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Post by trinity on Sept 10, 2023 13:12:06 GMT -8
I may have to be the lone dissenter about REI once again. Maybe. But I really appreciate your willingness to give your perspective, in what seems to me a fair and respectful way.
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Post by hikerjer on Sept 10, 2023 18:48:18 GMT -8
I have always liked REI. I’ve been a member since 1974. Three things appeal to me. First, their return policy. Second, their customer service. Third, their selection. In addition, I suppose it doesn’t hurt that they have a store 15 minutes from my house. Although their prices aren’t always the best, their 10% dividend makes up it for IMO. I still try to shop at my local outdoor shops, but often, for a variety of reasons end up at REI.
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Post by downriver on Sept 11, 2023 4:55:51 GMT -8
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. I think REI offers more footwear out here than in the past. Especially with more offerings in the higher stack and trail runner selection. Hope you’re enjoying retirement, Big Load…! Happy Trails, DR
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Post by downriver on Sept 11, 2023 5:02:38 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. Yes, they have been a catalyst for people getting outdoors not only with their stores but with their travel programs and environmental give-backs to the community (trail grants, programs, etc). Happy Trails, DR
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jazzmom
Trail Wise!
a.k.a. TigerFan
Posts: 3,059
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Post by jazzmom on Sept 11, 2023 7:28:06 GMT -8
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. That's EQUITY. We've learned so much about what "equity" really looks like in the last 6 years. I credit my kid's generation for that. In retrospect, I think REI had it pretty spot-on with their "Force of Nature" campaign even if I didn't quite get it at the time. I've always eschewed "women's colors" in hiking gear and admit to having been pretty judgey about women who wanted to discuss "makeup in the backcountry". I thought those things made women seem frivolous and less serious about hiking; as if "girly girls" couldn't be "real" hikers. Who knew I had such sexist beliefs? I still don't wear makeup and am not going to sport 2-inch nails a la Sha'Carri Richardson but I'm loving my purple women's Feathered Friends sleeping bag and my magenta daypack, and pretty happy that I'm seeing a lot more short-and-wide sleeping pads!
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Post by leadbelly on Sept 11, 2023 12:35:06 GMT -8
Member since 1994.
I like the customer service and return policy. Rarely use it, but they just replaced a pair of low hikers after 6 months of regular use - the lining tore inside one heel. no questions asked, just looked at the shoes and asked what size I wear.
The store experience is pretty good, and they tend to refurbish or replace outdated stores. the DC flagship is particularly cool, it's in old warehouse space with the original brick walls & flooring, a big open space.
The dividend is nice, and REI branded gear usually works as anticipated and is often priced very favorably.
Picking nits, I think inventory is more mainstream and less diverse than it used to be. I usually go elsewhere for winter gear.
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Post by stevet on Sept 12, 2023 20:09:13 GMT -8
I will always have a soft spot for REI dating to opening day of its original Berkeley, CA store. For the first 30 years of my backpacking “career” they were the go to for gear, in store and mail order, and parts to repair stoves, filters, and worn pack/frame components.
And their policy of replacing failed gear is unmatched.
For this, I’ll continue to check them first.
But, around 2000, my gear focus shifted toward the ultralight and their focus shifted from us gearheads and toward a broader market. I haven’t and won’t abandon them, but where they used to capture >80% of my annual backpacking & hiking gear & outing spends they now capture <20%.
Given their financials, on the whole the shift works for them, but I do miss the old days and the anticipation I had using my then substantial dividend on a piece of gear I really wanted.
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rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,674
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Post by rebeccad on Sept 27, 2023 7:20:02 GMT -8
I remain a fan of REI, having grown up with annual, magical trips to the (almost) original store in Seattle (it was in an old building or buildings, with odd floor levels and ramps connecting different parts, a real maze and a wonderland to a little kid in love with the idea of backpacking). I do find that virtually nothing in the Women’s department fits me, clothing-wise, but I don’t know if that’s unique to REI. I guess the difference is that in general retail they do go up to larger sizes, but it’s not the total volume that’s the problem (usually), but the distribution. I do well in the men’s department, where I also find that the clothes are more practical for hiking—better pockets, etc. Like others, I have largely moved to more UL gear, which isn’t REI’s niche (most of the UL stuff is more cottage-industry, and not up to REI’s scale even if they wanted to carry it). But there’s nothing quite like living where no matter which way I head out to the mountains, I go past an REI about the time I realize I’ve forgotten something key (yes, that’s why I have a spare pair of trekking poles to keep in my car at all times, so I won’t have to buy a 3rd pair…). They tell me that REI numbers are now inheritable, and we are looking into transferring Mom’s 5-digit number to me
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