COMMISSARY ALERT!!! Discussing Commissary Prices Prohibited?

tivaclare · 04-07-2010, 04:20:33 PM

Ok, this may be some big news. I saw it posted on another forum and am bringing it here. Apparently there is some new wording that states that commissary prices/sales/etc cannot be discussed online or in public forums. There are rumors that some people have lost privileges due to facebook posts, so far these are unsubstantiated.

Maybe we should look into this before we go any further with price posting, etc. I doubt anyone at DeCa would trace things back to our posts and ban us, but I still don't want to go against policy.

Mods? Ideas?

"
DoD Instruction 1330.17 prohibits the dissemination of commissary product prices in or on any media intended to leave the commissary store. Product prices displayed on this web page are provided solely for the benefit of commissary patrons and are not intended to leave this "virtual commissary." Sharing of these prices or price lists with others not authorized to shop in the commissary, or sharing them with someone who intends to publish them in a manner inconsistent with DoD Instruction 1330.17 may be considered to be an abuse of commissary privileges and may subject the patron to the penalties outlined in the Instruction."

PMFan · 04-07-2010, 05:03:21 PM

thanks tiva for bringing this to our attention.

i've read some of the DODI and there is reference to sales prices under the paragraph for advertising media. SEE DODI 1330.17 dtd Oct 2008, Enclosure 7, page 31. para 1d(1).
http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/c...df/133017p.pdf

this is confusing since the commissary does have sale flyers which are advertising media that are intended for patrons to take when they leave the store.

since this CAUTION BANNER is specifically on the 'savings isle' portion of the commissaries.com site, i would recommend no discussion of prices found through that resource.

if it turns out that DECA's actual policy is no posting of prices anywhere by anyone then, i'd think we could post deals by simply listing the item is free with coupon 'xyz'.

i will read the DODI and see if i can obtain some clarity on what exactly is/is not prohibited in this type of information sharing forum.

PMFan · 04-07-2010, 05:41:17 PM

from page 13 of the DODI

7. ADVERTISING. Advertising by DoD activities of sales and savings to commissary shoppers shall be restricted to posters and handouts within the commissary store and other on-base locations and those delivered directly to authorized patrons. Appropriated funds shall not be used to fund any form of direct commissary advertising. Web sites administered by DeCA shall comply with DoD 5500.7-R (Reference (i)) and DoD Web Site Administration Policies and Procedures (Reference (j)).

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i do not see any reference in this DODI prohibiting patrons from sharing pricing information.

pilesoflaundry · 04-12-2010, 07:43:02 AM

I think it might be when a competitor store shows a receipt with prices showing their store is cheaper. So walmart can't post the commissary flyer showing the price of the item is cheaper at walmart. (or other store etc.) and it may also have to do with the funding like PMFan mentioned.

I suppose they also don't like if we mention it all over just because prices vary a little by store and maybe people were complaining about a higher price at their store? I wouldn't worry about getting in trouble though.

PMFan · 04-12-2010, 09:58:03 AM

thanks POL, that makes sense.

however, since the CAUTION BANNER is specifically on the 'savings isle' portion of the commissaries.com site which requires SSN & DOB to access, at this time, i would suggest no discussion of prices you find via the 'saving isle' resource.

Originally Posted by pilesoflaundry

I think it might be when a competitor store shows a receipt with prices showing their store is cheaper. So walmart can't post the commissary flyer showing the price of the item is cheaper at walmart. (or other store etc.) and it may also have to do with the funding like PMFan mentioned.

I suppose they also don't like if we mention it all over just because prices vary a little by store and maybe people were complaining about a higher price at their store? I wouldn't worry about getting in trouble though.

charlestonmom · 04-14-2010, 11:14:01 AM

Seriously??? I don't really have anything truely constructive to add, other than my personal opinion but....come on!!!! How in the world can they MANDATE that PATRONS not discuss (in any form) sales/ ads/ etc...??? It seems to me that they cannot impose such a rule on anyone. As PMFan mentioned, they do in fact publish flyers each month for patrons to take when they leave the store. They cannot mandate that you not share "their" published ad with others. How is that different than listing or discussing the information online?

I hope there is not anything legitimate to this issue. We'll see. Thanks to all of you researching:)

Goldnloks · 04-30-2010, 03:06:52 PM

Hi Ladies:
I am new to this forum, and I think the policy is weird. However I wanted to bring it to your attetion that Kraft is listing their "commissary specials" complete with price. If you go to commissaries.com then click on links then click on krafts foods military salute, you will see the current specials WITH prices from Kraft...here is a link to make it easier...So if prices are not supposed to be circulated outside the store, why is DEca allowing a link to a site that does it???

http://brands.kraftfoods.com/kraftmi...brands_default

I also had another question, there are so many discussions on here. Is there one unified place where we can post our Deals and Steals for the commissary?

Thanks
maura