Field Problem: Exploring the Commissary

Dear, Field Problems:

I have always wanted to know more about the commissary. Do they do special orders? What is the deal with the surcharge? How do they set their prices and why do they change? Can you tell me more about how it all works?

Jean; Fort Carson, CO; military spouse

Dear, Jean:

Civilians call them grocery stores. To those of us in the military, they are commissaries. Looking back at our first duty station and first introduction to the DeCA (Defense Commissary Agency)—what a change from what we were used to. They are very odd in that there is almost a code of etiquette that goes with the commissary.

What do I need in order to shop there?

First things first, you must be an authorized shopper. Commissary personnel cannot allow you to shop unless you have a Department of Defense ID that authorizes commissary privileges, so you cannot forget your ID card, or there you will be with a large cart of groceries you won’t be able to purchase.

How does the commissary work?

Commissaries are non-profit organizations. By law, commissaries are required to sell goods at prices that are set at a level to recover the cost of goods, with no profit built into these prices. This explains why they sometimes might seem “boring” when it comes to display, or, for instance, why they cannot “price slash” below cost to create a low price “image.” There is also a required, Congress-mandated surcharge (currently 5%) to pay for commissary construction, equipment, and continually improved facilities. The amount of surcharge applied to a commissary sale transaction is shown on your sales receipt. The surcharge is applied to the total value of your order before coupon values are deducted. We expect, though, that once you get past that, you will be pleased with the prices you see and how you are served.

How does the commissary save me money?

DeCA proudly boasts a 30% annual savings over your typical local grocery store bill. Like your grocery store, commissaries accept most coupons in accordance with the terms and conditions stated on a coupon to make items even more affordable.

Commissaries also accept Internet or home-printed coupons provided they meet the following requirements:  the coupons must have “dot-scan” bars below expiration dates or barcodes with Product Identification Numbers (PINs), and the coupons can not be for free products. Even better, each commissary hosts a “coupon board” or stand when you enter the building, where they will offer coupons that you can use immediately.

SPECIAL NOTE: Commissaries located in foreign overseas areas accept coupons up to six months after the expiration date stated on a coupon.

But wait! There is even another opportunity for cost cutting. Commissaries quite frequently have events where you can purchase goods at an even greater discount. In May and October of each year, DeCA runs a case lot sale at all commissaries. The other ten months of the year it is up to the manager’s discretion as to whether or not to hold an event.

What else is special about the commissary?

Above all, DeCA is committed to its members’ satisfaction. They take special orders, and you only need to contact a member of management and request a certain item (by UPC code) be carried. If you are not sure of the UPC code, bring the empty box with you. They can tell you instantly if the item is on the authorized list. Often, the products are in the store within two weeks.

What’s the deal with baggers?

Speaking of customer service, you might wonder about the story behind the bagging of your groceries. Commissary baggers are not government or commissary employees and are paid solely by the tips that commissary patrons offer in exchange for bagging or carryout services. Baggers are self-employed and work under a license agreement with the installation commander. Each commissary has a “head bagger” who coordinates and oversees bagger activities. Baggers work for tips only; however, you may choose not to use bagger or carryout services at all, or you may choose to use the services of a bagger but not provide a tip. The old rule of thumb for tips was 25 cents per bag, but many people offer more.

A popular question is: when two baggers take on the same order, who do you tip? The answer is to tip the one that takes the bags to your car. The other bagger quickly steps in and continues with the next customer.

Anything else I should know?

Here are some final tips to help ease your commissary experience:

• Commissaries restock every night but Sunday
• Do not shop on the day before, the day of, or the day after pay day
• Shop on Wednesdays (that is the least busy day of most commissaries)
• Shop mid-day not early morning or after 5 p.m. as these are the busiest times
• Organize your shopping list with the flow of the store. Your time spent in the store will be less!

Many commissaries now have a Focus Group, made up of commissary customers, which generally meets annually to discuss issues associated with commissary operations and service and provides input to commissary management about needs and desires of the customers. To find out about the Focus Group at your commissary, visit the local commissary’s help desk. For more information regarding your commissary, visit the DeCA website.