There is a new website that we think you will be interested in called Military Uniform Exchange.
Military Uniform Exchange is the end result of a conversation between two recently retired, local area, Marines. Both had serviceable Dress Blue uniforms, Service Alpha’s, Barracks Covers, Desert Boots and Utility uniforms hanging in their closets in Stafford that someone stationed at Camp Lejeune, Camp Pendleton or MCAS Yuma might be able to use.
Many Marine Corps installations don’t have a thrift shop (MCRD San Diego, Reserve Centers, and some OCONUS locations). At installations that have thrift shops, Marines are limited to what is available on the shelf (luck of the draw).
If you couldn’t find what you were looking for at the Quantico thrift shop your only option was to pay full price at the Quantico PX or the Marine Shop. Now you can check online at Military Uniform Exchange. Someone in California or North Carolina may have posted the USMC uniform you are looking for online. By bringing Marines together from around the world you have a better chance of finding what you need and saving money over the high cost of new Marine Corps Uniforms.
Military Uniform Exchange as a worldwide electronic combination of all local base newspaper classified ads and all local base thrift shops. The Military Uniform Exchange exists to serve Marines (and all military personnel) by providing a platform where they can come together at one location and defray the high cost of new uniform items. It is one place where Marines stationed around the world can link-up, help each other and save money on Marine Corps Uniforms.
Military Uniform Exchange serves two basic purposes:
-Provides one location where all Marines can go to find a large selection of quality second hand USMC uniforms (saving significant money in the process).
-Provides an opportunity for transitioning Marines to post their serviceable uniforms for sale, help a fellow Marine and make a few dollars in the process. (There is no fee to post a basic ad for a current Marine Corps uniform. This includes one picture).
Originally the website concept was Marine Corps Uniforms only. It was expanded to all services in order to help cover costs and most importantly to keep all the basic services for posting current service uniforms free.
The Military Uniform Exchange also has a Vintage and Collectible Uniforms category for people interested in pre-2001 Military Uniforms (all types) that are collectible or may be of historical value. This category is a great place to sell those out of service Woodland Utilities, black combat boots and other out of service uniforms. Unlike the other categories a one time fee is charged for this basic service. The fees in this category help fund the website and keep costs down in the Service Uniform Categories.
Additionally, there is a Coins and Collectible category where you can find things like Marine Corps challenge coins, Flags, plaques, coffee mugs, patches and other memorabilia.
Marines selling uniforms must create a free account in order to list items. A seller can elect additional services (provides more exposure for the ad) for a fee. If additional services are purchased, a one-time only fee is charged for that specific service over the specified period of time. There are no additional fees charged, including final value fees, for the duration of that ad unless the seller elects additional services.
Marines interested in purchasing an item can contact the seller using the “Reply to Ad” button. If a buyer notifies a seller that he is interested or agrees to buy an item listed, the buyer and seller deal directly with each other during the transaction.
There is no cost to create an account. Marines looking for a specific uniform can sign up for a free account and elect to receive an email alert. An automatic notification will be sent when a uniform they are interested in is posted online for sale.
I think this site will be a great tool for Marines to find and sell uniforms on the web. Please check it out at: http://www.militaryuniformexchange.com
