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Report: #4213

Complaint Review: AAFES - Nationwide

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  • AAFES INTERNATIONAL Nationwide U.S.A.

United States MILITARY RIPOFF ARTIST (AAFES) *REBUTTALS *Consumer Suggestion

*Consumer Suggestion: Obtaining Redress from AFFES (hope I spelled that correctly)

*Consumer Comment: bounced check?

*Consumer Comment: I got the shaft too

*Consumer Comment: I know what you mean Timothy

*Consumer Comment: I got the shaft from AAFES

*Consumer Suggestion: Army Air Force Exchange Service is a Command

*Consumer Comment: retired military and I have good luck with BX/PX

*Consumer Comment: This is the Military ripoff organization ever.

*Consumer Suggestion: Write to the IG

*UPDATE EX-employee responds: AAFES Employees and their Customers

*UPDATE Employee: Setting the record straight

*Consumer Comment: AAFES provides pretty good service in Alaska

*UPDATE EX-employee responds: never had a problem unitl we went to Germany

*Consumer Comment: Rebuttal

*UPDATE Employee: AAFES doesn't sufficiently train employee's

*Consumer Comment: Legitimate Excuse

*Consumer Comment: aafes is bad business

*Consumer Comment: Response

*0: I support you also, my husband had a DPP account in the Marine Corp.

*0: First, I want to thank anyone and everyone here who is serving (or has served) OUR country.

*0: I have been in the military for over 10 years now and after dealing with AAFES..

*0: AAFES isn't all that bad. Granted they have their issues, but ...

*0: Just because a check is returned for insufficient funds does not mean the person "wrote a bad check:"

*0: I support the person that wrote this

*0: I've never had a problem for 24 years now

*0: I have NEVER had a problem with them

*0: If AAFES is here to support the military, then why is it that I can find at least 75% of the items from the PX

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I AM WRITING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE I AM VERY DISTRUSTFUL OF THE AAFES COMPANY THAT THE MILITARY BACKS. I HAVE HAD A TERRIBLE TIME WITH THEM SINCE I JOINED THE MILITARY.

IN OCTOBER OF 1993 I USED A CHECK AT ONE THEIR FACILITIES AND QUICKLY AFTER I WENT AND CLEARED IT UP THE FIRST TIME. I THEN LEFT THE AREA AND REPORTED TO A NEW DUTY LOCATION AND I WENT TO USE ONE OF THEIR FACILITIES AGAIN, AND TO MY SURPRISE IT WAS THERE AGAIN. I FOR A SECOND TIME CLEARED IT UP. I RECENTLY USED ONE OF THEIR FACILITIES AGAIN AND IT IS STILL IN THE SYSTEM.

I CONTACTED THEIR HEADQUARTERS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS ASKING HOW DO I CLEAR IT OFF AND NONE OF THEIR REPRESENTATIVES CAN GIVE ME A STRAIGHT ANSWER. THEIR REPLY IS I DON'T KNOW BUT YOU CAN CALL OUR HEADQUARTERS BRANCH. I DO THIS REPEATEDLY AND AFTER EIGHT YEARS OF SERVING IN THE ARMY IT IS STILL THEIR AND THE ONLY REPLY I GET IS PAY IT AGAIN AND SEE IF THAT CLEARS IT OFF.

IN THE MEANTIME, EVERY TIME I USE ONE OF THEIR FACILITIES IF I PURCHASE SOMETHING AND FIND IT'S THE WRONG THING I CANNOT RETURN IT BECAUSE THAT IS THEIR POLICY.

IF YOU HAVE A "DEBT" IT CANNOT BE OVER RIDDEN AND IN THE MEANTIME WHILE YOU ARE TRYING TO CLEAR YOUR ERRONEOUS DEBTS DUE TO THEIR ERROR AND LACK OF TRAINING YOUR 30 DAYS OF BEING ABLE TO RETURN YOUR MERCHANDISE HAS EXPIRED AND YOU HAVE A PIECE OF USELESS JUNK IN YOUR POSSESSION.

IN MY OPINION THEY NEED BETTER TRAINING AND A BETTER POLICY IN PLACE

This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 01/16/2001 12:00 AM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/aafes/nationwide/united-states-military-ripoff-artist-aafes-rebuttals-consumer-suggestion-4213. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year. Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content

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REBUTTALS & REPLIES:
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#27 Consumer Suggestion

Obtaining Redress from AFFES (hope I spelled that correctly)

AUTHOR: Gina - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Sunday, December 17, 2006

Some years back, I worked for a distributor to this organization. My ex-company sold computers, printers, software and related products to them. I am not actually sure that the current management is military. I believe that it was outsourced.

Now, when something with very low profit margins is outsourced, the outsourcer tries to cut corners in every way that they can. For example, they don't develop a front-to-back order entry, cash register, automatic inventory system or general ledger. When a company decides to piecemeal like this, many transactions have to be hand-entered and recreated. Every system gap from automated to manual is an opportunity for a slipup. When you multiply that by thousands of locations, it becomes a gigantic mess that will really mount up over time.

If, as so many outsourcers do, they reduced their staffing to make additional profit, then you have already overworked people doing tasks way beyond their job description and probably making lots of mistakes along the way.

These are only guesses on my part, but I would suggest very strongly that everybody start by determining whether the operation is inhouse or outsourced. Then, depending upon what you find out, you can procede one of two ways. If it is outsourced, write your story down and send it to your CO with a request that he/she inform Congress of the problems and investigate. Be sure to mention that for every dollar saved by the government through outsourcing FIVE DOLLARS are lost to the local community in spending and taxes. Outsourcing is a very bad idea.

If the operation is military-run, then send them a certified letter, return receipt requested and keep those on file. You will get a faster response than with phone calls etc. Also, be sure to include the name of the person that you contacted as well as their supervisor and put a blind cc: to the CO. (don't turn the letters into him until you actually have gotten some kind of response.

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#26 Consumer Comment

bounced check?

AUTHOR: Rhonda - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Sunday, December 17, 2006

I am currently a spouse of an active duty army. I tried to use the aafes check cashing policy about 2 years ago. They told me that my check cashing privaliage was suspended due to a bounced check . I told them I have never wrote a check here before. They told me that it was back from 1997.

I told them that it could not be me because I did not marry my husband until 1998. I asked them to send me a copy, they would not, I asked for them to take it off of my ssn they would not.

I asked them to prove it is mine. All they said is it has my ssn attached to it. I asked could the cashier typed the wrong number it. she said no. I still to this day can not write a check at aafes because of a check back in 1997 before I was able to use this faclity.

Does any one have any suggetion on how to clear it up.

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#25 Consumer Comment

I got the shaft too

AUTHOR: Billie - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Saturday, December 16, 2006

I have a good one for you I was charged for a check 7 years after I had written it.

While my husband was on deployment I sent him a check for 250 dollars. Then moved to Maryland had no problems then later moved to San Diego and got a letter in the mail I had over drafted my account with this check.

I went down to the AAFES/Exchange on 32nd street and asked them why this check was cashed in my account 7 years after the fact and could not get an answer. I had a problems paying the check because i had not expected it and their for not budgeted for it and made arragements to pay next payday.

So next payday I went down and took care of the issue however I could not use my star card inside aafes. I called their hot line while at the customer service desk and they kept telling me everything was good and I could use my card. I then had to keep telling them no I just tried to use my card and its not working.

After another 2 years I asked them again why could I not use my card and then they said oh its because you have a "debt" I was able to show my reciept to customer service who told me well you will have to call and get it cleared up. When I call they say that there is no debt.

Last year I recieved a debt notice from the IRS and they deducted this amount from my taxes. I still can not use my card in aafes although I have paid my debt. (the IRS made sure it got paid)

The best thing I can say is try to pay it off. I always make my payments on their oneline system at aafes.com. There have been several time where I go in and pay cash at the bank upstairs at 32nd and then get a notice I didn't pay. So i take my receipts in and they have to fix it and then I have to call in and have the late fee removed.

Now the odd thing is I can use my card online but not in the store. I was told it has something to do with the system in the store and not being able to clear my debt even though I have paid it off.

anyway good luck trying to clear it up ALWAYS KEEP YOUR RECIEPTS.. most the time the service desk won't deal with you if you can't show proof. Pay off your star card and NEVER use it again..

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#24 Consumer Comment

I know what you mean Timothy

AUTHOR: Robert - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Friday, December 08, 2006

After I paid off my account, I kept recieving a "bill" claiming I owed them $0.00. Talking sense to them did nothing. Each month they would try to charge me a late fee for a $0.00 balance. Finally, I got Base Legal involved. The Attorney there, was able to get the late fees removed, as long as I paid the "due amount" that day. I wrote a chack for $0.00 to AAFES, and all was well.

Your Government in action.

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#23 Consumer Comment

I got the shaft from AAFES

AUTHOR: Timothy - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Friday, December 08, 2006

I think AAFES needs overhauling. When I was in the Marine Corps, I had DPP/UDPP. I paid off my balance before ETS. I received a notification from them that I was paid in full. I then jpined the Army and applied for a "Star" card. I was told I was not approved as I had an unpaid balance. I called AAFES and was told, and they sent me a letter that said had an unpaid balance of "0.00". I have tried to clear this up for 6 years. I cannot write a check, not that I do, and I cannot get a Star Card because they screwed it up and can not figure out how to fix it.

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#22 Consumer Suggestion

Army Air Force Exchange Service is a Command

AUTHOR: Norris - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Thursday, December 07, 2006

I spent twenty years in the Army, and have now been retired twenty years, and currently work for the same at an Army post. AAFES is one of the best perks a serviceman has, the cost of quality clothing is almost 20% less than a like item in the civilian sector, plus no sales tax ever!.

I sometimes question the styles they sell, but overall the price is always right, the staff, made up from mostly military family memebers, normally are professional, and try very hard to correct any problems presented to them. If the OP truly corrected the bad check twice, it should be simple for him to present a receipt of at least one of the payments. That aside, if any of the responders have specific issues with specific stores, the store manager is always in and desires to hear from you directly. His mission is to provide quality merchandise, at a price compatable to, or lower than, his/her civilian competitor.

Instead of bashing the stores in general terms, speak to them, help them improve their customer service by letting them know they have a problem, at least with you. Oh! one more thing, don't whine if your actions or inaction is part of the problem, a too small maternity blouse becomes too small as you progress through the various stages, trying to get a refund after wearing it does not constitute an unreasonable decision on AFFES' part.

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#21 Consumer Comment

retired military and I have good luck with BX/PX

AUTHOR: Mike - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Thursday, December 07, 2006

I am not sure how you got on their bad check list, but I find it hard to believe for one check you are having all these problems. I have dealt with AAFES for more then 30 years and have few if any problems. I have purchased items for Christmas and then returned them the next time I was on base with no problem and after 120 days have past. As to the prices we find at the BX/PX state side I agree it not much of a saving, you have to watch for clearance and sell items to get a good deal. This is because Wal-mart. K-mart, Sears and other stores off base complained about the BX/PX prices being cheaper then them and soldiers going on base and purchasing for civilians also. So the PX/BX system had to re-price every thing to make it more completive for Off base stores.

I do agree with one response you received and that is your SGM/E-9 or 1st Sgt could take care of problem. Good luck and hope you can get it resolved. My wife also worked customer service when I was active duty and they always went out of their way to ensure the customer was happy and that the customer was always right.

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#20 Consumer Comment

This is the Military ripoff organization ever.

AUTHOR: D - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Friday, November 24, 2006

Basically AAFES used to be a major part of the Military services, after the goverment gave control to an individual company, it has become a soldiers ripoff. The commisary is still under government control and operates in a professional manner.

Personally I will no longer deal with them. They have a price match policy that says they will match a legitimate price. How do you decline a price match, if it's challeged, take the item off your website and no longer sell it. What a ripoff, the policy states will, not maybe. AAFES has been ripping off miltary recruits and overseas personnel for years now, because they soldiers really don't have an option.

Whoever purchases most of the items for sell, really has no idea what families are looking for. Simply families want a fair price and good selection. They don't off either one. Example at a training installation, a shirt sells for $48.00, 2 miles away at K-mart, the same shirt is $24.00, where is the value, to the soldier?

Other problems are third party venders trying to bill for products had never been received.

Simply put, it's time for AAFES to serve the soldier, not to continue to rip them off.

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#19 Consumer Suggestion

Write to the IG

AUTHOR: Another - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, March 17, 2004

We have also been victimized by AAFES. We had a check come back as bad (a surprise to us) some 4 years after it was paid. It then took us 2 years to clear the check as an AAFES issue and get a refund.

We wrote them repeatedly, and never had a response. Finally, we found out they report up to the Inspector General (IG for you civillians)and wrote to them with all our documentation.

We then called the IG's office EVERY DAY for 3 weeks until we finally received a refund check for the additional payment we sent (we had believed the error was ours initially).

Our suggestion is - write AAFES and cc the inspector general and send everything certified. You'll need those signature cards to prove that you did everything possible to resolve it. Recall that you are required by law to dispute debts in writing to obtain the law's special protections. Don't forget this can result in a deployability issue and can be reported to command.

We also suggest demanding a payment from AAFES for your investigation time, copies, and interest on any payment. Don't forget that this request for damages should only be used when you are sure you are in the right.

Good luck to you and our advice is don't use checks at AAFES. Many folks have debit cards and that's how we handled them in OIF - without a hitch!

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#18 UPDATE EX-employee responds

AAFES Employees and their Customers

AUTHOR: Tracey - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Friday, March 28, 2003

I was raised in the Air Force, and my first job out of high school was with AAFES at Incirlik, Turkey. I went from checking I.D.s, to cashier, to stereo sales rep, to the "Big Time", Customer Service. After I came back to the states to start college, I began working for AAFES again in the cashier's cage at Tinker. I quit in 1997, and I still go on base with my parents (retired now) today when they shop at the BX and commissary, so I think I know what I'm talking about.

AAFESS sucks. And AAFES rules! What many of you are forgetting to mention is that despite the management of the stores primarily consisting of civilians working directly for the company, the entire REST of the store's employees are SPOUSES and CHILDREN of MILITARY PERSONNEL!!! So when you're getting screwed, you're getting screwed by one of your own...NOT some Big Bad Business!

What astounded me during my stint with AAFES was how RUDE, RUTHLESS, and UNEDUCATED most of the employees were. My feeling was "we're all in this together", ESPECIALLY when living overseas! We're ALL dealing with lack of facilities, we're all dealing with homesickness from the states, and were all dealing with the same commanders and stupid politics of the base. Can't we all just get along?? Apparently not. I don't know if it's because I was RAISED in it that I had a better understanding and a deep need to carry my customer service skills with me or what, but there were some people who were just flat out mean and unhelpful, just to get back at people for them experiencing a bad day, or a bad stay at the base.

I believe we all have to take care of each other. When someone takes it upon his/herself to dispense revenge by not completely giving a customer ALL the information they need to clear up a matter, then we're just dealing with individual whackos, not an entire company! So the experiences IN the store are not training issues at all.

I enjoyed our training sessions. As a matter of fact, I learned more from going through AAFES's training than I have in any other civilian-retail company's system!

As for the people who just couldn't seem to get their matters "cleared up", I hate to say this, but YOU'RE doing something wrong! If the Customer Service Depts. themselves weren't willing to help you, you still could've done something to protect yourself! It doesn't take ANY TIME AT ALL to get your paperwork/receipts together, make copies, and mail things off to the Headquarters in Dallas through certified mail, requesting that they take care of the matter immediately. The people at Headquarters in Dallas are PEOPLE TOO! And it's run by MILITARY PERSONNEL!!! Not by some untouchable strangers hiding behind some OZ curtain waiting to steal money from their service members!!

Also, you can take your matters to your first sergeants! AAFES is working FOR you! If you have any kind of check issue or DPP issue, and you've done all you can and firmly believe YOU'RE in the right, take it to your superior, and make it their problem! Part of their job is taking care of matters like this when you can't seem to do anymore for yourself! It's a military issue when something breaks down in the AAFES system, not a retail issue!!

To walk around with blinders on, magically stumble into a BX after avoiding them for a couple of years, and then finding out at the check-out, "Oops, you can't purchase things here," is frankly ridiculous and a tad bit ignorant!

Also, I noticed most of you had severe spelling errors and sentence structure problems in these complaints. It's not looking good for you, I'm afraid. Between not being able to handle your own affairs over a period of years, and not being able to articulate on paper your problems, it appears to a SEASONED military eye that you probably weren't that sharp of a soldier/airmen to begin with, and THAT may be where your problem begins! (I'm exceptionally shocked that even the "officers" who chimed in their comments couldn't spell! The least you could do is access Spell Check!!).

For voluntarily serving our country, you are/were ALL HEROES! You're not VICTIMS! You're too good to be piss-ant complainers! Please remember, we are all in this together, and no one can do TO you what you won't LET him or her do! Take responsibility. And take care!

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#17 UPDATE Employee

Setting the record straight

AUTHOR: Jeff - ()

POSTED: Sunday, November 24, 2002

I would like to respond to the detractors of AAFES. First of all, what other retailer check cashing policies will allow for a person to cash a personal check for up to $300 dollars a day? Answer, NONE!! Not only does AAFES allow for cashing of checks for up to $300 a day, AAFES also provides Western Union and Moneygram services.

The AAFES credit card, STAR Card, rate is 9%. Has anyone seen the interest rate the other retailers charge? How about 20% or higher. And lets us not mention the penalties other retailers have for late payments!

AAFES in the past few years has invested heavily in store remolding and upgrading. I would put any AAFES store up against any other retailer concerning cleaniness, presentation of merchanise, and stock assortment.

AAFES employees provide excellant customer service. When needed, a checkout lane will be opened if it requires a supervisor. This is unheard of at some of the competition. Could customer service be improved? Of course but I would put AAFES customer service up against any retailer.

I would also like to remind everyone that AAFES has a saying "Go Where You Go" which simply means that where ever the armed forces are deployed, AAFES also goes setting up operations in difficult conditions but still providing the same great service our soldiers are customed to receiving from AAFES.

So to the misgided and misinformed detractors making ridiculous comments concerning AAFES, please do your homework and get the record straight!!

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#16 Consumer Comment

AAFES provides pretty good service in Alaska

AUTHOR: Rosendo - ()

POSTED: Saturday, October 26, 2002

I'm currently statione in FT. Wainright, Alaska.. HOOOAAA Home of the Snowhawk Brigade. I got into this page by coincidence tring to find the on-line catalog. A couple of weeks ago I decided to install a sound system on my vehicle.

I went and bought a Kenwood cd radio in SEARS, without first checking on the PX. BIG mistake, the same radio that I purchased in SEARS for $268.00 was on the PX for $198.00. Furthermore I decided to purchase an INFINITY KAPPA BASSLINK SUBWOOFER+REMOTE.

This time I did my research. The system was for sale in the Crutchfield website for $399.00, the same system was available on a carstereo store downtown for $379.00, and it was available on the PX for $279.00. To me that's a great deal. As far as customer service I think that falls more on the local staff.

I'm a technology "junky" therefor I purchase a lot from the electronics deparment. Here in Alaska the supervisor of that department is a gentlemen named "Gino" ...at least that's what his nametag says. Anytime that I had to return any item for any reason he assisted me and did it in a way that it made me felt that they cared for me as a customer.

Today I wanted to check the size of the speaker system, to see if it was going to fit my truck, and they took it out of the box and measure all the dimensions so I could make a good desition. I guess what I'm trying to say is that every sytem that it's runned by people has imperfections, but overall I belive that you get better prices and better treatment in AAFES.

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#15 UPDATE EX-employee responds

never had a problem unitl we went to Germany

AUTHOR: David - ()

POSTED: Monday, June 03, 2002

My wife and I (she being the soldier in the U.S.Army) never really had a problem with aafes until we went to Germany. She has been in the Army for 7 years, we were stationed on Ft. Riley in Kansas, and we experienced several "questionable situations" with Aafes.

Those were Aafes "best product, best service, best price...Guarantee" What a crock! we found jeans at a local store with the same code as what was at aafes, so we brought the add to aafes so we could be re-imbursed the difference, and they said the quality was not the same that the get their denim from the outside of the roll and the other store got their denim from the inside of the roll(even though it had the same product code).

When I started to work for aafes they told me that it is an honor to work at aafes and that was our employee dicount(we didn't have to pay taxes on our purchases. To me that was funny because I am a spouse of a soldier so I didnt pay taxes anyway what is the deal with that?????

When we changed duty stations to Wurzburg germany we experienced major difficulty with aafes that was when we would pay in cash at the aafes store and would recieve a reciept for our balance on our STAR card (new dpp) well we would then be embarrased when we go through the line to buy something and find out our cards were frozen because we didn't make our payments.

we would then go to customer services and show our reciepts, and they would say its not their problem, then the Houston office would say its been payed, thinking all was ok we would get a statement saying we owed back payments. They denied ever making mistakes. we would then fax over copies of our reciepts hoping to clear our credit. they only replied for us to re-pay all the back dated late payments all for what we had reciepts for. and then they would re-imburse us.
Aafes totally screwed with my (our) credit. Now that we're state side again all is well with aafes again.

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#14 Consumer Comment

Rebuttal

AUTHOR: Robin - ()

POSTED: Wednesday, May 15, 2002

To the original comment, I would like to say that a responsible person would have kept the receipt of payment to prove that they had paid their debt. A receipt is all any company would give you as proof of payment. Also, why would someone at headquarters tell you to call headquarters to get an answer?

AAFES does have a refund policy of 30 days for most items but as a customer I have found that they will refund items past that 30 day policy all the time.

AAFES is in no way subsidized by the US government. Even though they are a DOD insturmentality, they must pay their own way by themselves. Every year Congress tells AAFES that they must by XX amount of dollars to MWR. If AAFES does not make enought money to pay this dollar amount to MWR, they still have to do it. They have to get a bank loan and pay MWR. If it was not for AAFES, there would not be an MWR.

AAFES does not have a monopoly in overseas areas. My spouse is in the military and we have been overseas for a total of 9 and half years so far and I have no problem whatsoever finding other places to shop. Where do people that live in those overseas locations shop? Not AAFES, they are not allowed. They have there own communities with their own shops that any can use. Almost every sizeable company in the States is now on-line and send to your APO address. Any smart consumer would know this and make sound buying decisions no matter what.

Remember that those AAFES employees that you are complaining about are your dependents and military retirees. These two groups are where AAFES gets the majority of their employees from. When dealing with customer service issues, any company can have bad employees. This is a fact of life. I have never received poor service from AAFES but I have from many other companies.

As most large companies do, AAFES does have computer glitches that they are continually trying to improve to better serve their customers. They have automated their Star card payments so that they can be made at any register in almost any store and the payment updates automatically. A few years ago, you had to mail in your payment or make it at the cashier's cage and then it took a couple hours to update. Payments on return checks are not updated immediately because they have to be sent electronically to another company (ICS) that updates the information in their system and then sends it back to AAFES. ICS, which is a dept collection agency, has been contracted by AAFES to collect on all return checks. So AAFES never sees these checks that have been returned. Yes, this can be frustrating and yes mistakes can be made. That is why you keep your receipt showing you made the payment. Common sense would tell you that.

As Americans we expect what we want when we want it and if one particular company can not give us this instant gratification, they are a bad company. AAFES can not provide everyone with everything that they want. Neither can any other company though. Think about that for a while before you complain that AAFES does not have somehting in stock.

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#13 UPDATE Employee

AAFES doesn't sufficiently train employee's

AUTHOR: Christopher - ()

POSTED: Sunday, May 05, 2002

I know when a customer gets screwed, their first reaction is yell at the cashier or customer service rep or supervisor's. The thing is, however, that the employee's low on the todem pole aren't properly trained to handle customer complaints. They are told to take it to the supervisor. And the supervisors take it to their supervisors and so on.

I am low on the AAFES todem pole, but it seems to me that customers will get the run around until the customer gives up. It seems to me that higher management just doesn't care. There is definately no shortage of customers.

AAFES employee's are even bent on getting each other in trouble to better their own position. Everyone is out to get everyone else. This definately includes those in the higher management ranks. It's because of this attitude, I feel, that makes AAFES a very disorganized, very disfunctional company.

AAFES, however, does have it's good points. AAFES is almost everywhere our men and women who serve are serving. When I was in the Air Force, I was surprised to them in Saudi, and if they're not already, it won't be long before they are in Afganistan. If you find an item that is cheaper somewhere else, you can price challenge AAFES, and recieve the item for the price the other store has, and not pay the sales tax.

Overall, I do feel that AAFES is a crappy company and has a lot of reorganizing to do. The only reason I work for them now is because they offered me health and dental insurance and are flexible with my school schedule. Once I start my new career, I plan to say goodbye and good riddin's to AAFES. They cause alot of problems and won't lift a finger to solve them.

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#12 Consumer Comment

Legitimate Excuse

AUTHOR: Gabe - ()

POSTED: Wednesday, May 01, 2002

I can understand the reasons for this report. I also have been irresponsible in making a bad check only because I was short on my math in my check book. Simple mistake and easily fixed. So I thought.

When I was notified of the check I immediately tried to fix it. I did not have the entire amount so I made a partial payment. BIG MISTAKE!

The cashier's cage specifically told me that their system does not always go thru and payments are not always made because of the systems failure to post the payment in the computer. I found that a multimillion dollar credit association like DPP/STAR would be able to have proper operating systems. That is definitely not the case.

They have a very serious problem. Now, wether or not this problem is on every base
Now stop and imagine....do you know how easy it is to forge a reciept? (Luckily I had my reciept) I went to pay the remaining amount and the first payment still (one month later) was not in the computer. The cashier's excuse was "each cashier waits till the end of the day to post the payment in the computer" and it is easy to forget to post it. Hmmmm, that made me laugh. I was astounded that my money could have been taken or just found as excess at the end of the day when the drawer was turned in. What happens then? This is a policy issue! The computer not posting payments till it wants or whatever the issue is....is definitely an issue that needs to be addressed!

I have apologized to the cashier for me getting upset. It was normal to be upset about lost money! Although, it wasn't her fault. She was just following her procedures and training. Or was she? I don't know, I am not a AAFES employee.

All I do know is that DPP/STAR has a big problem with taking payments that they cannot account for. Where does this money go? Maybe they should be audited (something the IRS should be involved in).

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#11 Consumer Comment

aafes is bad business

AUTHOR: james - ()

POSTED: Thursday, March 28, 2002

I have been in the military for eleven years and pride myself with a good credit rating. I too have encountered the disorganized, rude and untrained personnel of AAFES.

Everyone at one time or another may bounce a check. This happened with me as well. When I tried to pay off the check, this same thing happened to me.

The computer system would not delete it. I could not return any items, including a 1200.00$ computer which came DAMAGED! I have called the headquarters multiple times, e-mailed, and written the company many times.

I have NEVER been written back, and the people I have spoken with were rude and unknowledgeable. I was told by one sales clerk to actually NOT pay the debt because she in her experience said it would further complicate the computer system!

I have paid the debt, and continue to fight for this information to be pulled. AAFES has a monopoly which they fully exploit.

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#10 Consumer Comment

Response

AUTHOR: Brian - ()

POSTED: Thursday, March 14, 2002

I have delt with AAFES for a very long time. I do enjoy the company and think they do a pretty good job. The complaints that I read deal pretty much with the administration part of the company. I have to say that AAFES is after all a company that deals with many people. It is unfortunate that they have had problems with company but you can bet that every company will have this types of complaints. I know people who are still dealing with problems with Sears, and other companies, espcially now with many of them shutting down. I know that if these people contact the headquarters in Dallas that many people will get the satisfaction that they want. Each indivual store does not deal with the paperwork process. That is done at headquarters. Also any complaint done at that level will have to get a response. As for the selection, AAFES tries to accomodate all of the needs of the customers but it is hard to get every thing that customers want in each store. They only have limited areas, vendors, and compainies to deal with espcially when AAFES tries to get the better deals. Also AAFES still has to go through congress to get permission to carry items. After all it has a 2 star general running things. And after AAFES pays their employees then ALL the profit goes to MWR. The military sees that in the new basketball court or the new child care center or that neat softball court. AAFES pays for that. They are bound to do that it is a part of the contract that they have with the military. Their are many ways to get satisfaction. One way is to get on line to the offical website. After all many people got on line to file their complaint here why dont they go to the website. All complants get answered there too. AAFES was there at the Pentagon giving away free food to the rescue and military workers for the 9/11 attacks. They along with other companies tried to make life better. They are in remote places where the military are wearing the BDU and trying to serve the military in the combat missions they have to go to. What other company does that? What other company donates back to the military like AAFES does?

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#9 0

AAFES isn't all that bad. Granted they have their issues, but ...

AUTHOR: - ()

POSTED: Wednesday, January 23, 2002

They filed the following rebuttal to the above Rip-Off Report:

Their name: Mike

Their relationship to the company: Consumer Suggestion

Rebuttal:
AAFES isn't all that bad. Granted they have their issues, but you can still find the occasional good deal. As far as the prices being either higher or not all that much cheaper than civilian sector, it's because of laws that require AAFES to set prices that are comparable to the economy. AAFES prices used to be so much lower, they were driving civilian competitors out of business. If you do a little research, you'll find that if you add tax to the civilian prices the AAFES price is pretty d**n
close. The same goes for gas. They have to charge an average of what downtown is selling the gas for. Where I'm at AAFES charges about $0.96/gallon and you drive 1/2 a mile it's 98 cents and another mile its about 95 cents.

I've run into bad AAFES management and good AAFES management. I think it is dependent where you are and who you are dealing
with. Bottom line is no one is forcing you to use AAFES or the
commissary. If you want to shop downtown, do it. If you don't, then don't. Just don't keep using it and keep complaining about it. As far as the initial complaint, I've had the same problems when I've dealt with DPP or checks. The solution...pay in cash and you won't have to worry about it.

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#8 0

If AAFES is here to support the military, then why is it that I can find at least 75% of the items from the PX

AUTHOR: - ()

POSTED: Tuesday, January 22, 2002

They filed the following rebuttal to the above Rip-Off Report:



Their email: quasi_psycho@hotmail.com

Their name: SSG B



Their relationship to the company: Supporter



Rebuttal:

If AAFES is here to support the military, then why is it that I can find at least 75% of the items from the PX on the outside economy at a cheaper price. A big deal item to me is gasoline for my POV. AAFES is tax free correct? Federal taxes on gasoline quoted July 13, 00 came to $.184 an average tax by local government equals approximately $.14, if I were to add this together the tax on a local gallon of gas is about $.324. Due to

the fact that AAFES does not pay tax and I am not required to pay tax on AAFES products, I would like to know where is that money going. It is not going to the employees they make barely over minimum wage (I wonder why people complain about customer service). Is it going to MWR? I truly doubt that you (AAFES) can honestly say this is the case. I asked a supervisor at an AAFES why this is the case, my answer was that AAFES does not make

enough profit on gas sales to amount to a differance. At the same time I have observed the the tanks at AAFES are filled on a regular basis. Their couterparts on the economy seem to be making enough profit to stay in business (they pay the tax not pocket it). Why does the civilian sector lower their gas price before AFFES. Even a $.05/ gallon differance would placate me. I purchase military clothing from the same establishment. Why?

Not because I have to, I can catalog shop or shop on the local economy for lower prices, I was under the impression that the product that I purchased from the PX was warranted. I purchased a pair of Corcoran 2 boots (about $110) in six months time they got a hole in the top leather between the toe cap and where the laces start. "I am sorry you will have to buy some

more because you wore them for 6 months". What a wonderful deal I have received from an agency designed to support me, the military member. I could go on with other things such as the knife in the back overseas. What? Yes most of the items that you would purchase overseas in the concessionaire booths are marked up over 200%, not because the vendor is trying to rip you off but because AAFES charges so much for the booth space that the vendor would loose money for anything less. Check the price

on the economy. Ask the vendor for their local establishment address and I am confident that you will find the price dramactically less. WHO pays for your wonderful benefits of PX purchases?

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#7 0

First, I want to thank anyone and everyone here who is serving (or has served) OUR country.

AUTHOR: - ()

POSTED: Thursday, January 17, 2002

They filed the following rebuttal to the above Rip-Off Report:



Their email: dave@vhhs.50megs.com

Their name: Major, Infantry, US Army



Their relationship to the company: Consumer Suggestion



Rebuttal:

First, I want to thank anyone and everyone here who is serving (or has served) OUR country. That doesn't get said often enough, so consider this a big HOOAAH from me personally.......



I find it interesting that someone would consider that being subsidized is an issue. FYI, it is that very subsidy that allows you to purchase big name items at huge discounts. I last shopped at the Fort Bragg, NC, PX last fall and was shocked at their prices on big name (it was either Tommy Hilfiger, or Polo, or both) clothes. And on top of discounts, there is

never sales tax, which here in Kentucky is be 6% off post.



So, with all due respect folks, perhaps this is a case of "you get what you pay for". And if I'm wrong, I accept that, but I've never needed alot of "service" in a PX. I pretty much know what I want, and if someone points me in the right direction I can find it on my own (since I'm no longer a Lieutenant). But, in all fairness, I would also say that in the case of appliances, etc., it will behoove you to shop around in case

someone is running a big sale or there's a membership warehouse club off post.



Finally, we (the brass) need to get back to the idea that we're all family here. If you are having SERIOUS problems that are impacting your quality of life such as credit rating, ability to cash checks, etc., we need to be able to help you. My ultimate weapon used to be my E-9 CSM when I ran a battalion. He never let our troops get abused or run over. Hopefully you have someone like that in you command chain as well.



I'll close as I opened. Many thanks folks. Well done and carry on. Rangers Lead The Way!

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#6 0

I have been in the military for over 10 years now and after dealing with AAFES..

AUTHOR: - ()

POSTED: Wednesday, January 16, 2002

They filed the following rebuttal to the above Rip-Off Report:



Their email: jjohnson16@hotmail.com

Their name: Jeff Johnson



Their relationship to the company: Consumer Suggestion



Rebuttal:

I have been in the military for over 10 years now and after dealing with AAFES (I have been over-seas the whole time, I have little choice) I truly believe its time has come. The comments made be the retiree's are based on nostalgia and service given to them many years ago. AAFES of today is extremely out of date and its management seems to have no knowledge of simple economics (supply and demand).

I dare anyone in the military NOW to state they have had enjoyed shopping with them.

>From their service, training, choice of inventory, customer complaint system, and bitter sales people I believe that if this company was in the private sector,not subsidized by the government, it would have gone out of business a long time ago.

CHOSE NOT TO SHOP AAFES...

MAYBE OUR LAW MAKERS WILL TAKE NOTICE

DEMAND BETTER SERVICE

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#5 0

I've never had a problem for 24 years now

AUTHOR: - ()

POSTED: Thursday, January 10, 2002

They filed the following rebuttal to the above Rip-Off Report:



Their email: rtc23@lexcominc.net



Their relationship to the company: Supporter



Rebuttal:

I've never had a problem for 24 years now. And my wife worked customer service at AAFES for a couple of years...I think your allegations are wrong. But I will say the training of AAFES employees truly SUCK. Along with how they deal with sexual harassment issues...it's some of the people with heads up and locked, not the company. Now problems exist at Sears...u

really get more for your money...screwed up billing and a nightmare to fix the credit report. AAFES has been flawless in that respect

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#4 0

I support you also, my husband had a DPP account in the Marine Corp.

AUTHOR: - ()

POSTED: Wednesday, January 09, 2002

They filed the following rebuttal to the above Rip-Off Report:



Their email: utw2000@hotmail.com

Their name: Ursula



Their relationship to the company: Consumer Suggestion



Rebuttal:

I support you also, my husband had a DPP account in the Marine Corp. when he got out he paid it off, he decided after a year out of the marines to join the Army, he came in and tried to reactivate his DPP account they said he owed them $36.00, well of course he didn't cause he paid them off before he left the Corp. anyways I was pregnant and tried to return a maternity blouse that was too small they told me I was unable to, because

my husband still owes money, something does need to be done about the breakdown in their system. They don't seem to care! We even went as far as to show our canceled check we wrote to the PX in Camp Lejeune, they also told us to contact Headquaters and until then I still couldn't return my blouse. AAFES practices bad business!

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#3 0

Just because a check is returned for insufficient funds does not mean the person "wrote a bad check:"

AUTHOR: - ()

POSTED: Wednesday, January 09, 2002

They filed the following rebuttal to the above Rip-Off Report:



Their email: nofriendofjackie@yahoo.com

Their name: Mrs. A



Their relationship to the company: Consumer Suggestion



Rebuttal:

Just because a check is returned for insufficient funds does not mean the person "wrote a bad check:" Perhaps he/she made an error in recordkeeping which resulted in an overdraft. The fact that restitution was paid to AAFES means the responsibility for clearing the transaction rests with them. Considering that most people are human and do make mistakes, I would hope all businesses show a little compassion and resolve complaints

of this nature. That being said, if the person habitually writes

worthless checks, their privileges absolutely should be suspended, and AAFES has every right to refuse exchanges/ refunds from individuals who have demonstrated an intent to defraud them.



Only the author of this report knows whether he/she has had any other incidents with AAFES, and that would have been an important point to note. The fact that he/she "paid the check off twice" is unusual: If it was paid once, why not present documentation of that rather than paying again? I can't say for sure, but that seems a little suspect. Please, give the retired gentleman a break; his former rank is admirable (but doesn't make him any more important anymore than the rest of us civilians)



Mrs. A (whose other half used to be military)

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#2 0

I support the person that wrote this

AUTHOR: - ()

POSTED: Tuesday, January 08, 2002

They filed the following rebuttal to the above Rip-Off Report:



Their email: dhoff80@hotmail.com

Their name: Dan Hoff



Their relationship to the company: Supporter



Rebuttal:

I support the person that wrote this in the first place. The rest of this statement is aimed at the Capt. Just because this person wrote one bad check to begin with does not in any way make them a criminal. I myself have had problems with AAFES before, I to wrote a check to them but mine didnt bounce but i got charged several times for the same check which mean that its not an isolated case and the company does have a break down

internally. Also because you never had a problem with this company mister shinny Capt. in now way make them the great empire of a company that you procame them to be. So by what you say i am to assume that the first time your child, son or daughter, screws up and bounces a check or jay walks or leaves there car at a parking meter with out paying or your going to have them looked up like a common criminal. Your pathetic, I think I made my point.

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#1 0

I have NEVER had a problem with them

AUTHOR: - ()

POSTED: Monday, January 07, 2002

They filed the following rebuttal to the above Rip-Off Report:



Their email: swove3715@aol.com

Their name: Captain Jack L. Swoveland (Retired)



Their relationship to the company: Advocate



Rebuttal:

First, the individual would not have had this problem had he not writted a bad check in the first place.



After dealing with AAFES for almost 30 years -- as an enlisted member, an officer and now a retiree, I have NEVER had a problem with them. I think it is a shame that a criminal should voice such strong opposition against the company he tried to defraud in the first place.

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