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Save money on home furnishings at local Exchange

Online options include high-end brands, such as Ethan Allen

Displays at your local Exchange resemble those you would find at a furniture store, but on-base shopping is tax-free. Photo provided by AAFES

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You've finally purchased your dream home or recently PCS'd and are finding out you need some new furniture to fill out the space in your new house. Well, look no further than your local base Exchange for some great options.

If you can't find anything you like in-store, visit: ShopMyExchange.com, where you can find furniture brands such as Ethan Allen, Armen Living, Lumisource, Ashley, Presidential Seating, Benchcraft and more. The benefit of shopping at your local exchange is that it's tax-free with easy financing through the Military Star Card.

Currently, the McChord Exchange has the largest showroom at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), and it also has an outlet in the Tacoma Mall area. The base showroom has furniture sets on display, where shoppers can look, feel and try out for size and quality of the offerings. Living room, bedroom and dining room sets are available, as well as mattresses and household appliances such as washers, dryers, refrigerators and other major appliances. They also sell "ready to assemble" furniture.

"Our McChord showroom offers shoppers the opportunity to come see the furniture they're interested in purchasing," said Michael Einer, JBLM Exchange general manager. "They can take a look at the color and fabric to make sure it's exactly what they want. For many items, we offer multiple colors or finishes that may not be available for viewing in-store.

"If a customer wishes to purchase a furniture item, we will order it for them from the store and it will be shipped directly to their home," continued Einer. "Buying furniture from the Exchange is the ideal shopping experience, not only because of the long list of options, but also because military members and their families save money through their tax-free benefit."

There are currently 60 Exchange locations worldwide that carry furniture. The benefits to shoppers are recognized brands with tax-free shopping and military-exclusive pricing. In addition, at ShopMyExchange.com you can access brands such as Ethan Allen, which offers 20 percent off and free shipping. Then you check out through the Exchange portal tax-free (savings of an additional 10 percent in this area), and you can use your Military Star Card. When you shop online through the Marketplace (the name online for stores other than the Exchange) for the most savings, make sure to shop the Specialty Stores, which allow your items to go to your shopmyexchange.com cart so they qualify for the No Sales Tax benefit and for Free Standard Shipping offers. The Mall Stores are partner sites that deliver special discounts to Exchange customers. They are stand-alone websites, and sales tax may apply when you check out on their site.

At the 40 CONUS locations, showroom sizes vary from 700 to 7,500 square feet. Within this space, the Exchange has recreated the shopping experience of a furniture store. There are vignettes that show the materials, features and benefits of the various collections. There are also digital kiosks, which boast an assortment of more than 2,000 items.

The new Military Star Pay Your Way Plan allows customers to purchase big-ticket items at a fixed monthly payment with a reduced annual percentage rate. Once items are purchased, additional specialized services are available, including extended warranties, Home Service Assembly and White Glove Delivery Services.       

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