New REI Member?

They have used gear sales that are pretty awesome. My ex got a pair of 90 dollar keens for 5 bucks. Good as new condition.
 
The membership was $15 when I joined and even though I don't buy big ticket items there it still paid for itself in the first year. My wife likes to shop there more than me as they really have morphed into more of an apparel store. As long as they still have their vast selection of local topo maps I'm happy.
 
REI seems to be very left wing oriented, as opposed to Cabelas, which is very right wing oriented. That's a generalization, of course, but I've found it to be usually true.

I think they are over priced, but do have decent quality usually. I've been a member for 15 years, but only shop there if I can't find what I want somewhere else. I generally don't care for REI, but once in a great while they have what I want.
 
If you live within driving distance of a store, check out their list of in-store activities, http://www.rei.com/map/store
Keep a close watch for when they have members only garage sales. There is always a lot of returned crap, but also some truly awesome deals if you don't mind slightly used. Get to the store around 0700 and plan on waiting in line.
I've gotten a couple of Suunto watches for $20, Merrell Gore-Tex boots for $25 (nearly new) and a new, Marmot Precip jacket for $25 still with the tags. They also have bikes, kayaks, racks, well, everything else too!
 
Yea, my local REI is having a Garage sale soon, I plan on going and checking it out! Hope to get something for camping or some good warm clothes.
 
Scott Free said:
What the heck does that mean??? :confused:
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I'm talking about the typical crowds they cater to. For example, Cabelas sells guns, REI doesn't. I was trying to be descriptive, not perjorative. Shop whatever works best for you.
 
sodak said:
REI seems to be very left wing oriented, as opposed to Cabelas, which is very right wing oriented.
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WTH?? :confused:

sodak said:
I'm talking about the typical crowds they cater to. For example, Cabelas sells guns, REI doesn't. I was trying to be descriptive, not perjorative. Shop whatever works best for you.
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I don't think they cater to a political party. They were started by hiking, kayaking, climbing, and cycling enthusiasts to meet a market that shared the same interests. Please, don't dirty up a good thread politrash. Thanks! :thumbup:
 
Rich275 said:
If you live within driving distance of a store, check out their list of in-store activities, http://www.rei.com/map/store
Keep a close watch for when they have members only garage sales. There is always a lot of returned crap, but also some truly awesome deals if you don't mind slightly used. Get to the store around 0700 and plan on waiting in line.
I've gotten a couple of Suunto watches for $20, Merrell Gore-Tex boots for $25 (nearly new) and a new, Marmot Precip jacket for $25 still with the tags. They also have bikes, kayaks, racks, well, everything else too!
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Those are some awesome deals.
i think Im definately gonna get a membership there..:thumbup:
 
The right wing doesn't go rock climbing? The left wing doesn't shoot guns?

The things you learn.

Chad
 
Best fire sale deal I ever got at REI was this tent.
Paid $30 for it, and best I could tell, it was still new. The stakes had never seen the ground.
I wound up paying more for the footprint than I did the tent. :D
 
I, too, joined in the '70's... didn't partake after an initial set of purchases, moved... they didn't have access to my original number, so I "re-joined."
Have never regretted it. (Yes- I payed for membership TWICE!)
Yes, they now tend to be "more expensive", but they have more stuff and services than anyone else.
If you want to look for deals, use the internet.
If you want to look for service and selection, go to REI...
And they have been rated one of the best places to work for the last several years running... which is evident when you deal with the staff... I've had the same "clerk" assist me from one department to the next instead of handing me off to someone else...:thumbup:
Totally worth everything everybody else here has said... Now...

GO BUY YOUR WIFE SOME NICE STUFF, TAKE HER OUT AND SHE'LL GET IT!!!!!!:D:D:D
 
I'm getting a big dividend this year. I spent some bills last year on camping gear. Now I'll go get what I learned I needed. LOL.
 
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