Watch the video on How to use coupons at DeCA (The Commissary) here, or AAFES Exchange here.
A Military Store Coupon or Commissary is a Manufacturers’ Coupon.
At DeCA you cannot stack, double or combine any coupons ever.
AAFES cannot take Commissary only coupons
Manufacturers’ coupons are good for 6 months after they expire overseas.
Being overseas, DeCA and AAFES (The Exchange) are our primary stores.
DeCA and AAFES are not one company.
DeCA is an appropriated funds agency that cannot make a profit.
AAFES can make a profit and the profit goes to the MWR fund.
All stores want you to use coupons (valid); they make money from us using coupons. Most manufacturers pay $0.08 per coupon.
Military coupons and manufacturer’s coupons are the same and CANNOT be stacked.
This is a WIN-WIN! We save money, the stores make money.
I won’t save that much money.
They don’t have coupons for what I buy.
It takes too much time to use coupons.
Military coupons and manufactured coupons are different and can be stacked.
The store does not want me to use coupons.
DeCA and AAFES are the same company.
Tips
Contact your stores for information about upcoming sales so you can plan ahead. (Some stores send out emails with sales information)
Save your coupons for upcoming sales when possible.
Buy frozen items when possible.
You can place a special order for your products and use your coupons just for them. (Both stores recommend placing a special order so there are enough items for everyone)
You can use your coupons on case-lot sales unless the vendor has linked coupons to the product already. (Watch for linked coupons with case lot)
Coupon Fraud
Warning! Many counterfeit coupons are sent through email and sold on eBay and other sites. Sellers often offer these coupons through a loop hole called “clipping fees.” These are fraudulent coupons!
In 2011 three woman were caught in a multimillion dollar operation using eBay and a fraudulent website to sell the coupons using a clipping fee. The victims were thousands of couponers and merchants. It’s best to obtain your coupons in other ways.
Per the manufacturers’ terms and conditions, coupons are not to be sold. Manufacturers can take legal action against people selling and buying them.
Buying or “stockpiling” products specifically for resale or mailing to a family member or acquaintance for resale is illegal.
Example:Purchasing Pads instead of Pantiliners
Consequences To Committing Fraud
Merchants charging more for products
Merchants no longer honoring coupons
Losing on-base shopping privileges for life
Losing command sponsorship
Being arrested for shoplifting and fraud
Affecting you or your military member’s career
How do you know a coupon is fraudulent?
If a coupon sounds too good to be true, it probably is not valid!
If it is a high dollar value for a low dollar cost item
Warning! Many counterfeit coupons are sent through email and sold on eBay and other sites.
Per the manufacturers’ terms and conditions, coupons are not to be transferred, so they aren’t supposed to be sold on eBay & the manufacturers can take legal action against people selling and buying them.
A good resource for determining if a coupon is counterfeit is www.couponinformationcenter.com. Between 01-30 JAN 2012, more than 70 fraudulent coupons went into circulation.
When a coupon sounds too good to be true, you can check it out on www.couponinformationcenter.com
Can you buy items on base and donate them off base?
The answer is yes, but you must submit it in writing to HQ. The address is below. If you have any other questions please just ask.
Donations are found in AE Reg 500-175, Chapter 32:
32. TRANSFERRING GOODS FOR DONATION OR CHARITY
Transferring goods for donation or charity requires approval by the Customs Executive Agent and German customs authorities.
Requests must be submitted in writing to HQ USAREUR (AEAGC-PDPN), Unit 29351, APO AE 09014-9351
AAFES THE EXCHANGE
The Exchange DOES accept manufacturers’ coupons in OCONUS locations, not to exceed six months past expiration date.
The Exchange will only give the value of the item, even if the coupon is more than the full value of the item. The Exchange will not provide cash back nor apply the remaining balance to other items in the purchase.
The Exchange does take printed online coupons and will accept “free item” manufacturers’ original coupons. We do not accept internet coupons for free items with no purchase requirements. Does not apply to Exchange Facebook coupons (see Exchange Facebook coupons policy below). All printed coupons must say manufactured coupon, have a barcode, and address on coupon.
The Exchange will accept coupons on sale and clearance items unless prohibited by coupon. The Exchange will not provide cash back nor apply the remaining balance to other items in the purchase.
The Exchange does allow you to STACK coupons when you combine a manufacturer’s coupon and one Exchange store coupon. For example, you may stack a Facebook, Sales Tabloid, Coupon Book, unless prohibited by either coupon. Unless coupon either coupon prohibits.
A buy-one-get-one-free coupon is only worth the same value of the item you are buying. One Exchange store coupon may be applied to a manufacturer’s BOGO coupon unless either coupon prohibits.
The Exchange does have generic products. Make sure and check because sometimes you can save more without using your coupons.
The Exchange does price match but does not price match to stores in the states if you are overseas or with other websites.
The Exchange does price match to shopmyexchange.com and with any store within 50 miles .
In order to price match everything must be exactly the same make, mold, brand, etc. For off-base the Exchange price matches, adding in the current exchange rate prices to give you a dollar total.
The Exchange price matches their own sales flyer. If you buy an item that goes on sale within 14 days of purchase, they will refund any money that is owed only if a receipt is shown.
Fact: A Military Store Coupon or Commissary is a Manufacturers’ Coupon.
Only at AAFES can you combine your coupons. You can use AAFES coupons and a manufacture’s coupon if the coupon’s verbiage allows it.
Check out what is on sale; if you have a coupon use then.
Over the past 10 years AAFES has donated $240 million to the DOD for the MWR fund.
Don’t forget mail-in rebates Rebates don’t last six months past their expiration.
DECA and Coupons
Manufacturers’ coupons are good 6 months
past the expiration date
(only for foreign overseas commissaries).
All of our coupons come from Americans
showing their ongoing support for you.
They’re yours for the taking. Fill a bag up today and start saving.
DeCA cannot double coupons, stack coupons or combine coupons
DeCA doesn’t price match because they sell at cost and do not have a profit margin to cover the losses incurred by retailers when they have to price match. DeCA can’t price match other commissaries’ prices since they use a method known as receipt-pricing.
DeCA wants us to use coupons; they receive extra money on each coupon.
DeCA takes printed coupons. All printed coupons must say manufactured coupon, have a barcode, and address on coupon
DeCA cannot take online printed coupons for free items.
DeCA does not accept copies of coupons.
A buy one get one free coupon is only worth the same value of the item you are buying. Read your coupon, not all buy one get one free coupons cover the full cost of the item.
uAn exception to this is if a coupon states that the value is up to, but not to exceed a certain dollar amount and provides a space for the cashier to write in the cost price of the item. The customer will get credit for only the actual price of the product.
You get the full value of the coupon even if the item is on sale for less. If you are owed money at the end of the total, DeCA will give you any amount owed back.
Only DeCA gives you the money back.
Example: A
Total Bill $80.00 with surcharge, before coupons
Savings from Coupons $60.00
$80.00-$60.00, = you would owe the commissary $20.00
Example: B
Total Bill $80.00 with surcharge, before coupons
Savings from coupons $118.00
$80.00-$118.00, = the commissary OWES you $25.00 in gift card and $13.00< cash. Total amount back $38.00
Why Gift Cards
Clarification for instances of suspected privilege abuse.
Gift cards will be issued to a customer in conjunction with cash whenever a transaction total reflects $25 or more is owed to the customer due to coupon “overages.”
Gift cards will be issued to customers in conjunction with cash for refunds of $25 or more when a receipt is presented showing the merchandise was originally purchased with gift cards and conjunction with cash, for refunds of $25 or more when a receipt is not presented
Rewards Cards
A great way to save money and time.
Rewards coupons are not good six months past the date.
You can only load one coupon for each product .
A) If you have two products you can use the one rewards coupon and one paper coupon.
B) You cannot stack a paper coupon with a rewards coupon.
One Limit Coupon Verbiage
“One coupon per purchase” means if a customer was purchasing 10 identical jars of peanut butter and had 10 coupons for that peanut butter, they could use all 10 coupons for that order/transaction or literally 10 purchases.
“One coupon per order or transaction” means only one specific coupon per order so the cashier will scan the item then scan the coupon. The customer will then need to pay for the item which closes the transaction. If the customer would like to use additional coupons, they must buy the item, scan the coupon, then pay for the order to finalize the transaction. They do not have to leave the store, but each coupon must be utilized once per order.
Where to find Coupons?
In your commissary bins near front or exit.
In the back by costumer service center in AAFES.
On the items you are buying “peelies”, online, Facebook, company websites, etc.
In products check the boxes and labels, magazines and newspapers.
Great gift idea for family to send to you!