This military surplus store is located behind Verbatim bookstore, and I had to look and see. This shop is not fancy, has new and used military gear from head to toe from the army, marines and navy. But no weapons, No guns sold here. The owner Jeff was super helpful, nice and informative. I was interested in a canvas jacket with a zipper opening and lots of pockets. Jeff showed me a number of things I might like but the items didn't have specific features I needed: zipper, stay dry and or lots of pockets. There was a Navy Seals military backpack $599.00 and Navy Seals cargo pants $400.00...the backpack was too ginormous for me. The cool cargo pants wasn't waterproof or stay dry material, but is pricey for a non designer clothing, so these prices may/may not be a bargain. The canvas military jackets with lots of pockets had button closure, not zipper as I preferred :( I don't particularly shop for military gear clothing so I'm not an expert about pricing and whether it's a good value or bargain. Due to time constraints, my visit was cut short but this shop is bound to have the military gear clothing you might want so it's worth a visit. Recommend read more

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Service was super friendly!!! We were greeted and welcomed and asked if we needed any help and that was super appreciated. Parking during the Farmers market can be tricky. You either have to pay for parking at the kiosk parking lots or park in the street. A nice variety of military clothes and jackets and boots. The non smoking store was a bonus. Prices were steep compared to Texas outlet prices but this is California. read more

Great mom and pop shop!!!! Jeff was a big help. Very welcoming environment. A lot of things to look at, definitely coming back for some bomber jackets when the weather gets cooler. read more

Bargain Center - Best surplus supplier in San Diego. - Sports Wear Near Me - San Diego, California

They were very friendly and helpful in trying to find what I was looking for. They had a good selection and reasonably priced.

The friendliest military surplus store that we have been to. They greeted us, asked if we needed help, and they were knowledgeable on the products they have. They even kept eye on people who may have parking expired to tell them to go move their car. This will be our go to surplus store whenever in town. They had a wide selection and decently priced. Definitely will not go to that El Cajon place anymore for sure. read more

First of all, this place is full of stuff and you can't possible find what you want if you don't ask the owner. I was very turned off by it but then he was super nice and helpful. I decided to stay and gave it a try. He recommended me a few pairs and decided to go with the Bates leather durashock boots. It wasn't cheap but the condition was pretty good & all broken in !? Fine I'll take it. They do have nice stuff but you have to dig through the piles to find the goodies. read more

Bargain Center - Sports Wear Near Me - San Diego, California

good prices and willing to strike a deal for something I was hesitant on. Nice owner. Had a good selection of some hard to find items.

Came here a year ago and bought 46$ pants from an old man that helped me, after I got home and tried them on; I didn't like how they fit so I took them back with the receipt and this time a middle aged man took the pants and asked for my name and phone number and told me to come back later and that they'll call me. I was busy due to school and work and I didn't have time until now. Went in today and the same guy who took the pants was there, I explained to him that I came over a year ago and he just looked at me weird. He said that they don't do business like how I explained it, I even showed him the bank transaction and he still didn't believe me for some reason. The same guy told me for a piece of paper and I told him that he didn't give me a peace of paper when I dropped off the pants. This dude basically thought I was trying to SCAM THEM even thought it's their fault because they lost the paper with my name and phone number, last thing they told me before I left was that my story doesn't add up. Last thing they told me was that my story doesn't make sense and that all they can do is give me a small discount or to make a dispute which I hope I THEY accept. read more

Solid selection of ex military goods. Yes, some of it is relatively high priced, but I have shopped here since I was a teen and every so often score a seriously fine piece of equipment for a great price. Most recently, a stellar Gore-Tex winter jacket (USN blue digital camouflage) in virtually new condition and with a build quality to rival 500-700 dollar snowboard jackets from the likes of Arc'teryx or Rab, etc, for 120 bucks. SOLD... As for customer service, the guys are always chill in my experience through all the years, unless somebody is being annoying in their store. They are all business, and will leave you be when you say you're "just looking for now". Sure, this isn't Burberry level customer service, but if I want to grab that kind of fancy shiny item, I'll go to Fashion Valley...or REI. read more

Opened in 1961, which is the year I was born. Most items are overpriced. Most have no price tags. The vintage uniforms are full of holes, stained, missing buttons or the zippers don't work. Vintage to me is something 30 years old or more, BUT clean and in usable condition. I didn't get a receipt nor a bag for my $162 purchase today. It's like he was doing me a favor for selling me three items. Anyway, I most likely won't come back. The only positive I saw was the owner doing a good deed for a homeless man. read more

Jumping on to share my review. I know there are mixed reviews. First time at this store, the only other military surplus store I've been to is the one in Oceanside. First off, private parking lot. It was nice to be able to park and not have to drive around forever on a Saturday to find a spot. The store is pretty big and it was organized in sections. I was able to find the bags and backpacks quickly. Most of the items here are second hand and used. So don't come here expecting newly packaged everything. There are some new items but expect a way higher price. The backpacks were expensive, given they are real combat gear. Luckily I was able to find the exact item I went in for. It is a green sea bag. BUT it comes with backpack straps! I've been looking online for weeks for a duffle like this. I returned the one I got from Amazon it was awful and the shoulder straps cut into my neck. I scored this amazing duffle for $59! Amazing like new condition. My husband still has his from the military and it has stood the test of time. I know this one is going to last me on all of our overseas trips. We will be gone for over a year or more and I really needed something that I could carry on my back. This fit the build perfectly. So many other great items in the store. Bomber jackets I loved but way more than I wanted to spend about $120. But it's great quality condition was like new. It's not the cheapest spot on the block but they carry items in great condition. Shop owner was friendly wasn't pushy with us. But offered us help if we needed it. Happy I got what I wanted :) read more

Definitely worth visiting; excellent collection of military clothing/gear, as well as genuine US made vintage pieces! The customer service is just as amazing too! Special thanks to Jeffrey, I really appreciate the help brother! read more

If you go in knowing what you're looking for this is a decent place. Specifically for MRE cases that are within their inspection dates. If you know what you're buying this is a good store and I've had great service. read more

I've been shopping here off and on for years. Never have had any problems. Most of the things here are US and some foreign recent to modern surplus (mostly 90's/00s/10s, few 80's era) with many commercially produced items. It's a little pricey for some of the items. Given the nature of surplus stores over the years it's to be expected. US Govt sells much of its surplus overseas nowadays and these stores often buy in bulk from the distributors at market price. The days of getting a full halloween/paintball/airsoft get up for $25 are long gone. However, if you consider shipping costs to an online item they can almost balance out. Sometimes for a rare item (IE 1942 stamped US metal canteen), it's worth the extra $5-10 just to grab and go. The staff here have always been polite to me. One of the guys can be a little gruff but he's always been helpful when I've asked for it. If you don't need their help, don't expect them to fawn over you. They're there to run a business not be your friend. I rate them overall a good business. I will likely go back to them from time to time and see what they got in stock. read more

We drove for almost 4hrs drive from 29palms to SD to see how much he would offer me for my gear. Most of my gears are modern/ military issued from the Marine Corps and brand new and barely used. He barely inspected all the items and told me it was all worthless. Then he asked me how much would it take for my items and i answered i said approximately $300 knowing that my items consisted of desert frog gear top&bottom, grid fleece top, 5 pairs of woodland cammies, canteens, 4 pairs of barely used combat boots, poncho liner, & many more. Then he answered "i'll take $45 for all of it". As soon as he offered me that that's when i knew he was trying to rip me off or just low ball me. So then i told him i'm good and i'll take it somewhere else. Just be mindful that if you plan on selling your military gear he will low ball you and will sell it overprice than retail. Not worth of your time. read more

This place has been here since 1961, ever since I can remember my grandfather and my dad used to take me here just to walk around and look at all of the things inside of the store, to pass time to find good steel deals etc. It's been a family owned since the beginning and still is. Basically it's like an army surplus store, they have jackets shoes socks clothes backpacks you name it they have it even MRE packets , ammo containers now made just to be utilized for storage or whatever you would like. The owners are always very nice and attentive to you as soon as you walk in they will greet you, there is random signs all over the place that say if you need help don't be quiet ask away. If we were ever going to go through a zombie apocalypse I know exactly where I would go first, it would be this store. read more

Bargain Center - Sports Wear Near Me - San Diego, California

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1st of all some creepy old guy came out and stared at us when we parked, whatever shake it off, goin inside & This place is RIDICULOUS priced! These USED items SHOULD NOT be the same price as brand new uniform items! Very few items in this shop are "antique" so they're asking prices are basically the price of these items from the exchange. On top of that, when we didn't buy anything that guy came out and followed us into a store across the street to tell us that parking was $7. read more

Trash. Do not sell here. Items marked up from sale 1500 percent. Items were priced more than brand new. Not what people shop at surplus stores for. read more

King Sleazy of overpriced surplus goods. His Buddy and He are the rude, pushy, and have no common sense. I actually feel bad that we wasted that time together in his overpriced shop read more

I know a lot of other reviews are saying this place is expensive, lousy customer service and that the building stinks. The prices aren't the greatest but there competitive to other surplus spots. They have a nice selection of camping gear, boots, military supply and much more. This is a huge building full of cool stuff I could spent a good hour looking for stuff. I don't know if you can negotiate but if you're good enough I'm sure you could get some prices down. There weren't a lot of people in there but it seemed like moms with their bad azz kids kept coming in. I also heard the older guy telling the kids to stop running. This really isn't a place for kids but anyway I will come here again. read more

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Came here to get some flint/magnesium for my prepper kit and because we were having a fire starting context. They ran about $8.99 each which is pretty expensive. I like that if I buy in bulk he will give me a discount. They have MRE (Meal Ready To Eat) options. I wonder what their real shelf life is. This place has camping and military stuff. It is a bit expensive but I still like their stuff. Family owned read more

I was looking for combat boots to finish my Comic Con outfit and the staff was really helpful. They found me the least expensive shoes that fit me and my outfit! Ended up looking great: https://photos.app.goo.gl/EifxGURbiiDq4kJA9 read more

Bargain Center - Combat boots to finish the outfit. - Sports Wear Near Me - San Diego, California

ASSHOLE owner. I walked in to look. I was immediately "helped" . He followed me, He asked questions. Seemed helpful at first and led me to what he THOUGHT I wanted. Once I revealed I wasn't shopping for myself, but for my actor, he turned. He told me I needed to bring him in for a fitting and REFUSED to help me after that and walked off. I walked around and around, seeking for what I was looking for. I found a few OVER-PRICED items. A $15 shirt I bought at a thrift store for $3. Both new. The female employee was great. I said my actor was 32w and 32 inseam. She took her time to explain the difference between military sizing and retail sizing. When I attempted to do the same with the owner, he basically said "fuck off" and walked off. I found 2 items that could work, but decided against purchasing because of the asshole owner, read more

.. Avoid this place at all costs. I purchased a pair of ESS Crossbow Eye Protection glasses yesterday for $54.00. I returned it today and was told that I would be charged a 25% "Restock Fee", which would be $12.00 in store credit, reducing the return amount to $42.00. I never even took the glasses out of the case. The policy and the justification for the policies made ZERO sense. The return policies are displayed but they are BEHIND the customer when checking out at the register. Let me tell you something: when you have consumers going on a scavenger hunt to find return policies, you are not running a legitimate business. You are taking advantage of the consumer by not being forthright. This establishment may have a huge inventory but the majority of the items are overpriced well above retail. I would have never purchased an item if I knew I couldn't return it for full value. If you enjoy being taken advantage of go ahead and visit. read more

So this place gets zero stars. I had to put a star for it to save so that's a bummer. The owner is a douche. Selling used green digital cammis, used for 40$. Thats just the bottoms! So I went in there looking for the old green jungles. Found a used pair for 80$. What the f@$& ??? Are you serious!?! He says" well those are the American ones", I say "yeah.. The better ones are the Japanese ones!" I tell him it's a rip off, then he tries to educate me saying there are 3 types of Marine issue cammi types. Sorry pal your sadly mistaken and your business sucks and is a rip off. So after our awesome convo on him being a rip off and selling used shit at new retail. The old turd gave me the sink eye as I left. I smiled. Avoid this place. They've marked up everything. It's all used and crappy anyways. read more

Bargain Center - The rip off center - Sports Wear Near Me - San Diego, California

Went here with the boyfriend because he was trying to sell his old uniforms (all great condition, some only worn once, some brand new with all the tags still on - boots, full camis, gore-tex, hats, sunglass kits, and multi-tools) - on the phone the guy expressed that he was very interested and to bring it all in and he'd take a look at it... the guy was very nice on the phone. That's where the good part of this review ends. Upon looking at all the items, he offered $50.00 for EVERYTHING, and when my boyfriend said he thought it was worth more the owner launched into a condescending speech as to why none of it was worth anything and even lied about it not being current issue uniform items (despite the fact my boyfriend was issued all this stuff within the last 6 months and it was all the same stuff being currently issued) We had walked through the store prior to bringing stuff in to get an idea of how much he charges for the same items we were bringing in and it was RIDICULOUS what he was offering to pay for the stuff vs. how much he was charging. For instance, he offered to buy the cami pants for $3.00 each but charges $20.00 in the store... for JUST PANTS. The same brand new boots that my boyfriend had 3 pairs of - tags still on them, never used - he was charging $100+ for in the store, and he offered to buy them for $5.00 per pair. Once my boyfriend made it clear he didn't have a deal, and that we would take all the stuff somewhere else, the guy was kind of a dick and didn't want to deal with us anymore, but still claimed to be really interested in the items he had. We took our items to a different surplus store (Stars and Stripes in El Cajon) and ended up getting $200 for all the items... minus the multi-tool that somehow ended up missing between the time we were Bargain Center and the time we got to the second store. I'm not accusing the guy at the first store of stealing it, I just am saying it conveniently and somehow managed to not make it back into the box of stuff after he looked at it all and he had expressed great interest in it... Let's just hope it was an honest mistake that it didn't make it back into the box. I'm not giving this place just one star, because they seemed to have a big selection of items available for sale - albeit way overpriced - but if you were looking for something, chances are you'd be able to find it there... if you don't care that you're paying way over the amount you should be. read more

This is a great place to go for Dickie's, work boots, belts, caps, beanies and random pins/buttons. This army/navy store has low prices and cool random accessories. A fun and interesting place to shop, it's perfect for costumes. And hipsters, they've got tight pants... AV read more

Saw lots of army/hunting gear. Prices pretty good. Has some camping gear and the coolest thing I got was the army rations with a heating element. You have a special pack that heats up to cook the food. The set comes with main meal and drink flavors and other sides. It's great! I'm gonna try the taste and get more for future hiking trips, since they are the same cost as the dehydrated food ($7) and you get more stuff with it. read more

Found some cool items here, a Russian communist faux fur hat, a "Russian submarine shirt" (?? just a striped tank!) and cheap baseball shirts. The bad? Totally overpriced. The striped tank was 30$! The guy t the register said it was "authentic," but authentically what?? The tag was in English so even if it had come from Russia, it still wouldn't have been worth more than $10. He claimed "export and import prices," what a bullshit answer. And the hat? Yes, from Russia, but probably sold in Russian tourist stores. I paid almost $50 for it because i am a) a compulsive shopper and b) a sucker for anything with a hammer & sickle. So don't come here as a compulsive shopper. read more

UPDATED 6.15.2015 Just left and had another GREAT experience!! Left with NEW wader suit & boots for less than $70 and a cot for less than $30!! I'm tellin you folks, go HERE if you need QUALITY items to aid you in taking care of yourself and your family on your trip!! read more

From Bargain center I have bought My first backpack All my of sweat suits I wore for gym class A slutty sailor costume for halloween--well just the top half of the costume Bargain Center is a significant part of North Park. These young people need to appriciate history! I have chosen to love it for the ghetto military surplus store it is. Way back in the day, before I was even born, it was a Piggly Wiggly. That ups its cool factor just a bit. read more

So appreciated Jeff!! He was there at the door to greet me and helped me quickly and I so appreciate how nice he was!! Unique store :o}

Do not recommend at all. Very strange vibe in this store and the supplies are far from the best. Go elsewhere.

I came here because my friend said he had AT coming up and wanted my husband's under shirts. My friend has the old Army digital ACU and my husband's new unit wears the new operational camouflage ACU. I thought I'd buy my husband some shirts and socks, he only has 3 shirts and 2 pairs of socks, and I wash them every other day. The store has a lot of used items, especially in t-shirts. I did not find what I was looking for. Maybe if you're a Marine or in the Navy, you can find something. I didn't have any luck here. read more

Got my son a pair of new combat boots for $40. The customer service was wonderful and honest. We were directed away from used boots to new ones, because the price was lower! I was impressed. All the years I've lived in SD [since '83], this was my first time to the Bargain Center ... but I think I'll be back. read more

Came in. Smells of rust, oil, dusty canvas, and leather fill the air. I kind of like it, but it's not for everyone. The lighting is very low and dim. The guy at the register is weird. He was on the phone the whole time I was there. He asked if I needed help, but when he didn't have what I wanted, he kind of ducked away back to his phone. Seems anti-social and shy or something. Prices were VERY high. I did see one item I was interested in, and have since learned that it was a good price. I'll have to go back and pick it up. I wouldn't insult the guy though - that's probably the only way to stay in business. They'd probably make a lot more money on Amazon.com with all that generic stuff they have though. read more

As other reviewers have noted, the "Bargain" Center is in fact vastly overpriced, and the staff pushy. A hands-off, move-along, don't-touch-that vibe pervades this establishment. Replete throughout the store, for example, are signs admonishing the customer against taking photos, trying on helmets, etc. Further, during my brief visit I was thrice approached by a leering, aggressive salesperson asking whether I "had any questions" or was "finding everything alright." Dude, back off. Narrowly earns two stars for its eclectic inventory, including some hard-to-find foreign and classic surplus. Otherwise, the same surplus, with much greater selection, can be had for one-third the price at GI Joe's in nearby El Cajon. read more

Owner of this business is extremely rude and very, very cheap. The store itself is dark and dingy, all the while smelling like dust. I understand selling used gear/uniforms/military items will make a store smell old, however you can keep it from smelling and feeling gross. The items sold here are extremely overpriced as well. You can't buy boots for 5 bucks (like the owner tried to do with me) and turn around and sell them for over 100 and expect people to buy it. When trying to sell some things the owner threw my stuff in my face and basically laughed at me for no reason. Completly unprofessional and I'm not sure how the man is still in business. read more

Dont get it twisted! This is, in no way, a Bargain Center! Its cluttered, disorganized, it smells, and its expensive! $7 for a damn web belt?! PLUS tax!? I had no choice, i needed to replace my broken belt and this was the only spot i could get to for the official web belt. ...and no, checkout counter guy, i do NOT need any pants, shirts, shorts, bags, knives, tasers, or hats; but ya know what? Thanks for asking! read more

PLUS: convenient MINUS: expensive, and generally rude staff (not all of them, just the lead) who are more interested in hustling than helping. don't bother asking questions, he just wants to push product. also, no refunds. UPSHOT: I generally go here first as they sometimes have things the others don't have, then check Stars & Stripes Army-Navy Surplus Store in El Cajon (always) and GI Joe's Army Navy Surplus in El Cajon (sometimes), then buy it here if I can't get it elsewhere. this is my "only in a pinch" surplus store, not my primary - I prefer Stars & Stripes Army-Navy Surplus Store where the staff are genuinely interested in being helpful, and K Surplus in Chula Vista for all manner of things (not generally the same type of things but if you're looking for cheap surplus goods, try there too) read more