Exchange moves to the head of the class with extra back-to-school savings

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DALLAS – With the first bell about to ring on a new school year, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service is giving lessons in savings.

The Exchange is helping military shoppers make the grade with competitive prices and tax savings on supplies students need to head back to class as well as special events and savings opportunities for the whole family.

As several states roll out “sales tax holidays” on school supplies, the Exchange will match local sales tax discounts to offer an additional percentage off (equivalent to the local sales tax rate) select back-to-school items, effectively doubling the Exchange’s everyday tax-free benefit. The sales tax holidays start in Mississippi on July 25 and continue in 15 states on various dates through Aug. 10. Shoppers can check with their state’s tax website for sales tax holiday dates and included items.

“Every day is a sales tax holiday at the Exchange,” said Chief Master Sgt. Tony Pearson, the Exchange’s Senior Enlisted Advisor. “By shopping for back-to-school supplies during state sales tax holidays, the Exchange benefit becomes even more valuable.”

In addition to extra tax savings, from July 25 to Aug. 7, military shoppers can receive 0 percent interest and payments for six months on purchases of $199 or more when using a MILITARY STAR® card. Unlike other retailers, no interest will accrue even if the balance isn’t paid in full before January 2015.*

On Aug. 9, select Exchange locations will host a special back-to-school event in their malls as part of the yearlong Homeward Bound campaign. The event will include product samples, giveaways and more.

“The Exchange is here for every member of the military family,” Pearson said. “Saving on supplies helps get the school year off to a successful start.” 

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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint nonappropriated fund instrumentality of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff.  The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with quality merchandise and services at competitively low prices and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military morale, welfare and recreation programs. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.shopmyexchange.com.

*MILITARY STAR® Promotions subject to credit approval. Standard account terms apply to non-promotional purchases and, after promotion ends, to promotional purchases:  As of July 1, 2014, a variable 10.24% APR applies to Retail Plan Purchases; and variable 18.24% APR applies to accounts subject to Penalty APR. Minimum Interest Charge:  50¢. See Exchange Credit Program Agreement for more details.

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Media Notes:

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Julie Mitchell, 214-312-3327 or [email protected].