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Post by hikerjer on Sept 21, 2019 10:30:44 GMT -8
I figure if your'e in the medical field, you can hardly go wrong. Billings does have first rate medical facilities for a city it's size. We're lucky in that respect the medical community does provide a huge economic boost to the city's economy. Comes in handy when you're having a heart attack as well.
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Post by johntpenca on Sept 21, 2019 12:38:08 GMT -8
I figure if your'e in the medical field, you can hardly go wrong. That is true for any mountain community. Most everywhere, a person in the medical field can get a job anywhere. In Mammoth/Bishop. they are always looking for someone. Re: the energy field in Billings/eastern Montana/WY, that is a transient occupation unless you know someone that can get you a permanent F/T job. Locals tend to have a lock on those from what I gathered while working on the Conoco/Phillips ULSD project.
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toejam
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Post by toejam on Sept 24, 2019 6:54:28 GMT -8
We've got a new REI coming to San Luis Obispo, a college town. I'm not happy about it because I love our local outfitter. I wish REI had chosen a different town 30 - 50 miles away. I've been a coop member for 12 years and often visit stores while travelling and buy stuff on line regularly. But I'd rather not have them in my home town.
I expect when I'm shopping I'll stop at the local place first, then swing by REI if there's something I can't find, and avoid Dick's altogether forever.
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Post by bradmacmt on Sept 25, 2019 5:06:31 GMT -8
We've got a new REI coming to San Luis Obispo, a college town. I'm not happy about it because I love our local outfitter. I wish REI had chosen a different town 30 - 50 miles away. I've been a coop member for 12 years and often visit stores while travelling and buy stuff on line regularly. But I'd rather not have them in my home town. I expect when I'm shopping I'll stop at the local place first, then swing by REI if there's something I can't find, and avoid Dick's altogether forever. Toe, San Luis is exactly the kind of community REI wants to open in (they know their demographic). I can't say I really blame them, and can't really imagine where they would have moved 30-50 miles away that would have been as good as SLO. But I think your approach is a good one, and one I tried to follow when REI moved here. Support the locals first, if at all possible. Aside, my closest friend lives in Arroyo Grande, and I get to that area occasionally. The Central Coast is a nice place to live.
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Post by cweston on Sept 25, 2019 5:14:40 GMT -8
oe, San Luis is exactly the kind of community REI wants to open in (they know their demographic). Yup. I do find these days that when I go into an REI store, I feel a bit out of place. They're definitely catering to a bit more "yuppified" version of the outdoor lifestyle.
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Post by bradmacmt on Sept 25, 2019 5:34:27 GMT -8
Yup. I do find these days that when I go into an REI store, I feel a bit out of place. They're definitely catering to a bit more "yuppified" version of the outdoor lifestyle. All successful gear stores center on "soft goods" (ie, "lifestyle" clothing). That's where the money is, and those profits are what keep them afloat to offer less profitable gear sales. The stores that never figured that out are long gone.
I've been an REI member since 1975, and really can't say I feel "out of place" in a current REI store. They do what they do to keep the lights on.
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Post by cweston on Sept 25, 2019 6:34:48 GMT -8
Right. More observation than complaint.
Every time I visit highly-populated national parks or outdoorsy resort towns like Moab, UT; Frisco, CO, etc., I see tons of affluent-looking people who look like they went to REI and bought a whole new wardrobe for their trip. That makes me silently chuckle, but if that's what keeps the outdoor clothing industry afloat, I'm not going to complain about it.
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rangewalker
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Post by rangewalker on Sept 25, 2019 7:25:12 GMT -8
All successful gear stores center on "soft goods" (ie, "lifestyle" clothing). That's where the money is, and those profits are what keep them afloat to offer less profitable gear sales. bradmacmt sorta nailed it there. I have a sister that managed a small family chain of outfitter stores in the early 90's (Tucson and Whitefish Mt). Ed Abbey and his last wife were one of her customers, South Rim Outfitters. M. marketed heavily to the hardcore but it was very special order, with company reps, and very little floor space. She worked them to bring their families and friends in to by the soft goods that were 90% of her inventory. I sat for a year and half on a public lands committee for two Wilderness Study Areas and even the working ranchers wore Patagonia and North Face. REI, EMS, Eddie Bauer and Campmor came out of regional markets but had enormous mail order power two generations ago. That is how they dominated hardware and hard goods. Now with the web, we can do from the garages to the cottage shops for our gear and dedicated swag.
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Post by johntpenca on Sept 25, 2019 9:07:09 GMT -8
All successful gear stores center on "soft goods" (ie, "lifestyle" clothing). That's where the money is, and those profits are what keep them afloat to offer less profitable gear sales. Spot on Brad. A lot of backpacking/Climbing oriented stores went out of business or struggled due to low profits on gear sales. TNF and Patagonia changed that in the mid-90's when their clothing lines went mainstream. ETA: as far as the shopping experience at REI, these days it doesn't seem much different than than any department store. A kind of sanitized place if that makes sense. Their product line is predictable and selection is limited to major manufacturers and REI branded stuff predominates. The sense of excitement is gone. Maybe I'm just a jaded old fart.
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Westy
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Post by Westy on Sept 25, 2019 12:13:23 GMT -8
A kind of sanitized place if that makes sense. Their product line is predictable and selection is limited to major manufacturers and REI branded stuff predominates. I agree. Product selection has diminished. More of a cookie cutter outdoor store which still retains a mountaineering/backcountry slant. Probably makes good business sense. Reminds me of a backcountry convenience store. When I consider my purchases the last 10-15 years. Have been using the dividend to buy over priced and sole-sourced MaryJane Farms Shepard Pie and the 20% of any item for replacement shoes or trekking poles.
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Post by marmotstew on Sept 25, 2019 15:24:53 GMT -8
My only new backpacking gear I buy regularly is booze. All that other stuff is good for years.
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Post by Lamebeaver on Sept 25, 2019 18:56:03 GMT -8
My only new backpacking gear I buy regularly is booze. Still carrying that flask of Sambucha?
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Post by hikerjer on Sept 25, 2019 19:37:30 GMT -8
A kind of sanitized place if that makes sense. Makes complete sense to me. I remember my first trip to the REI store in Seattle in the early 70's. What an experience. You entered this huge ramshackle building that had corridors and rooms that seemed to go on forever. Ever turn introduced you to new wonders. There were countless wood bins full of different kinds of gear around every corner. The floors creaked and it smelled of aged wood. It was like a kid wandering through a candy store. I just loved the experience. Kind of reminded me of Powell's Book store in Portland. The new stores aren't that much different from any big box store. Just a different product than say, Home Depot or Costco. It just ain't the same. I'm telling ya.
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Post by marmotstew on Sept 26, 2019 10:41:13 GMT -8
My only new backpacking gear I buy regularly is booze. Still carrying that flask of Sambucha? Ha, I do. It’s done a lot of damage. Wonder if I could return it to REI and get a new one?
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Sept 26, 2019 17:17:18 GMT -8
A kind of sanitized place if that makes sense. Makes complete sense to me. I remember my first trip to the REI store in Seattle in the early 70's. What an experience. You entered this huge ramshackle building that had corridors and rooms that seemed to go on forever. Ever turn introduced you to new wonders. There were countless wood bins full of different kinds of gear around every corner. The floors creaked and it smelled of aged wood. It was like a kid wandering through a candy store. I just loved the experience. Kind of reminded me of Powell's Book store in Portland. The new stores aren't that much different from any big box store. Just a different product than say, Home Depot or Costco. It just ain't the same. I'm telling ya. That was the REI store of my childhood. I loved that place, and was deeply sorry when they finally moved to new digs.
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