Good news for veterans who don’t have shopping privileges at the Army & Air Force Exchanges (because they aren’t retired military) - starting in the fall they’ll have limited on-line shopping privileges at the Exchanges, and it’ll be tax-free. Excluded are uniforms and a few other things.

DoD to Open Online Exchange Shopping to Veterans > U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE > Article

It is about time. I retired in 1989 and have been to the BX less than 10 times and to the commissary twice since then. But it is nice they are opening this up to all vets. 120 miles is too far to drive to shop for me.

I just stopped into the commissary at Offutt AFB this week and was underwhelmed. Our Hy Vee and Fairway are in line with their prices and Iowa doesn't charge sales tax on food.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

"Starting later this year, all honorably discharged veterans, no matter their branch of service, will be eligible to shop tax-free online at the Army & Air Force Exchange Service with the same discounts they enjoyed on base while in the military."

Honorably discharged veterans will soon get to shop tax-free - ABC News

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A gun has no brain.. use yours

Outstanding

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Nice!

That is WAY cool!!!

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

Can this be real? I've heard things like this before and they've always been just an "idea" and never implemented. I will check at the base exchange on Monday.

If this is real, it will save me thousands of dollars. Because of where I live, everything is 40 miles away. But the base exchange (BX) is right at work. They have everything there including a gun store. I just can't shop there because I'm just a vet, not a retired vet. If I can shop there, it will not only save me tax, but literally thousands of miles of driving.

Oh, I hope this comes true.

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Freedom isn't free.

I believe it is "On-Line" shopping only...... Still no access to base stores.

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

It says "on-line" only. Sort of strange that they would not extend it to vets who are not retirees who work on-base. A high percentage of contractors, civil service DoD employees, etc. are vets, but not retirees. I suspect the new policy will create quite a bit of opposition from the states (who cannot collect sales tax) and other private-sector retailers.

At one time there was some talk within DoD of eliminating military commissaries and exchanges from bases which were adequately served by retail stores located in the general area of the base. My personal observation is that the principal price advantage of commissaries and exchanges is mainly because of the absence of a sales tax. In many cases, prices can be equaled or beat at stores outside the gate.

Yes, and there lies the rub- almost all online shopping is tax-free, anyway, thus there's likely little, if any, savings to be had shopping at the BX/PX online. I doubt AAFES can compete with Amazon and the like regarding prices.

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SWHF #448

I am glad for the non-retired vets. Personally I don't use the BX as it saves me no money. The round trip alone is a quarter of a tank of gas. Plus three hours of driving.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

Amazon and EBay charge tax if they have an outlet in your state. Most large vendors do the same.
And online is not technically tax free, many vendors just don't collect that tax.
Remember reading the question on your IRS form asking if you've bought anything online and not paid taxes? That's the hint to pay it then.

I am ready to but. What a great benefit. For me it will make May purchases 6% less expensive by eliminating tax ans even mor because exchange prices are generally better than other suppliers.

Ah yes, I missed the "on-line" part. Yeah, that's nothing. I can beat the exchange prices on line easily.

Well, that's that. I would have been stunned if I could shop at the place on base. Since I'm already there for work, it would have saved me lots.

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Freedom isn't free.

Rastoff. Don't give up yet. Since you're already working on base they may allow you to shop there. If not when it starts, maybe later.
I think it's only online because of the hassle of ID's and security to get on base.

I gave up on the Exchange years ago as I can meet or beat their prices off base. (They might have better prices on some of the upper quality stuff, but most of that is above my pay grade...)
The Commissary still is a bargain, but like Mike, it's about a 180 mile round trip and the savings aren't all that much.

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

I do go to the Commissary about once a month.
Don't often even go into the BX which is right next door.
The last thing I recall buying in the BX is some 22 ammo.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

Veteran's Day present. Both the wife and I got the you are verified message almost instantly after hitting the enter key.

We're already able to buy gasoline. It would be nice to be able to get some stuff at the BX, but I'm not holding my breath.

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Freedom isn't free.

I submitted my information and it wouldn't process. Same problem I had with the verification for the Lowe's discount. I had to bring my DD214 down to Lowes for them to hand process it. I guess I wait and see if everyone thinks the prices are worth it before I go the alternate route on the site.

Amazon's stated policy is to charge sales tax in all 50 states. While I used to shop Amazon quite a lot, not so much any more. There are better online deals out there.

The Supremes ruled many years ago that online retailers have no obligation to collect sales taxes from the many states unless those online retailers have a corporate presence in which the end user resides. In my home state, Florida, there is a "use" tax which is equal to the state sales tax for out of state purchases then shipped to Florida. The tax is mandatory, but the state has no way to monitor out of state purchases.

Personally, I have a huge problem with any out of state retailer that wants to collect Florida Sales Tax. I don't object to paying the tax. What I object to is what that retailer is doing with those taxes. I know Florida makes it a PITA for in state retailer to pay sales taxes. They're more onerous than the IRS. So, I'm confident that some out of state retailers try to collect out of state sales taxes to add a few percent to their bottom line. Some collect out of state sales tax to only pay those sales taxes into their own state coffers.

So, I'm skeptical that online xchange purchases will be very popular and I see a lot of states crying again over "lost revenue".

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NRA Benefactor

Lowe's has a veteran discount program?

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Yes, it's 10% on anything you buy. Try online first and see if the information you put in processes. If not just take your DD214 to the service counter and they will hand enter it. I just bought a new kitchen faucet and I saved the 10% on it. You do not have to be retired just a veteran with an honorable discharge. When you get to the cashier just give them your phone number and tell them you are in the computer for a veteran discount.

I carry my VA card all the time and used that at Lowes to hand process when it wouldn't verify me online.

Just did the online verification for aafes and it worked first try.

vetverify.org

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRG!!

We're sorry... your information cannot be found..

Bah Hum Bug.

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SWCA #2306
DAV in honor of POP

Commissary and exchange prices aren't as cheap as they used to be. I live close to Quantico and the prices at the BX and commissary are line with Wal-Mart and local grocery chains. The commissary adds a 5% surcharge to your total at checkout as well, so there's no savings on sales tax. Gas is cheaper off post, too.

Bah, humbug indeed. They had no trouble finding me when I was drafted...

My information can't be found. Hmm.

My info processed right away. I guess I'll give it a try when it goes live in November.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

Good news for vets,i'm 100%.

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Life is short,live it fully.

Gave it a shot and was instantly verified. Had to personally go to Lowe's to get verified for their vets discount program.

Thanks OP for the heads up.

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Inconsistently consistent

Same here. They also say I was never in Vietnam...guess it was all a bad dream....

I got an email today saying I was randomly selected to take part in the Beta testing of this program, and I could start shopping now.

Its a well run site, and they have a lot of outdoor stuff, including ammo. They have a large selection, but the prices are about what you'd pay elsewhere on line.

If anyone would like me to check a specific item I'd be glad to.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

Just completed my registration also.