MEDIA CONTACT:\u00a0Lisa Neidinger
\nMEDIA ADVISORY: 13-008
\nRELEASE DATE:\u00a0March 8, 2013<\/p>\n
DALLAS \u2013 <\/strong>Whether servicemembers are at home, on exercise or deployed, they can expect to find the same or very similar prices at Army & Air Force Exchange Service facilities worldwide. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The practice is known as pricing parity and the prices for products available around the world are established centrally.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile price differentiations can occur with items purchased locally overseas, per Department of Defense policy, the Exchange doesn\u2019t increase prices in order to cover shipping or other higher operational costs,\u201d said the Exchange\u2019s Senior Enlisted Advisor Chief Master Sgt. Tony Pearson. \u201cWe work to bring troops and their families \u2018a taste of home\u2019 no matter where in the world they go.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite the Exchange\u2019s efforts to price consistently, a few exceptions can occur.<\/p>\n \u201cShoppers may see some price differences between locations in the continental United States and overseas for categories such as gasoline, alcohol and tobacco,\u201d said Pearson. \u201cThese prices are set based on Department of Energy benchmarks, or local surveys, according to DoD directives.\u201d<\/p>\n Additionally, prices for some convenience and frequently purchased items may be lower at different locations based on local promotions or price surveys. To ensure prices on these same items overseas are consistent with those servicemembers would expect to see at home, overseas prices are set at the average surveyed CONUS price.<\/p>\n As a joint non-appropriated fund instrumentality of the Department of Defense, the Exchange\u2019s earnings support military quality-of-life programs. This structure helps ensure the Exchange’s overriding concern is supporting servicemembers wherever they are called to serve, as a partner in both readiness and retention.<\/p>\n Servicemembers and their families worldwide can count on value prices. To learn more\u00a0visit http:\/\/www.shopmyexchange.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n — 30 —<\/p>\n The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint non-appropriated 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. \u00a0The 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<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n ###<\/p>\n Media Notes:<\/strong><\/p>\n For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Lisa Neidinger, 214-312-4168 or neidingerlj@aafes.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\t