The other thing to look for is the return policy. Sometimes it's just flat out worn out, sometimes it's missized, and sometimes you REALLY don't want that particular item.

I'll never forget this: in college, I lived with a guy who bough a lot of surplus gear, even more than I have (which is saying a lot). He got in some leather ammo pouches, early 50s or so, and was looking them over, and found a stain he couldn't identify. He asked me if I knew what it was, I told him I couldn't ID the type, but I was positive it looked like someone had a VERY negative experience wearing that. Took him about an hour to realize it was a blood stain.

I don't mind surplus, but I draw the line at something that someone was wearing when they were wounded or killed. That's just begging for bad luck.