Base Exchange — Local services in Bellevue

This is, in my opinion, the WORST BX/PX that AAFES has to offer! In addition to being a vet myself, I'm also a military brat AND spouse, so when it comes to rating a BX, rest assured I'm comparing it to approximately 75% of the other AAFES facilities. I would think, with USSTRATCOM having HQ here, that the AAFES facilities would be comparable to what one would find at Andrews or Bolling AFB. The bulk of clothing for both men & women tend to be high-end designer clothing. You'd be hard pressed to find the Passports line carried exclusively by AAFES. That is a real shame. They tend to have cheaper clothing without sacrificing quality. If you're looking for designer clothes (i.e., Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, etc.), you're in luck. If you're a woman's plus size, it's almost impossible to find anything that is not matronly. If you're a ladies' petite, the store is basically made for you! There's a ton of girls' clothing! Boys? Not so much. If you're looking for designer handbags, they carry Michael Kors, Guess, Vera Bradley & Calvin Klein. Are you looking for Coach or Brahmin? That would be a big negative! When we PCS'd here in 2006, Coach was offered. When the BX moved into their current location, (back in 2008) Coach bags were no longer sold, with the exception of Black Friday, when they'll get in a selection for the Holidays and to offer what's on sale in the AAFES Black Friday flyer. I asked the general manager (this was in 2008, approximately 2 weeks after the new BX was opened), why Coach bags were no longer offered for purchase. I was told that the BX didn't generate enough revenue to offer high-end handbags. At that time in 2008, I quickly learned that if I saw a designer bag that I might want to consider to purchase, about 90% of the time, that bag would be sold within 24 hours! It was extremely rare to find ANY designer handbags on clearance. The exchange is always grousing that they don't generate enough sales. It's really easy to determine how that's the case. Their normal "stock" merchandise is too expensive for the bulk of the enlisted personnel and company grade officers. The exchange is still tax-free and still price matches (certain restrictions apply for price matching) that is AAFES wide. Where I'm usually able to take advantage of the price match feature at other exchanges, I'm hardly able to use it here at Offutt. The reason? They don't carry merchandise in stock! I go back to the East Coast approximately 1/2 dozen times a year, and I'm ALWAYS using the exchange. I utilize the price match feature approximately 75% of the time. I usually shop at both Andrews & Bolling, in addition to making frequent trips to Aberdeen P.G., Ft. Meade, Ft. Belvoir & Ft. A.P. Hill. ALL of these AAFES facilities offer a nice hodge podge of items, from your high-end designer brands, down to items that are exclusive to AAFES. You WILL NOT find this diversity at Offutt. And finally, don't expect to be able to "pop in and out" at Offutt's BX. The system they use is SLOW! EVERY time I go into the BX, I'm ALWAYS told the same thing, "We just got a new/updated system." If that's true, then Offutt is getting a new/updated system every month! It's almost impossible to pop in, grab an item, and check out in 30 minutes or less. In short, I can actually get in and out FASTER at Wal-Mart than Offutt. Where I used to really use my Exchange privileges, when it comes to Offutt, I'd rather pay a little extra $ AND taxes than go to this BX. Even my mother, who does her BX & commissary shopping religiously EVERY Friday without fail, doesn't go to the BX here when she's visiting. Even their food court has weird hours and closes down BEFORE dinner! The BX staff are always friendly and helpful, but the staff, too, are frustrated at how inept the entire store is. Offutt is aware of the problem... they just won't fix it. My visit last week was my first in almost 18 months. It hasn't changed, and I put the batteries back on the shelf and exited after I was told (after waiting 15 minutes for the price to ring up) that they'd just gotten...

Went to get a haircut at the BX barbershop yesterday. Pulled my ticket and sat down in front of the TV. TV channel was set on a basketball game of two teams I don't follow. I looked around, and no one seemed to be watching, heads in their phones. I stood up and asked if anyone would mind if I changed the channel. No one objected, so I switched the channel to a "news" channel to see what was happening in the world. As I sat down, one of the barbers told me I had to watch something else, that the Base Commander had a policy that only "sports" channels were allowed to be watched and that news channels were prohibited. I thought she was kidding, she wasn't. She insisted that I change the channel. I told her I would leave before I would stay in a place that didn't allow me to watch the news to see what was going on in the world. I left. I hope the barber was misinformed because I can't think of any rationale to restrict watching the news in the base barbershop. Of all the places in the world, the military members, who are fighting for this country's freedom, should have the freedom to watch whatever channel the group waiting agrees on, news, sports, comedy, etc. That shouldn't be a big deal, they are all adults. I never thought I would see the day when the military member's access to news would be censored. I will not return to the...

The eXchang is a great stop for quick in and out needs if you don't feel like a drive off base but need to get a something for the house or an article of clothing. Prices? You'll save on Amazon or at Walmart for sure!! I've done the price comparison. No question. The prices are high even if it is "Tax Free". The team, as I commented with the Commissary, isn't overy friendly or welcoming - or should I say they're "selective" in their service delivery. They're definitly worse than the Commissary hands down. I've had a few (more than three) experiences where I've had to very politely but directly "check" staff on their profiling, rudness, or lack of quality Customer Service. I only shop there out of extreme necessity (self check-out still has a person lurking) or if my spouse drags...