REI.com and REI Outlet

I have known about the REI company for about as long as I can remember - my father, once an avid hiker and backpacker, received their catalog and would pour over it all the time. I knew that he trusted the company and had ordered from them many times....

REI—A store that pays YOU to shop for all of your outdoor gear!
-I should be doing homework but for some reason I just can't resist writing reviews for Epinions. Allow me to note that this is my first review of an online store....

I like the quality of the REI merchandise as well as the membership rebates. I have placed multiple orders, without a single problem. MEMBERSHIP REI is open to everyone but they do offer a membership for a one time fee ...

Pros: One of the best designed shopping websites I have used!
Cons: Honestly can't think of one =)

Recreational Equipment, Inc. was formed in the 1930’ to aid a group of 25 mountain climbers in their goal of getting good prices on the quality equipment they would need for their outings. In the past 60 years that cooperative has grown into over sixty...

REI, or Recreational Equipment, Inc., is one of the most well known stores in the outdoor recreational world. Based in Washington on the west coast, REI has both brick and mortar stores throughout the country and an online presence at REI.com. ...

REI.com, or Recreational Equipment, Inc., is the place to go for all kinds of outdoor needs, and is supposedly the internet’s largest outdoor store (as per their website). The first thing you’ll notice upon arriving at the website is the...

Pros: great prices, quality selection
Cons: small selection, high S&H, low stock

Rei-Outlet.com is the liquidation branch of REI.com. Selling a decent variety of sporting goods at breakneck prices is what Rei-Outlet is. Prices are near unbeatable at the outlet site... however, if you can find what you've looking for is the main...

If you're looking for serious outdoor equipment and clothing, REI, Recreational Equipment, Inc., is one of the retailing world's great treasures. I "joined up" more than 30 years ago when loyal members still called it "The Co-op." And it was originally ...

My oldest daughter is a Brownie, and this year she had her first camping experience. I realize we are probably in this for the long haul, and decided to start buying camp gear a little bit at a time. ...

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...

Pros: Deep discounts on many items.
Cons: Limited selection.

REI-Outlet.com is my first stop whenever we need (or want) outdoor gear or clothing. I've found some great bargains there, as well as been stymied more than once in my search for specific items.

REI Outlet is a genuine outlet--stocked with...

[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 ...

Pros: Easy-to-use, large, detailed descriptions and photos, prompt order processing/shipping
Cons: Had to request order tracking number

I recently went on a backpacking/canoeing trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (see reviews here on epinions.com). I had always wanted to go backpacking, and this was my first adventure in doing so. As you could imagine, there were a lot of...

I have been trying to track down a particular bag in particular size for ages on the internet at a good price. I was thrilled to find that REI's Outlet sold the very bag in a color I thought was OK but at a much lower price the MSRP. The color of the ...

Pros: Very easy to navigate around this well designed site
Cons: None significant

REI has a number of "real" stores that I visit whenever I can. The online store is the next best thing, however, as it has a huge range of equipment and clothing for all kinds of outdoor activities.
You can become a member of the REI co-op by...

Shopping in REI stores is a pleasure, and their online store matches that experience. It is joy to browse through the merchandize that was well displayed and easy to find. I often find shopping for apparel online hard, but with the excellent images...

REI.com online is alot like the offline store: lots of great merchandise, organized well, and surrounded by helpful advice on what to choose. I read their buying guide and ordered a snowboard from them and it was a great experience. It came really well...

While REI's prices may be a little steep on some items, for the most part, they're fantastic. Their selection, as well, cannot be rivaled. When buying tents or other gear, you can get the whole package (tent, ground cloth, gear loft, etc) without...

One of the best stores to shop at, although mainly located in the NORTHWEST, they do have s store even in St. Louis, MO. Before I started shopping REI, I had skepticism and reservations of the experience I pictured the store being full of vegan snobs ...

REI.com has declined from it's prime of 4 years ago. The online store has less selection, worse prices(excepting sales), and poorer shipping policies than speciality climbing retailer like mgear.com, gearexpress.com, bentgate.com, or even altrec.com....

REI (Recreational Equipment Incorporated) is a Seattle-based outfitter with sports merchandise to supply virtually any kind of adventure you can think of short of visiting the moon.

I have been a member of REI for 20 years, and since I'm a...

For outdoor equipment and apparel REI is an excellent source. The REI site stands out in it's content aimed at educating the buyer. If you have a question about what type of tent would be best suited for your needs then just click on the article about...

Very good service most of the time. On one occasion they messed things up, sending a heart rate moni ...

order online & opt for the in-store pickup to save on delivery costs. great selection & knowledgable ...

The Rei Outlet is the only way, and reason to buy from the Outdoor Behemoth that is Rei. If you watch regularly you can discover some amazing deals! Just act quickly because those things will be gone immediately. Their customer service is pretty good,...

Pros: Easy online shopping; can forward information to another email address
Cons: shipping

My husband recently went online shopping for a tent and a sleeping bag. He found what he wanted at rei.com outlet. One of the best features was that he could forward to my email address exactly what he wanted by clicking on a feature at their web page....

Excelent retailer. Good prices, on-time delivery friendly staff. The product was at least 20% cheaper then anywhere else. I payed for regular shipping and they used UPS 3 day...

I generally do not buy online but REI Outlet is terrific. They have a great selection. Tons of sale items. Customer support is excellent and delivery time was accurate. They also have a very good return policy. This is a "must try"...

i like this store cause it offer the best prices and services that exactly what i need. it's customer service qualities are really good and same as what i expected. overall this is a good store to purchase ur sport...

I have never had a bad experience at REI or with any of their equipment. Tents are easy to put up, and built to last. I have a backpack that I got in 1987 and the zipper failed. I sent it back and they replaced the zipper! I was so impressed they...

What can you say. if you need a tent, stove, warm clothes Kayak or ice climbing equipment they have it. Online is same as the store. Great customer service in the store or online. They have it all. I have purchased several kayaks and tons of winter clothes and hiking boots from them. All top notch equipment at good prices. The REI brand stuff is for the most part pretty good fro the price you pay. The company has been around for a long time and for good reason. Good prices, great selection and awesome customer service

Shopping for a backpack I had lots of help from store personnel that were more interested in my needs than in selling a product. When I mentioned that I had a REI backpack for 2 years that was a style I didn't like they told me to bring it back. I was given a refund toward the new pack with no problems! I have also had excellent online service from REI and ordered things to pick up in the store with no shipping charge.

This place should be the model for customer service!! I placed an order for a Bob Revolution Jogging stroller and used my dividend at checkout. When my order was finalized, I saw the 20% off coupon on the home page - of course!! So, I called the customer service desk and explained the situation. The lady said that the dividend department was closed for the day, but they would put my request for the additional 20% off through the following day. I hung up thinking "yeah right"!! But, to my surprise and delight, they did!!
I received my order earlier than promised.
This company has it right!!

Have always had good service form REI. Quick, reliable, good prices in the outlet. I would recommend to anyone shopping for outdoor apparel and supplies.

I ordered some Keen boots that were on sale. They came promptly and were the item I asked for. However, they were too small and I returned them right away at a cost of TEN DOLLARS. I had shopped at other places and when I returned the item for any reason, I was credited the price of returning the item. I was shocked that here at REI the price of shipping it back wasn't credited to my account! There is no REI store locally and the policy is returns are the customers charge. So for sale boots that didn't fit I'm out ten dollars and get NADA! I will never shop here again!

I placed an order through their online store. After realizing I hadn't ordered all the parts I needed I called customer service the next day to cancel. My order confirmation said that I would receive an e-mail once the order shipped. When I called customer service to cancel the order, I was told the item was already shipped and that I would receive an e-mail over night. The next day I had not received a shipment e-mail, and my credit card had not been charged. I called customer service again to cancel the order and was told the order could not be cancelled, even though the item had not shipped yet. I was instructed to return the item to my local store once it arrived. I will not order anything from the REI online store again.

Had a very hard to find item. Shipped on time and sure made a nice Christmas gift for my daughter. I will use again for sure.

Sorry to say my first and last time I will order from them. I ordered a jacket that was said to be in stock. It was not and was told it was on back order. I kept getting notices that it was still in back order and that it would be cancelled. I checked on line it is still be offered. The thing that really annoyed me off was the fact that they offered to sell me a similar jacket for only $150 more. Clearly bait and switch. You would think in this economy that one would be concerned with getting new customers. I guess not. Maybe i will look again during their going out of business sale.

WARNING! Their return policy is a lie.

"100% Satisfaction Guaranteed" is plastered all over the store, behind the registers on a HUGE banner, on little cards by the registers, even on signs over the food products.

But they wouldn't accept a returned food item I didn't like. I even asked to talk to the manager, but he said no. Despite the fact the satisfaction guarantee has no small print any ware, apparently they don't take back food products.

The principle of it, even if the cost was modest, REALLY bothers me. They lie and can't be trusted, is the way I was made to feel. The manager was no help, and didn't apologize.

BEWARE--they have top level prices and bottom level service! I say STAY AWAY.

I know I'm going to do everything I can do to take my business elsewhere.

You gotta love REI. I've place numerous order with them and have never had a problem. They are a bit spendy but the quality of their items and service is worth it. Online or in the store they are always very helpful.

I have been a member sense 1967. I have always came back to shop for my hard to find camping gear. The have the best customer support around. My membership has been good for life as stated.

I have ordered several times from REI.com and have never had a problem. The website is easy to use, discounts are automatically applied, and detailed information is readily available. You can also see items in different colors with the click of your mouse. Normally I have items shipped to my house since the nearest REI is in a different county. However, the one time I tried the in-store pickup (free shipping), they were extremely flexible in changing my pickup date. I just made one phone call and was able to pick it up on the day I was going to be in Dallas. Items have always arrived on time or earlier than promised, and always in good condition. So far, I have never had any problems shopping with REI.

REI is the company that I put above the all others based on my recent shopping experience. I recently purchased a Chariot Cougar 2 bicycle trailer thru REIs online services. Once called 800 number I found staff was very friendly, professional and knowledgeable about the product. Actually there were two different pictures posted online that showed last year model and a current one but I was assured that they carry newest stuff available which turned out to be 100% true. Portion of my shipment arrived a week late (shipped to the store) but I received an e-mail explaining such right after it left the warehouse in Washington so I knew on what to expect. A bit pricier than other online competitors, but worth every penny. Actual price becomes lower after becoming a member and getting a dividend check at the end of the year.
Highly recommended.

I am sitting here trying to think of a store I think more highly of and cannot come up with another. Mind you, I am speaking of my on-site experience at the stores in Portland, Reno, San Francisco when I've lived in each of those cities.
With each visit I encounter engaging, competent salespeople and the breadth of most any outdoor sport is represented in full on their showroom floor. This leads me to trust the online site as the 'mothership' to go to.

My "shopping experience" has been good at REI. The return policy is very good and so is selection and quality. Cost is another issue and I believe if you shop you can get equal quality else were for less. REI is a co-op so there is a dividend, but I don't believe it always matches the extra price you originally pay at REI as compared, for example, at Campmore.com. The REI target market seems to be drifting away from climbers and backpackers to people with money and consider outdoor equipment/clothing stylish. Short Update 02/2007: I had some problems with a product and REI did a splendid job of seeing that I got a unsatisfactory exchange for the item. I update my "return policy" to outstanding. One minor gripe. I don't understand why they don't put weights on the products in their fliers. Trail runners, backpackers, climbers, bicyclists and such are very interested in weight.

Ordered two leatherman for my boys. REI called the next morning to confirm the order. No request to purchase anything else, no pressure. Order was delivered in three days.

I've been a member for a couple of years, and have usually found the customer service on-line and at the stores to be excellent. On-line, the delivery speed is also good, although it will take two days for the order to be processed. Once shipped, I got my merchandise within a day. Order accuracy was perfect and I was able to return some shoes to the store without any problems. Also, if you live near a store, it's nice that they will ship there for free and let you pick it up, though I have never tried this myself.