Three Vets

This place is run by clowns and the stuff is over priced.
I am sorry to the guy whose car was away as he was still shopping. Sad, but this is what Keith does in a regular basis. The only reason he stays in business is unknown to me. He’s done this for 20 years. I used to shop there and I have met his family and the co-​owner Mr, Jerry Wolfman. His brother is very nice and caring and I think he would have treated you differently.
Some things/​people never change.

Wow wow Bow Chicka wow wow. If you want to go camping, or day hiking, night hiking, backyard camping, Smore’s by the bonfire making, random pots and pans, knives, fishing gear, backpacks, hats, pants, jackets, hand heater packs, gasoline and smiles… This place has it.
If you work in tv and film– bring some proof and they’ll give u a discount for tv and film related products.

This place has all the stuff that my husband and I need to start a survival kit for 2. The owner Keith and his staff are super friendly. Brandon (I hope this is his name — a younger guy) in particular is our survival kit expert! He took the time to make sure we got everything we need, answered all our questions and packed our kits to perfection! We will definitely come back — my husband already went back to this store yesterday to grab more stuff! :-)

Seems its a hit or miss experience with here. 3vets is kind of a mix between MEC and an army surplus store. Their shoes and boots are quite expensive, but sometimes you can talk them down in price. If you’re looking for outdoor/​camping stuff try checking this place out, but the customer service might not be spectacular. And make sure you don’t leave their property if you park in their lot (like one guy who reviewed here did). Sorry but once you leave the property you’re no longer their customer, even if it’s just to grab a quick coffee. If he wasn’t sure he should’ve asked staff if it’s ok to leave quickly. It’s not up to staff to monitor if you come and go, if they see you leave their property they assume as much. The signage is quite clear. Take some responsibility. Sometimes we are in the wrong, and don’t need to blame everyone else.

If I could give zero stars I would. Today I went to the store and was waiting for a friend (who was late) so we could buy some camping gear for a trip to Portland. I was told my friend would be 25 minutes and went across the street for a coffee. I returned to the store, browsed, and made a purchase.
When I arrived in the parking lot MY CAR WAS GONE. I went back inside, assuming it had been stolen, but checked with the staff when I encountered the owner Keith Wolfman (who denied being the owner and said he just worked there); when I advised my car was missing he replied «oh it’s not missing, I had it towed. Welcome to the big city, there is no free parking here.» He then motions me out of the store and summonsed a goon from the back to help toss me out. He pointed to a sign that said you must remove your car when you are done shopping. I told him I was shopping and had just finished. He advised that he had «not seen me in the store» and that I should leave. I showed him my receipt and advised I had been in the store for 25 minutes looking at tents and air mattresses.
Keith got really, really upset and told me to leave. I advised him that you can’t tow a customers car while they’re shopping in your store. His reply was I had left the property when I pulled up and as a result he towed me. That he’d prefer to give me a refund, but he couldn’t because I was «leaving» and told me «I’m going to tell you to leave one last time and if you don’t, you’re trespassing and we’ll have to deal with you». I felt like I was threatened with violence, so I left. I spent hundreds of dollars retrieving my car and having it repaired (the tow truck scratched my driver door and window). Never again!
Imagine if Wal-​mart or any other store towed your car because you walked to Tim Hortons first before doing your shopping?
I was gonna let this go, but after seeing all these reviews, I’m going to take legal action. My opinion is businesses who tow their customers cars away and threaten them while they shop will not be in business very long.
«3 Vets became one of the first discount stores in Vancouver. Bill Wolfman, through his honesty, integrity, willingness to give a hand and his uncanny humour, became known as the un-​official mayor of Main Street.»
That may have been true for the dad, but his Son is the laughing stock of the Internet in my opinion based on these reviews I see on Unilocal!Just nuts.
I won’t be shopping here.

I have been to 3 Vets quite a few times and always had good friendly service along with great selection. They are the only place that had hats in stock to fit my large head.
Caution *Do NOT park in their parking lot and walk away* your car will be towed!

NEVER AGAIN! Their rip off return policy and high prices have lost me as a customer.
I tried to return a few brand new items that I had only bought a few days ago. The cashier at first refused, saying that they don’t take back dated items. «What do you mean?» I asked, completely taken back. She pointed at their policy posted way up high on a pole, so high that nobody could even see it or barely even read it. Had I seen this on the counter when I bought this stuff, I never would have shopped there.
Anyways, it turns out that her no return «rule» wasn’t even on there, so then she wanted to deduct a 20% restocking fee on all 3 items instead, because that «rule» was on their policy. «But 2 of these items have no dates on them» I protested, «plus I only bought them a few days ago». «Doesn’t matter» she said, «we don’t take back liquids». «But this candle is not a liquid» I said. She finally gave in on the 1 item. Are they serious?! A 20% restocking fee to simply put it back on the shelf and then charge the full price to someone else? Their made up «rules» seem so arbitrary and she was so rude, that I will never shop there again.
Also be warned that any of their stuff that’s also sold at Canadian Tire and MEC, is way cheaper at Canadian Tire and MEC, plus the latter have newer models, actual customer service and better return policies. This place smells like a musty basement, with tired looking stock that looks like it’s been sitting around for 20 years. How they stay in business is beyond me.

Remember this used to be the premier place for outdoorsy stuff, til the MEC and Sportchek came into the world. While it still doesn’t have any of the flair or the ambience, it still has a decent selection on camping stuff. It sure is casual here.
but it sure doesn’t have any of the staff for customer service. I had to look around a few times to flag someone down.
at least it’s free parking here.

After a bit of a decline in service, this place has picked up again. A modified store layout and extra staff has led to a better selection and an improved shopping experience. This is a great place to poke around looking for a bargain and I love the big old bulldog who greets you when you walk in the door.

My best friend and I came here to get a water bottle, the flat kind. We’ve searched everywhere for this kind of water bottle, however, it was only finally available at 3 Vets. We needed this before our over seas trip. Prices were reasonable. They even had spare water bottle lids which was a curveball for us.

I’ve been to 3 vets many times and I’ve always been welcomed by knowledgeable and helpful staff, in particular the guy who works the shoe dept.
My last experience though is really what made me write this review. I bought a hiking shoe to wear on set for extended periods of time. After the first week in heavy rain, left side started making squishy sounds. One day I was passing by and I stopped by to ask about it. The owner and manager Jerry was there and told me to bring it in for exchange. A week later I brought it in and he exchanged it with a new pair. So not only I got great service but it came with a great attitude, I’m a big fan ever since.
Over and over, I’ve seen the same shoes from MEC and other stores cheaper at this place. Yes, maybe the lights are not as bright, the presentation is not as fancy nor there are massive prints on the walls of people doing outdoor activities but I definitely had a much more human and genuine experience and saved myself some money.

An employee was bashing a minority group in a loud conversation with a couple customers. When is it acceptable to discriminate against people for any reason? Never. Terrible customer service. I will never shop here again.

This is the store to go to in Vancouver for camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, and surplus gear. The staff are extremely knowledgeable and don’t try to sell you junk that you don’t need. Maybe the presentation isn’t as nice as MEC, but the location is easy-​access with parking right at the front.

Three Vets looks like a large warehouse full of liquidated goods, but everything they had in stock for mens clothing was really nice. Like… hip nice. You could wear half this stuff to a club and no one would look twice.
Really nice clothing, and only if you’re a guy! Disregard everything ever said about unisex stores being womens clothing with a men’s row. Three vets is a man’s world of comfy casual dress. Practical, high quality fabric, nice cuts, as nice as you can wear without going completely business casual.
I got an amazing World Traveller backpack for a steal and had a conversation about jogging with the owner. Bizarre. Also of note, 90% wool socks, deck coats, Australian Outback collection jackets, great surplus boots along with some very slick sturdy ankle high models around $ 60.

Im an an avid outdoor enthusiast, climber, backpacker, and whitewater canoe tripper.
Purchased some outdoor gear from this store that was well priced, but the store cashier (owner?) was extremely rude and disrepectful. He crumpled my reciept and threw it at me.
Would not return again and do not recommend, instead go to MEC or support local gear shops (with better quality items to boot).

This place is 1 part Army and Navy, 1 part army surplus and 1 part MEC. There are some OK prices to be had.
But I gotta say, after reading the previous reviews I didnt know what to expect. But yeah after shopping there I could totally see all of the previous reviewers stories actually happening.
I wont go too off on this place as they were fine to me, but theres other options out there I’d rather take my money. Its too bad, I like quirky places. But yeah, once was enough.

As close to an army surplus store without going into an army surplus store.
I’ve have bought many strange diverse things from here. House slippers, approach shoes for hiking, snow shoes, sleeping mat for camping, and cast iron for my bbq.
They also have stuff for hunting, hunting knives, fishing gear, clothing of all sorts, camping essentials, and the list goes on. I cannot mention all the stuff that is here.
What I like most about this store is the cast iron. If you haven’t figured it out by now, I am a fan of cast iron, and these guys likely have the best selection in terms of variety. I like to get my cooking stuff here sometimes.

Have you ever been in a store where the manager calls you a fu@#ing bastard, cheap piece of sh@t, and a faggot all in the same breath? I have today, in 3 Vets.
Heres how it all went down. I had borrowed some merchandise from 3vets on contract with them for my work. Today I returned the merchandise…
hands merchandise to cashier and she takes it and begins the process of checking it all back in.
Cashier turning to me while jamming her fingers through a hole in one of the fishing nets, and then literally throwing it at me «your gonna have to pay for this!!! there is a hole in it!!»
me: «you mean the whole you just put in it?»
Manager (Keith): I inspect all merchandise when It leaves the store and it was not damaged when it left“
me: «When I signed this out from you, you did not check it for holes, and this is new to me»
manager: in my 30 years that I have been in this business I have never had anything ruined in my store so you must have ruined it!”
(this was my breaking point)
me: «I can assure you in my long career I have never ruined anything I have borrowed on contract!»
manager: «are you gonna pay for it or not?»
me: «No!»
manager: «you muther Fu#@ing piece of shit! fu#@ing bastard, get the F#ck outta my store, and never come back, you cheap F#cking bastard, you f#cking fag$ot! !!! I will never do business with you again!»
cashier: «we should charge him a f#cking restocking fee!!»
me: «ok, it was a pleasure doing business with you and have a nice day!» and I began to leave the store.
Manager: «F#cking dick head!»
so I also feel I should add that this was all over a 20 dollar fishing net and that had the situation gone more respectfully I would have been more than happy to absorb the cost, but due to the managers unprofessional attitude, and homophobic behavior I decided he could just Suck it!
So I would recommend thinking twice before going into this establishment.

3Vets has definitely bailed me out of a few «Oh crap I forgot to get …» moments. But I went in there last Thursday to buy a tarp, and I walked out empty handed and feeling kinda grimy.
The place just looks so dingy inside. Yes, the frying pans the size of my ’84 Tercel are cool and all, but there are so many other options for economical gear nearby.
From my experience in the bush, it is best not to cheap out on camping gear. But I guess for car camping, 3Vets could satisfy most needs. For tents, sleeping bags etc. I would head a couple blocks south.
Oh, and I found the same tarp next door at Crappy Tire for $ 2 less!
(Not implying better quality with this last statement, just a better deal)

This is not your local MEC … and that’s what I love about it. Want a cast iron fry pan that you would never dream of backpacking with, a cheap and basic propane stove, water jerrycans, or a bigass coffeepot (and I’m talking like coffee for 20)? Then this is your place. Oh — and you’re not going to have to take out a second mortgage to pay the bill.
We’re talking basic camp gear like my grandfather used when he prospected up in Northern Ontario in the early 1900s.
So if instead of carrying all your camping gear on your back; you’re loading up the 4X4 to explore some forest service roads; Three Vets has your stuff. Took me ten minutes to find a camp stove and some cook gear here after wasting mucho time in Canadian Tire. Not to mention I got both for less than that fancy pants CT stove would have cost me.