Are You a U.S. Veteran?

[Gregory Matthews]

Beginning November 11, 2017, honorably discharged U.S. veterans will be authorized to shop at the online Exchanges!   There are multiple websites that are providing information on this.  The following one can start you out and is a government sponsored website:

 https://www.vetverify.org/

To provide background information to the public which may not understand what this means:

Two of the benefits that active duty military personnel received are:

1)  Military Exchanges which serve as general departments stores such as Kohls, Target, Sears, Penney's, Costco, etc.  These exist in actual stores generally located on military installations and in an on-line presence.  Stores located outside of the U.S. generally offer more items than do stores located in the U.S.  E.G.  I once purchased a Ford automobile, while I was located in South Korea and I took delivery of it in California.  Included in this group are gasoline stations.  Also included in this grouping are stores such as  Burger King, etc.

2) In there is another grouping of stores that are essentially general grocery stores such as Safeway.

All of the above attempt to sell their products at a discount below the normal retail price.  In addition their products are exempt from State taxes.  IOW, if I were to purchase a 55 inch TV from my local Exchange I would not pay any State sales tax on my purchase.  

Under current law and practice, both active and retired military personal and certain family members are eligible to purchase items.  But, former military personnel who are not retired, unless they have either been awarded the Medal of Honor, or are 100% disabled, are not entitled to use their services.

This is a change that allows all former U.S. military personnel to purchase items from the online Exchange, if they have an honorable discharge.

In the current economic life in the U.S. people may disagree as to whether or not it costs less to purchase from an Exchange, even with the tax advantage.  It is true that sometimes an item can be purchased in a traditional store at a lower total price, even with the tax advantage.  As a result, the Exchanges will often match a price and still give the tax advantage.

The bottom line is simply that additional people  will soon be able to use the services of the exchanges, but not the general grocery stores. 

[phkrause]

Thanks for the info GM, I will definitely check them out!!

[D_Bishop]

I will have to look into this.