Holly needed a new a laptop. Like many shoppers investing in a big-ticket item, she did some comparison shopping. As a Navy spouse, one of her first stops was the Navy Exchange (NEX). However, she was disappointed to learn that the NEX wasn’t offering the lowest price in town.
“Best Buy quoted me a price of 20% less than the NEX,” Holly explained. “But then I called the NEX, and I was told they had a deal for military that they would match Best Buy’s price. Needless to say, I bought my computer at the Exchange.”
That phone call to the Navy Exchange clued Holly in on a great on-base military deal: price matching.
How exactly does it work? It’s simple. If you see a lower price for an identical product at another store, head over to the Exchange, and they’ll sell you that item for the competitor’s price. If the difference in price is $10 or less, it will be matched without proof. If the difference in price exceeds $10, they require verification. So make sure you have with you either a printed ad or the ad on a smartphone or tablet. (Sorry, taking a picture on your cell phone of the price doesn’t count.)
There are certain exclusions to the policy, such as clearance items and double or triple coupon offers, but in general, the policy is good for regular, everyday shelf prices or advertised prices in a local competitor’s current advertisement. (You can find all the rules on their website, or ask an associate at the store.)
The NEX also offers a 14-day price guarantee. This means if you purchase a qualifying item at the NEX and then find a better price somewhere else within 14 days, just bring in your original receipt and proof of the lower price and the NEX will still match it. So if you wish you had gotten a better price on that cool new gadget, don’t give up. Keep searching in locals ads, and don’t toss those receipts!
But that’s not all. Do you do most of your shopping online? The NEX recently updated their policy to include match prices to Walmart.com, Target.com, Amazon.com, BestBuy.com, Sears.com, ToysRUs.com and BabiesRUs.com. Customers can use any mobile device to show qualifying competitive online price. (Click here for more details.)
Holly was thrilled that she was able to buy her laptop at the NEX, not only because she loves shopping on base, but also because the price matching policy combined with tax-free shopping saved her even more money.
“I got such a great deal. And the whole process was so easy,” Holly said. “They even threw in a laptop cover!”
Fortunately, for other service branches, the Navy Exchange isn’t the only on-base store to price match. The Marine Corps Exchange (MCX) and the Army and Air Force Exchange (AAFES) offer price matching guarantees as well. Similar to the NEX, restrictions apply, so check out their websites before shopping or ask a store associate for details.
