Coleman's Military Surplus sells military and outdoor surplus items including boots, gas cans, bunk beds, and tactical gear. This page aggregates customer ratings and reviews from RetailCoupons.com shoppers to help you understand what buyers report about their purchasing experience with this retailer.
Coleman’s Military Surplus Reviews
1.6
7 reviews
What Shoppers Say About Coleman’s Military Surplus
Created with AI, based on recent reviews
Coleman's Military Surplus has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with 7 shoppers rating the store 1.6 out of 5. The dominant complaints center on poor customer service when handling defective items, with multiple reviewers reporting that the company refused returns or exchanges for damaged products, citing the used surplus nature of inventory. Additional recurring issues include pricing inconsistencies (one shopper reported a $100 price increase after account creation), excessive shipping costs, and defective products arriving in poor condition. One long-term customer reported a positive experience spanning hundreds of purchases, noting that the rare damaged items were handled without hassle and offering context that surplus inventory may carry odors.
The stark divide in ratings (86 percent one-star versus 14 percent five-star) suggests highly inconsistent service or product quality. While the loyal reviewer acknowledged that surplus items come with inherent unknowns, the majority of shoppers found the return policies and customer service unacceptable, particularly when problems involved safety concerns or significant price discrepancies. Shoppers consistently recommended avoiding the store in favor of other retailers.
Customer Reviews (7)
Sorted by: Most recentJames T.Apr 28, 2025
Ordered a knife from them that arrived dull and bent at the tip. When I tried to return it, they completely refused. There are definitely better and more honest websites out there. Don't bother with this place.
Chris M.Jan 21, 2025
Went to their site looking for military boots. Found a pair I liked but they were out of stock. The listing showed $46, so I joined the waitlist and had to set up an account to do it. Once I got my account created, suddenly the same boots were priced at $146. That's a serious bait and switch tactic. I'd recommend shopping elsewhere.
Patricia L.Aug 18, 2024
Been ordering from Coleman's Surplus for a long time now, probably hundreds of purchases, and I've never had a real problem. The rare occasions when something was missing or arrived damaged, they fixed it right away without any hassle. Keep in mind that surplus inventory often comes with that surplus smell as part of the deal. I sell some surplus myself on a smaller level, so I get it. Some of these negative reviews seem like they might be trying to unfairly damage this company's reputation.
Kevin B.Nov 15, 2023
I bought a military surplus item that arrived completely broken and held together with clear packing tape. Called their customer service department to work out a return or exchange, and they basically said since it was used surplus, that was the end of the conversation and offered nothing else. Pretty much a ripoff if you ask me. This company operates like a scam. There are plenty of legitimate surplus retailers out there that would handle this situation properly.
Nicholas P.Apr 7, 2023
Don't shop here. Seriously. Some of their prices are just average, nothing special or worth getting excited about. The real problem comes with shipping - it's absolutely outrageous. I wanted to order two USGI bunk beds, which are basically frame beds with spring bases, not much bigger than cots. Two beds came to $300, but the shipping quote was $400 on top of that plus tax. I live just a few states away from their Pennsylvania location. To put this in perspective, I shipped an actual farm wagon from an Ohio manufacturer to my house for $300, and that thing weighed 2,000 pounds. I'd already read complaints about their shipping in other reviews and hoped I'd avoid the problem, but no luck. Skip this company entirely.
Tom H.Jun 20, 2022
Got 3 Wavian gas cans from them in 2021 and didn't open them until the following year. When I finally used them, the nozzles started spraying gas everywhere, which could have been dangerous near the engine. I called them up and they wanted to charge me $56 plus shipping for replacements. That was disappointing. The good news is Wavian itself stepped up - I sent them my serial numbers and they shipped me 3 replacement nozzles at no cost.
David R.Jan 16, 2022
Really disappointed with my purchase of two French Army Wool Blankets. When I opened the package, the smell was absolutely overpowering - like ammonia, which made my eyes water. After washing them multiple times, the odor still hasn't gone away. It smells like the blankets were soaked in urine at some point. In nearly 40 years of buying surplus gear from different places, this has been my worst experience hands down. I also tried posting a review on their website but it never appeared, which is concerning.
Coleman’s Military Surplus Review FAQ
What is the average rating for Coleman's Military Surplus?
Coleman's Military Surplus is rated 1.6 out of 5 based on 7 customer reviews on RetailCoupons.com. The rating distribution is heavily weighted toward one-star reviews, with 86 percent of reviews giving one star and 14 percent giving five stars.
What are the main complaints about Coleman's Military Surplus?
The most frequent complaints involve poor return and exchange policies, particularly when items arrive defective. Shoppers report that the company refuses to process returns for damaged surplus items, citing their used condition. Additional complaints include unexpected price increases after account creation, excessive shipping charges, and products arriving in poor or unsafe condition.
Are there any positive experiences reported?
Yes, one long-term customer reported making hundreds of purchases over an extended period with generally positive results. This reviewer noted that on the rare occasions when items arrived damaged or incomplete, the company resolved the issues promptly without hassle. However, this single positive review is significantly outnumbered by negative experiences.
Do shoppers recommend Coleman's Military Surplus?
Based on available reviews, the overwhelming majority of shoppers do not recommend this retailer. Multiple reviewers explicitly advised others to shop elsewhere, citing poor customer service, unfavorable return policies, and uncompetitive pricing. Only the single five-star reviewer indicated satisfaction with their long-term relationship with the company.
How can I write a review for Coleman's Military Surplus?
RetailCoupons.com welcomes customer reviews of your personal shopping experience. Share details about product quality, pricing, shipping, customer service, and return policies. Honest feedback, whether positive or negative, helps other shoppers make informed decisions and provides valuable information about the retailer's actual performance.