best place to buy outdoors stuff online?

M

madfast

Joined
Oct 17, 2003
Messages
650
hey fellas, where do you guys get your outdoor gear online? any good sites that you've dealt with? i'm looking for stuff like carabiners, lanterns, fire starters, binoculars, etc. not really looking for clothes but for gear. thanks!
 
IMHO, you can't beat REI - anything you don't like they take back, no questions asked. Like Costco for gear. If you join the REI club, you get back 2% of your purchases at the end of the year.
 
REI, Cabelas, Bass Pro. It is a shame that Dick's bought Gander mountain and ruined them, though you couldn't buy from them online anyways.
 
I just bought a bunch of crap from L.L. Bean online.

They beat Cabela's, Bass Pro, and even R.E.I., and I'm a member there with a dividend to use.

Shipping for all of my stuff was even discounted far better than the others, and I have two items that required truck shipment, and both were shipped for $11 total!
 
I will pay a little bit more for many things and buy them at REI due to their return policy. You can return anything, any time, for any reason, after any amount of time, and they take it back with a smile and ask "Is there anything else I can help you with?" The dividend is 10% not 2%. So in the end, it isn't that much more expensive, and the service is unparalleled in the industry. I personally know of two people that have done some amazing returns. One gentleman went through four pairs of hiking boots over the course of two years before he found the right ones returning them all after many miles on each pair...REI took them all back with a smile. The other person bought a penobscot canoe (about $1000) took it out and spent a month getting wet (flipping the canoe) and dragging it around scuffing it up, and took it back to REI who gave him a refund with a smile then he bought the camper model and now he is happy. I have been in line at REI and seen people return shoes that were worn out and 2years old without a receipt and they got a full refund/exchange. You just can't beat that service.
 
REI = "Return Every Item", or "Really Expensive Inventory"

It's actually a good place to shop if you need to buy gear in person and live nearby one of their physical stores. I've had mixed results with the "REI"-branded products though.
 
Bob W said:
REI = "Return Every Item", or "Really Expensive Inventory"

It's actually a good place to shop if you need to buy gear in person and live nearby one of their physical stores. I've had mixed results with the "REI"-branded products though.
Click to expand...

Their Denver flagship store is amazing...its built in what used to be a rail yard/station...about the size of a home depot (at least it seems that way)
 
A big :thumbup: for REI and a big :thumbdn: for wankers that abuse the policy. If you dont know your shoes dont fit after 2 years you need a new brain, not replacement shoes.
 
a couple of notes, www.sierratradingpost.com has fantastic prices on lots of name brand gear and has a return policy equivlent to REI or LLBean. Campmor.com and backcountry and backcountry outlet are two otheres that I have dealt with that have great CS and excellent gear. I would encourage anyone to look at Sierratrading post first as they have some unbelievable prices and a huge constantly changing inventory. And again the no risk 1000 percent exchange policy.
 
My top three:

Sierra Trading Post

Campmor

REI-Outlet
 
It is a shame that Dick's bought Gander mountain
Click to expand...

I always thought Gander was owned by Cabela's, but this explains a lot. Gander just doesn't seem as "on" as they did when they first opened up in the east, but every now and then they have amazing sales. Dick's also bought a chain called Galyan's--every now and then a good sale, but very inconsistent. More of a traditional sporting goods place, IMO.

Put me down for a fan of Campmor, Sierra(all kinds of stuff, not just outdoor gear--not bad for dress clothing too), and Cabela's. The REI return policy is good to know, although I'm often underwhelmed by the two stores I've been to in the NJ/PA area.
 
[QUOTEA big for REI and a big for wankers that abuse the policy. If you dont know your shoes dont fit after 2 years you need a new brain, not replacement shoes.
][/QUOTE]



I've seen it, a wealthy, liberal, looking guy returned a well used stainless (outdoor) cook kit, saying it had a rust stain. The store didn't say a thing, but I was creeped out at his impossible standard.
 
Try mec.ca ,Mountain Equipment Co-Op. Good stuff and good prices.Most of their house brand is Canadian made. They may not have a massive selection in terms of brands, but they carry good stuff.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top