Army & Navy Kaufman’s

Excellent customer service. Jim makes you feel like he actually cares about you and helping you find exactly what you need.
I went in to buy a Sterlingwear peacoat, Jim and his associates helped me size the coat and it looked great in the store. All the while, Jim told me stories about how wool coats are made, the small differences between Sterlingwear and Schott coats, and a little bit of history about the coats. It was great, he was definitely patient with me and I felt like a valued customer. He even gave me a discount on the spot. Awesome!
So I bought the coat, brought it home and tried it on again and it just didn’t fit right. I guess the sweaters they have you try on with the coats are thicker than what I usually wear. So it felt like the chest size was a little big. I procrastinated bringing the coat back in (I wanted to make sure the coat actually didn’t fit right before bringing it back). I never actually wore it outside as it was unusually hot this season.
Anyway, 3 weeks after purchasing the coat, I go back to the store to try a smaller coat and indeed, a smaller sized coat fit and felt a lot better. So I asked to hold the coat because I wanted to exchange it with the coat I’d bought earlier. Of course, Jim was skeptical of the fact that I hadn’t worn the coat but I explained the situation and he told me to bring the coat back to check the condition.
The next day, I bring the coat back, Jim checks the coat and says it’s in perfect condition and he has no issue exchanging the coat! Awesome. Not sure what he looks for when examining coats but I guess he has some tricks to tell if you’ve worn the coat for a while. Anyway, he helped me size the proper coat and he agreed, the new size fit a lot better. Bagged it up, handed it to me, told me to enjoy the new coat and didn’t even check my receipt.
I guess he remembered me from 3 weeks ago and that we’d built some rapport. Either way, the service here was fantastic and I can’t recommend Kaufman’s highly enough.

What a nutty place. It looks like an episode of Hoarders, but the staff never seems to have trouble finding exactly what you need. My brother swears by these characters and buys almost all his outerwear from them. They’re surprisingly chillaxed about letting you shop around, given how many pointy objects they sell.
Representative story: I went in there to buy a hip flask and paid with a debit card. The owner is this older fellow, sort of socially-​awkward in the way that only a great business mind could be. He saw me sign the receipt – I’m a lefty – and gave me a pencil with the Kaufman’s logo, then asked, «Notice anything weird about this pencil?» I looked at the guy like he had six heads. «It’s a left-​handed pencil.» So I started cracking up, thinking he was pulling my leg, but wouldja look at that, it was a pencil with the logo printed to be face-​up when angling it to write with your left hand.
I’ve still got it somewhere. Thought it was a neat touch.

Jim has everything and more in the store, not only is his staff courteous and attentive but they are very friendly as well, when you go into the store youre not immediately pounced on by staff. they have items ranging from German Bundeswehr Field jackets to United States Military Multicam Uniforms and more. Although Kaufmans does not have such a great amount of patches, he makes up for it with his one of a kind excellent condition items, If you go on your birthday you get a fantastic discount which is awesome, and he also gives you some cool wooden poker chips which count towards a $ 1 store credit, Originally the store was extremely disorganized but they have organized since then… Best surplus store in NYC With authentic items as well as remakes

Shopping for pea coats, Kaufman has one of the largest selections I’ve found. As for the pea coat return policy, I was specifically told tags off, coat is non returnable. Fair in my book. It was suggested I actually put on a heavy wool sweater off the shelf to check coat fit, pre purchase. I did, tried on several and picked up a great Sterlingwear. Picked up a wool commando sweater as well, excellent quality and about 25% cheaper on price than anything I found online. ‘Win-​win’ all around on Kaufman IMHO. The ‘organized chaos’ is a legit critique, but it seems to be working just fine, just ask for help.

Jim (proprietor) is the man and is a veritable historian of the many and varied materials he sells. Worth walking in just to have a conversation with the guy. While I was there, props managers from surrounding b’way shows walking in and out sourcing stage supplies. The real deal.

Kaufman’s rents props, right? So I called to inquire about something they may have. The man on the phone was very rude, sarcastic and very short with me. There was no reason for it. I was polite and his responses were uncalled for. Where is your customer service? Ridiculous and unacceptable.

This place has a great selection of coats and clothing. I’ll give it that much. But the way this place is managed is a disaster. Whoever runs it needs a military-​style course in customer service.
I bought a coat on Monday. Tried to exchange it on Tuesday, since it turned out I needed a bigger size to feel truly comfortable. A simple request was met with outrage. The coat was in pristine condition, but I was told it would be unsellable. «What am I supposed to do with this?» I was asked. «It’s worn.» It wasn’t worn by any dictionary definition. Even thought I’d worn it for maybe 15 minutes the day before, I was treated as if I had brought back a ripped, dirtied and thoroughly unwearable coat unworthy of even a Goodwill bin. «It doesn’t matter if it was worn for ten minutes or 10 days,» I was told. «I can’t sell it.»
Actually, you can. This is not Fendi or Chanel. I’m not returning a bathing suit or underwear. There were no tags on it that I had to cut off. I’m returning a coat in absolutely perfect condition and asking for a simple exchange. If you can’t do that, then you have no business saying you provide any type of customer service whatsoever.
What happened? After realizing I would get nowhere I left. Now I have a coat that I don’t entirely feel comfortable in. Maybe I’ll try and take it out a bit, or move the buttons myself. But I do know this: no matter how long you’ve been in business, and how much great merchandise you have (even if it is dumped all over the place like a special episode of «Hoarders»), nothing makes a customer want to return for business more than good customer service. This place failed miserably.

What a mess!
Maybe they are just reorganizing or something but everything was piled in heaps.
Brutal!

As a visitor from the UK KSI was near the top of my places to visit. It was an experience, I was looking for a particular t shirt and was informed it was not in stock. I was informed it would be ordered and would be in stock the following day.
Arriving the next day at the store, Iwas told it has been delivered but it was in one of the boxes received that day. Two members of staff were duly dispatched to find these t shirts, in no time at all they were found.
This was service at its best and I have no problems in recommending this store to any visitors or native New Yorkers.
Will be back on my next visit.

Kaufman’s has been a small family run business since 1946. Jim, the current owner and grandson of the founder, may be aloof at times, but he’s very friendly and has a great disposition. He’s always rushing around making sure everyone is taken care of and that the phone is answered. The employees are also very congenial and helpful.
The store is stuffed to the gills with merchandise. Generally, they know where everything is, and they will find what you need. If they don’t have it, they won’t hesitate to refer you to another store that may. Just ask.
It can get very busy with all the customers in the small space! It is controlled chaos, so don’t expect to run in and out as you would at a convenience store. Come with a small dose of patience and friendly demeanor, and they’ll more than reciprocate.

Damn this place rocks!!! They have all kinds of stuff in here that you could ask for. I went on a mad search for a Military Bag that apparently only Amazon had and once I walked into this store I was sure I could find it or a damn near perfect match. They had boots on the shelf that almost a year ago I was going literally insane trying to get shippied here from Georgia. If I had known it was only two blocks from my job I could have had my boots right away and saved myself a huge headache. They did not have everything that I had asked for but that is going to be a hard fact when surplus stores simply can NOT have everything. They have more than I would expect a surplus store to have in the heart of manhattan. Good find. I will return again for sure

For all you haters, this place is not for the uncertain. At least have a basic idea of what you want, or you can be super-​specific («I want a Sterlingwear true mil-​spec US Navy peacoat, size 50 black») and Jim and his staff will go to the ends of the earth to get it, and at LESS than MSRP usually.
This place is barebones, so go in there having a firm idea of what you want. This is not your typical store where you can roam and touch everything. Like war, it’s chaos — but in a good way.

Kaufman’s is a NYC institution and a must-​see if you’re into military surplus. I had not been to Kaufman’s in 20 years and recently took my 12 year old nephew for his first visit. The owner made my nephew feel like the most important customer in the store and joked with us all while helping other customers. The owner is also extremely knowledgable about the inventory. He pointed out interesting details about things we were looking at. Yes, the place is a complete mess and difficult to navigate, but that is part of the charm.

Some people say that organized chaos is a good thing, I agree. This place, upon entry is somewhat maddening. You will think you’ll never find anything among the stacks of boxes and mish-​mash of clothing. However, it’s very likely the owner, who is always there, knows where to find what you are looking for. On the plus side, the staff is amazingly friendly and helpful.

Chaos is your first thought when you walk into Kaufman’s. There are boxes among boxes of surplus army gear overstuffed all around you, leaving just enough space to walk through everything. Trying to get by another lost and confused customer? Not a chance. Find any nook or cranny, move aside to let one another pass so that you can go about your perusing. Gear ranges from army bags stuffed along the right wall, combat boots, army clothing, gas masks, and more. There’s all sorts of things here, things you would never have imagined to be sold. It’s like a hole in the wall junk yard, or treasure trove (depending who you ask) of army gear, so explore to your heart’s content.
The employees, dressed in a green army coat are very friendly. If they don’t approach you first, ask them for assistance. I don’t know how, but if you ask for something, they will extend their arm in between all those piles of gear and pull out exactly what you were looking for. I even had a chance to speak to the owner for a little bit, a tall lanky guy with glasses, who is very talkative. He gave me a wooden poker-​like chip for $ 1 off on my way out for my next visit. Yea, it’s not much, but it was sort of cool!
Prices are a bit high for their inventory. I found other military surplus stores (aka Uncle Sam’s Army Navy Outfitters located on 8^th St.) to have the item for much cheaper. One such example was the vintage US Army 2 Strap Duffle Bag that was being sold new for $ 40 at Kaufman’s. If you venture to Uncle Sam’s, you can get the same duffle bag new for $ 30, or used for $ 18.
But Kaufman’s is quite an experience in its own, and they definitely have a some hidden and unexpected treasures as compared to other military surplus stores. So check it out! You will either come out a raving lunatic with bags of gear, or running out the door gasping for air (for those claustrophobic people).

Although I understand the gripes on here since you pretty much have to dig through everything. I think this store is totally amazing and a hidden retail gem in the city… Even though I would like to keep this place to myself…
First off– they have really great clothing, cheap combat boots and army bags and some other unique items such as WWII gas masks from Russia and authentic little can openers from the Vietnam war which were among the memorabilia that I bought my father since he served in the Special Forces…
You can’t find some of this stuff anywhere else in NY and definitely not for the prices… For photographers and stylists, I know that they rent out stuff for half off the purchase price which is also pretty dope… PS… the owner of the store is probably one of the nicest guys that I have ever met and he is SUPER helpful…
You will definitely find something amazing if you go here… just be an inquisitive/​adventurous shopper and peel through the layers…

SCENE:
Court Room in front of a navy tribunal. Chief Carl Brashear (played by Cuba Goodings jr), is attempting to get reinstated as a master navy diver. He’s being assisted by Master Chief Billy Sunday, (played by De Niro). Brashear has to stand unaided and walk 12 step in a 290 lb dive suit to prove he can still handle his duties.
Here’s the catch, after an accident Carl Brashear is now an amputee and has but one leg.
Four steps from completion Brasgear’s prosthesis begins to crack. Carl stops, strains to support the 290 lb load on his one good leg, but looks as tho he’s loosing the battle. Then Chief Sunday… inspires him to continue on.
De Niro: «God Dammit Cookie! Move your ass! I want my Twelve!!!
Cuba: Fire in his eye’s, dripping sweat profusely and grimaces in pain, takes another step.
De Niro: «Nine! The Navy Diver is not a fighting man, he is a salvage expert.
Cuba: Walking the line.
De Niro: «Ten! If it is lost underwater, he finds it. If it’s sunk, he brings it up. If it’s in the way, he moves it
De Niro: «Eleven! If he’s lucky, he will die young, 200 feet beneath the waves, for that is the closest he’ll ever get to being a hero.
De Niro: Hell! i don’t know why anybody want to be a navy diver.
«Now you report to this line cookie!
Cuba: Completes his twelfth step.
De Niro: At ease
END SCENE
I was hyped up after seeing MEN OF HONOR. When Cuba finished his twelve… Maaaan i had eye water like mad.
Another thing that move did was have me feenin for an authentic Navy Pea Coat.
Kaufman’s here I come!
My first impression. Organized Chaos. Yeah, that Kaufman’s it’s down right messy fo-real…and I like it!
Then again it ain’t The Gap. There’s no mannequins, no polished floors, Hell! You can’t even see the floors with all that army shit strewn all over.
No wishy-​washy, slimmer then health should allow jack wagons traipsing over to ya while you looking at stuff talking about, «We also have that in avocado.
«Avocado!?! You mean GREEN mutha-​fucka!
Naa Kaufmans aint The Gap.
Not a whole lot of walking space in there either. Wide shouldered, linebacker-​ish types like myself take up waaay too much room in Kaufman’s. A brutha felt like the proverbial Bull in the China shop.
But the China shop was all fu@ked up waay before the Bull had arrived!
Got my Pea Coat though. And I look GOOD!
Walking down 8^th ave with of MEN OF HONOR on my mind.
SCENE.
Confrontation between Sunday (De Niro) and Brashear (Cuba).
Chief Sunday is upset because he cant get Carl to quit the naval diving academy. In a fit of anger he grabs Carl’s radio and smashes it to the floor. The radio was made by Carl’s father. Sunday then snatches up a photo of Carl’s dad and raises it as if to smash it also.
Cuba: «Don’t!!!
De Niro: Pointing at the photo… «What he say to you to that make you try so hard?
Cuba: Be the BEST!
De Niro: :Well you ARE…
nuff said

I wish it were easier to browse the merchandise here, because I have a feeling there are some real gems buried under piles of coats and boxes.
When I’m looking for something specific the staff is always very knowledgable (even though neither time have they had what I was looking for — they gave me this cute little wooden token good for a dollar of store credit to make up for it).
But when I’m not hunting down an elusive piece of merchandise, it’d be nice to see what my options are, right? There’s basically one central aisle, surrounded by racks and piles and cases of stuff. It’s impossible to browse. That’s why this place doesn’t get another star.

I was trying to talk to them because we were going to get A LOT of stuff for a TV shoot. They told me they had a whole lot of stuff but refused to talk to me on the phone, and then told me via e-​mail that they didn’t have pictures of anything. So we went with someone that was more accomodating. Fine.
THEN. I called them about getting black military berets.
«Excuse me. Did you e-​mail us? I told you that we could help you out with everything you needed. I told you blah blah blah. I told you blah blah blah blah blah.» He started lecturing me on the phone. are you kidding me? Meanwhile, I have work to do… God, this guy was SOOOOOO rude and SUCH AN A$$HOLE!!! Go cry about it.

Chaotic, cramped, and completely overstuffed – a remnant from a time when the city was a very different place – Kaufman’s is an honest-​to-​goodness «Army Navy» and NY institution.
And while the store, which looks like it got hit by a massive tornado filled with military surplus gear and clothing a few years back, is nearly impossible to navigate, a sense of calm and certainty seems to radiate from the counter near the front. «Watch out, it gets a little crowded in here,» and «…no, we don’t have it, but we can get it,» are the kind of things that emanate from the proprietor, with nearly preternatural calm. There’s a method to the madness.
What’s surprising, though, is that the prices appeared to be just as high as other joints that offer «amenities» like aisles you can walk in, racks you can reach, and stock you can actually sift through without a Herculean effort.
That said, Kaufman’s appears to have all sorts of one-​off, oddball items, (literally) piled high from front to back and squirreled away in glass cases, and if you have the patience to work your way through them, there are undoubtedly one-​of-​a-​kind treasures to be had here.