General

[stircrazzzy]

This post is just a rant, and nobody will likely read it, but I have to rant somewhere!

By the way, AAFES is the Army and Air Force Exchange Service. It is basically like a giant Walmart style conglomerate for military personnel. You can order stuff in a catalog, online, or buy stuff in person at a local PX or Commissary.

Here's the story. I needed a laptop. On January 3rd, I bought a laptop online for something close to $1500. Actually, it was like $1440 but that is not the point. It is a brand new Apple Macbook.

Purchasing the item was fine, and I received an email immediately as a receipt. I was told it would take a week or two for delivery, and it would ship to my apartment directly from a distributor.

Anyway, the next day I received an email from the distributor. This is a company called "Ingram Micro". This would be on January 4th, 2008, that my computer shipped from the distributor.

Ingram Micro has failed to provide myself or AAFES with any tracking information, numbers, or method of shipment. I've called AAFES now three times to try to get them to help me. The first time, they said they'd send them a message requesting they forward me the tracking information. That was on the 16th of January. I was told it would be a 1-4 day turnaround for their customer service rep to respond.

It is now the evening of the 21st. I haven't received any emails. I called the company twice more, but all they could tell me is that they also have not received a response. This is not very pro-active customer service.

I also called Ingram Micro. I dialed a 1-800- number from their website, which told me to call another one. I did. I wound up on hold for quite some time. Finally, someone talked to me. I told him my ordeal, and he asked me which retailer I was. I re-explained everything to him, that I am the end-consumer. He said that unless I'm the retailer, he can't release any information from me.

WHAT?!

I can pay for a product, they can ship a product directly to me at my place of residence...why can't they give me (or anyone else) a tracking number??!

Now, I live on the east coast, and this company appears to ship products out of California. I'm no rocket scientist, but I don't know of any method of shipment that takes an excess of 17 days to ship coast to coast. I feel like I've been robbed. I find it likely that my package got lost, or some idiot couldn't find the place and wrote "Undeliverable" on it, and it got sent back or something. There's something not right here. And I'm out $1440, with nothing I can possibly do about it.

Never use AAFES.com. This is for those military types and their families. You will get screwed for those tax-free purchases. Just pay the consumer tax and be able to walk out of a store with your purchase. It's worth the peace-of-mind.

And never work with a company affiliated with Ingram Micro. They have the worst customer service in the world.

[spanky1205]

Someone was just posting how the USPS was taking a long time to get shipments through. Maybe that is the hold up. I do not remember the specifics on the post but the shipping time were pretty long.

Could your credit card company help you out?

[stircrazzzy]

That's a good question. I'll get a hold of them tomorrow. I need to get a hold of them soon, to tell them that my charge was essentially fraudulent, you know?

[spanky1205]

It is a long shot but, can your chain of command do anything. AAFES does serve the military. Eventually if you go high enough someone is bound to know something. I do not think AAFES is completely civilian ran. Contacting your credit card will probably yeild quicker results.

[Grolli]

AAFES is the black hole of anything. The commanders are more concerned with "providing" to the retired folks then anyone else. They sell riding lawn mowers here. We dont have any lawns that big in base housing.

[blackrain]

Ok did you use your star card? If so, just cancell. Did you use your credit card? if so, just cancell. I have ordered many times thru affees with out a problem, like 25 yrs worth. Here is what you do. Go to the Affees on base. Ask to speak with the manager they can help you. Trust, Camp Rialea in Oregon now has all the field equipment they need because of me. All it took was a broken Canteen cap. They are there to help you. I have ordered many times from the online service without a problem. You can even buy an A-5 on line which comes direct from Tippmann. Just go see the affees manager or go and see JAG they can also help. That's what they are there for, trust me on that. Hope this helps.
Later,
Blackrain

[stircrazzzy]

Thanks, that's some pretty sound advice. I'm going to call them one last time and try to resolve it over the phone tomorrow, but if I get nowhere, I'll probably see the AAFES site manager on Bragg.

Thanks again!

[DSA]

I take it you did not read the fine print " AAFES will bill you at the time of the order however delivery is based on the suppliers limitations." or something like that. Basically you are SOL until the supplier states he has item in stock or claims he has received the proof of purchase.

I have had great luck with AAFES, while visiting Camp Pheonix I purchased a Zune well it broke on the 62 day sure Im in a combat zone but AAFES didnt care they replaced it no questions asked. Idecided to trade it in and get another. The new one broke at the 49 day mark. I dont think they handle tranformers well. Once again they gave me a refund. After that my wife just went out and bought me an iPod touch no problems.

I have to say AAFES cost more but the 90 day return policy was a life saver.

[blackrain]

Actually not alot of people know that AFFEES does price matching to outside companies. They will eith meet or beat the price, plus you don't pay tax. I buy warrenties on all my expensive affees items. Nothing like an Xbox breaking and get a free replacement.
Later,
Blackrain

[kidneythief]

I love AAFES. Price challanging and tax free is probably their best service. I got my Xbox 360 there the day they came out for 299 for the 399 version because I had price challanged a Web ad.

Growing up as a military Brat and then joining the AF myself I have literally shopped the BX and Commisary for the last 20 years and have never had an issue. As far as "Commanders" doing anything to AAFES...theres nothing they can do. AAFES and DECA dont fall under any portion of our CoC. All BXs have a general manager, it may behove you to go in and talk with that person.

-Jake