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Is shopping PX/Commissary worth it?

Posted on 10/7/25 at 4:48 pm
Posted by theantiquetiger
Paid Premium Member Plus
Member since Feb 2005
20041 posts
Posted on 10/7/25 at 4:48 pm
I am able to shop these places, but the closest one is Belle Chase (I believe).

How is the PX compared to Amazon , Walmart, Sam’s, Costco, etc?
This post was edited on 10/7/25 at 4:50 pm
Posted by Gusoline
Jacksonville, NC
Member since Dec 2013
10478 posts
Posted on 10/7/25 at 4:52 pm to
Same prices or higher, no sales tax.

Good for big purchases only.

I bought xbox one when it forst came out at gamestop for the " reward points" instead of saving 80 in sales tax at MCX.

Dumb move.

Eta: commissary usually has decent meat prices.
This post was edited on 10/7/25 at 4:53 pm
Posted by theantiquetiger
Paid Premium Member Plus
Member since Feb 2005
20041 posts
Posted on 10/7/25 at 4:52 pm to
Nevermind, I just saw that only disabled veterans with 100% rating can shop, so I’m not there yet.
Posted by Gusoline
Jacksonville, NC
Member since Dec 2013
10478 posts
Posted on 10/7/25 at 4:54 pm to
quote:

Nevermind, I just saw that only disabled veterans with 100% rating can shop, so I’m not there yet.


Not true. All service connected through VA can shop there. All honreably discharged can shop online. All u need is you va health card
This post was edited on 10/7/25 at 4:55 pm
Posted by greygoose
Member since Aug 2013
14079 posts
Posted on 10/7/25 at 4:54 pm to
Nope. They don't charge sales tax, but you get hit with the equivalent in some kind of other fee. Prices are no better, or even worse, than places in town. Only deal I ever found is Miller High Life. Cheaper than any grocery store, but not worth the extra distance to get it. I haven't been on base in close to a year.
Posted by Gusoline
Jacksonville, NC
Member since Dec 2013
10478 posts
Posted on 10/7/25 at 4:56 pm to
quote:

Only deal I ever found is Miller High Life


Reminded me. Liquor was cheap as frick on paris island. Not sure if due to difference in state alcohol tax or what.
Posted by theantiquetiger
Paid Premium Member Plus
Member since Feb 2005
20041 posts
Posted on 10/7/25 at 5:06 pm to
quote:

Same prices or higher, no sales tax.


So not worth the trip?
It will soon just be me and MsAntiqueTiger, so buying bulk for just us is not worth it (except maybe dry goods). I figured the commissary wouldn't be worth the trip.
I ended my Costco membership because it is not worth it, and only have a Sam's membership because its basically free through my wife's work.
Posted by auie93
Auburn
Member since Jan 2021
796 posts
Posted on 10/7/25 at 5:10 pm to
I've gotten 8 bottles of Kentucky Owl for $79 - $90 per bottle there over the past two years. Same bottle is $125 - $175 everywhere else.
Posted by Gusoline
Jacksonville, NC
Member since Dec 2013
10478 posts
Posted on 10/7/25 at 5:11 pm to
Px isnt going to have bulk items. Its basically a jc penny and sears combined, with a toy section.
Posted by Mid Iowa Tiger
Undisclosed Secure Location
Member since Feb 2008
23661 posts
Posted on 10/7/25 at 5:19 pm to
It’s definitely not worth going out of your way. If I’m on post with my son for another reason we go to the commissary for certain items, but watch carefully they don’t pay attention to little things like expiration dates.
Posted by Major Dutch Schaefer
Location: Classified
Member since Nov 2011
38082 posts
Posted on 10/7/25 at 5:19 pm to
Back in the day they were worth it, today no benefit.
Posted by NYNolaguy1
Member since May 2011
21692 posts
Posted on 10/7/25 at 6:01 pm to
quote:

How is the PX compared to Amazon , Walmart, Sam’s, Costco, etc?


Biggest savings is sales tax. Other than that YMMV. I always found commissary red meat to be cheaper than the grocery store.
Posted by FlyingTiger06
Bossier City, LA
Member since Nov 2004
2006 posts
Posted on 10/7/25 at 6:05 pm to
quote:

I am able to shop these places


Just know that as a retiree, it is now my solemn duty to corner you in an aisle and tell you my lamest, longest, and least relevant war story. Then, as you struggle to get away I have to fulfill my secondary duty of telling you how soft the current generation is and how that wouldn't fly during my extremely difficult deployments to tropical paradises like Diego Garcia.
Posted by theantiquetiger
Paid Premium Member Plus
Member since Feb 2005
20041 posts
Posted on 10/7/25 at 6:06 pm to
quote:

I always found commissary red meat to be cheaper than the grocery store.


But what about quality?
Posted by TigerBait2008
Boulder,CO
Member since Jun 2008
37867 posts
Posted on 10/7/25 at 6:29 pm to
quote:

But what about quality?


Bruh you shop @ garage sales..lol
Posted by northshorebamaman
Cochise County AZ
Member since Jul 2009
37467 posts
Posted on 10/7/25 at 6:35 pm to
quote:

I am able to shop these places, but the closest one is Belle Chase (I believe).
Only worth it OCONUS. The only time I use AAFES stateside is occasional tax-free guns and ammo deals. Commissary might be a couple bucks better than other places but the couple bucks goes to the bagger so it's a wash. I live 10 minutes away from both and haven't bothered with either in probably two years. Class 6 usually has some deals but nothing amazing.
Posted by tigersaint74
Poopoo, Hawaii
Member since Feb 2007
713 posts
Posted on 10/7/25 at 6:42 pm to
On larger items and on liquor, it is worth it to me because they match prices of local brick and mortar stores, just as long as they have it in stock, and being able to get it tax free along with the price match has been very beneficial to me.
Posted by theantiquetiger
Paid Premium Member Plus
Member since Feb 2005
20041 posts
Posted on 10/7/25 at 6:56 pm to
quote:

Bruh you shop @ garage sales..lol


I only buy quality, even at garage sales, plus I’ve never once in 24 years, bought food at a garage sale
Posted by artompkins
Orange Beach, Al
Member since May 2010
6254 posts
Posted on 10/7/25 at 7:16 pm to
No they are usually expensive as frick. Now the base package/7 day store…
Posted by greygoose
Member since Aug 2013
14079 posts
Posted on 10/7/25 at 8:48 pm to
quote:

Reminded me. Liquor was cheap as frick on paris island. Not sure if due to difference in state alcohol tax or what.
When I was stationed in Cuba, liqour was cheaper than Coca-Cola.

When Trump opened the door to the bases to us vets, I was looking forward to the cheap liquor prices. I was disappointed. Same, or higher than the ABC store with a smaller selection.
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