Price surveys help Gunfighters save money Published June 20, 2011 By Lynn Masters Mountain Home Base Exchange MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- 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 works double-time to deliver the savings military families 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 Mountain Home Exchange. But the Exchange can save Airmen and their families even more thanks to Market Price Coordinators (MPCs), 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 Gregg Lindsay, base MPC. "From soda and snacks to washers and dryers, we work to ensure that the Exchange's prices are comparable, if not lower, than the competition." MPCs 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 Mountain Home 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 or more need only bring a current local competitor's ad to receive the reduced price.