Pentagon Proposes Plan to Gut Commissary's Budget

MtnGoat · 01-28-2014, 20:02

Glad they did all the remodeling these last few years.

I say the ID scanning is apart of this.

The Defense Department is discussing a $1 billion cut over the next three years to the commissary’s budget.

http://m.military.com/daily-news/201...ys-budget.html

I say the bases that have more than one, your Commissary is likely gone. This is going to be driven like a BRAC. Which state can pay off their politicians up in DC.

cbtengr · 01-28-2014, 20:39

The article claims "A recent grocery store study by DeCA found that using the commissary saves shoppers an average of 30.5 percent annually when compared to other stores off base."

It's nice to be able to save money but why not cut the savings a bit to cover the expenses of keeping the commissary's open?

MtnGoat · 01-28-2014, 21:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbtengr

The article claims "A recent grocery store study by DeCA found that using the commissary saves shoppers an average of 30.5 percent annually when compared to other stores off base."

It's nice to be able to save money but why not cut the savings a bit to cover the expenses of keeping the commissary's open?

Which they likely will do. I don't think it's 30%, but if you think about the DoD CONUS Commissaries don't have warehouse system to stock each Commissary. Yes there is a warehouse system, but the Government subsidizes and pays for the management, overseeing, and employees that do all the distribution of all the items to the individual commissaries. From what I understand is the commissaries do not pay for this because they are not for profit as a PX is. So if, IMO, you add this to a Commissary then the saving will be gone.

I say they will look at getting rid of all the commissaries stateside and only keeping the ones overseas going. That has already been mentioned and publishing different news articles and reports so the writings on the wall, IMO.

MR2 · 01-28-2014, 21:55

It is my understanding that for stateside commissaries, commodities are offered at cost and that the 3% surcharge covers cost of running (salaries, utilities, etc.) the commissary. Commissary managers have some leeway in their budgets. Cost of the building is through appropriations.

**The Reaper** · 01-28-2014, 22:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbtengr

The article claims "A recent grocery store study by DeCA found that using the commissary saves shoppers an average of 30.5 percent annually when compared to other stores off base."

It's nice to be able to save money but why not cut the savings a bit to cover the expenses of keeping the commissary's open?

Because then you would have AAFES, which makes shopping on post MORE expensive than outside the gate.

TR

Toaster · 01-28-2014, 22:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

Because then you would have AAFES, which makes shopping on post MORE expensive than outside the gate.

TR

It's obvious that the people making these decisions work at an trans-orbital altitude...AKA Echelons Above Reality.

The only way to counter that, is to have a knack for remembering numbers of things you buy and tell them that you can get something cheaper elsewhere. Useful at the shoppettes. The PX and shoppettes have a policy where you can tell the cashier that an item is less at a store (not including commissary), give a price and they will match it. If the price is more than $10.00 they will call that store. While that opens the door for those without integrity, any system will fail if there is no integrity. (most have never heard of this policy)

I wish that the PX was like it was back in the old timer's days. I hear all kinds of stories from Vietnam veterans how things were much cheaper on post than anywhere else.

Toaster · 01-28-2014, 22:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbtengr

The article claims "A recent grocery store study by DeCA found that using the commissary saves shoppers an average of 30.5 percent annually when compared to other stores off base."

It's nice to be able to save money but why not cut the savings a bit to cover the expenses of keeping the commissary's open?

Economics: By reducing/eliminating the savings incentive you will drive away your business.

MtnGoat · 02-26-2014, 05:19

Well looks like Hagel took it to the people he is there to lead. Yeah I know, but...

Took cuts to save the program, love that wording. Just like the A-10 is an OLD AIRCRAFT. All words in the political landscape.

Commissaries avoid cuts, but at cost to customers.

Open the comments up. Some IMO are very surprising. Looks like many are "plant" to show support. I'm basing this thought from what Ive seen, read here and on FB.

TOMAHAWK9521 · 02-26-2014, 07:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

Because then you would have AAFES, which makes shopping on post MORE expensive than outside the gate.

TR

I remember when Cub Foods opened one of their stores up in the Tacoma area back in the 80's, the commissaries on the area military installations (Ft Lewis, McCord AFB) were frothing with rage because troops were taking their families off post to grocery shop due to the lower prices than on post.