Exchange Service Optical Center Price Points Now Online

With more than 166 locations across the world, National Guard and Reserve, retiree and active-duty military families know they can depend on exchange Optical Shops and Vision Centers for affordable, quality eyewear, regardless of where they're called to serve. But what about those authorized shoppers who don't live near a military installation?

The answer to this question, one that has challenged military and civilian leadership for more than a decade, is coming into focus with the addition of two new partner web sites on the Exchange Online Mall.

Authorized shoppers who click on the new "Glasses & Contacts" link now have access to the prices comparable to those found in the exchanges' brick-and-mortar Optical Shops and Vision Centers through FramesDirect.com and MilitaryContacts.net.

"These sites have been set up to offer the same opening price points exchange shoppers find at our Optical Shops and Vision Center facilities on military installations," said the Army & Air Force Exchange Service's Director of Professional Services Lt Col (Dr.) Ric Peterson "Their inclusion on the Exchange Online Mall solves some long-standing issues by delivering the eyewear benefit the exchanges provide worldwide right to authorized shoppers front door. Now, any beneficiary can take advantage of internet access, low prices and high-quality eyewear found at our facilities without even leaving the house. This service is especially important to those in remote and/or isolated sites and without access to traditional exchange facilities."

With single vision eyeglasses starting at just $39, FramesDirect.com's Exchange Online Mall site features some 50,000 prescription frame styles and 8,000 sunglasses from more than 200 brands, all discounted 10-30 percent with free shipping. The site also helps ensure glasses aren't just affordable, but also stylish thanks to a feature that allows troops and their families to upload pictures and virtually try on different frame styles.

MilitaryContacts.net is also doing its part to bring exchange savings home by delivering exclusive "military only" pricing for contacts ordered through the Exchange Online Store. The savings this site offers, up to 30 percent less than the leading mail order contact lens provider, even extends to shipping costs as orders of $50 dollars or more always receive free shipping.

"Ordering from either site couldn't be easier," said AAFES Merchandise Manager Don Walker. "Shoppers can e-mail or fax their prescription or even just provide their eye doctor's name and phone number and if the prescription is on file, the sites will validate and fill the order."

The Exchange Online Mall is a concession mall offering online services and merchandise to military members around the world. Today, 81 third-party sites strengthen the exchange benefit through their active support of the exchangeonlinemall.com. Authorized customers can log onto their Exchange Online Store at aafes.com, usmc-mccs.org, navy-nex.com or cg-exchange.com and click the Exchange Mall logo or access the site directly by logging onto www.exchangeonlinemall.com.

DeCA Improves Food Stamp Checkout Process

By Cherie Huntington

Commissary customers using food stamp Electronic Benefit Transfer cards now should find checkout a breeze, with all checkout lanes capable of processing the cards.

The customer simply swipes the card in any lane's credit and debit card terminal – even in the self-checkout lane.

"This flexibility comes to us courtesy of our new front-end system, the Commissary Advanced Resale Transaction System," said Philip E. Sakowitz Jr., DeCA director and chief executive officer. "We're proud to deliver this technology for the privacy and convenience our customers deserve."

Previously, commissaries used stand-alone, state-provided systems to process these benefit cards, with terminals installed on only one or two registers. "On occasion, customers with food stamp EBT cards found themselves in the wrong line, and we'd have to direct them to use one of the registers with an EBT terminal," said Store Director Gary Hensley, Fort Benning Commissary, Ga. "This was difficult for cashiers, but it was particularly difficult for customers."

Fort Benning Commissary stood No. 1 in food stamp redemption in 2007, ringing up more than $1.1 million in purchases via the program. "Now, we take food stamp cards at every register," said Hensley, "and customers waiting in line never know the customer in front of them used food stamps. It's a win-win situation for everyone."

Even with new front-end equipment, EBT card capability represents a significant enhancement to the CARTS system, which started arriving in commissaries worldwide nearly two years ago. Now, all U.S. stores, including those in Puerto Rico and Guam, will process food stamp EBT cards with ease, said Tony Collazo, DeCA's chief of systems division. Shoppers don't receive food stamp benefits overseas.

"We're enjoying rave reviews from customers nationwide for this new convenience," he said. "It's just another way for us to show our shoppers that the commissary is worth the trip."

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