New REI Member?

R

RickJ

Joined
Mar 2, 2003
Messages
3,381
I moved to Colorado a few weeks back and plan to spend alot of time in the outdoors. I went to the local REI today and picked up some of their cool Matches and a new Light my Fire 2.0 fire starter and a few other things. I started a membership, it is $20.00 bucks for life, Is this worth it? I like some of their stuff but it is high on the price end. They have alot of stuff that can help you survive in the wilds for sure. Fun just to walk around in and check stuff out.
 
REI is a bit more expensive than some places for some items, but at the end of the year you get back 10% of what you bought in the form of a dividend check which you can apply towards your next purchase(s). If you're a member of course.

So yes, it's worth it.
 
Thanks, I think I will be going out there at least a few times a year, plus they have rentals as well.
 
I joined REI in the '70s or 80's. When REI started, it was the place to get things on the cheap. Bulk buys, etc.

Anymore it's the place to get pricey, but top of the line stuff. I go there for sales, but that's about all unless I am looking for something in particular.
 
Not to mention but they cover everything in their store for life. If it breaks, tears, or you just don't like it, they will replace or return it for life.
 
They are also well known for their no questions asked return policy....good customer service.
 
I think it absolutely worth it. I spend nearly a grand there every year, feels like every trip :rolleyes: and I get about $100 back in March, I think. Not a bad deal. The best part is for those of us who like doing outdoor adventures and conservation activities. You can get discounted trips, classes, etc with your membership card. As others have mentioned, you also have an unbeatable return policy. I think that is nice because it saves me shipping on returning to the manufacturer. You can also special order items from the website and have them delivered pretty quickly for free. Of course, it is only free if you are willing to wait for the truck to come from their hub.

I fee I should still mention that I will always compare them with other retailers. For example, Academy is much cheaper on Leathermans and Mag-Lites, but higher on CamelBak stuff. REI also has all kinds of maintenance widgets that I cannot find at other "similar" retailers.
 
all seem very positive.

It was funny, My Wife got pissed because I spent $60.00 on stuff and $20.00 on the membership, she thought the membership was a waste but I stood my ground and did it anyway. I think the next time I go out there I will leave her home so I can really check it out.
 
RickJ said:
I think the next time I go out there I will leave her home so I can really check it out.
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This is key.

I like their stuff, their high priced. In Eugene I like Backcountry Gear because they give the Search and Rescue members a 20% discount and that is huge.
 
RickJ said:
all seem very positive.

It was funny, My Wife got pissed because I spent $60.00 on stuff and $20.00 on the membership, she thought the membership was a waste but I stood my ground and did it anyway. I think the next time I go out there I will leave her home so I can really check it out.
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No. Take her and buy only stuff for her. Include her in. They have some snazzy outdoorish shoes and clothes for ladies. How can she be mad? :)
 
RickJ said:
I think the next time I go out there I will leave her home so I can really check it out.
Click to expand...

I joined the 70's. I wish I had a couple of those old catalogs. Things were sure different then.

As it is, I'm pretty well outfitted, so I rarely spend much money at the stores,—but I never pass up a chance to browse. My wife likes the women's clothing, although it can be fairly pricey. My mom-in-law loves REI, and always seems to leave with something stylish.

If you live in New York City you'd probably want to join REI. If you live in Colorado, it would be down right stupid NOT to join. You done good! :thumbup:
 
I've only been in an REI store two times. I wasn't impressed...
Seemed high priced, and the store was filled with yuppie hikers and bike riders.
I lean a little more towards stores that cater to people that hunt and fish.

Sounds like their customer service is outstanding though :thumbup:
 
I joined REI in the 70's. They have THE best guarantee... any problems, they take it back. Now that everything is computerized, you don't even need to have the receipt, they have a record of it. I'd rather pay a little more and get better service and the guarantee that REI provides...

And since my son works at the REI store in Asheville, NC (13 hours from where I live), I'm in there a few times a year.
 
You can definitely get some good deals there, I tend to do more looking and trying on then buying at rei. Then finding a better deal online on stuff I like. But some things like high-use packs and boots, its worth the price on for the warranty. Mostly for when after 4-6 months of use something fails, or proves impractical or friction happy.
 
I wouldn't buy anything like a headlamp or knife there, as these can be found online for much less. but their REI branded gear is great and less expensive than a lot of the brands they carry. you can also have things from their website shipped to your local store for free, and several times a year they have sales for members that are 20% off almost everything in the store that isn't already on sale and send out a flyer listing specials that are more than 20% off. plus they're the only place I could find a backpacking tent that was long enough (halfdome 2+).
 
Well worth the $20. It was $15 when I joined.
You get periodic discounts (usually 20% for one item) at both REI and REI Outlet.
You can get in on the yearly fire sales, which can be really good.
You get dividend money back.
If you go for an REI credit card, there's usually a signing bonus (I got $50 worth of merchandise credit), and your dividend amounts go way up.
As a member, you don't need to save receipts. They keep your purchases in a database.
Everything is 100% guaranteed.
Even $1000 kayaks. I know from experience.
 
I've been a member for abotu 2 years now, even though they are right down the street and sap a lot of business from the bike shop I wrench at part time. Lots of cool toys and lots of top of the line outddor gear but definately pricey and definately geared more towards the bike/hike/camp crowd ass opposed to the hunter/fisher/sportsman.

Would I join if I was given the choice again, yeah I suppose. They offer lots of cool "extras" like little floofy seminars that the GF can benefit from and such, plus their winter sale usually has some real killer deals if you're lucky.
 
I bought a pair of boot from them. I have wide feet so it is hard to find shoes that fit. Another outdoors store in my town supposedly has a great return policy. I tried on some boots there and they said as long as I don't wear them outside I can return them.

I then went to REI and bought a pair of boots. When I wore them on rough trails rocks poked me in the ankles. I was able to return the boots and get my money back . If I had bought the boot at the other store, I would be stuck with them because until I wore them outside I didn't know that they wouldn't work for me.

I have never really gotten much of a rebate because almost everything I buy is on sale. You can find some great mark downs sometimes.

Chad
 
REI is a great company who deserves our support. They don't have everything I want, but when they do, I am more than happy to drop a few bucks there. The year end dividend check is great, especially when you make big purchases, like when I bought my $1100 drysuit there.

JGON
 
ChadHahn said:
I then went to REI and bought a pair of boots. When I wore them on rough trails rocks poked me in the ankles. I was able to return the boots and get my money back . If I had bought the boot at the other store, I would be stuck with them because until I wore them outside I didn't know that they wouldn't work for me.

Chad
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I saw a guy return boots that looked like he hiked the Grand Canyon in them. No questions asked, full refund. I had trouble squashing my laughter. It sure took him a while to decide that he was dissatisfied, or he thought they were supposed to last forever.

If price is a turn-off, shop the sales. No rebate on sale items, but.... I bought a pair of $150 boots for $35 off the sales rack. Couldn't tell that anything was wrong with them except that they didn't have a box. Far better than a rebate.
 
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