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Hi, new here and commissary question!
Hello,
I'm a young spouse of an AD Marine. Sometimes I read some posts on here but I haven't really been actively involved on the nest with you ladies!
So H and I just PCSed near a bunch of family.. Can you take people who are not military to the commissary with you? And can they purchase stuff if I pay for it while we're there and they give me the money later?
I've had multiple family members assuming they're coming with me and that it's no big deal just like a regular grocery store. They want to save money basically and use our benefits.
Is there etiquette/rules about this situation?
Personally, I feel that this is a military benefit and I just feel like it would be abusing our privilege. When I said this to family they were annoyed with me, and acted like I was ridiculous.
Please give me some advice! Not sure if it's no big deal to bring and shop for others and i'm just overreacting or if it's a no-no!
Thanks 
Re: Hi, new here and commissary question!
This. When my mom comes to visit though, she always likes to buy us a weeks worth of groceries, along with what she would want to eat. I would be taken back/ offended if my civilian family members wanted me to help them buy groceries that are specifically on base for Military Family Members. It's definitely taking advantage of you, and if that's what your gut is telling you, I'd stick with that.
If you aren't comfortable with it, don't do it. I wouldn't take my family to do major grocery shopping. If they wanted me to pick up a few items for them, I'd do that. When we have family dinners with every one, I'll pick up the meats since that's all we really save money on at our commisary. The rest of the family will pitch in and pay me back. Keep in mind, we are a huge family and normally buy a roast, ham and turkey for each dinner.
I have taken my mom out to the PX to price compare larger items. We also go out to the Class 6 to buy bulk alcohol any time there is a party. For instance, we took the money set aside for the wedding shower for a friend and bought all the beer and wine. Those are things I don't mind doing.
I have no problem when people come to visit me and I take them to the NEX to go shopping or we go to the commissary. It's a once in a while thing and I don't think it's a problem. Our NEX just requires that non-ID holders pay debit or cash, no credit cards, and they have to be with an ID holder. My parents last year wanted an ipad and bought it while visiting me since it was cheaper and tax free.
However if people wanted to use you for their regular weekly grocery shopping I would be annoyed. Especially when they got pissed that you said no.
The commissary at our base allows people without an ID to accompany an ID holder, but the ID holder has to pay for everything.
Similar to what PPs said, I usually take people with when they are visiting and buy things that they want to eat/use while they are with us. If it's my parents or ILs, they will usually pay us back when we're at home or buy us things when we're out shopping somewhere off base as "payback".
If it is just a few things here and there, or a big shopping trip for a special event, I'm okay with that. But for their big, weekly regular shopping trip, no.
Our commissary is almost always busy, and frankly, I would be annoyed if I knew I was waiting in line behind someone with two carts full of groceries who technically was allowed to be shopping there in the first place.
Yes, there are rules. Yes, you are abusing the privilege.
http://www.commissaries.com/documents/contact_deca/faqs/authorized_shopping.cfm
Overseas, it's taken extremely seriously because of the black market, but the rules are the same CONUS.
This. Exactly.
This.
/gavel
67/200
Thanks Ladies! I agree too.. and visiting is one thing.. but we actually live in the same city as my entire family now so it's an all the time thing.. There isn't an actual base here just a commissary/exchange/class 6.. and I can take one person without an ID with me into the commissary. I wouldn't mind so much my mom and dad (my dads a disabled veteran and can't claim anymore of a percentage to be able to get his own benefits at the moment because it would affect his current job) but I have aunts and uncles just assuming they're welcome to come with me...*cringe* I'll take a look at the link with the "rules" maybe it's something I can show to them and say this is my reasoning for saying no. I shouldn't have to justify it but I also don't want to have family drama!