute some portion of their profits back to base facilities for the use and benefit of the persons stationed there and their families? I believe this was once the case...
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LTC Herman Valentine
There is very little benefit any longer by shopping at the PX/BX and/or Commissary. This is mostly due to the special interest groups lobbying Congress. As a result, the PX can't be cheaper than the retail stores by more than 5%. The Commissary is usually only price competitive when it comes to meat products. I have a friend who was a post Deputy Garrison Commander who advised me of this. It's all by design, to help the local communities economically at the expense of the financial livelihood DoD families...especially young, lower grade DoD families!!! So sad!
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MAJ David Vermillion
Thank you for a great comment. I knew there had to be something to the fact that our savings has disappeared. It sounds like from your comment that the PX/BX could be a lot cheaper but by design try not to compete against local merchants.
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The PX/BX has one advantage over commercial retailers targeted audience overseas and tax exemptions. For example, a service member is wanting a new HDTV Best Buy has it for 499.00 plus tax (of course this varies from state to state) the PX may offer the same for 499.00 but no tax.
The commissary still has better meat prices but overall not much more than that.
These are my opinions from what I see and from talking with patrons of these establishments.
The commissary still has better meat prices but overall not much more than that.
These are my opinions from what I see and from talking with patrons of these establishments.
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MAJ David Vermillion
Great comment, yes I agree about the tax savings but it should better since we serve the country and make less than most people. Thank you for your input.
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Maj Matt Hylton
I buy the majority of my meat from Sam's Club now - almost everything is cheaper than the Commissary prices.
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Aside from savings from no sales tax? I'd say no. The Pearl NEX was oftentimes much more expensive than going to the local Walmart even after the sales tax savings.
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SSG (Join to see)
Ill take the NEX over driving (and parking) to the closest walmart to pearl. I promise!
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SSgt (Join to see)
SSG (Join to see) Not the Pearl NEX, trust me. It is just as much, if not more, of a nightmare than any given Walmart.
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If every installation had what Fort Bliss currently has, it is a true benefit to the military community.
http://freedomcrossingatfortbliss.com/
http://freedomcrossingatfortbliss.com/
Freedom Crossing at Fort Bliss
Freedom Crossing at Fort Bliss, the first-ever shopping, entertainment, and dining shopping center on a U.S. military installation.
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In today's world of Wal-Mart and all the "Dollar" stores, about the only real savings I have seen are on big ticket items for the sales tax savings and tobacco products for the same reason.
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