REI -- Excellent Selection of Gear/Clothing. Super Staff
Written: Nov 19 '04 (Updated Nov 21 '04)
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[Review's note: When I initially wrote this review, I made the incorrect assumption that it was supposed to cover REI's entire operation, not just their internet online sales. My bad. However, a review on both the brick and mortar (B&M) stores and online sales should be useful to most readers. Indeed, the quality of service and products from REI's online sales is similar to their B&M stores. REI's dividend policy (see below) is also identical for both operations. Navigating REI.com is easy and most product descriptions are good. My only complaint is that I was recently shopping for mittens and the particular ones I wanted were not listed with ski gloves and mittens. A keyword search provided the location of the item I wanted. This is only a minor gripe, however, because I have found similar categorization problems with other top online mail order enterprises.]
It use to be that traditional sporting goods stores, especially those located in, or near, areas where camping, backpacking, skiing, climbing, cycling, etc. are widely enjoyed, had a good selection of recreational equipment. Over the years, unfortunately, some local chains that offered such product lines have been bought out by national sporting good stores. The national chains often concentrate on team sports equipment and offer a token selection of individual sports and outdoors gear. I’ve also found that the “big box” sporting goods store staffs are frequently unknowledgeable about their product lines or you simply cannot find anyone to ask a question.
REI is a national chain with qualities of the local sporting good stores I remember. Their staff know, and are enthusiastic about, their product line since they often are avid participants in the sports that use the same gear they sell. I don’t know if it is company policy, but their employees seem more friendly and respectful than other outdoor equipment retailers regardless of the customer’s knowledge of, or skills in, a particular sport.
REI’s strongest product lines continue to be their backpacking and camping gear. The cycling department appears to have improved in recent years since they sell a wider variety of bikes from a bunch of different manufactures. But their own Novara brand still offers a lot of value.
That’s also true of REI brand clothing – its frequently equal to, or better than, the brand names and looks great. However, I also like the brand name clothing they sell. If you lead an active lifestyle and are looking for clothes to match, REI is the place to find unique items you will not see in department stores or at your local mall. I am a big fan of their Alf sweaters.
Most of their products are available online. In fact, that may be the only place to find them if your local store is out of a particular item. If you order through their web site, you can avoid shipping costs by sending the item to your local store and picking up there. The quality and service of REI’s online sales are on a par with best in the business – L.L. Bean and Lands End.
If you shop at REI, it is worth joining their Co-op to receive the 10 percent dividend on all the products you buy, except for sale items. However, you only receive an 8 percent dividend if you use a non-REI credit card. The full 10 percent is credited to members who pay in cash, by check or who use the REI Visa card.
The dividend helps you rationalize buying gear at full price. But it is also worth waiting for REI sales when unsold items become real bargains. Sales are held periodically throughout the year.
My only criticism of REI is they no longer sell alpine ski equipment at my local stores. I understand this was a business decision because they could not compete with our local specialty ski shops. That’s a pity since it was far easier to get bargains on great equipment at REI and their staff were more often more pleasant to deal with than their counterparts at the specialty ski shops.
Bottom line: The reciprocal loyalty between REI and its customer/members makes it the best place to buy recreational equipment and clothing.
Recommended:
Yes
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? Clothing, Hiking Boots, Mountain Bike, Backpack, Luggage, Ski Clothing
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Epinions.com ID:
wsc82
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Reviews written: 2
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