Commissary vs. Wal-Mart Sometimes we dont have much of a choice. We shop according to what we have available, convenience and price. I dont know about you but price trumps all for me. I hate to waste my (and my hubbys) hard earned cash. So many of the military benefits are clearly substantial... GI Bill, medical and retirement. But what about the Commissary. Sure, they are tax free and likely close-by. While there is no tax, there is that small handlung fee on the bottom of your receipt. But do they offer real savings?? Stateside commissaries change prices twice a month, as opposed to the private sector, where prices are changed weekly or more frequently. Commissary prices are changed on the 1st and 16th of each month and are usually in effect for 30 to 45 days. These price changes are generally about a 50-50 mix, with some prices being lowered as items go on a special promotion or sale and some raised as items come off a special promotion or sale. The number of price changes will vary, according to the size of the store, but prices throughout the store will always – and only – reflect the cost of the items to DeCA. Commissaries are required by law to sell products at cost plus surcharge, so we never make a profit on the products we sell. I decided to see for myself, so I went shopping for a variety of items at my local Commissary and those EXACT same items (brand, size, etc.) at my local Wal-Mart. The prices do not reflect any coupons or after-market discounts. Commissaries sell items at cost, and claim that I can save 30% or more by shopping in commissaries rather than in commercial stores, yet I can find items in commercial stores that are cheaper than in commissaries. How can this be?? Commissaries are required by law to sell items at prices set only high enough to recover item cost, with no profit or overhead factored into item price, and pricing procedures adhere rigorously to this legislative requirement. You may find selected items at lower prices in commercial stores for several reasons. One reason is that commercial grocery stores often sell items at prices below their cost to attract customers who they hope will buy other high profit items during their shopping trip.Because commissaries are required by law to sell items at cost-neither higher nor lower – they cant offer prices at a loss. During my shopping trip, the best Commissary deals were found in dairy. Both milk and eggs were cheaper, $1.91 & $2.69 and $3.27 $4.68, respectively. In addition, 1.25 lb ground lean turkey was $3.32 in the Commissary and $4.28 at Wal-Mart. I also saved significantly on packaged baby spinach, whole wheat bread and fruit popsicles (for my sweet tooth). Prices on Drano and ginger ale were pretty comparable and deli meats were practically negligible. All in all, I spent $32.28 including $1.53 handling fee. If I had bought the same items at Wal-Mart, I would have spent $42.57 + $2.26 @5.3% tax... $12.55 savings. Interesting, huh?? Now Im curious about luxury items. Im going to check out Food Lion next week and see if I can duplicate the savings on steak, seafood and exported items. What has your experiences with the Commissary and shopping on the econony taught you??
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 01:02:41 +0000
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