Shopsmith Forums

As most know here the military Exchange system is is opening online shopping to all honorably discharged veterans in November.

They have an early shopping beta version of the privilege now. Follow this link and see if you qualify.

https://www.shopmyexchange.com/veterans ... d=67965999

That is a cool and much deserved benefit. I never served,but I appreciate what they give. Our vets will never get back what they sacrificed, whether is was time served or life given.

Second that.

Thanks for the link I will pass it on.

Here is an update to the Military Exchange shopping benefit for all honorably discharged vets. This comes from the VFW.


"Online Exchange Shopping a Winner: The military exchanges opened their online shopping doors to honorably discharged veterans over the Veterans Day weekend. The Army and Air Force Exchange Service said their online weekend sales more than doubled over the same timeframe last year. Details were not available from the Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard exchange systems, but the new VFW-supported veterans benefit came out of the gate a winner. To shop online at any or all the military exchanges, you must first verify your eligibility through VetVerify.org. Regarding Amazon comparisons, here’s an article written by CBS Radio’s “Connecting Veterans” host Eric Dehm, a member of VFW Post 1469 in Huntington Station, N.Y. (http://connectingvets.com/2017/11/13/aa ... orthwhile/) Of note is Amazon does not split its profits with military MWR programs."

We (as veterans) have always had the benefits of Base Exchange Shopping. The exchanges, in the past, carried mostly top of the line items at prices that could not be matched in the open market place. That is no longer the case. The exchanges now compete and a quick look at their inventory will show that. Not everything in the store is top of the line. I shop in the exchange every time we go into town. Why, because I generally need to go to the base pharmacy. Pharmacy wait times allow a lot of shopping time so we shop. But we do not always buy. Things like television, computers, kitchen appliances and furniture all have attractive prices but are not always the best choice.

My first hand experience in this matter has all been in the store. I have no online experience here and probably never will. I much prefer to touch and feel what I spend my money on. I do not like shopping in catalogs. I get ideas there but resist buying there. Online Exchange Shopping will be the same way FOR ME.

As always, even in the Exchange --- BUYER BEWARE.

Good Example might be: Craftsman Tools in the Exchange and the same Craftsman Tools at ACE and the same Craftsman Tools at Sears Quality will be the same. Who has the best price and availability?

Availability might be a factor. Can you buy Craftman Tools through the Online Exchange??? As always, Life is a long list of choices.

YES. I answered my own question. The Online Exchange does offer Craftsman Tools.

I still prefer shopping in a real store where I can see what I'm buying. The Craftsman tools are a good example. If I buy them at my local Ace Hardware, I can pick through the tools hanging on the rack and buy tools made in the USA. If I order online, I get the Chinese version. Call me old fashioned, but I still prefer the US made product.
When I can't find a particular tool with the Made in the USA stamp on it, I go to the local used tool store instead of buying new. That way I get the tool I want.