Local price surveys help Edwards AFB families save money Published June 15, 2011 By Army and Air Force Exchange Service Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- With a value proposition of "You Save. We Give Back," and a mission to provide military shoppers with quality goods and services at competitively low prices, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service has to work double-time to deliver the savings Airmen have come to expect. Military shoppers trying to squeeze the most out of their dollar, of course, have an edge thanks to the tax-free advantage they find at the Edwards Base Exchange. But the exchange can save Airmen and their families even more thanks to Market Price Coordinators, whose main duty is to compare the prices of top sellers in key categories with local competition at least once a month. "Market Price Coordinators play an extremely important role in the Exchange's day-to-day operations," said Edwards Market Price Coordinator Rebecca McCartin. "From soda and snacks to washers and driers, we work to ensure that the Exchange's prices are comparable, if not lower, than the competition." Market Price Coordinators conduct periodic checks at local convenience, liquor and big-box stores, comparing exchange prices on top-selling items in each department. The results are then sent to a central pricing team. From there, pre-tax shelf prices are set to be comparable to the competition. Shelf prices are of primary concern because all products available at the Exchange, except for gasoline, are not subject to sales tax. In addition to regular local price surveys, the Edwards AFB Exchange offers a "We'll Match It!" program that acts as a last line of defense to ensure military shoppers always receive the lowest price possible when shopping the Exchange. If a shopper sees a price differential of less than $10 they can simply tell the cashier who will match it on the spot. Anyone who reports a price difference of $10 dollars or more need only bring a current local competitor's ad to receive the reduced price.