Survey Says Mountain Home AFB Car Care Center Drives for Value at the Pump

  • Published
  • By Lynn Masters
  • Mountain Home Exchange Service
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, IDAHO --  A recent Chicago Sun Times article quoted oil industry experts predicting that gas prices could hit $5 a gallon, possibly in the next few months. This potentially large spike in gas prices has Exchange officials reaching to ensure drivers are aware of the procedures in place to determine pump prices at Mountain Home AFB as well as the benefits available to authorized patrons.

While overall energy prices are beyond the Army & Air Force Exchange Service's control, the MILITARY STAR® Card, for example, can help curb added expenses and, in turn, save Servicemembers money when filling up.

"Anytime a customer uses a bank issued debit or credit card, the retailer pays a portion of the transaction to a third-party financial institution," said the Exchange's General Manager Robert Cooper. "Because the MILITARY STAR® Card is administered by the Exchange Credit Program, our Car Care Center is not subject to the additional fees incurred through other 'pay at the pump' options. As a result, we're able to pass savings on to authorized shoppers by taking a nickel off each gallon dispensed."

In addition to the five cents a gallon savings MILITARY STAR® Card holders enjoy every day, Mountain Home AFB Gas Stations periodically offer steeper discounts during certain holidays.

Beyond exclusive discounts, Exchange Car Care Centers rely on a survey process to ensure prices are fair and competitive with the local community.

Specifically, the Express conducts daily surveys of at least five locations selling motor fuel, deemed by the local GM to be the competition. Pump prices are then set equal to the lowest price surveyed for each grade of fuel available.

"Because market-based pricing is not contingent on cost, we survey and change prices as frequently as necessary to remain competitive," said Cooper. "In fact, even though the Car Care Center charges sales tax on gasoline, the surveys can result in prices that are actually even below cost."

While it is true that the Exchange, as a U.S. government instrumentality, is immune from state and local taxes, the immunity specific to fuel has been waived by Congress (Hayden Cartwright Act, 4 U.S.C. 104). Charging sales tax can be like pulling the emergency brake on shoppers used to the tax-free benefit that the Exchange provides on almost everything, except gas. But the Exchange, and by extension its customers, is required to pay federal tax pursuant the U.S. code that covers Federal Tax on gasoline (26 U.S.C. § 4081(a)).

Accordingly, the Exchange pump prices include state, federal and local motor fuel taxes, as well as underground storage fees, etc. The federal and state taxes, as well as, other applicable fees are included in the price and paid to the appropriate taxing authority.

"Gas pricing is a very complex issue, impacted by world markets, political and economic factors," said Cooper. "With that said, we remain focused on delivering the best value possible to drivers at Mountain Home Air Force Base."