By Ellen Kortesoja

A policy update from the Defense Commissary Agency aims to curb system abuse bulk buying.

The agency headquarters in Fort Lee, Va. operates a worldwide network of commissaries that provide groceries to military personnel, retirees and their families.

According to the agency’s Facebook post, customers will no longer be able to special order “unreasonably” large quantities of items. The agency is also tightening the rules on coupon redemption and large-quantity item returns.

The new policy hopes to stop coupon-using costumers getting items for free and then re-selling them, or making money by splitting transactions in order to get more cash back.

More than 300 Facebook comments show mixed reactions, though many seem to view the change as a much needed check.

Ora Dawn thinks the agency made a good move: “I’m so tired of hoarders and extreme coupon people selling goods on facebook. If I want to buy stuff I want to buy it from the store, not set up an appointment to shop out of tubs in a strangers pantry.”

“Too many couponers are getting their items for free at the commissary and selling those items on bookoo, craigslist, Facebook selling groups,” Jessica Howard posts. “Extreme couponers out to make a dollar have ruined it for all the legit couponers. Once again greed takes over.”

Dan Fortenbaugh says limitations on bulk case sales at the stores are a good thing and he hopes they prevent empty shelves. “By the time we [get] out of formation, everything [is] gone,” he says.

But some say the new policy hurts families on a tight budget who are not abusing the system.

Jennifer Middleton Ludy says her family drives more than 50 miles each way to the commissary and stocks up on each trip. “This hurts families such as mine. I drive over 100 miles round trip to take advantage of the savings which my husband earned by serving this country for 20 years! They should penalize the known culprits and leave the rest alone,” Ludy writes.

“When bases closed, it made the nearest commissary about 150 miles from me and the trip is not over interstates. I go twice a year and buy enough meat and non- perishables to last for 6 months,” Gloria Bobbie says.

“Yes, it fills the car and yes, it is for me. Give people the benefit of the doubt.”

The Defense Commissary Agency’s Facebook post from February 26:

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