downriver
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Post by downriver on Sept 7, 2023 18:24:18 GMT -8
I’ve been an REI member for over 20 years. And while I’ve always enjoyed the co-op, over the last few years my sense of appreciation for the co-op has grown. Their customer service and delivery times are excellent in my recent experiences with the co-op.
On my recent phone purchase, I dealt with an extremely knowledgeable and courteous customer service rep. I was pleasantly pleased to see they carried (online, not in the store) the Zamberlan trail shoes I was interested in buying. Fortunately, I was able to get the customer service rep to give me 20% off of my purchase.
Over the last three years their delivery service has been spot-on and super fast. Just about all of my orders were delivered in two days. Nothing like prompt deliveries.
I see REI has opened a new store near me that sells used gear. Pretty cool! Nice to see used gear for sale. Patagonia and a few other companies have a similar program, but I don’t believe any actually have stores for used gear.
I read REI has over 180 stores now (with more on the way). That’s pretty impressive. I like their expanding collection of footwear over the last 3 years. Nice to see Italian brands like Zamberlan and AKU being offered.
Some will say REI is more of a lifestyle co-op these days. But I’m very happy to live near 5 REI stores.
So, what do you think about REI? What do you like (or not like) about the co-op?
Happy Trails,
DR
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Sept 7, 2023 19:16:11 GMT -8
Hmmm, there must be something, given my member # is 170xxx.
Oh yes, it’s that from the creaky days of paper catalogs and calling them up onward to today their selection, while maybe not the boutique-iest has often been light years above what anything local had to offer once the backpacking heyday of the 70’s wound down and climbing and backpacking shops were no longer a commonplace in places I lived in Southern California Sure they still exist near activity centers such as Bishop CA or Jackson Hole but in the general suburbs? Nope, yet I’ve three REI’s within a 30 minute drive (SE PA) and their app even makes that less critical.
And it doesn’t hurt that every store I’ve been to the staff seem to be really happy to be there. Nothing is as off putting to a nice discretionary spending therapy session as grumpy staff.
Italian? Didn’t they carry Pivetta back in the day? I would swear that’s where I got my Muir Trails. Loved those boots. Unfortunately my feet and rocky Sierra trails did not.
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driftwoody
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Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
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Post by driftwoody on Sept 7, 2023 19:17:44 GMT -8
I like two things about REI -- a brick & mortar store not far from home, and a great return policy.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Sept 8, 2023 6:07:08 GMT -8
I still prefer Ramsey Outdoor and Campmor to REI, although the post-pandemic pruning of products has made them more similar. What I like about REI is that they usually have at least one or two items on hand that fit whatever application I have a the moment, which turns out to be a pretty high bar. I do wish they had more UL focus and that their shoe/boot selection went back to what it used to be. Big thumbs up for their selection of winter gloves and hats, though.
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trinity
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Post by trinity on Sept 8, 2023 8:05:21 GMT -8
I like two things about REI -- a brick & mortar store not far from home, and a great return policy. Pretty much this. And overall excellent customer service. |
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downriver
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Post by downriver on Sept 8, 2023 9:15:10 GMT -8
I still prefer Ramsey Outdoor and Campmor to REI, although the post-pandemic pruning of products has made them more similar. What I like about REI is that they usually have at least one or two items on hand that fit whatever application I have a the moment, which turns out to be a pretty high bar. I do wish they had more UL focus and that their shoe/boot selection went back to what it used to be. Big thumbs up for their selection of winter gloves and hats, though. How was their shoe/boot selection in the past? Lots of offerings at the stores near me. Regards, DR |
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Sept 8, 2023 11:24:26 GMT -8
The people there are outdoors people. A lot of them work there for money to fund their adventures and health insurance. They used to get crazy pro deal discounts but not so much anymore. The culture has changed a little as REI has become larger and more corporate
They have a very speedy distribution network. Even before everything got delivered to your door you could get it delivered to the store sometimes in a day. They have offered to order several different sizes of something then I could try it on in the store in a couple of days and they will restock the ones I don't take no charge.
The return polices.
They do keep track of what I bought and when. I do look that info up sometimes. "When did I buy that pack?" I wish the website did have a search feature for the orders though.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Sept 8, 2023 13:03:31 GMT -8
I still prefer Ramsey Outdoor and Campmor to REI, although the post-pandemic pruning of products has made them more similar. What I like about REI is that they usually have at least one or two items on hand that fit whatever application I have a the moment, which turns out to be a pretty high bar. I do wish they had more UL focus and that their shoe/boot selection went back to what it used to be. Big thumbs up for their selection of winter gloves and hats, though. How was their shoe/boot selection in the past? Lots of offerings at the stores near me. Regards, DR I think selection has reduced by 1/2 - 2/3. The number of brands is reduced as has the number of models in each brand. That's not all on REI, though. A lot of manufacturers have reduced the number of models they offer. I see the same thing at other outfitters. |
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Post by georgeofthej on Sept 8, 2023 15:49:20 GMT -8
I have an REI credit card that gives me rewards that can only be used at REI. I could use another credit card with a better reward program, but for some reason I feel compelled to use the REI card.
A couple of years ago I moved to an area without an REI store, so my REI shopping is now mostly online. Still, when I travel back to my old town to visit family, I sometimes pop into the REI store there and enjoy looking around---maybe even buying something.
I have a few pieces of REI brand gear that are good quality and were a good value.
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Post by cweston on Sept 9, 2023 5:21:42 GMT -8
I like that they're there  To elaborate: I have very few options for brick-and-mortar gear shopping. We have an outdoor and bike shop in my town, and I'm happy to patronize them, but they keep very lean inventory, and high-end light BPing gear is clearly not an inventory priority for them (understandably). When I discover at the last minute that I need to replace some little piece of gear (like the little clip that holds a hydration bite valve in place, for example), the option is generally to stop at an REI en route: Denver or Co Springs or Dillon, if I'm headed in that direction. |
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Sept 9, 2023 6:28:08 GMT -8
They're really reliable. By that, I mean they generally have things/sizes in stock, online orders arrive as promised (and free!), and they stand behind products with a great return policy. And this has been consistent seemingly forever, along with their regular cadence of member sales.
That means I'm confident REI's going to have last-minute things I need, e.g., fuel canisters, backpacking food, socks, etc. I've also planned for big ticket purchases knowing that a 20% coupon is coming up, e.g., car racks, roof-top carrier, car camping tents.
It also means that if I need something while traveling, I first look for an REI nearby.
There are obviously great independent/local gear shops and I love them but, for me, that reliability REI offers means a lot. And while I don't think I buy much gear these days, I'm always surprised by how much dividends I accrue every year and I appreciate that.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Sept 9, 2023 8:41:27 GMT -8
Indeed the local independent shops of understandable necessity tend to have limited variety and stock.
I still make it a point if visiting any i come across. It’s a tough business and any support I can contribute I’m happy to give. Even if it’s just topping off my food stash and a graphic T or two.
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Sept 9, 2023 10:18:06 GMT -8
last-minute things I need, e.g., fuel canisters During COVID lock down time no one, including REI had a reliable supply of canisters. But when I asked about them at REI they were very open with info. They told me when they were expecting a case and when they would likely be unpacking. I got one large MSR canister with their help. I have a transfer valve so this was a good deal for me.
You practically can't order canisters online that I know of unless you want to pay big $$$.
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Post by FarOutFarley on Sept 10, 2023 10:05:24 GMT -8
I may have to be the lone dissenter about REI once again. I was an REI member for decades. I was their biggest fan. I loved their selection, prices, customer service, return policies, corporate image––everything. Things began to change for me when their clothing moved from practical to fashionable, especially their women’s clothing, which wasn’t designed for the average American woman’s shape. There was also the change in the return policy. I also noticed that the first-stop customer service reps on the phone were less knowledgeable about products and getting to a product specialist became increasingly difficult. In 2017 REI came out with what I felt was their very sexist “Force of Nature” marketing campaign for women. I decided then that I would boycott REI for one year. During that year I got to know other suppliers and found I no longer needed REI. I think what happened is that REI used to have a magic formula that set them apart from other stores, and as they got bigger they gradually lost that formula. EMS is another store that lost its magic to the point of near collapse. Of course, LL Bean is no longer the Bean’s of decades ago. I would say that Kittery Trading Post still stands out as unique for me. Backpackers might not be that interested in Cabela’s, but it’s fun to visit the store.
In fairness I should mention the time that I left my REI tent poles in the woods because I had to pack up in a hurry before dawn after discovering I had set up camp next to a gigantic bee hive. REI replaced the poles for free.
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Sept 10, 2023 12:21:03 GMT -8
In 2017 REI came out with what I felt was their very sexist “Force of Nature” marketing campaign for women. I decided then that I would boycott REI for one year. I'm guessing that since you boycotted it is bad sexist for you? A program to encourage women to venture into the outdoors on par with men is by its nature sexist but to me in a good way. One more positive I want to add to my list. REI has probably helped more people to get out and enjoy nature than any other entity. That should help with preserving natural spaces since more people understand their value now. |
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