My First Trip to REI

Watchful said:
I sadly agree. The one out by me was great for all sorts of climbing and camping gear. Now it is strongly oriented to clothing, clothing, clothing. There is a definite commercial feel to the place, and as a result, I can usually get what I need for a few bucks less at Bass or, secondarily, Cabela's. Plus, REI tends to be anti-gun with regard to too many of the employees.

Your local REI may well differ. Around 15 years ago, through, I really stocked up there: everything from my EDC multitool to sunglasses to biners to...
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People in your area probably just aren't buying the climbing and camping stuff anymore. You can still find that stuff in the Atlanta area stores, and some of them have really good selections. Their kayaking sections, if the stores are big enough to have them, are usually top notch and have the full range of boats. I hate to see them pare down their inventory, but they are a business, so they have to do what makes sense financially. You can bet that I dump items that don't sell as fast as I can.

Their return policy is awesome and their knowledge and information presentation (the info sheets and cards are fantastic) are second to none, but by far my favorite part about REI is the super clearance that they do twice a year. They knock 50% off their clearance prices that end in .83, meaning that stuff is at least 60% off, sometimes much, much more. I have bought titanium cooksets for $20, 20 degree down ultralight sleeping bags for $50, 750 fill down parkas for $40, and a whole lot more. I think the prices and items at a super clearance are far better than what they have at their garage sales, at least in the Atlanta area.

Pretty much every super clearance you will see the REI Mistral and One jackets and pants, both of which I recommend snapping up. They are my favorite softshell pieces. I wear the Sahara Tech T from them almost every day of the year and highly recommend it as well if you see it on sale. It is a brushed polyester fabric that is softer than most organic cotton shirts that you see, which MUCH better performance. REI's clothing and outerwear is easily some of the best looking, fitting, and designed on the market, when it used to be made out of whatever they could get their hands on.

I spend several thousand dollars a year at REI, but you don't receive the 10% dividend on sale stuff, so the max rebate I have received in 10 years of being a member has been $15. :o
 
brians said:
Instead of the Trekker mat, get a matching Big Agnes insulated air core mat. It fits in the pad sleeve of the bag so you can't roll-off, just like it was designed. In cooler weather, add a closed cell pad underneath that for even more warmth and comfort.
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Thanks - I'll take a look at that mat.

Paul
 
REI may have it's pluses and minuses today, but it is much better place to look and buy than all the stores I'm aware of in the DFW area.

Paul
 
Depends on what you are looking for. Cabelas and Bass Pro are a bit lacking in the camping area but have it in spades in the hunting and fishing areas. REI doesn't sell guns, premium optics, fishing gear, boats, ATVs, or hunting clothing and assorted paraphernalia. I like that I can get high end camping stuff at REI but the majority of my needs swing a different way.
 
Say what you want, but REI has the best customer service there is, in my experience. I have been a member for decades and times have changed in this country more than most on here even know.

But REI pretty much has a no questions asked policy and took back a Mountain Hardware sleeping bag I bought several years ago and had stored away. I used it one time and it crapped out on me worse than anything I have ever seen - I now call them Mountain Clusterwear now. But REI did not bat an eye and cheerfully refunded my money.

Today - that is a STAND OUT. So I will pay a few extra bucks to support this excellent company and its great customer service that they have provided me for many years.
 
I havn't been a member for decades, but did buy a small UL pack from them and busted some thick brush, catching a part of the bag on a stubborn snag and tore it. took it back to them and they handed me back my money. I went back a week later and got another, though different, UL daypack from them and it's better than the first and was less money. I break it, they'll refund my money again, hassle free. They will also get an item in from other stores at no cost to you, if your store doesn't happen to stock it.
 
Sigh.

Let's face it guys.

If you have the luxury of having to decide between an REI, a Bass Pro Shops, and a Cabela's, life is pretty good.

You know and I know that we're going to keep going to all three to keep checking everything out.

I think it's great that we're able to pinpoint what we like and dislike about each, eh? It means when you really need to get something, you already know where you're going.

Pretty cool. And if you don't have all three in your area--maybe you have only one--you're still doing great.
 
As far as knives, multitools, etc. go, there are certainly cheaper places to purchase them. And, as was previously stated, REI doesn't even sell guns. But as far as warranties/returns go, REI is hard to beat. L.L. Bean is the only company I know of that can match/beat REI. Cabellas does a pretty great job as well. If you frequently check the L.L. Bean and REIoutlet websites, you can find some great deals. REI being a cooperative probably has a lot to do with keeping junk from flooding their stores. Wal-Mart has clearly proven that selling sweatshop made, 25 cent compasses is the best way to make money. REI is still a business, no doubt, but I think they are a business that still cares about how well their merchandise works. Their employees generally seem to be knowledgeable about what they're selling as well. Is REI the end all be all outdoors store? No. But their business policies have earned them a good chunk of my salary for the past five or six years. Me likey.
 
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