Attention Vet's!

[Pete J.]

This is for all the veterans who don't know.  As of last year you are eligible to shop the exchange online!  The prices don't look that great until you factor in no sales tax and free shipping over $50! 

They have some killer sales  items.  I got this camera for $800 delivered to my doorstep.  That is half off full retail several hundred less than I found any place on line.  I've been eyeing it for some time and figured when I saw it for less that $1,000 I would pounce.  Then it came up at $800 and I was all over it.  Now I can get crazy with photos of my models(and other things).  I've been using a 17 year old Minolta digital up to now.  The technology has changed a ton since then.  This is far more than I need but still something I can use. 

You have to shop the exchange like any store and watch for sales, but their everyday prices are pretty much in line with the best of the internet and cheaper if you factor in sales tax. 

Oh, and one other piece of info.  As of the first of this year, if you have a disability from the VA you are now eligible to go on base to the exchange and commissary at some installations.  All a reward for services rendered.

Oh, and the profits from the sales at the exchange go directly to support moral and welfare programs for the current military members.  They have an option when you purchase to donate to the programs.  I have gotten in the habit of calculating the sales tax and donating that on each sale.  Better them that the state!

 

[SfanGoch]

Outstanding information, Pete! Thank you very much for posting it.

[russosborne]

Well, according to the monthly email I get from the VA, that doesn't apply to ALL vets.Sorry, I didn't save it since I am not included in those who are.

Just those with service related disabilities, Medal of Honor winners, and some others.

Probably 99% of us who just did the minimum enlistment (6 years Navy for me) and managed to escape without injury aren't included. Again.

Russ

[Pete J.]

3 hours ago, russosborne said:

Well, according to the monthly email I get from the VA, that doesn't apply to ALL vets.Sorry, I didn't save it since I am not included in those who are.

Just those with service related disabilities, Medal of Honor winners, and some others.

Probably 99% of us who just did the minimum enlistment (6 years Navy for me) and managed to escape without injury aren't included. Again.

Russ

Russ, the disability requirement applies to on-base privilege only.  To use the internet sales option, all you need is a honorable discharge.  Here is the web site from the Exchange. https://www.shopmyexchange.com/veterans    The online order program started last year and that is when I joined in the fun.  January 1st this year, it changed to give vets with a service related disability the option to go on certain bases and shop the exchange and commissary. 

 When it started last year, it was called "Welcome Home". Since the profits from the exchange go the Moral and Welfare of active duty personnel, if the price is the same as I would pay on Amazon, I buy from the exchange.  As I mentioned, at the end of a transaction you have the option to contribute to the Moral fund.  I started calculating the sales tax and contributing that.  I get a good deal because of my service, so I feel it is my moral obligation to give something back to those on active duty. 

 

Edited January 10, 2020 by Pete J.

[SfanGoch]

7 hours ago, russosborne said:

Probably 99% of us who just did the minimum enlistment (6 years Navy for me) and managed to escape without injury aren't included. Again.

Listen to Pete, Russ. Any vet who was discharged under honorable conditions is eligible. I served in the Army, '79-85, and signed up yesterday. I was vetted through ID.me last year. Visit The Exchange and register. It'll take you a few minutes to see if you're eligible via vetverify.org when you provide your last four, DOB and last name during registration.

[russosborne]

Cool, I was wrong.

Thought you guys were talking about the new policy just started.

I got an account, but so far not much cheaper than Amazon.

And can't find any model kits. Lego ones don't count.

Thanks,

Russ

[Pete J.]

5 hours ago, russosborne said:

Cool, I was wrong.

Thought you guys were talking about the new policy just started.

I got an account, but so far not much cheaper than Amazon.

And can't find any model kits. Lego ones don't count.

Thanks,

Russ

As I mentioned, it takes a little shopping to get the best price.  No, the exchange is not guaranteed to have the lowest price but it does have one big advantage. Here in SoCal we have almost 8% sales tax which I don't have to pay at the Exchange but do with every other internet seller like Amazon.  Since most of my purchases have been high end electronics, I wait for a sale, which they have frequently.  On a purchase of $1,000 ( I have had two in the last year) the tax alone saves me $80.  That's a lot of beer money.

Shipping cost is not a factor because  it is $0 for orders over $49 so it is comparable to Amazon Prime.

Of course the main kicker for me is that the profits from the exchange help out active duty military members and their families.  Amazon just make Jeff Bezos richer.  

It is just nice to have the option!

Edited January 11, 2020 by Pete J.