Altus Barbarosa Posted April 8, 2014 Posted April 8, 2014 (edited) Went into the BX for the first time in a few years today looking for a mouse for my laptop. I was quickly reminded why I avoid the place like the plague. The selection is godawful. The prices are typically 25-50% HIGHER than other retailers. Sony X65 headphones? $30 on Amazon and Walmart. Yours for only $80 at your local BX! Microsoft Military Appreciation Touch Mouse? $50 at the BX. $40 online. 3 year old PS3 games? 50% off at $25 at your BX or you could go to the mart or GameStop and get it for 5-$10. Cool speakers for your obsolete iPhone 3? Of course they are on clearance, at $50! Clothing selection is amazing. You can always find a sweet Affliction shirt with a foil dragon on it or some sweet South Pole jeans! All the candy your heart desires. And shave bump cream! And this is supposed to be a benefit? Poor old retirees think their getting a deal. Edited April 8, 2014 by Altus Barbarosa 4
Guest Posted April 8, 2014 Posted April 8, 2014 You do realize they price match? No sales tax. Amazon is almost always the cheapest option, but if you don't want to wait for shipping the BX can be a good deal. They also occasionally offer good promotions: Xmas 2012 if you spent 1k on a mil star card you got a $200 gift certificate, they recently had a deal where you got a $100 card with purchase of an ipad or $50 with a mini, etc.
Napoleon_Tanerite Posted April 8, 2014 Posted April 8, 2014 Quibbling. Just don't shop there, problem solved. The BX isn't subsidized like the commissary, so if you don't shop there, it will eventually go away. 1
TreeA10 Posted April 8, 2014 Posted April 8, 2014 Haven't stepped foot into the BX in a couple years. I would have a list of things I needed and the BX would not have them but, oddly enough, the items were always allegedly on a truck arriving on next Tuesday.
Azimuth Posted April 8, 2014 Posted April 8, 2014 You realize that a lot if young Enlisted troops use the BX to shop it since they don't have cars, and sometimes the Walmart, Target, whatever off base is too far away to walk to.
17D_guy Posted April 9, 2014 Posted April 9, 2014 (edited) You realize that a lot if young Enlisted troops use the BX to shop it since they don't have cars, and sometimes the Walmart, Target, whatever off base is too far away to walk to. Huh here at Offutt the young Enlisted Amn are across the flight line from the BX. It is strangely located near STRATCOM, and even nearer the Billion dollare new STRATCOM. Edited April 9, 2014 by 17D_guy
guineapigfury Posted April 9, 2014 Posted April 9, 2014 I will say the BX is useful OCONUS. Good luck finding size 13 shoes in Japan anywhere else. Good point on the walkability being a secret bonus for the younger dudes and dudettes who live on base without a car.
Altus Barbarosa Posted April 9, 2014 Author Posted April 9, 2014 Meh, accessibility, which varies greatly from base to base, is no excuse for price gouging. Yeah, they price match. If you bring an ad in from a local retailer who has the item in stock. Who the f still gets newspapers and reads the ads anyway? Definitely not the young guys in the dorms. Also the last 3 assignments I've had the BX has been across base from the dorms near the housing area, where everyone has cars. Don't get me started on compulsory tipping at the goddamn commissary. Nothing like watching an 80yr old lady try to load my groceries in the car. 3 2
17D_guy Posted April 9, 2014 Posted April 9, 2014 Don't get me started on compulsory tipping at the goddamn commissary. Nothing like watching an 80yr old lady try to load my groceries in the car. Huh, most of the time I get teenagers who're happy to have the job. I prefer it to the ole' "pack your own shit and get out now" that most of the other stores are converting to.
WeatherManC130 Posted April 9, 2014 Posted April 9, 2014 Meh, accessibility, which varies greatly from base to base, is no excuse for price gouging. Yeah, they price match. If you bring an ad in from a local retailer who has the item in stock. Who the f still gets newspapers and reads the ads anyway? Definitely not the young guys in the dorms. Also the last 3 assignments I've had the BX has been across base from the dorms near the housing area, where everyone has cars. Don't get me started on compulsory tipping at the goddamn commissary. Nothing like watching an 80yr old lady try to load my groceries in the car. Just get out, that way you will lose all your privileges...it's a double win!
hispeed7721 Posted April 9, 2014 Posted April 9, 2014 Quibbling. Just don't shop there, problem solved. This. Just get out, that way you will lose all your privileges...it's a double win! Or this. Two solid options. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
albertschu Posted April 9, 2014 Posted April 9, 2014 Haven't stepped foot into the BX in a couple years. I would have a list of things I needed and the BX would not have them but, oddly enough, the items were always allegedly on a truck arriving on next Tuesday. This happened to me. On a Tuesday. Afternoon. I said, "Great, what time does the truck usually come, maybe I'll just wait". Answer, "Uhhh,.... or it could be on the truck that is coming Thursday."
Spoo Posted April 9, 2014 Posted April 9, 2014 Meh, accessibility, which varies greatly from base to base, is no excuse for price gouging. Yeah, they price match. If you bring an ad in from a local retailer who has the item in stock. Who the f still gets newspapers and reads the ads anyway? Definitely not the young guys in the dorms. Also the last 3 assignments I've had the BX has been across base from the dorms near the housing area, where everyone has cars. Don't get me started on compulsory tipping at the goddamn commissary. Nothing like watching an 80yr old lady try to load my groceries in the car. Nobody is forcing you to drop a couple bucks on a tip, ya' cheap asshole. 3
sqwatch Posted April 9, 2014 Posted April 9, 2014 I shelf check the BX here at misawa at least once a week. It keeps my 900 sq ft apt filled with stuff that would cost twice as much outside the gate. Plus the Koreans come to town every now and then with a deal I can't refuse. It's no costco, but one of my favorite stores.
PlanePhlyer Posted April 9, 2014 Posted April 9, 2014 They are still good for a deployed shelf check.
lloyd christmas Posted April 9, 2014 Posted April 9, 2014 Went into the BX for the first time in a few years today looking for a mouse for my laptop. I was quickly reminded why I avoid the place like the plague. The selection is godawful. The prices are typically 25-50% HIGHER than other retailers. Sony X65 headphones? $30 on Amazon and Walmart. Yours for only $80 at your local BX! Microsoft Military Appreciation Touch Mouse? $50 at the BX. $40 online. 3 year old PS3 games? 50% off at $25 at your BX or you could go to the mart or GameStop and get it for 5-$10. Cool speakers for your obsolete iPhone 3? Of course they are on clearance, at $50! Clothing selection is amazing. You can always find a sweet Affliction shirt with a foil dragon on it or some sweet South Pole jeans! All the candy your heart desires. And shave bump cream! And this is supposed to be a benefit? Poor old retirees think their getting a deal. Good lord. Do they have a good price on tampons? You need some. 7
hispeed7721 Posted April 9, 2014 Posted April 9, 2014 The BX could be a lot better. If anybody's been to a NEX or MCX, you will see what the BX should be. Most of this time, I'd agree with you. But there are a handful done correctly I think. I'd shop at the Eglin BX way before I'd go to the Pensacola NEX (even assuming distance wasn't a factor). Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
spaceman Posted April 9, 2014 Posted April 9, 2014 (edited) The Vance BX is alright just because you can buy cold beer that's more than 3.2% there, or any alcohol period on Sunday. That's more of a con for OK's ridiculous booze laws than a pro for the BX though I guess. Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk Edited April 9, 2014 by spaceman
HU&W Posted April 9, 2014 Posted April 9, 2014 The BX could be a lot better. If anybody's been to a NEX or MCX, you will see what the BX should be. I submit BX vs NEX food courts as evidence of how the BX could emulate to improve. BX = Taco Bell, Charleys, and (if you're lucky) a Blimpie NEX = Five Guys, Rubios, and Panda Express Of course, they both sometimes have Subways
M2 Posted April 9, 2014 Posted April 9, 2014 Most of this time, I'd agree with you. But there are a handful done correctly I think. I'd shop at the Eglin BX way before I'd go to the Pensacola NEX (even assuming distance wasn't a factor). Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Was just at Eglin last week, other than the Barrett MRAD in .338 Lapua for six grand, I didn't see much that interested me... The biggest NEX I've been to is the one at Pearl. It's full of overpriced Hawaiian shirts. Nothing too special there either. Still, having been subjected to having to shop at the BX during overseas assignments, I have a special fondness for the place. I've found some great deals there over the years, most recently some sweet Reebok ATV19s in black for under thirty bucks at Offutt a couple of weeks back!
Champ Kind Posted April 10, 2014 Posted April 10, 2014 Those shoes don't have Velcro on them--how do you get them on, M2? Either way, I'm sure the color matches your Dickies coveralls and "USAF Retired" hat. 3
JS Posted April 10, 2014 Posted April 10, 2014 Yeah, you really have to go in there armed with the outside civilian price on things like electronics, shoes, and other big ticket items. Hit or miss if they are cheapest. Overseas Exchanges are still a usually good deal compared to the local economy, especially if you need some "American" stuff, like snacks with at least 45 different ingredients in them, etc.
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