Posted on Aug 5, 2015
Do you prefer to shop at a Commissary or at a local grocery store?
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I think it comes down to what you are getting and proximity. If I lived on post I would use the commissary exclusively. But as it sits, but 30 minute drive detours its use for anything but larger grocery shopping needs.
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CW4 (Join to see)
CW3 (Join to see), I agree with you about this. Currently up at TACOM, the nearest commissary is about 30 minutes away too, and we have multiple super markets, Walmart’s, Targets and Meijer’s. I still prefer to shop at the commissary when the convenience of travel permits.
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Depends on what I am shopping for. Some things are cheaper and then some things are not.
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CW4 (Join to see)
SCPO David Lockwood, I agree with that. I noticed over the last 10 years that the prices have steadily been on the rise, but overall I still believe that great deals are there to be made for the most part.
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SCPO David Lockwood
Oh I agree with you CW3. There are definitely good deals at the commissary. Also since my wife is Filipina there are a lot of Filipino/Asian foods at the commissary that we can't get unless we drive a ways. And then there are to local farmers markets that you can find really good deals there.
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I prefer shopping on the economy. Especially in recent years, I've come home to find commissary products are past expiration, if I can even find them on the shelves in the first place. Produce especially has been a nightmare lately; my strawberries usually have mold the next day.
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CW4 (Join to see)
TSgt (Join to see), this has happened to my wife and I too, but not only at the Commissary, but also at places likfe Walmart and Food Lion. We just check all the expirations heavily while we shop now and if we find something expired, we let a supervisor know.
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TSgt (Join to see)
CW4 (Join to see), I've been lucky off base, thankfully! I usually end up doing a mad rush through the aisles because my son wants everything he sees, so I've been in "grab and go" mode lately when it comes to shopping!
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Well I'm not harassed for what I decided to wear that day at a grocery store, so I'll take the positive environment over the cheaper prices.
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SGT (Join to see)
Geez.. but now I am super interested what the courtesy patrol is looking for? Ie, what kind of clothing isn't allowed? Is it all civilian clothing? It can't be due to dependents, so what are they reacting to? What trigger the CP? And what a shitty assignment nonetheless!!
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SGT Kristin Wiley
Here's the policy, which I have no problems with as written. I'm not stationed on Schofield, so I only use the commissary when visiting friends who are. I've found out that if I dress similar to military wives and not a female soldier they outrank they won't question me. http://www.garrison.hawaii.army.mil/command/policies/USAG-HI-31%20STANDARDS%20OF%20DRESS.PDF
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SGT Kristin Wiley
I created a discussion related to this topic a few months ago: https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/satire-response-to-civilian-clothing-policies
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SGT (Join to see)
Wow.. that's intense. I was thinking the same thing.. that they cant go after dependents....I mean they could, but that's a whole different can of worms.
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It depends on what I'm shopping for. However, if I was back home in Florida, I'd always go to Publix.
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CW4 (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see), I've never been to a Publix, but I imagine its the same as as a Kroger, Alberstsons or a Food Lion. Sometimes I can find better deals at those grocery stores than at the commissary, but I still prefer to shop their instead overall.
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SGT (Join to see)
CW4 (Join to see) it's similar, but better (a Florida pride thing). If you ever get the opportunity, go down there and get some of their subs and cookies/baked goods.
If you have little ones with you, they get a free cookie!
If you have little ones with you, they get a free cookie!
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I go to Commissary/BX at Newport RI on occasion - about a 30 minute drive but you can get the same or better deals at the local stores or BJ's or Sam's Clubs for bulk items. Granted you pay a membership fee but the past few years, we've even gotten that for free through school PTA specials. My wife the shopping genius keeps a spreadsheet with unit prices and even at the club stores the prices (by unit price) are not much better than Walmart or other grocery stores. Sales and coupons!
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CW4 (Join to see)
MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca, wow, spreadsheets of price comparisons, thats really hardcore, but overall it makes a difference. I love shopping at Sams. Our Commissary is about 30 minutes away too and we go there when we know we are going to be out in that area during the day, but mostly we shop at the local Meijer or Walmart for most items. This is the first duty station where we didnt have a huge PX and Commissary to shop at within a reasonable distance from our house.
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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
It absolutely does CW4 (Join to see). My wife's a bit over the top but her diligence debunks a lot of the commercial marketing and sales schemes out there and keeps us on track.
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I prefer the Commissary because in addition to better prices, every Commissary I have ever used has a remarkable international foods section. And if they don't have it, they WILL get it.
The nearest grocery store is maybe a 5 minute walk or a 90-second drive from my home, and so convenience often wins out.
The nearest grocery store is maybe a 5 minute walk or a 90-second drive from my home, and so convenience often wins out.
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Shopping at the commissary for meats. Other stores for just about everything else. Although, my wife prefers to shop at the commissary as exclusively as possible, since we live off base and the only thing we have close is a Wal-Mart... A terrible one at that. We're moving off base in three weeks though, so that is gonna be a game changer.
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Bit of a Trip to go to Leavenworth or the little commisary at old Richards Gebauer. Not really worth it for me.
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