AAFES/Exchange 101

If you are married to a service member, you know that there are special places to shop on base that can make a trip to the store a bit more convenient. There are however, a few things to know before taking your first step into the Exchange, trust me...its not like ANY other store you have ever been in! I joke often that the military's policy is "Fix it till its broke, then fix it again." Meaning, if it is a perfectly running program, there is someone that WILL change it and ruin it! The same seems to go with shopping at the Exchange as it always has new policies! My input here will be short but check out the "Quick Links" below for all of the important information you will need to know about your new shopping ventures!

QUICK LINKS

• AAFES Coupon Policy
• AAFES Price Matching Policy
  
• AAFES Facebook Coupons
• AAFES Website

NOTABLE MENTIONS

• While shopping at the exchanges, prices may vary by store, and there is no sales tax BUT there is a "stocking fee" of sorts (I don't remember the correct name) which is actually close to 10%! 
• Remember to take your reusable bags with you to score 5¢ on each one you use – it will be deducted on your total purchase.  
• The coupons on the AAFES facebook page will be honored at the NEX and you can read more about it here.  
• You CAN stack these coupons with manufacturer coupons as well, so long the coupon does not state “only one coupon per product.”  
• IMPORTANT - FOR YOUR SANITY please print a copy of the coupon policy so that you don't have to argue with the cashiers. If you have shopped at the Exchange, Commissary or ANY military establishment that is civilian run for that matter...you know why I heed the warning.

NEX COUPON POLICY

Satisfaction Guaranteed Return Policy
Your Navy Exchange wants you to be satisfied with your purchases. Our “Satisfaction Guaranteed” return policy means we will either issue a refund or make an equitable price adjustment when merchandise doesn’t live up to your expectations. (See guidelines below)
Your Navy Exchange understands the importance of hassle-free returns and pledges to make the process as smooth as possible. Please remember to save your receipt, cartons, packing materials, and any enclosed manuals.

Guidelines

• Merchandise purchased at a Navy Exchange can be returned to any Navy Exchange store.
• Merchandise must be returned within 45 days of purchase, with the following exceptions:
• Due to rapid changes in technology, we can only accept the following products for return within 14 days of the date of the sales receipt: Computers, computer equipment, software, and digital cameras in original packaging.
• Pre-recorded movies, music, video games, and computer software are returnable in original unopened factory sealed packaging. If defective, it will be exchanged for an identical item.
• Diamond jewelry is subject to appraisal before a refund may be given.
• Refunds without a receipt will be issued as a Navy Exchange Gift Card.

Price Matching Policy

We will match the price of any identical in-stock item sold in any local store - same brand, manufacturer, size, and model number. There are two types of “price challenges” accepted at your Navy Exchange:

Advertised Item:   Simply bring in the current, local competitor’s ad for the identical item and we will match the price. If there is a price difference greater than $50, it requires supervisor approval.

Verbal Challenge:   Just tell us that you saw an identical item at a lower price in a local competitor’s store and we will match a difference up to $5 on the spot. A greater price difference requires model and price verification by a supervisor.

Exceptions

• Concession-run operations, Commissary prices, fine jewelry items, special orders, gasoline, automotive parts and labor/service charges.
  
• Double and triple coupons, going-out-of- business sales, flea markets, clearances, and percent and dollar off specials.
  
• Internet sites, mail order catalogs, including the Exchange Mail Order Catalog.
• NEX does not match an item that includes either a manufacturer’s or retailer’s mail-in rebate.

Overseas customers Only
The NEX will match the pricing of current mail order catalogs and e-commerce (Internet commerce) of the following retailers: JC Penney, Sears, and Wal-Mart. Shipping and handling charges, if applicable, are to be added to competitor’s retail.

Low Price Guarantee
If within 14 days of your purchase, the identical item is offered at a lower price by your Navy Exchange or a local competitor, we’ll refund the difference. Just bring in a copy of the advertisement and your receipt to the customer service counter.

Substitution Policy

We try to have every advertised item in stock. If out-of-stocks occur, we offer a substitute item at a comparable savings. This excludes limited quantity and special-purchase items. If you do not want the substituted item and the original sale item is still available from the manufacturer, we will place a special order for you at the sale price without a special order fee.

For the full version of the NEX Customer Service Programs and Policies head over here.

Albertsons Coupon Policy

Click on the images below to open to full/original size. This Coupon Policy is the most current available from Albertsons as of 11/17/2011. Print a copy and keep it with you when you shop....Albertsons employees are VERY finicky about the policy and do NOT know it.

NEW Rite Aid policy effective TODAY (5/25)

Here is the NEW Rite Aid policy. This will be effective TODAY (5/25) Here are some key changes...and I am VERY sad about the BOGO part!

1. You can no longer use BOGO coupons on BOGO sales, but you CAN use (1) cents off coupons for each item that you are purchasing. (ie, only one coupon on a BOGO sale)
2. limit 4 identical coupons per transaction.
3. You CAN use multplie UP rewards when paying for an item (I know lots of you had issues with being told that you could only use one per transaction)

Print a copy for yourself HERE.

Thanks Southern Cali Saver!

Ralphs Coupon Policy!

I was doing some digging to post before I go out of town this coming long weekend and I came across a Ralphs coupon policy! Here it is:

Thank you for contacting Ralphs Grocery Company. We appreciate your inquiry regarding our coupon policy. For your reference, I am including a copy of the coupon policy for your region. Please note that this policy is our most current; however it is subject to change without notice. For further clarification of this policy, please speak directly to store management. Please do not hesitate to contact us at 888.437.3496 if we can be of further assistance. Thank you again and have a nice day.

The store director has the right to accept, decline or limit the quantity of coupons or items used or purchased in a single transaction, by a single customer, or in a single day.

Double Coupons:
o Manufacturer coupons of $0.50 or less will be "doubled".
o Manufacturer coupons of $0.51 - $1.00 will be redeemed for $1.00.
o Manufacturer coupons over $1.00 will be redeemed at face value.
o A limit one (1) coupon per household for each item will be "doubled" or have its value increased to $1.00.
Ø This does not apply to "free," Catalina, Ralphs, Retail Food Store coupons, electronic coupons on a Ralphs Rewards card, or items prohibited by law (fluid milk, all liquor, and tobacco).

Pharmacy Coupons:
o Competitor pharmacy coupons are accepted.
o LCM or Competitor Coupons may not be used in conjunction with our $4 Generic Program.

General Coupon Policy:
o Limit of five (5) "free" coupons and the customer is responsible for taxes and deposits.
o Limit one (1) manufacturer coupon per item purchased.
o Limit one (1) store coupon per item purchased.
o Limit one (1) manufacturer and one (1) store coupon can be used on the same item.
Ø Competitor Catalina (checkout) coupons are accepted.
Ø Limit one (1) Catalina coupon per item.
Ø Catalina coupons may not be used with a manufacturer coupon on the same item.
Ø There is no limit on the number of Catalina coupons (one Catalina coupon per item) that are presented in a single transaction as long as the total coupon amount does not exceed the total grocery bill for that transaction.
o Coupons cannot be used on "free" items.
o Expired coupons are not accepted.
o Amount refunded cannot exceed the cost of the item.
o We only accept printable coupons if they scan properly at checkout.
o We do not accept "free product" printable coupons that have no purchase requirement.
Ø Buy-one-get-one-free coupons and other values that have a purchase requirement are acceptable but will be MUCH less common than traditional value-off coupons.

PRINT AT HOME COUPONS
o We do not accept coupons for more than about 75% of a product's value without advance notice.
Ø Legitimate PAH coupons will not be for a high value relative to the cost of the item. For example, a $2.00 off coupon will be acceptable for a product that normally sells for $5.00 or more, but a $2.00 off printable coupon for a product that sells for $2.25 is unlikely to be legitimate.
o Coupons will be rejected if they appear out of proportion or blurry, or are obvious duplicates.
o Legitimate PAH coupons are never copied, sold, or traded. Nearly all coupons are "non-transferable," meaning they should not be photocopied or scanned and distributed to others.
o Coupons will be rejected if they appear to have been altered in any way.
PAH coupons can be checked for validity at: Coupon Resource Center

Sincerely,

Amber Sublett
Consumer Affairs

Reference: 10228998

Coupon Policies

Here are all of the Coupon Policies that I have been able to locate for local stores (some policies are regional or national).

• Albertsons
• CVS
• Ralphs
• Rite Aid
• Target
• Vons
• Walgreens
• Walmart