Originally published at Notes from the bunker…. You can comment here or there.

Hey, remember this post about the surplus German ponchoes?

Well, i ordered four of them and received them today. I sent back three. And Im a very laidback guy who rarely sends anything back. Problem? Well, read the ad copy: Used in very good shape.

Now to me, used in ‘very good shape’ does not mean that great swatches of olive green duct tape were applied in various spots to ‘repair’ tears and holes. And I dont mean someone took a piece of duct tape, cut out a 1″ circle of the stuff and applied it. This is someone pulling a few inches off the roll, tearing it off with their teeth and slapping it on in best redneck fashion. To me, that aint ‘used very good’. Thats ‘used with some repairs’.

So, my first disappointment with a surplus order from Sportsmans Guide. Satisfaction guaranteed, they say so im gonna find out. Im sending ‘em back he three bad ones. The one I am keeping was like new, so thats cool.

I understand its military surplus. Its gonna smell musty (love that smell), its gonna be probably dirty, and it may be stained. Fine. I understand that. But, dammit, used very good does not mean used, patched with duct tape.

Obviously, I’ll take a refund but what I really want are three more ponchoes in good condition.

Stay tuned.