Quick note to add... if you do shop at the commissary, the best time to go is NOT around paydays, not because of the crowds, but because prices are lower than they are on and right after paydays! I remember numbers well and have seen at least $0.75+ difference on some of the things I buy, depending on the day. It can add up when trying to keep growing boys fed!
I think they are being outdone by the competition. It has been said already but the surcharge and bagger tipping really makes it less attractive than it once was. Plus Omaha is a low cost area compared to say DC or New York etc.
I've been shopping in the commissary stores for 34 years now and I have noticed the store has less people in it overall. I have asked several workers there about it and they confirmed the store is less busy than it used to be overall. My opinion, more competition outside the gate. You probably can't beat an entire grocery bill outside compared to the commissary. But convenience.. I have 3 grocery stores within a mile of my house. More stores. Specialty items, like organics and more variety can be found outside. Like libraries, theaters, BX, and convenience stores. In the past it was just where everyone went because it would be the one place you knew you could go. Times have changed and everything isn't about price to everyone. Families are busy and they want to go somewhere close that has what they need at a reasonable price. Last, online grocery shopping and home delivery are becoming more and more popular.
I can shop local with no tax (surcharge) I don't have to pay some one to bag my groceries, and with coupons I save more. Plus the produce. Is much better, milk, soda, and paper products are much cheaper. Shop around you will find that the commissary or BX Is not the savings it used to be.
I think it depends on the day and the time of the day. Friday afternoons seem really busy when I'm there.
I don't think it depends on the day as i shop different days there and it's the same.. also i don't mind tipping the baggers they work darn hard for that tip.
I only go for certain items as I can save more by shopping sales at local grocers
Too far of a drive. But generally it is quite busy around the 1st and 15th.
I don't find the savings enough to shop there any more.
Agree that the place needs to update for competition. DeCA was designed to provide where the local economy was lacking. The shopping choices are so many. Plus, rumor is that about 20 years ago the local grocery stores put up a massive protest because they felt they couldn't survive beside the commissary. I don't think that's true anymore.
Because they're no longer competitive. DeCA is stuck in the 1950s. The Commissary closes at 7pm and all day on Mondays, ridiculous when I can go shopping at 3am at Wal-Mart or Hy-Vee. Even regular grocery stores don't close before 10pm, and they're open 7 days a week. The place needed to be fully remodeled 15 years ago. The entrance looks like the entry to a secure compound, not open and welcoming like a grocery store should be and the parking lot is a pain to get in and out of. The advantages it has is that it's on base, accepts the Star Card (finally!) and the sales can be crazy-cheap.
We shop all over our neighborhood but only once every few months at the commissary. If you know your neighborhood prices, you can save on many items. We also find that meat is often significantly cheaper - up to 30%. So if you can stock up on meat, the surcharge will not be significant.
My wife usually does the commissary shopping. But my guess is partly because of the competitive nature of stores like Walmart, Aldi and Hy-Vee. That said, if you find yourself in the commissary on or around a military payday, or retiree's visit, then look out! Hope that helps.
I'm pretty sure if you go on payday you will find it busier
Unkn...my wife and I have noticed the same thing. We moved back here in 2012 and it has been quiet every time we go. Not like in the 1990's when we retired
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