For SERIOUS outdoors, don't bet your life on anyone else
Written: Jan 18 '02
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If you are SERIOUS into outdoors, REI is the place to get your gear. Oshman's, Academy and Outdoor World are for hunters and boy-scout campers. REI is where you go to climb Mount Everest, literally (they even have a travel services that can set up the travel to Nepal)!!
REI has several shopping options. Of course, they have the traditional brick & mortar stores throughout the world. They also have 2 online stores (REI.com and REI-Outlet.com). This review is categorized as REI.com, but will give details of all 3. Nearly all items available at the store are online.
TIP: The first time you shop at REI, get a membership. This is available online and at the regular stores. It is only 15 bucks, but you get it back quickly (usually on first purchase). The membership entitles you to special member's only events and sales. It also rewards you each December for the purchases made throughout the year. It gives a "Dividend" that is typically equal to 10% of your purchases for the year. Certain purchases are dividendable and some are not (mostly sale items greater than 10% off). You can also give your card (or number) to your neighbor or friend. You will get credit for their purchases too!
My awareness of REI began with MTV's Real World. The cast was sent to REI to gear up for a trip. Immediately after that show, I checked out the Internet to see where the closest REI was. LUCKY, their Dallas store was only 30 minutes away. I now go to the store at least 1 time per month.
Inside the store (B&M and online) you will find equipment for bicycling (street and mountain), kayaking, rock climbing (some regular stores even have rock climbing walls you can try out for free), hiking, some fishing accessories, camping, and other true sportsman activities...NO HUNTING junk. They also have clothing for the respective activities.
Most everything can be returned without question. If you purchase an item online, it can even be returned to a regular store or exchange, credit or refund (except items bought at REI-Outlet.com). Regular stores even have an equipment rental program. Don't want to spend 500 bucks on a kayak, you can rent one. You can rent most items, even shoes and boots!
When you make a purchase online, it is very easy. There is a menu on the left of the homepage with categories. Each category leads to sub-categories, then to products. Product descriptions are highly detailed and offer a picture. If you want to buy, enter the quantity and put in your basket. Checking out is easy, especially after your first purchase. The first time you enter your billing and shipping options. When you are finished you can set up an account that will store your info for future purchases. Then all you have to do is login, shop and checkout. They recently added the ability of using gift certificates at the online stores.
Shippment is reasonable and reliable. Unlike many other online stores, REI charges 1 shipping rate regardless of the number of items or number of shipments needed due to different availability times. Standard shipping is $6.99 (many times it is free), 2nd day is $17.99 and Next Day is only $23.99.
In the several years that I have been an REI customer, I have NEVER been disappointed with products or customer service.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
hearseman
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Member: Brandon VanOrden
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Reviews written: 87
Trusted by: 14 members
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