The AAFES complaint thread!

[DoctorP]

Someone please explain to me this.

1. Why is it necessary for me to show an ID card when I purchase gasoline if I pay cash, but if I use the pay at the pump choice, it is not necessary? So, I guess a terrorist, once he/she gets on base, can buy all the gasoline they need as long as they choose to pay at the pump?

2. Why, at the BX/PX, is it necessary to show my ID at the door, when it was already checked to get on base, then show it again when I check out? Why not just check it at the register?

Others please feel free to air your gripes here as well!

[DougP]

Thank god I no longer have an ID card and can't shop there anymore. :)

[ryukyuboi]

1. Shhhhh. OpSec oversight. Keep this matter on the DL though, as I don't want to see authorized patrons having to show their ID cards prior to using their credit card at the pump. Terrorists can buy gas off base, so no worries.

2. Not all ID cards are the same. Some ID card holders are authorized base access, but not Exchange privileges.

[DoctorP]

1. Shhhhh. OpSec oversight. Keep this matter on the DL though, as I don't want to see authorized patrons having to show their ID cards prior to using their credit card at the pump. Terrorists can buy gas off base, so no worries.

Yes, but driving through the gates with large amounts of it may be harder. Filling up with an extra 20-30 gallons at the base pump would be much easier. I won't go into more detail since you are pointing to OPSEC, but it has happened before...just a few months ago in the US.



2. Not all ID cards are the same. Some ID card holders are authorized base access, but not Exchange privileges.

Yes, I know this...but it wasn't a problem for the past say 10 years...and there are a number of people without ID's roaming around in the stores anyway. Checking at the register would prevent illegal purchasing without the added hassle. It's not a big deal to me...just wanted to vent is all.

[DougP]

There are a lot of people who are fed up with AAFES.
http://aafessucks.com/

Most AAFES stores in Gemany are not even allowing management to choose employees. Once a job is vacant it is automatically filled with an "intermittent" employee. These employees are not even interviewed, rather, they have been selected from a pool of local online applicants. The total interview is a phone call -"Hey, you applied, wanna come to work?"

These employees receive no benefits, no vacation or sick leave and are often paid the lowest acceptable wage. The quality of employees runs about 80% in the the "A sane person wouldn't hire you to clean an outhouse" category. All management cares about is productivity (Read this as lowest personnel costs, fewest possible people against net profit.

Simply - you hire semi literate jerks to work for you you get jerks to serve customers.

[ryukyuboi]

Rarely is my ID really "checked" when I enter an Exchange. Rather, all that is required is for me to flash a card that looks like a valid ID card. I am then thanked by the ID card checker and gain entrance into the Exchange. I don't recall anyone paying attention to the expiration date at all.

ID cards that state "for overseas use only" are used in Exchange facilities that are not overseas without a problem.

And, if I don't have an ID card, I probably know someone who will buy me what I want from the Exchange anyway.

The ID card holder can "sponsor" a guest to roam around the aisles for a spell as well.

It's all good.

I am not really surprised by any of this. After all, how easy is it for an illegal to gain entrance into the US? We all know the answer to that question, right?

[Fonze]

They can stop the unauthorized from shopping in the PX, but they cant get them out of the food court.

[DougP]

I don't think the food court is on the same level of privileges as shopping at the BX or PX is. I don't even think it is a privilege just another eating place.

[P_chan]

I just hate that their video game collection sucks balls. Then once they do rarely get a good game, it's sold out in a few days. They won't get anymore copies until weeks, sometimes months, later.

Yet they have no problem keeping the latest crappy movie themed game at the BX. Kinda tells you which games people want, and which ones are crap.

[Boost]

2. Why, at the BX/PX, is it necessary to show my ID at the door, when it was already checked to get on base, then show it again when I check out? Why not just check it at the register?



I agree that they should just check the ID at the register. I guess the door would work too, but make it either or. A little redundent to check at both points.

That is one of the nice things about being back in the states though, screw AAFES when you've got Wal-mart, Target, Best Buy and many more right out side the gate! And I have found with a little bargain hunting, you can sometimes find items cheaper off base even with tax!

[newvalor]

It's AAFES, they suck balls period. They don't sell clothes people like to wear, they don't sell nothing but overpriced crap.

As for checking ID's I would like to see it be done at the register, it would keep people from signing in 20 members of the family and just going on a shopping spree. I've seen it first hand when I was an SP working the gates during the 4th of July celebration last yr. One van would pull up with I don't know how many people and bring them on, I figured going to the festivities which I was wrong when I drove by there 2 hrs later. Where were they? At the BX and Commissary buying everything.

I've been to one of those local town meetings with the AAFES upper management taking complaints and ideas of future sales. Yeah it was a waste of time, nothing but old ladies and fat housewives wanting new chinaware and decorating crap. I brought up dickies, WTF. And I couldn't even get a reply from them. I've asked about better outdoor supplies (I was stateside), cologne's, video games, that majority of stuff people want and I still couldn't get an answer. I just got a cold stare from all the other people probably thinking to themselves "why is he here".

I go online to purchase stuff, it's cheaper and I can have it shipped within a week to my address with no absurd shipping cost AAFES likes to throw at ya.

[socalheart]

I don't mind showing my ID to use AAFES services. Whether or not they check my ID at the door or register is the same. If someone brings in a guest to shop, then gives the ID card holder the money, no one blinks twice. I've been to an AAFES meeting where this was pointed out recently.

I will rant about the gas station though. I have an ID card and am authorised to buy AAFES gas. My car is in my name, but has kanji plates still. They made me sign an unauthorised vehicle slip for getting gas there. It pissed me off. Nothing came of it, but it's the principle of it for me. AAFES pisses me off on a weekly basis, but usually not as a customer.

Y'all know that there are comment cards available at the exchange and concessionaires to make complaints or comments about AAFES? They actually read them. Our customers filled out a bunch of cards one day and turned them all in at once to the Kadena exchange. They were all comments on what a great job we were doing with our special event. The Kadena exchange manager (at the time some mean woman) came in pissed off at us, because our customers turned in a bunch of comment cards at once. We complained to the AAFES concessionaire manager that the exchange manager refused to accept the comment cards. We didn't hear from that woman again. So, in spite of all their faults, AAFES does read the comment cards. They don't always do something about it, but they read them. :)

[Hollarey]

Usually the only time they check mine at the register is when I am paying with a credit card to compare names. If I use cash or the debit card they never ask me.

As for the gas station, that is a good question. If I stole a credit card I could definately buy gas and not worry about showing ID. I wouldnt steal one, just making a point.

[Fonze]

For anyone wanting to just show ID at the register that means your'e all for anyone getting in the store right?

Iv'e also noticed and been told by a filipino friend that since there is plenty of PI workers they let them slide and dont have authorization to shop there.

[silviasichigo]

Not sure if anyone read the order Published Aug 1st (MCB Camp commander) but upon entry all patorns in or out of uniform will present ID cards, Visitors with out valid SOFA/Military ID card must have a pass issued from the pass office authorizing asscess however purchases are not allowed with out the above mentioned ID. This is to eliminate military members and thier dependants who were stripped of thier exchange privilage access to the facility.

[newvalor]

Why is a container of ICE cream almost $6 at the AAFES shopette when you can get the same ICE cream at the commissary for $3 and even save with a coupon?
Why is it that BIG SIZE CLOTHES are cheaper at aafes and small sizes clothes are expensive?
I would think that big clothes require more material as opposed to smaller clothes!
I know there are a lot of twinkie tokers here but evidently they don't frequent they size 48 rack!


Hell why even buy the clothes they sell, I either go downtown or shop online. Yeah it's more expensive at times but atleast I'm not wearing the same clothes like everybody else. Oddly enough my statement was proven one night when I saw some fat guy wearing the same shirt I had on, yeah I never wore it again.

So they read the comment cards, but the don't do anything about them most times. Well isn't that ironic, it's just the same way as saying they don't read them. Same end result, nothing will happen.

The only way to get in the commissary for a visitor is it has to be a family member, why isn't it the same there. I'm not too worried on the gas station letting a local get gas, we all need it and right about now it's almost the same price off base if not more.

[P_chan]

Yeah there was this nice shirt I liked at the bx and I wanted to get it.

Well I'm glad I held off because since then I seem to see everyone wearing it.

What pisses me off is my wife can't get gas on base. So what she has a kanji plate?! She has her ID, that should be all she needs. Sorry, I'm not paying to convert her car to a Y plate just so she can get gas on base.

[Muku]

I agree that they should just check the ID at the register. I guess the door would work too, but make it either or. A little redundent to check at both points.


Actually it makes sense from the point of view that some ID card holders will sign guests into the PX/BX, the guests obviously are not authorized to purchase anything, and if they were not checked at the register could possibly make any number of purchases without authorization.

Why is it that BIG SIZE CLOTHES are cheaper at aafes and small sizes clothes are expensive?

Nothing to do with size, everything to do with customer base. It's the same all over the world, or at least everywhere I have ever been.

There are more babies and small statured people than giants.:D

[P_chan]

I thought they allowed guests in the commissary now!?
I see a flock of locals who I am pretty sure are not relatives walking around kinser commissary,or maybe it is different on other bases!

There aren't supposed to be any locals in the commissary, if they're not a dependent. However, kinser's commissary is very lax and there is seldom someone there checking ids.

If you have an ID card and work on base cant you register the car?

I've never heard of anything like that.

[socalheart]

Re: getting gas on base. I have no idea how to get this authorization for my kanji plate car. They say to go to the gate for it, but the gate says they don't do it. They say the plates have to be changed.

Re: changing kanji plates to Y plates. It costs money and requires an elephant's butt load of paperwork. I've tried a half dozen times, and each time I don't have the correct form or some other bullpoop.

Re: commissary. Kinser commissary checks ID at point of sale only. Kadena and Foster commissaries check ID at point of entry. (I haven't been to Courtney's.) I know people who have been to the Kinser commissary who aren't authorised to purchase. It's the same practice the exchanges use regarding purchases.

Re: AAFES exchanges. I've been asked for my ID at the register when paying cash while with my husband, especially if I greet the cashier in Japanese. If I'm speaking English with my southern drawl, they don't bother me about it. Talk about profiling; and you thought only cops did it. ;) heh.

Re: clothing choices in the exchange. Well, if all they have left is size 40... gain weight! :D I'm just kidding. That only works for the navy. :D Again, I kid. Oh, wait, my apologies, kid... that's the Army. Okay, seriously, baby clothes should be cheaper, because they're smaller, right? That person who mentioned supply and demand is right though. There's just more demand for hooker clothes from tiny women (or big women in denial) and young teenage girls. Oh my, was that out loud? I really need to work on that inner/outer poster. :p

Re: AAFES comment cards. Yes, they read the comments cards, and seem to ignore 99% of them. heh. Then again, if the general's (or admiral's) wife has the slightest problem with let's say the a/c, they have electricians and such climbing all over the building disrupting everyone else. So, you could say you're a general's wife. After all, it's illegal to impersonate an officer, but is it the same to impersonate the spouse? heh.

[Muku]

I was not refering to babies LOL
Just that size 36 jeans and below are hard to find sometimes but there is always an abundance of 40 and above! LOL


You want harder? Try looking for anything decent off base.:-|

That person who mentioned supply and demand is right though. There's just more demand for hooker clothes from tiny women (or big women in denial) and young teenage girls. Oh my, was that out loud? I really need to work on that inner/outer poster.

I'm that "poster":p

[P_chan]

Well there are plenty of mamasans married to retirees who bring their friends for a shopping excursion!
They don't check ID's until you are ready to buy and that is not always done!

Maybe because I'm not japanese, but they never check my ID at the kinser commissary once I check out.

[newvalor]

for getting gas on base, you need a valid military issued ID card. it has nothing to do with what plates you have unless you were stateside where base decals are issued. If they give you a hard time, mention and show them your ID card and there should be no problem. You're vehicle is already registered on the base as it is required for your insurance and road tax sticker when it is issued every yr. Those stickers are color coded so they can be seen by the SP's at the gate and can be inquired when you go to enter the base if it is wrong.

I've had some trouble off base to find clothes, specifically pants or shorts. nothing of my style of size, as for shirts I've been lucky so far as I like to wear more of the beach goer type clothes. But I do like to dress nice or preppy on occassion and that proves difficult as nobody on island carries Lacoste or anything of that sort. And to add, how difficult do you think it is for me to find shirts long enough??? I'm 6'2" at 200lbs athletic, I find Lg shirts off base and they're like size med/small on me. Shoes don't get me started on that.....

I see alot of retirees or just people bringing everyone into the BX for a shopping spree. I see one lady and like 5 of her friends following her, once they're past the ID check they each grab a cart and have at it. I think that should be stopped, it's easy to call out to check thier ID at the counter. I've done it before and had people escorted out, yeah they waited to bitch at me in the parking lot but who cares it's my BX not thiers.

I don't see anything wrong with impersonating a commanders wife, hell if they can get away with the way they drive on base then yeah why not go for it.

[Brett23iu]

I dunno its redundant but its a rule

[Bones]

Don't have much to do this evening, so I stumbled upon this AAFES thing.

I've been an AAFES customer far longer than most of you, and I've had the opportunity to work for them as well. It's a really fun place to work, but as some of you have pointed out, there are some problems that need to be addressed.

As Dr.P pointed out, with his I.D. card issues, those issues are directed by the base commander. I've experienced them recently on Camp Foster. The employees at the furniture store told us that checking for a valid military I.D., at the door, as well as at the register was a thing that was implemented within the past week or so. I don't have a problem with it, but I find it annoying at times.

As far as the availability of items that you used to buy back in the states, it's a logistical issue, as well as a political one. Over here, we are a long way from home. So trying to provide all of our customers, with everything that they want is just not possible. AAFES does try to do it's best, to try to provide you with the product that you are looking for. If you are not able to find what you need, ask for the manager of the store that you are shopping at, and they will do their best to help you out.

BTW, if you can find an item cheaper off-base, bring in the add, and AAFES will match the price, with no tax. But only if it's an item sold by your local exchange.

As far as shopping at the Commissary goes, and if you are just coming over here, did you know that the coupons that you were clipping back in the states, are valid over here for six months after their expiration date? Something to think about.

NBTP

[P_chan]

The day I clip coupons is the day I realize I'm old.

[newvalor]

The day I clip coupons is the day I realize I'm old.

coupons are the shiz, I saved $5 on my $100 dollar purchase. (sarcasim)



I have yet to see AAFES sell mens clothes to the common guy at any base. they sell some of the worst clothes in taste and fashion. Not everybody wants to dress like mr. polo himself. Hell it's bad enough we live on an island surrounded by water and you only have 2 choices of shorts, khaki or denim. that's it.

[socalheart]

I heard military can't get non-military people into the exchange now without them having a visitors' pass from the gate. It's a bother, because I have family who are local and have a base pass, but I can't sign them into the exchange now, because they don't have a more limited base pass. It doesn't make sense to me. Has anyone else run into this?

[silviasichigo]

Yes my grandmammy was visiting and had to get her a specific pass for Exchange/comissary entry, besides the base entry pass for her 3 week stay.

[newvalor]

Socal, you can have your family member get a base pass to allow him/her into the commissary/bx. But the way the pass works is it has to be a direct family member e.g. mom/dad/sibling, those are direct. Now some people do get lucky and get the pass for a grandparent or cousin/nephew so you can atleast try.

But I'm not trying to sound mean but I am glad they are being more strengent on passes being issued. when I worked the gate there were way too many people coming thru with a base issued pass for passengers in thier vehicle, it's partyly due to security issues and just overall that we don't need the extra people running around untouchable because we don't know they are there or on the base.

[Bones]

I broke one of my cardinal rules this afternoon.

I went to the BX, just to pay a bill that I had forgotten about, as well as making a change of address. It was horrible.:dead:

Never, ever, do your business on a weekend.

It took 45 minutes, before my number was called. The number on the overhead counter changed occasionally, but it never caught up with the next number in line. If you are in a hurry, and if a black person is in front of you, go home. Especially if she is fat, and likes to talk.

She was at the counter when I arrived, she was still at the counter when I left, and she was rude to the other people waiting in line. She had a fat black girlfriend, with her, who ducked out on occasions, came back with something else, that apparently needed to be put on layaway.

A lot of other people in line were starting to complain about her as well. She requested to speak to a manager.That probably put an even greater strain on the people waiting in line behind me.

Let's not even talk about the "Officers wives", that I had to listen to while waiting.

If you are the husbands of these women, you need to have a talk with your spouses.

I'll try to keep my visits to the BX/PX, limited to during the week.

NBTP

[DoctorP]

LOL...NBTP...Just imagine what it will be like from now until xmas! I refuse to go to the BX from October to February just because people act nuts when AAFES does the whole holiday season thing. It's the same crap people...don't feel obliged to buy it just because AAFES says it's the holiday season!

[socalheart]

Thanks for the info, newvalor.

silviasichigo or anyone who knows: Can you post what you needed to get your relative(s) a pass for access to the exchange? Thanks.

:)

[P_chan]

I was just at the BX and PX today with my wife's family and they didn't ask to see our base pass.

[newvalor]

I was just at the BX and PX today with my wife's family and they didn't ask to see our base pass.

Odd tho, they should ask to see your ID and ID's of others along with you. That is a stated rule on most installation, tho there are those employee's who just don't care because they do it themselves with thier friends.


SoCal, you should be fine using the base access pass getting your family into the BX/PX. As long as you are escorting them, nobody else but you. Since they are direct family they are given slightly more access to facilities unlike just the normal friend that shows up.

Sorry If I've been leaving anything out, but I can help answer anymore questions pertaining to SF as I did that stuff yrs ago.

[Bones]

Two other complaints about AAFES. The book selection sucks.:mad:

Both, Kadena, and the Foster BX, had some fairly decent book stores about ten years ago. Both, have apparently been taken over by Phai's House of Jade.

The selection of computer gear, at both of the above named BX's, is non-existent. Unless of course, if you consider yourself a serious gamer, and your favorite games are Solitaire, or the ever challenging Mine Sweeper. :mad:

They do not sell one decent printer, nor do they sell any half-assed decent keyboards. And I'm in the market for both at the moment. It wouldn't be a problem if we had an APO box, but since everything I need has to be delivered to our current residence, shipping charges are a killer. It cost me $729.00, just to Fed-Ex my computer over here.

Anybody know of any places that sell some serious printers, or keyboards, off-base? At a reasonable price? :-|

NBTP

[DoctorP]

Goodwill has a fair selection of items. You are more than welcome to ship things to me...I can drop them off for you!

[Bones]

Yeah, I know, Dr.P. :crying:

I have never had any problems with any of the AAFES employees over here. The problems that most of us are facing over here, are largely due to problems created by AAFES Headquarters. They look at things from a monetary perspective. Generate as much money as you can, by offering things that you can buy at the local hundred yen store, at ridiculous prices.

On the positive side, we were shopping for a new grill a few days ago. One of the big ones that we can cook a BIG turkey on, and I found one that we could live with. We asked one of the associates if they had that one in stock, and were told that she could have one shipped up from Camp Kinser, the following day.

One of the Japanese workers asked us to wait for a minute. It was actually 5, but he had just loaded one into the trailer out back, to make room for the new Toyland. We got our grill, now I just need someone to help me assemble it. It's much bigger than the one we used to have, and much heavier.

But that's going off-topic. Getting back to the complaints thing however, that's about all the complaints that I have at the moment.

NBTP

[socalheart]

Two other complaints about AAFES. The book selection sucks.:mad:

Both, Kadena, and the Foster BX, had some fairly decent book stores about ten years ago. Both, have apparently been taken over by Phai's House of Jade.

Yes, the book selection sucks at the exchange.

For the record, as it's a personal issue for me, I want to clarify the above. Phai's House of Jade (PHoJ) did not take over the AAFES book stores. At MCB Butler, the book store was moved to where the Four Seasons is now. At Kadena AB, AAFES replaced the bookstore with random concessionaires. In neither case did PHoJ take over the bookstore. Currently on Butler, PHoJ is where the bookstore was maybe ten years ago. PHoJ only moved into that space in 2005. On Kadena, the building no longer even exists. AAFES moved the bookstore into the main exchanges. PHoJ is simply a vendor contracted with AAFES to provide a retail option for the military.

Hopefully, this clarifies the assumptions you had about the above.

[Bones]

Hey socalheart,

I seem to have touched a nerve. My bad.

Am I correct in assuming, that you reside somewhere within the AAFES Foodchain? For example, are you one of the people who decides what customers want? Based on feedback?

Or are you just one of the drones, who blindly accepts, what the people back in the states dictate?

Not a personal attack, I'm just curious.

You claim that the book stores have been moved. Not true, IMHO.

There are no book stores. If there are, the people who take care of them, don't have a clue about what readers are looking for.

The vendors who have replaced the book stores that I had mentioned, don't even deserve to be there. They serve no purpose, as far as I can see, except to sell junk at inflated prices, to those who think that they are getting a good deal. There's a bootmaker on Foster, who is exempt from my opinion. He does excellent work. As do the people in the barber shop.

Forgive my rant, and I remind you that this is not a personal attack on you.

Power Zone.

Some bright kid, somewhere, came up with that moniker. It's a dead horse.

"Power Zone", as the term is intended, would provide shoppers with the latest, greatest, technology that they could afford. Label everything else, electronics. You can find higher tech, in rice cookers off-base.

There is a serious dis-connect, between the HQ, and what people over here are actually looking for.

Personally, whenever my store was visited by a VIP, I'd always agree with them. Not perfect myself, so some of their comments actually had some merit.

Everything else, I ignored. Well, not totally true. Made the changes for a few days, then moved everything back to the way it was. Always make sure to keep your customers happy, and stick it to the "Jerk" with a better idea. :D

Done ranting. Sorry, if I offended, or bored anyone.

NBTP

[socalheart]

I don't "reside somewhere within the AAFES foodchain". I am someone who can directly respond to a customer's want and feedback as it pertains to PHoJ as a vendor for AAFES, but only as far as AAFES allows. For example, if one person or family wants PHoJ to carry Chinese swords, I can request its purchase. If fifty people request the same thing, I can put in an order for it. If AAFES disallows PHoJ to sell it on base, then PHoJ can't sell it on base. In that sense, a person ignorant of contractual obligations with AAFES might consider it "blindly" accepting "what the people back in the states dictate."

According to AAFES, they moved the bookstores. I agree, because the bookstores are no longer where they were once located. If a cup was on the table, and it is now on the counter; the cup was moved. What AAFES calls the section of books in the exchange is up to them.

If you believe the vendors at the AAFES concession mall "serve no purpose" and "don't deserve to be there", let AAFES know in a comment card. Please keep in mind that AAFES seeks out local (regional) vendors to fill the concession malls on base at the request of the military community to ease their shopping needs. Many people on base don't have the priviledge of driving (off base) nor the extra money to take a taxi (that far).

For the record, I responded this way, because you singled out PHoJ, which is of personal interest to me. I will not see it disparaged by a person who is not part of the company or its regular customer base. PHoJ has had a loyal customer base with the US military since 1979 (perhaps prior, but that's as far as memory goes), which is longer than some people here are old. They've always said the prices were very fair; and on a few occassions, less expensive than when they went to Hong Kong and saw the same item.

Am I correct in assuming, that you reside somewhere within the AAFES Foodchain? For example, are you one of the people who decides what customers want? Based on feedback?

Or are you just one of the drones, who blindly accepts, what the people back in the states dictate?

Not a personal attack, I'm just curious.

You claim that the book stores have been moved. Not true, IMHO.

There are no book stores. If there are, the people who take care of them, don't have a clue about what readers are looking for.

The vendors who have replaced the book stores that I had mentioned, don't even deserve to be there. They serve no purpose, as far as I can see, except to sell junk at inflated prices, to those who think that they are getting a good deal. There's a bootmaker on Foster, who is exempt from my opinion. He does excellent work. As do the people in the barber shop.

[DoctorP]

No offense SoCal, but I wouldn't be upset if PHoJ went away. IMO the items sold there are...well, let's just say I think the space could be used better! I am glad that you have a passion for what you do though, and good for you for standing up. I do like what the concession are on Foster has tried to do in the past few years. The music shop is a nice addition, I like the little furniture shop, the boot man, computer store, flower shop...

One thing I dislike, was AAFES moving the toys and Four Seasons into that area. I thought having the book store and video store there was nice, and having the toys in the main exchange worked well. Maybe they should have just built a new cover between the theatre and the concession mall so that seasonal items could be displayed there...that would take a lot of clutter out of the stores!

Btw...who the hell decorates for halloween in August, and Christmas in September?

[OCanadaOurHomeAndNativeLand]

Btw...who the hell decorates for halloween in August, and Christmas in September?
My ex.:rolleyes:

[Tanimaga]

I went drinking with the boot man. Rarely talks...just drinks.

[P_chan]

How about some non religious new born baby cards? I was there today looking for a new born baby girl card to give to my wife's brother. They had about 3 different cards to choose from. The other 15 odd some were all religious (christening/baptism) or had a religious undertone.

So how about some secular newborn baby cards!

[DoctorP]

Fold a piece of paper in half and make your own! More original and more personal.

[P_chan]

You have to have artistic skill to do that, something I lack.

[Bones]

Yeah, another rant. But not a major one. :cool:

I purchased a Canon MP 960 printer this afternoon, at Korinza Mall. The wife says: "Why don't you get some paper while you're here."

Can you guess where this is going?:rolleyes:

Canon paper is expensive. So we went over to the Kadena Exchange, to pick up some HP Bright White paper. Walked around for a while in the "Power Zone", and finally approached a sales associate. "Do you sell HP Printer paper?"

Her reply: "Yes, but we haven't had a shipment in months. None of the other bases here on Okinawa, have any either."

Is this true?

If so, why?

Ended up buying a box of "Computer Paper", meant for dot-matrix printers. You know, the perforated edges, with the holes?

Maybe it's time that all of us over here, wrote to their Congressmen/Women, and demand that AAFES be gotten rid of altogether. We need a Walmart.

NBTP

[P_chan]

I got a copy of halo 3 today. I was suprised that aafes even got it in on the release date. But I was pissed as well because two weeks ago I asked if they would get it in and dumb lady I talked to said no because it wasn't in their warehouse. I wonder if she even checked or just thought up of some BS excuse?

Well, I went to the BX at lunch because a co worker had brought a copy into work. Of course, the BX was sold out because they never get enough copies of good games. So I had to skip my lunch and go all the way to the foster px to get a copy. They were almost sold out by the time I got there. Hey but at least I got a copy!

[roxy_skyy]

I think that AAFES should be supporting normal size women. I'm not stick thin and I'm not huge either...I can fit into regular sizes however, when all the size I wear are gone and there are twenty pairs of size 0 and size 2 jeans chillin on the rack that should be saying something to the people who buy these clothes. NOT EVERYONE IS A SKELETON! Have more variety...

...and another thing I was at the PX on Foster the other day and some of the clothes they've got there...it's insane! I mean I seen this jumpsuit deal that honestly looked like a a pair of leggings with a shoulder straps...they ask us to obey the dress code as civilians, and we might not always listen but how can you expect us to try if you don't sell proper attire?

[Tempestuous]

I think that AAFES should be supporting normal size women. I'm not stick thin and I'm not huge either...I can fit into regular sizes however, when all the size I wear are gone and there are twenty pairs of size 0 and size 2 jeans chillin on the rack that should be saying something to the people who buy these clothes. NOT EVERYONE IS A SKELETON! Have more variety...

...and another thing I was at the PX on Foster the other day and some of the clothes they've got there...it's insane! I mean I seen this jumpsuit deal that honestly looked like a a pair of leggings with a shoulder straps...they ask us to obey the dress code as civilians, and we might not always listen but how can you expect us to try if you don't sell proper attire?

I agree!!!!
I was able to buy pants in store twice in 6 yrs.
One pair of Calvin Clien jeans & then a pair of their khaki pants.
Other wise all my pants came from Stateside stores when I made trips home.
I did get the opportunity to buy one or maybe two pairs of shorts in that time as well.

As for the outrageous get-ups I also agree!!! Just because it may be "fashionable" some where in the US, (likely on MTV/VH1 or BET) doesn't mean it is appropriate.

[Tanimaga]

And they dont sell pumps in size 18...
Maybe I said too much..moving on...

[Tempestuous]

And they dont sell pumps in size 18...
Maybe I said too much..moving on...

heheheh, funny!
Well it made me laugh anyways!

[socalheart]

I have found a few decent professional slacks and blouses for work at the exchange, but they were in size 10. I didn't see anything in sizes 6 - 8, so I just ate a couple more cheeseburgers. :p Heh. Finding a nice dress or outfit for going out to dinner or a party is nearly impossible. Then again, my definition of nice doesn't involve dressing like a streetwalking whore. I don't dress like a nun either, but geez louise people... I digress. I've also been able to find decent casual clothes for maternity. As long as I never want to leave the house for someplace nice while pregnant, I'm dressed.

I understand that space is limited in an exchange that must cater to a diverse group of people. Unfortunately, the Okinawa exchanges seem to think they're female customers are primarily sizes 0-5 and 12-22, talls, young MTV vixens or bargirls, older grandmothers and dowdy mothers, or cross-dressing males with exception of the shoes. :cursing:

Tanimaga: You may have to shop at the same store "Peggy Hill" shops at for size 18 pumps... :p :chuckle:

[Muku]

Unfortunately, the Okinawa exchanges seem to think they're female customers are primarily sizes 0-5 and 12-22, talls, young MTV vixens or bargirls, older grandmothers and dowdy mothers, or cross-dressing males with exception of the shoes.

Have you ever thought of going to Mitsukoshi or Palette Kumoji in Naha?

[socalheart]

I've been to Mitsukoshi Naha and Plaza, but have a problem fitting into most of the clothing. I'm Asian size, but built like a German-Italian. Heh. I've never found anything affordable that I like there either. Naha is too far to go for me to buy clothes. I've never heard of the Palette place. Thanks for the fyi though.

[Bones]

Well Guyjin, when it comes to AAFES, my complaints could mostly be construed as "whining". And, I admit that.

But, having worked within that organization for a few years, the people that are currently working there, are "Top-Notch". They go wherever the troops go, they will go out of there way to see if something that you may be looking for, might be on the shelf in the store room. And they have to put up with a lot of BS, yet still maintain a professional attitude, towards their customers.

NBTP

[Bones]

Quote:

Originally posted by Guyjin Are you referring to the people who actually deal with customers or are you talking about upper management.

The people that actually deal with customers. But you have to remember, I've spent at least 16 years of my life over here, so some of the people that I approach, are personal friends of mine.

As for the upper management, I can't say that I know any of them personally, and have yet to approach them with a legitimate gripe. But I've spent enough time with AAFES, to know that even if I do vent on them about a problem, there's not much that can be done about it.

Even upper management, as it relates to the Store Managers, have no real say on what they want to sell in their stores. All of that is decided by the Regional Managers, back in the states.

I try to deal mostly with the Asian Associates, they've been here the longest. And I make it a point, to never vent my anger on them. It's pointless. And one of the things that I will have to adapt to again, since we're on an Island, the things that I would like to buy will not always be available. There are a lot of things that I would like, and a whole bunch of people who want the same things as myself. They just beat me to it. Have to wait for the next shipment I guess.

I hope that I've not only answered your question, but have somehow managed to stop a barrage of complaints from other readers. No longer with AAFES, myself.

I'm retired, no job, no worries.

NBTP

[Tanimaga]

Tanimaga: You may have to shop at the same store "Peggy Hill" shops at for size 18 pumps... :p :chuckle:


My daughter just turned 7, and wears women's size 6.5!!!

[DocTurtle]

I hate how they never seem to have what you want in stock. It's like they know everyone needs a certain product and they will order 100 for the entire island and disperse them through the camps and won't restock them for another 2 months! Examples are very evident with electronics such as the Wii, the 360, ipods, and probably most obvious is games!

[Bones]

Another thing that just popped up my radar screen. We need a couple of lamps for the nightstands in the bedroom.

Sometimes either one of us just wants to turn in early, and we'll take a book with us to make us drowsy. Can anyone out there explain to me, why it should cost me upwards of $150.00/lamp?

As a work-around, I'm thinking about duct tape, and a five dollar flashlight hanging from the ceiling.

NBTP

[DoctorP]

Build a lamp...make something unique...won't cost you more than $30!

[Fonze]

Ya I use to build lamps for people but of course in the states you got the goodwill among other real thrift stores.

[DoctorP]

I've built lamps out of golf clubs, baseball bats, helmets, and of course old lamps!

[Bones]

Originally posted by DoctorP:

I've built lamps out of golf clubs, baseball bats, helmets, and of course old lamps!

Yeah, I used to build lamps as well. Sometimes out of used J-79 combustion chambers. But the lamps are for the bedroom, for reading purposes.

They don't need to look like they came out of a museum, and cost over $100.00 a piece. Will probably go out onto the economy to see what we can find. Have been to a few places already, but haven't been able to find the style that we're looking for, yet.

The search continues.:old:

NBTP