Advice please

[Carrie77]

Hello!

Could some of you give me some tips and pointers about shopping at a commissary? I will be helping my mom and dad (they will be there, but don't know much about cpns/ Dad is 100% disabled vet.) when they go to the Rock Island, IL commissary.

What types of deals should I look for? Is there anything about shopping a commissary that is different? I have been reading the posts, but there is a LOT to read and I have two little ones.

I have multiples of most inserts, so cpns shouldn't be a problem. Does my dad have to actually "do" the buying/use the cpns? Or could mom?

I noticed overages are a hot topic around here. Is there anything you normally wouldn't buy, but do for an overage?

Anyone shopped the Rock Island Arsenol? Good? Bad?

Thanks for all your help! Mom and Dad thank you too!

Carrie

[PMFan]

welcome to HCW !!

couponing does take quite a bit of effort to read/learn this way of shopping.
read the COMMISSARY: FAQs, Helpful Sites and Info and Commissary April Deals.

there are recurring freebies and overage deals to be had:
Commissary: Recurring Free/Cheap Items

what is different at the commissary:

1. DECA has a written directive which allows overage. I highly recommend you print this out and have your folks take it with them should they encounter problems redeeming coupons giving overage DECA Coupon Policy - Link Inside

2. you can special order a quantity of item if you have multiple coupons to use for that item
COMMISSARY Trial Sizes and Overage Deals (includes Item UPC Database for Special Orders)

3. they don't charge sales tax. they have a 5% surcharge.

4. they take printables, but not for a free item.

5. baggers work for tips only or you can do your own carry out.

are either of your parents able to get online ? if so, perhaps one of them have more time to read about the deals ?

any ID card holder can do the shopping. non ID card holders cannot shop in the commissary.

if a coupon gives overage, i buy the item.

if you need more coupons, use a clipping service to obtain more or ask friends/family to save them for you.

Originally Posted by Carrie77 Hello! Could some of you give me some tips and pointers about shopping at a commissary? I will be helping my mom and dad (they will be there, but don't know much about cpns/ Dad is 100% disabled vet.) when they go to the Rock Island, IL commissary. What types of deals should I look for? Is there anything about shopping a commissary that is different? I have been reading the posts, but there is a LOT to read and I have two little ones. I have multiples of most inserts, so cpns shouldn't be a problem. Does my dad have to actually "do" the buying/use the cpns? Or could mom? I noticed overages are a hot topic around here. Is there anything you normally wouldn't buy, but do for an overage? Anyone shopped the Rock Island Arsenol? Good? Bad? Thanks for all your help! Mom and Dad thank you too! Carrie