Is there anything we can do about AAFE$??

[FDokinawa]

I dont think most military people on island realise that AAFES pays one set price for gas all year. If I remember right, I was told that it was under $2 per gallon. They have little to no overhead for the gas. We also used to get coupons for gas if you bought 8 gallons or more.

Are we allowed to make flyers or have a protest at the gas stations stateing this? or is word of mouth the only way people will find out that they are getting ripped off by AAFES again?

[Asshat]

I dont think most military people on island realise that AAFES pays one set price for gas all year. If I remember right, I was told that it was under $2 per gallon. They have little to no overhead for the gas. We also used to get coupons for gas if you bought 8 gallons or more.

Are we allowed to make flyers or have a protest at the gas stations stateing this? or is word of mouth the only way people will find out that they are getting ripped off by AAFES again?

hey bro.....a bit more, and we'll just get the better stuff off base right? My son commented the other day that there was a midnight line at KAB gas station near the shoppette as gas was going up a couple of cents the next day. His comment: Dad, they waited 45 minutes in line at 10 PM to save a dollar.

Word- Fats.

And.....we ought to not be buring fossil fuel anyway. Alky baby!

[FDokinawa]

well thats the point.. AAFES dosnt pay nearly what they charge for gas. I dont have a problem with gas prices.. I have a problem with AAFES making over a 1$ per gallon of gas from me.

they have a contract with Enos or Esso off base to deliver gas. Once a year they sit down and draw up a new price contract for the next year. They pay a flat rate ALL YEAR. there is no reason to adjust the price.

On top of that the national average includes federal and local taxes on the gas.. AAFES dosnt pay taxes.. So again, the military people over here are getting ripped off big time. And its because no one knows or cares enough to do anything.

When they first did this there was a huge uproar, but they stuck to their guns knowing that in a year or so most of the people would PCS off island and everything would calm down. So the only thing I can think of is to keep informing the new people about this problem... unless you guys like paying $40+ to fill up your tanks.

[Asshat]

So the only thing I can think of is to keep informing the new people about this problem... unless you guys like paying $40+ to fill up your tanks.

Dude...I was there when you posted this in the first place....and the ensuing letter.... and the press release.

Here's the thing: If an active duty military person doesn't ask the Generals why his hard-earned war money is going down the drain, nothing will change.

Like I said, they can't raise it any higher. We'll just go off base....and drive 600cc plate cars. :barf:

[FDokinawa]

well gas off base is at $4.70 a gallon.. so they have a little ways to go.. lol

[Asshat]

well gas off base is at $4.70 a gallon.. so they have a little ways to go.. lol

Yeah, but the service....:) Really,....takes an active duty person to shake the AAFES tree.

[FDokinawa]

well im trying to shake an active duty person.. lol I know there are some on here and a couple with some decent rank. now we just have to see if they have decent balls..

[Fonze]

1.70 extra for some one else to pump my gas. Im cool ill just pump it myself and clean my own window seriously. how does aafes give back to the mil? I dont see them having carnivals like mccs or do they? oh ya i forgot they give away phone cards.

[Asshat]

1.70 extra for some one else to pump my gas. Im cool ill just pump it myself and clean my own window seriously. how does aafes give back to the mil? I dont see them having carnivals like mccs or do they? oh ya i forgot they give away phone cards.

They give quite a bit back Fonze. The process is pretty complicated but I can assure you, there are audits....on all sides of the house. Still....I'd rather spend my extra in the O club (and not get pregnant) then give them 10 cents a gallon more because they were able to BS past it.

[DocTurtle]

well gas off base is at $4.70 a gallon.. so they have a little ways to go.. lol

I think you mean liter, not gallon. I think the people here would love it if they payed that much a gallon!

[okisteve]

FD was correct - current price for regular is about 130 yen per liter, which works out to about $4.70 a gallon. They pump your gas with a smile but don't even clean the windshield unless you ask them.

Whine, whine, whine.... What a vintage year.

[Asshat]

Whine, whine, whine.... What a vintage year.

And that is why AAFEES gets to rip us off FD. :)

[DocTurtle]

FD was correct - current price for regular is about 130 yen per liter, which works out to about $4.70 a gallon. They pump your gas with a smile but don't even clean the windshield unless you ask them.

Whine, whine, whine.... What a vintage year.

Ahh, ok. Thanks :)

[okisteve]

So AAFES pays $2.00 for gas and sells it for three even though the locals are paying $4+. And you're being ripped off by AAFES? Give me a break. Or better yet, give me your ID so I can pay $3.00 also.

[P_chan]

Gas is too expensive EVERYWHERE IMO.

[Asshat]

So AAFES pays $2.00 for gas and sells it for three even though the locals are paying $4+. And you're being ripped off by AAFES? Give me a break. Or better yet, give me your ID so I can pay $3.00 also.

What do AAFES and local oil companies have in common?

No, I'll keep my ID cards. Both of them. And it wasn't me whining about the cost of fuel in the first place.

[okisteve]

What do AAFES and local oil companies have in common?

One thing is that they both use longterm contracts to lock in the price they pay, so Eneos, for example, is also probably still paying a lot less than 130 yen per liter. The customer always gets screwed because the company and AAFES is betting that the price will usually rise and so far they have been right.

[ryukyuboi]

When the AAFES gas price was fixed annually for the customer, and when the cost of oil rose, which naturally increased the cost of gas elsewhere, no one was complaining.

http://ww2.pstripes.osd.mil/01/may01/ed052701g.html
http://ww2.pstripes.osd.mil/01/may01/ed050901c.html


Then AAFES switched to changing the price of gas at the pump monthly. I don't recall the exact reason for this change, but it probably had to do with economics. The $2 coupons were around at that time. I think I saw some stats that indicated less than 5% of people actually used the coupons.

http://www.aafes.com/pa/news/06news/06-071.htm

Then AAFES surveyed customers about how often customers wanted gas price changes. Customers voted for changing the price of gas to a weekly schedule. The $2 coupons were discontinued, and AAFES applied the $2 discount across the board for all customers in their price schedule.

http://www.aafes.com/pa/gasprices.pdf

I think the Japanese government also subsidized gas sold on base for awhile. I don't think the Japanese government does so anymore.

If, according to one of these articles, AAFES takes a 35% gross profit on gas - before their other operating costs - is it really such a rip?

[Fonze]

I dont think so. im happy paying base prices but are any of us really happy with prices? I remember in 99', 2000' when prices were 99cents.

[ryukyuboi]

Yeah, well, I remember paying a quarter or less back in the day.

[socalheart]

I just filled up one of our cars off base at the ENEOS on 85 today for approximately $5.12/gallon. It was 149 per/liter, 26 liters, 1 gal.=3.785 l, and using a 110 exchange rate. I think I did the math correctly. Anyhow, there is a huge difference in the prices. The Kadena Fairchild station showed $3.02/gallon. The "full-service" at off base stations is nice, but usually as requested.

I believe that AAFES is taking advantage of the fact that we're captive consumers. They're the best price available here for military folks, so charging us taxes on the gas and altering the prices to meet stateside averages regardless of the price they've paid is wrong to their consumers. Merchandise provided to the military on base is supposed to be tax free.

[TheLastDon]

This might be a little off topic but heck even beer has gone up within the past year. Last year it used to be about $13 something and now it is about $18 something and that is for the cheap stuff(Bud and Miller). Freaking Corona is about $30 bucks a case used to be about $22. Im glad I don't drink as much now as when I was younger.

[Bones]

If you take "AAFES" out of the picture, this is what you will end up with.

NOTHING!!!!

While the price of gas may be high, it's like that back in the states as well. You can find better deals off-base, within the United States, but not here.

But if you take "AAFES" out of the equation entirely, what you'll end up with are dormitories, and workshops.

All of the fast food places that you enjoy over here, are AAFES contractors. Personally, when "American Main Street", here on Kadena, was called "The Tikki", they had much better food.

And, "AAFES", contributes hundreds of millions of dollars a year to American Bases around the world, to help improve community living conditions. Without those contributions, you would not be able to rent any equipment from MWR, there would be no vacation get-aways (places like Okuma, or the White Beach trailer park, would not exist), hundreds of other things that you take for granted, would also disappear.

Just something to think about. Oh, there would be no place to rent movies, you would have only one AFN channel, and it would start broadcasting at 9 a.m., and stop broadcasting, at 10 p.m.

Just imagine how your impressed you new girlfriend/boyfriend would be, when you take them out to that special dinner in "The Mess Hall". Or, how pleased your parents would be after the long journey over here, to finally be able to rest up in the suite that you've been bragging about. Mom gets to live just down the hall, dad has to sleep two floors up. It's the only space available for them, within your barracks.

NBTP:cool:

[Fonze]

thanks for some info i dont mind paying prices that are fair i was just wondering how they give back.

[Bones]

As posted by "Fonze":

thanks for some info i dont mind paying prices that are fair i was just wondering how they give back

Not a problem. I used to complain myself, until I actually went to work for AAFES, while in Florida.

I don't work for AAFES now, but actually working with them, and actually having had to deal with complainers (like myself) in a working environment, kind of puts a different spin on your perspective.

NBTP

[Mad Hatter]

Free strippers on Tuesday!!!

OH yeah.. and chicken wings!!

That's how they can give it back to me

[FDokinawa]

If you take "AAFES" out of the picture, this is what you will end up with.

NOTHING!!!!

While the price of gas may be high, it's like that back in the states as well. You can find better deals off-base, within the United States, but not here.

So you agree that AAFES is a monopoly?

But if you take "AAFES" out of the equation entirely, what you'll end up with are dormitories, and workshops.

All of the fast food places that you enjoy over here, are AAFES contractors. Personally, when "American Main Street", here on Kadena, was called "The Tikki", they had much better food.

I wish fast food on base would go away.. it sucks. And you do realise that all the AAFES places on base have to pay AAFES money to be on base? So now they're a monopoly that controlls everything that is sold on base.

And, "AAFES", contributes hundreds of millions of dollars a year to American Bases around the world, to help improve community living conditions. Without those contributions, you would not be able to rent any equipment from MWR, there would be no vacation get-aways (places like Okuma, or the White Beach trailer park, would not exist), hundreds of other things that you take for granted, would also disappear.

Dont use MWR facilitys.. so no loss there.

Just something to think about. Oh, there would be no place to rent movies, you would have only one AFN channel, and it would start broadcasting at 9 a.m., and stop broadcasting, at 10 p.m.

I download movies or order them online and I dont watch AFN.. so again. no loss.

Just imagine how your impressed you new girlfriend/boyfriend would be, when you take them out to that special dinner in "The Mess Hall". Or, how pleased your parents would be after the long journey over here, to finally be able to rest up in the suite that you've been bragging about. Mom gets to live just down the hall, dad has to sleep two floors up. It's the only space available for them, within your barracks.

NBTP:cool:

Food off base is a million times better.. would NEVER take a "date" onbase. And my parents would stay at my house. I'm a contractor.. so there is nothing I can about AAFES.. I have less say then a dependant wife.

[okisteve]

Just to play devil's advocate, I'd guess that most active duty guys and dependents here would feel pretty insecure if they had to negotiate the real world of Okinawa without AAFES, and that the time wasted and frustration would affect job performance. So it does provide a valuable service both to individuals and to overall efficiency, but whether it should be non-profit is another question entirely. Honest, definitely. Non-profit/welfare type services? That's a political question IMHO.

[Ammoyankee]

I dont think most military people on island realise that AAFES pays one set price for gas all year. If I remember right, I was told that it was under $2 per gallon. They have little to no overhead for the gas. We also used to get coupons for gas if you bought 8 gallons or more.

Are we allowed to make flyers or have a protest at the gas stations stateing this? or is word of mouth the only way people will find out that they are getting ripped off by AAFES again?

By yourself a mosquito!

[FDokinawa]

Just to play devil's advocate, I'd guess that most active duty guys and dependents here would feel pretty insecure if they had to negotiate the real world of Okinawa without AAFES, and that the time wasted and frustration would affect job performance. So it does provide a valuable service both to individuals and to overall efficiency, but whether it should be non-profit is another question entirely. Honest, definitely. Non-profit/welfare type services? That's a political question IMHO.

I'm not trying to sound like they need to get rid of AAFES.. belive me, they were a life saver in Iraq in the first couple days of the war when I ran out of cigerrets.. lol

I think they just need more of an oversite on the militarys part. Obviously I have no proof, but I feel confident that there are some sort of payoffs, kickbacks, job offers.. something.. going on between AAFES and the high ranking military officials that work there.

Im sure only a few of us remember the AFN commercials that AAFES ran after they started to adjust gas prices based off of the national average.. pretty much stated that they were doing this "so you dont get sticker shock when you go back to the states." They had the AAFES pacific commander on TV and the radio stateing this constantly. Then they just stoped, the complaining stoped and now no one cares.

I remember listening to the radio one day and they had the Marine base commander on there talking about a "town hall" meeting he had with service members and their familes a couple days before. One of the big issues that they had was the change in gas price policy.. he blew it off, pretty much saying there was nothing he could do about it.

Mabey I could have put this in the rants section, but I wanted to hear from military members about this.. not people that work/live off base and would just say "at least your gas is cheaper than off base.. blah blah"

[DougP]

I think you mean liter, not gallon. I think the people here would love it if they payed that much a gallon!

Gas is about 135 yen/liter roughly these days.
So 1 gallon [US, liquid] = 3.785411784 liters
That's about 511 yen per gallon
Yen rate is about around 108 yen per dollar
So thats about $4.73 per gallon off post

A bit more expensive but that's because there's all sorts of other costs involved... taxes etc. In the last 10 or 12 years over here gas has gone up by about 45 yen per liter.. That's about 170 yen per gallon or $1.57 per gallon increase in the last decade. I would say on average the price over in these parts have been quite stable compared to in the states. I remember getting gas (93 octane) for about 88 cents a gallon back in '98....

Now with the AAFES issue I can understand FD's point... They have no real reason why they should hike the price per gallon up by a dollar.... They could be saving the soldiers that much per gallon over here. Judging from what I've seen AFFES give back to the troops (or lack there of) I think it would be better if they just save us the cash up front. It looks to me like there just being greedy. Wouldn't be supprised if someone up top isn't pocketing some green.:thumbdown:

[DougP]

If you take "AAFES" out of the picture, this is what you will end up with.

NOTHING!!!!

While the price of gas may be high, it's like that back in the states as well. You can find better deals off-base, within the United States, but not here.

But if you take "AAFES" out of the equation entirely, what you'll end up with are dormitories, and workshops.

All of the fast food places that you enjoy over here, are AAFES contractors. Personally, when "American Main Street", here on Kadena, was called "The Tikki", they had much better food.

And, "AAFES", contributes hundreds of millions of dollars a year to American Bases around the world, to help improve community living conditions. Without those contributions, you would not be able to rent any equipment from MWR, there would be no vacation get-aways (places like Okuma, or the White Beach trailer park, would not exist), hundreds of other things that you take for granted, would also disappear.

Just something to think about. Oh, there would be no place to rent movies, you would have only one AFN channel, and it would start broadcasting at 9 a.m., and stop broadcasting, at 10 p.m.

Just imagine how your impressed you new girlfriend/boyfriend would be, when you take them out to that special dinner in "The Mess Hall". Or, how pleased your parents would be after the long journey over here, to finally be able to rest up in the suite that you've been bragging about. Mom gets to live just down the hall, dad has to sleep two floors up. It's the only space available for them, within your barracks.

NBTP:cool:

Honestly I never once thought my life would be terrible without AAFES. All of those things you mentioned I can easily live without or can find off post. I've been sent place where AAFES can't go and I made it through just fine. AAFES wasn't in my life before the service and has been pretty much out of it since then. I have no idea why I would ever take a girlfriend or somebody to a mess hall. Especially these days... there really is life out side of the base. I understand the concept that AAFES gives back.. But I also believe that story is over inflated quite often and people are given the "Think of what your life would be like without AAFES speech"

They have plenty of room for improvement and I don't think one should stop expecting more out of them. After all in the military you're expected to give 110% and when you fall short of excellence someone just may be there to remind you of it. To me AAFES is no different and if there is a crack in the system it should be pointed out and fixed not defended. :army:

[DoctorP]

NBTP....take AAFES out and what would I have??? Higher COLA! I can survive without AAFES.

[Asshat]

I must admit....I use AAFES to buy....beer. Beer and gasoline. That's it. So I guess it's okay they make a huge profit off of me...because the funds go back to support the warfighter...

[moshi moshi]

MCCS mandate AAFES provide a specific $ contribution they want yearly. AAFES must give that "contribution" to MCCS. It is supposed to be met via revenue, but because AAFES doesn't want to tap into their own earnings to pay it, they find ways to jack up prices so that it continues to come out of revenue.

MCCS and AAFES are both to blame for increased pricing.

[Fonze]

I know what we can do. Play Holdem in the casino.

[FDokinawa]

MCCS mandate AAFES provide a specific $ contribution they want yearly. AAFES must give that "contribution" to MCCS. It is supposed to be met via revenue, but because AAFES doesn't want to tap into their own earnings to pay it, they find ways to jack up prices so that it continues to come out of revenue.

MCCS and AAFES are both to blame for increased pricing.

interesting.. but I have a feeling AAFES can tell MCCS to shove it.. and out of all the recreational services, im pretty sure MCCS is at the bottom of the list.. just like the marines.

Not a marine hater, just common knowledge that the marines are always last to get money and equipment.

[Mad Hatter]

Take Affes away... and put up a WAL-MART!!!

[DougP]

And an Arby's and a Waffle House, a Denny's...:D Boosh!

[L Boogie]

And a Jack-in-the-box!!!!


Yesterday I went to buy Visa gift cards for the family back in the states. AAFES charged me $4 EXTRA per gift card as their fee. I got $270 worth of gift cards, then paid $44 dollars in "gift card fees" (which I didn't know they had until they rang up the cards). I hate you AAFES.

[kombu_kid]

AAFES charged me $4 EXTRA per gift card as their fee. I got $270 worth of gift cards, then paid $44 dollars in "gift card fees" (which I didn't know they had until they rang up the cards). I hate you AAFES.

OMG, is that even legal?? I'll bet if a few servicemembers sent letters to the right people and brought this out in the open, there would have to be some red faces and backpedalling. What B.S. Wow.

[socalheart]

L Boogie: That seems wrong somehow. Please fill out one of those AAFES comment cards or go online and "ICE it" to get to the bottom of it. If it's a standard fee, I'm never going to get gift cards there. What a crock of bantha poodoo! :mad:

[Asshat]

I get a kick out of the whole STAR card thing too, when AFN commericals warn adnausium about credit cards and being in debt, then AAFES is at the Commanders meeting pushing the STAR card.

[Tony Stacks]

I say all who buy gas or anything sold by aafes stop supporting them for about 1 week straight until they lower the gas prices!


Look you SOFA guys are lucky and have no room to complain.
Us locals off base pay more than you do so how are you getting screwed? Further more you guys get to pay that cheap ass road tax and JCI and they're screwing you over? I think not:first:

[DougP]

Look you SOFA guys are lucky and have no room to complain.
Us locals off base pay more than you do so how are you getting screwed? Further more you guys get to pay that cheap ass road tax and JCI and they're screwing you over? I think not:first:

Never hurts to want more.:D Hell I'm not SOFA but I'm complaining on their behalf as well. AAFES is running a racket.:thumbdown:

[FDokinawa]

Look you SOFA guys are lucky and have no room to complain.
Us locals off base pay more than you do so how are you getting screwed? Further more you guys get to pay that cheap ass road tax and JCI and they're screwing you over? I think not:first:

And your being forced to live in japan right? they wont let you on the airplane to move back to the states?

[Tony Stacks]

And your being forced to live in japan right? they wont let you on the airplane to move back to the states?

Well I'm not the one complaining. I don't mind and never said I did. I'm just stating the FACTS:first:

[FDokinawa]

Well I'm not the one complaining. I don't mind and never said I did. I'm just stating the FACTS:first:

You just complained that we're bitching about AAFES when you have to pay more because you live/work off base.. I understand where you are comming from and im not trying to start an argument with you. but since you cant even buy stuff from AAFES, then why comment?

[Tony Stacks]

You just complained that we're bitching about AAFES when you have to pay more because you live/work off base.. I understand where you are comming from and im not trying to start an argument with you. but since you cant even buy stuff from AAFES, then why comment?


Why comment?
Because i love JU Forums they're fun and i like to talk. That's why and this is a free country and i have just as much right to comment as you do.

Forums are for fun calm down.

[Asshat]

And your being forced to live in japan right? they wont let you on the airplane to move back to the states?

Yeah, but FD, the same could be said about you and I. No one is forcing us to live here either and shop at AAFES. :D

As a retiree though, and as a former Marine I can bitch because they promised me X, Y and Z. And as we all know, a bitchin' Marine is a happy Marine.

The fact that I have a retiree ID card, and a Civil Service ID card has nothing to do with LUCK. I keep hearing how damn lucky I am, and I can say with 100% honesty, that luck had nothing to do with where I am. It has cost me a lot. It has cost my family alot.

So AAFES, the Hospitals, the VA and the retiree branch of the USMC better keep delivering on the deal they made with me. :D

[Tony Stacks]

Yeah, but FD, the same could be said about you and I. No one is forcing us to live here either and shop at AAFES. :D

As a retiree though, and as a former Marine I can bitch because they promised me X, Y and Z. And as we all know, a bitchin' Marine is a happy Marine.

The fact that I have a retiree ID card, and a Civil Service ID card has nothing to do with LUCK. I keep hearing how damn lucky I am, and I can say with 100% honesty, that luck had nothing to do with where I am. It has cost me a lot. It has cost my family alot.

So AAFES, the Hospitals, the VA and the retiree branch of the USMC better keep delivering on the deal they made with me. :D

Now that's true! You definitly earned it.

[EatMoreFish]

interesting.. but I have a feeling AAFES can tell MCCS to shove it.. and out of all the recreational services, im pretty sure MCCS is at the bottom of the list.. just like the marines.

Not a marine hater, just common knowledge that the marines are always last to get money and equipment.

Damn you are such a fool.

[Daniela]

Back to the issue:
if we were to unite everybody on island for just one day and not pump gas at all at their gas stations I am sure we could get their attention.
I am all for it!
Maybe then they would explain how they come up with the price of gas.

On the other hand; living in America has spoiled me. I went back to Europe and out of a sudden you walk everywhere. Go to the grocery store and carry your stuff home. Hell, my brother doesn't even own a car. He lives in down town Berlin and there are buses/trains everywhere. Parking spots are hard to find and owning a car is just a general pain in the butt.
Prices are somewhere around 6 bucks a gallon. Nobody drives those huge gas guzzling monsters.
It's our choice to build suburbs where there is no infrastructure and everybody has to drive everywhere. Now that I am out in town I walk everywhere too. When I was on post it would have taken me an hour to get to a store walking.
I know why I am keeping my German citizenship. I think I might retire there!

[Oki alumni]

See the thread "Boycott AAFES" located on the Yokota forum at http://www.yokotatalk.com. LOL, make it an INDEPENDENCE DAY WEEKEND to remember.

-Oki Alumni

[SaintRub]

What are people paying for gas on the island?

[L Boogie]

What are people paying for gas on the island?


$3.95 at AAFES for gas...I think diesel is somewhere around $4.50

[Oki alumni]

I think (rutroh!), that with prices rising like they are, it probably won't be long before AAFES has REAL competition from the Japanese gasoline stations. AAFES prices are he same for Okinawa-shi, and mainland Japan. I'm not sure about NEX prices. My family uses those "yellow plate" tagged automobiles. I almost CHIT when it took $12.50 for a 1/2 tank of gas a couple of days ago! And.....I'll probably have to fill it up AGAIN, next month!

-Oki Alumni

[Asshat]

I think (rutroh!), that with prices rising like they are, it probably won't be long before AAFES has REAL competition from the Japanese gasoline stations. AAFES prices are he same for Okinawa-shi, and mainland Japan. I'm not sure about NEX prices. My family uses those "yellow plate" tagged automobiles. I almost CHIT when it took $12.50 for a 1/2 tank of gas a couple of days ago! And.....I'll probably have to fill it up AGAIN, next month!

-Oki Alumni

Plus, we will get our windows washed, service, and a choice of petrol!

[Oki alumni]

LOVE your "signature", and I'm agonna steal it...hahaha, with YOUR permission, of course!

-Oki Alumni:old: