MEDIA CONTACT:\u00a0Deonna McGary
\nMEDIA ADVISORY: 11-022
\nRELEASE DATE:\u00a0May 2,\u00a02011<\/p>\n
DALLAS \u2013 <\/strong>A recent study of Army and Air Force Exchange Service prices shows that troops save an average of 24 percent when exercising their Exchange benefit.<\/p>\n The Market Basket Survey<\/a>, conducted in October 2010, compared prices at nine locations including Baltimore, MD; Ft. Walton Beach, FL; Killeen, TX; Omaha, NE; Tacoma, WA; Phoenix, AZ; Hampton\/Newport News, VA; Honolulu, HI and Los Angeles, CA. Conducted by an independent research firm, the report focuses on the percentage of savings military patrons receive based on market<\/a>, retailer<\/a> and department<\/a>.<\/p>\n Due to the variations in currencies overseas, the Exchange focused on operations in the United States; however the value proposition remains consistent throughout the world.<\/p>\n The results, indicative of the Command\u2019s ongoing efforts to survey prices both locally and nationally, reaffirm the Exchange\u2019s commitment to providing the best possible prices for authorized patrons, wherever they\u2019re called to serve.<\/p>\n If shoppers do encounter a lower price, the Exchange goes as far as to match the price with or without a competitor\u2019s ads. For example, if a shopper spots a price difference of less than $10, they simply notify the cashier and the price is matched on the spot.<\/p>\n For price discrepancies greater than $10, shoppers only need to bring in a current local competitor’s ad to receive the reduced price. In either scenario, the product must be identical to the item at the Exchange.<\/p>\n “The Exchange even offers a 14-day price guarantee on any purchase made at the Exchange,” said the Exchange\u2019s Chief of Staff Col. Virgil Williams. “That means if an item is sold at a lower price by the Exchange, or any local competitor, the price is matched up to two weeks after the sale.”<\/p>\n Complete details concerning the Exchange\u2019s price matching policy are available online at www.shopmyexchange\/customerservice\/priceMatch.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWhether price matching or surveying our everyday prices the results speak for themselves -shoppers save at the Exchange,\u201d said Williams.<\/p>\n — 30 —<\/p>\n The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint command 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 articles of merchandise and services and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (FMWR) 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 Deonna McGary, 214-312-2132 or mcgarydd@aafes.com.<\/p>\n\t