Military surplus stores are great resources for civilians who like the quality of military products. But some people may wonder how surplus stores work and where they get their inventory from. Do these stores only stock used military products, or do they offer new ones?
Every military surplus store is a bit different, but several of them carry lightly used gear. Others may have a stock of equipment that is unused, but was rejected because of slight defects. Others can carry equipment that was overstocked and unused by the military.
Military surplus stores receive their inventory from a wide range of sources. Source
It’s hard to make general statements about them because each one is a bit different in their standards and practices. Below we’ll cover the various types of equipment that these stores might stock, such as lightly used, manufacturer defects, overstocked gear, and similar products sold by third-party vendors.
Used Military Products
Many military surplus stores get their inventory from military soldiers and bases that no longer need them. Soldiers often buy uniforms or other equipment that will be phased out or replaced within a few years. This gives them a good turnover rate and keeps military surplus stores well stocked with lightly used gear.
These products will usually be used, but are still in fairly good condition. After a run through the wash and maybe a couple of stitches, they will be just like new again! After all, they were built to last.
Many military surplus stores are open to the idea of buying used clothing and gear directly from soldiers. They make it easy to sell or donate items and are always happy to take them off your hands.
For more information on how to sell your used military gear, visit this website.
Unused Products With Manufacturer Defects
Another major inventory source for surplus stores is factory rejects. Many different manufacturers create uniforms and other equipment that is used by the military. These products must meet high standards of quality and can be rejected for even the most minor flaws.
If a piece of military gear is rejected by the manufacturer or military itself, then surplus stores can swoop in and claim it for resale. If a surplus store sells slightly flawed products, they might be available at a cheaper price. Oftentimes the flaws are so small that you won’t notice them at all!
Another bonus is the fact that rejected equipment was usually never used, so it’s still in brand new condition.
For safety reasons you may not want to purchase some items that were defective, such as ammo, expired MREs, or other potentially dangerous items. Clothing and outdoor products are usually safe to buy and enjoy though.
Unused Overstock/Surplus Products
The U.S. military is nothing if not prepared. They have a large budget and lots of different areas and people to supply and maintain. Because of this setup, the military ends up buying a lot of food, supplies, and equipment every day.
However, sometimes they can over prepare and overstock on supplies. If they order too much of one thing, it can end up sitting in a warehouse and taking up valuable space. In cases like these, military surplus stores can step in and take some excess off their hands.
If the army overstocks on any particular item, they can hand it off to surplus stores to sell, store, or use. Civilians can then come in and purchase the items as well.
In the case of overstocked inventory, the gear is usually unused and in brand new condition. Because of this, some items might carry a higher price tag, but many buyers think the price is a worthy trade off in exchange for the chance to own a brand new piece of official military gear.
Similar Unused Products From Third Party Retailers
Finally, military surplus stores can buy inventory from third party retailers who manufacture items that are similar to official military items. Some manufacturers sell certain products to the military, but have a very similar product line available to civilians.
Surplus stores (and everyday civilians) can purchase brand new items from these stores without worrying about flaws or previous owners.
The military often regulates the selling and trading of their official gear, so these third party vendors are a good way to get similar products that aren’t managed as strictly. You can sometimes find these options in military surplus stores, but it’s also easy to locate the products you want from home and arrange a package delivery.
Top Military Surplus Providers
Army Surplus Warehouse
Army Surplus Warehouse is a top name in the military surplus world. Their physical store is located in Butte, Montana and they offer a wide selection of military gear. Their products are quite affordable and can be shipped all across the country.
To view their full inventory, prices, equipment specifications, and delivery options, visit their website homepage here.
Army Surplus World
This surplus store was founded in the 1980’s and is still going strong today! They deliver products all over the U.S. and often ship equipment to active soldiers who are out of the country as well. With their impressive catalogue of high-quality options, it’s easy to see why they’re so successful.
To view their full inventory, prices, equipment specifications, and delivery options, visit their website homepage here.
Tacticalgear.com
Tacticalgear.com provides a wide range of items to their customers. They are able to widely ship their equipment, so there’s no need to visit the store in-person. They also feature products from top brands like Under Armour, Nike, and Oakley. You can rest easy knowing that you’ll get brand-approved gear from this store!
To view their full inventory, prices, equipment specifications, and delivery options, visit their website homepage here.
Major Surplus and Survival
This surplus store sells everything from Humvees, to gas masks, to camping backpacks. Major Surplus and Survival offers new products as well as vintage ones, so there’s a range of how used their items are. They really have a little bit of everything, which makes them a great source for the shopper who just can’t find the right thing anywhere else!
To view their full inventory, prices, equipment specifications, and delivery options, visit their website homepage here.