REI returns...

"Always thought the "use it and then return it" people were pretty tacky.

Turns out they are whiners, too."

+1 Always thought it showed a huge amount of tackiness and general lack of character to return shit that was used and sometimes even past its expected point of life and then say that you are not "100% satisfied". A load of crap IMO and obviously a huge abuse of the system. Always has bugged the crap out of me and wish those people where banned from REI forever. Due to this we now have more limitations that should be for the users who actually respect and utilize it legitimately.

Matt N wrote: I think trying them on (shoes, backpacks or similar) at your house would be fine. You can load up all your gear and see how they fit and pack. Yeah, its not a real world test after many miles, but you returned USED goods. One thing to return a new item with tags that was size tested and can be resold as new. Your difference between "renting" and "comparing" - renting costs money.

I can't be the only one that's returned a backpack because of a pressure point on my hips that is only noticeable 10 miles in. Or how about a pair of pants that feels comfortable until you get sweaty and it starts sticking then chaffing? Not to mention shoes...just because they fit on your living room couch doesn't mean you won't start bleeding after a mile of downhill walking because they don't stay tight enough to keep your feet from sliding around. You can't always test products in your living room.

When I was shopping for a backpack in REI, the sales rep explicitly told me to "try out packs and return them until you have the right one". So this is exactly what I did.

If you guys want to consider this "abusing the system" then whatever, I can't really argue with you. I just consider it being a smart shopper who prefers to get the right product for me instead of just settling with the first thing I buy.

Also, every single thing I've returned has been returned in "like new" condition. Hell, the backpacks still had their tags attached and could have been passed off as new. Even if everything I've returned has been sold during their gear sales, I'm sure they've still made a good chunk of profit from me over the years.

The new policy is totally reasonable. Indefinite returns for anything defective, 1 year for retail items, 30 days for outlet items. Actually it's a generous policy.

Funny story... I was once in line for customer service at REI, and the dude in front of me was trying to return a backpack that had been half eaten by marmots. The customer service rep asked "was there anything wrong with the pack?" The dude was like "well not really, but.... Marmots ate it." Everyone nearby chuckled. Surprisingly, they told him "no" and he walked away! He even said, all pissy, "just keep the pack then!"

Good times.

Ian Stewart wrote: I hardly consider trying out a few backpacks, one weekend each, over the course of two months and returning those I don't like to be abusing the return policy. There's a difference between "renting" and "comparing" gear. I did keep one pack in the end. Keep in mind that the 30 day return policy is from the "date of purchase" which, from online outlet orders, is often no more than 20 days once you've actually received the product.

I consider that abuse.

Be honest: you would demand a discount if you knew a backpack had been used in the field already. Unless you took amazing care of it, it will show that it is not brand new. If it is no longer brand new, why not buy the one right next to it that is?

So REI either has to lie, or sell that gear as used. In other words, they have to subsidize your gear testing.

Very few retailers will abide this practice, and to me, yes, it is very much abuse of the return process. Can you imagine walking to a computer store, buying three computers, and returning the two you didn't like as much in 30 to 60 days? Or three cars?

Come on, be realistic. That is not what a store return policy is for. They sale gear, they don't rent it.

You do know that REI employees actually encourage and recommend "weekend renting" Do you know how many times I was pushed to buy 2 packs, 2 tents, and 2 pairs of boots at REI and then return the one I didnt want. Or if they had a different color or size on the website they encouraged purchasing it from the site and returning it if I`m not satisfied with the fit or color. So if it was hurting them they only hurt themselves by pushing the weekend rental.

REI had a provision for Sales Returns of
$9,746,000 in 2012 on
Sales of $1,930,635,000

About .5% or .005

I think it's a good policy change, but given the magnitude, it won't be reflected in lowered prices.

So sweet to see ditbags defending the corporate giant that shut down the small outdoor shop industry. The REI worshippers somehow think they have some sort of personal connection because they sell the stuff you buy.

David Sahalie wrote:So sweet to see ditbags defending the corporate giant that shut down the small outdoor shop industry. The REI worshippers somehow think they have some sort of personal connection because they sell the stuff you buy.

+1

David Sahalie wrote:So sweet to see ditbags defending the corporate giant that shut down the small outdoor shop industry. The REI worshippers somehow think they have some sort of personal connection because they sell the stuff you buy.

To me, I'm defending basics morality. Corporate giant or my friend next door, it doesn't matter. Ethics is ethics.

I just spoke with a CS rep regarding a sleeping pad that I own that has been leaking air through the valve. Factory defects are still covered 100%. If you own something for more than a year and then you decide that you don't like it, you are probably abusing the system. I'm not sure that this new policy will stop people from "renting" equipment for a few months though. So to avoid an even more stringent policy please make sure you berate those who still brag about abusing the policy. Not just on the internet, especially in the field.

I think this new policy will decrease the amount of REI outlet sales and I will probably not purchase things from the outlet because I can probably find a cheaper price. That being said, I like to support companies I believe in, so REI will still be getting a lot of my money.

Ian Stewart wrote: I hardly consider trying out a few backpacks, one weekend each, over the course of two months and returning those I don't like to be abusing the return policy. There's a difference between "renting" and "comparing" gear. I did keep one pack in the end. Keep in mind that the 30 day return policy is from the "date of purchase" which, from online outlet orders, is often no more than 20 days once you've actually received the product.

I agree with you on this, Ian. I just did a similar thing with expensive espresso machines. I had three different ones, using each one heavily, and returning it if it sucked. BB&B wasn't bitching about a "used" machine coming back. Shoot, if you are buying something pricey, it is great to be able to try the product.

On this one, shoot, if you can't figure out your gear sucks in a year, maybe you need to get out more. Totally reasonable, but REI is a shit hole, and I don't shop there, I only steal from that bitch!

One other note. In 6 months, garage sales will be no more...

For what it's worth, I've never received "help" in my local REI without being reminded of the existing return policy.

Timothy.Klein wrote: To me, I'm defending basics morality. Corporate giant or my friend next door, it doesn't matter. Ethics is ethics.

LMFAO. REI put their original policy into effect so that local shops could not compete (good business practice really). Now that they virtually own the market, they're slightly scaling the policy back because their sales rose less than expected last year to only $1.9 billion.

Loopholes are meant to exploited. It's the American way. If you don't like be exploiting, close the loophole. If you want to make sure mom & pops still can't compete, just close it a little bit.

And I imagine many of you out there can still burn through 3 pairs of Muiras in a year.

Costco pays employees $17 an hour to stock and sell. REI gives minimum wage to people that are supposed to be knowledgeable about specific items in certain, sometimes dangerous situations. ... so why is REI assumed to be such a bastion of goodwill to the outdoor community?

Ian Stewart wrote: I can't be the only one that's returned a backpack because of a pressure point on my hips that is only noticeable 10 miles in. Or how about a pair of pants that feels comfortable until you get sweaty and it starts sticking then chaffing? Not to mention shoes...just because they fit on your living room couch doesn't mean you won't start bleeding after a mile of downhill walking because they don't stay tight enough to keep your feet from sliding around. You can't always test products in your living room. When I was shopping for a backpack in REI, the sales rep explicitly told me to "try out packs and return them until you have the right one". So this is exactly what I did. If you guys want to consider this "abusing the system" then whatever, I can't really argue with you. I just consider it being a smart shopper who prefers to get the right product for me instead of just settling with the first thing I buy. Also, every single thing I've returned has been returned in "like new" condition. Hell, the backpacks still had their tags attached and could have been passed off as new. Even if everything I've returned has been sold during their gear sales, I'm sure they've still made a good chunk of profit from me over the years.

Precisely. This is the exact reason they have (had) the unlimited return policy in the first place.

Suppose I'm dropping $200-400 on a nice pack that fits and feels comfortable in the store, but 4 hours into my hike it will develop a hot spot. There are two stores I can buy this from. If I buy it at one of those stores, I'll have to eat the hundreds of dollars for an unusable pack (or at least eat the difference between the price and whatever I can sell it for). If I buy it at the other store I can return it for a different pack that doesn't cause problems hours into a weekend trip. Guess who's getting my business.

That's what REI's policy is about. They don't sell you a backpack (the item), they sell you a *backpack* (the archetype).

Now, buying something, wearing it out completely then returning it for a new one...repeatedly...most certainly *is* abusing the system.

This is much ado about nothing. At most stores, especially the Boulder REI, you won't have any problem returning anything at anytime for any reason.

The management at the Boulder REI have made it clear to the CS staff to make sure customers are always happy and to give them whatever they want. I'm sure this is true at REI stores around the country as well.

So keep buying, keep using, and keep returning your gear!

David Sahalie wrote:Costco pays employees $17 an hour to stock and sell.

Source? Or are ya just talking out of your ass as usual....

I highly doubt the people stocking cans of chili at Costco are getting paid $17 an hour.

David Sahalie wrote:Costco pays employees $17 an hour to stock and sell. REI gives minimum wage to people that are supposed to be knowledgeable about specific items in certain, sometimes dangerous situations. ... so why is REI assumed to be such a bastion of goodwill to the outdoor community?

+1

BSheriden wrote: Source? Or are ya just talking out of your ass as usual.... I highly doubt the people stocking cans of chili at Costco are getting paid $17 an hour.

Try Google. It works. This is from a little rag from some community college...I think it's called Harvard? Oh, right the Harvard Business Review.

hbr.org/2006/12/the-high-co…