So, I went shopping for a laptop computer at the PX when I arrived in-country, and their selection was really lame. Undeterred, I got online and checked the AAFES (Army & Air Force Exchange Service) website to see what they offered, and found the laptop I wanted… a Sony VAIO. Ordered the item on 19 SEP, the $1299.00 was debited from my account immediately, and I was sent two confirmation emails that the item would be shipped directly from the vendor on 03 OCT.

It comes around to 05 OCT and there’s no notification of shipping, nor a tracking number for UPS associated with the order on AAFES’ website, so I pop off an email to AAFES asking ‘What’s up?’

I get a response saying, “It was supposed to ship on 04 OCT… give it a few more days.” That’s like saying “the check’s in the mail.”

09 OCT rolls around, still no shipping info, so I email again, asking for a phone# I can call to see if they’ve even shipped it yet. I get a response within 24 hours, but it’s from some functionary saying “I forwarded your message to the person who works with that vendor, and asked them to email you.”

10 OCT I get an email from the next person, saying “I’ve contacted the vendor, and should have a response from them soon.”

11 OCT I get an email saying “I’m glad to say your order was processed yesterday, and they should be shipping it very soon.” I respond by asking whether the vendor is going to upgrade the shipping to priority to compensate for their delay in processing my order.

Today, the 13th, I get an email stating “the date of 3 Oct 07 you received when you placed the order was an expected ship date. That date was not guaranteed. Unfortunately the vendor will not be upgrading the shipping” with a pat apology.

The money was debited from my account within five minutes of my placing the order online. It’s now 25 days later, and they still haven’t even shipped it yet???

If there are any other US Servicemembers who read this thread, I highly advise that you avoid AAFES-dot-com and take your business elsewhere. They’re just like any other corporate entity… once they’ve gotten your money, they don’t give a flyin’ fig about you as a customer, and will happily stall you, give you the runaround, and tell you “oh, that wasn’t guaranteed” rather than try and be truly helpful.

Caveat-flippin’-Emptor.

(Update: 19 OCT – Finally get an email from some lady at AAFES’ Quality Assurance Dept. stating that the laptop was shipped on the 12th, but tracking is not available, since it went USPS.  Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.  Final verdict?  AAFES sux.)