It only happens twice a year, and members of the Fort McPherson and Fort Gillem communities weren't about to miss out on all the savings at the commissary case lot sale.
The sale, which took place May 13 and 14 at Fort McPherson, and Saturday and Sunday at Fort Gillem, allowed shoppers to buy items in bulk at savings ranging from 35 to 50 percent, said Mailyn Pargo, Fort McPherson commissary manager.
"We partner with vendors to offer bulk items at a minimum price," she said. Prior to each sale, an item list is created by the Defense Commissary Agency, and individual commissaries select which items they choose to carry, Pargo said.
DECA also sets the two months, May and December, when case lot sales are held, but individual commissaries choose what days to hold them on.
The dates for Fort McPherson and Fort Gillem were set because they fell the closest to the military payday, Pargo said.
Master Sgt. Mathias Parks, operations NCOIC, U.S. Army Reserve Command Surgeon Office, was on hand to spend some of her paycheck May 13 at Fort McPherson.
"Prices were tremendous and you can even use coupons," she said, adding she was thinking of returning later. "There are some deep savings. I recommend any ID holder take advantage."
Parks said she got three carts of items, including detergent, dish soap, toiletries, soda, sports drinks and cereal.
"I need to stock up. My kids (Rory Parks Jr. and Taurean Rhodes, both 19) are coming home from school," Parks said.
Overall, Parks said she spent about $300.
However, she said at normal prices the bill may have run as high as $900.
Priscilla Mosley, retired sergeant first class and currently the information management officer with Third Army/U.S. Army Central G-8, also took advantage of the savings.
She stocked up on sports drinks for the softball team she plays on. She also stocked up on air fresheners and other items, filling two carts.
"You can't beat savings, especially with economy the way it is these days," she said. The deals also help the commissary by helping move merchandise, Pargo said.
"It's a huge sale. We'll probably sell $150,000 worth of merchandise in two days," she said, adding normally only $28,000 is moved in that time period.
The sale is just a small token of appreciation the two commissaries have to take care of its customer base, Pargo said.
"We want to have the best case lot for our customers," she said. "I hope they enjoy it and continue to shop at the commissary."
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