Veterans on the hunt for big Black Friday deals may find some tax-free favorites online via the military exchange websites.
The sites opened to all honorably discharged veterans about a year ago, along with active servicemembers, retirees and all others who can shop at brick-and-mortar exchanges. Veterans who verify their shopping eligibility via VetVerify.org can shop at any of the exchange sites: The Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES); Navy Exchange (NEX); Marine Corps Exchange (MCX) and Coast Guard Exchange (CGX)
Officials for all the exchanges are advertising deals on electronics, appliances and designer clothing to draw people to the website.
“For many military families, shopping at the Exchange during Thanksgiving weekend is a tradition,” said Alexandra Pirkle, of AAFES. “It is our privilege to serve warfighters, military families and veterans, especially during this special time of year. The Exchange's Thanksgiving weekend and Cyber Week sales give our nation's heroes a chance to score great deals.”
Last year, about 62,000 newly eligible veterans who shopped at AAFES' ShopMyExchange.com saved about $3.4 million in sales tax costs alone, AAFES reported. Veterans have placed more than 200,000 orders online for more than 2 million items on the AAFES website since November 2017; Information for the other exchanges was not immediately available.
The newly eligible veterans cannot shop at exchange brick-and-mortar stores. A portion of exchange sales, in stores and online, are put into morale, welfare and recreation programs for servicemembers.
Get Your Deals
Thanksgiving weekend is recognized as the unofficial start to holiday shopping, and Black Friday - the day after Thanksgiving - is typically one of the biggest shopping days of the year.
This year, consumers say they will spend an average of $1,007 on gifts and decorations this holiday season, according to the National Retail Federation. And Cyber Monday, the first day back in the office after Thanksgiving, is also a big day as people shop for gifts online during lulls in work.
“Allowing shopping [to veterans] - online only - is a small token of appreciation for those who served honorably and lets veterans make a tangible contribution to the quality of life of those remain on active duty,” Pirkle said.
Shoppers can visit the CGX website for its list of Black Friday deals, including savings on Shark vacuums, iPads, Ray-Ban Sunglasses, and more. MCX offers its weekly deals, including Black Friday savings, in PDF form here.
AAFES Black Friday deals include:
- LG TVs from $299 to $999 (49- to 75-inch screens) and Samsung TVs from $147 to $1,299 (32- to 65-inch screens)
- 8 GB MacBook with retina display $1,039
- Savings from $25 to $150 on Garmin, Fitbit, and Samsung fitness trackers
- Savings from $120 to $1,200 off regular price on Samsung major appliances.
- Women's UGG customizable Bailey Bow boots for $99
- Women's Michael Kors sneakers $39
- 25 percent of select watch brands
- $32.99 sunglasses from Michael Kors, Coach, Kate Spade, Marc Jacobs and Juicy Couture
- 25 percent off all prestige handbags including Coach, Michael Kors, Vera Bradley, Dooney & Bourke
- Special prices on men's and women's apparel from The North Face, Columbia, Kuhl and Lucky
NEX Black Friday deals include:
- Up to $200 off Dyson vacuums
- Up to $150 off iRobot models
- 25 percent of towels, bath rugs, pillows, mattress pads and kitchen textiles
- Up to 30 percent off all major appliances
- 15 percent off power tools from Craftsman, Black & Decker and Dewalt
- 25 percent off hand tools from Craftsman, Irwin, Dewalt & Stanley
- Up to $200 off on heavy fitness equipment, including treadmills and elliptical trainers
- 20 percent off hydration from Camelbak, Nordic, Stanley, Under Armour & Life Straw
- 20 percent off toys from Star Wars, Jurassic World, Marvel, Disney and Disney Princess
- 40 percent off games and Crayola products
- 25 percent off boots, outerwear, sweaters, active apparel, men's and ladies collections and watches and sunglasses
- 40 percent off Hanes