through the 11th

a lot of stuff was discounted 25%, some more some less

of note was the rei half dome 2 hc for $109...I purchased the same tent in Dec. for $169 and love it

5/5/2008 1:52:52 PM

awesome, i am going today.

5/5/2008 2:32:30 PM

Is REI still ridiculously overpriced?

5/5/2008 3:02:39 PM

^ they're pricey, but you have to measure what you get with it...knowing i can (in theory) return anything at any time for an exchange or refund, even after i've worn it out completely, is a BIG advantage

and they know what they're talking about

and half the time, they've let me try stuff out and then told me where to get it cheaper

as often as not, i buy from someone else (usually trying in-store and buying online from another company ), but i spend hundreds at a time during their super clearances twice a year

5/5/2008 3:28:44 PM

Dick's Sporting Goods is much more reasonably priced.

5/5/2008 3:38:10 PM

dick's people know jack about the vast majority of what's in the store, and they have less of selection per section, IMO

5/5/2008 4:00:56 PM

REI will definitely have more camping related items since its their focus, i've found that the knowledge at Dick's just depends on the store you go to, or sometimes just the individual you run across.

5/5/2008 4:05:17 PM

I like REI, but I rarely buy anything that isn't on sale there.

5/5/2008 4:15:17 PM

^

5/5/2008 4:19:52 PM

for camping equipment, I purchase almost exclusively from the REI line when possible...it's really great stuff and usually cheaper than some of the bigger names they carry

that, and their employees can go on and on about the pros, cons, and technicalities of each model, and have always gladly taken as much time as necessary in helping me choose the tent/bag/boots/etc I needed

5/5/2008 4:26:50 PM

^what he said

and you can't compare REI to other sports stores.

REI carries Marmot, North Face, Keen, Mountain Hardware, MSR, JetBoil

Dick's carries... Columbia, Reebok, Nike, Adidas, Coleman

Two very different stores.

Not to mention if you are a member ($15/lifetime) you get to go to all the garage sales and get 20% off coupons a couple times a year, plus 10% back dividend at the end of the year

5/5/2008 9:09:33 PM

REI, while expensive, has superior customer service. as others have stated, they have a knowledgeable staff that doesn't mind treating every customer as their most important. I've seen them take back/exchange things that i would feel bad about donating to Goodwill.

As much as I hate to admit it, I don't regret buying the membership. the back room sales are awesome and the dividends and members only sales/discounts make it worth it to me. however, you do have to spend a certain amount to make it worth it, and some of the clothes are way more than i'm willing to pay. i generally only buy clothes there at the end of the season when they go on sale.

5/5/2008 9:36:06 PM

^ i like columbia

also, i think it's $20 or $25 these days

also, as has been mentioned, REI's brand is of a VERY high quality, and for the price, i'm really not sure it can be beat, save for when they have their amazing super clearance, in which case, everything's dirt cheap anyway

5/5/2008 9:37:11 PM

remember when all the preppies would shop at great outdoor provision company.

5/5/2008 9:54:34 PM

Quote :

"however, you do have to spend a certain amount to make it worth it"

it's like $15 for LIFE.

that's like $150 worth of stuff over the course of your LIFE! (to get the $15 back via 10% dividend)

i bought a tent that's worth more than that... and that's like 1 out of 200 things i've bought at REI... then again i have an REI Visa too

[Edited on May 6, 2008 at 2:33 AM. Reason : .]

5/6/2008 2:33:19 AM

Please do not compare REI to Dick's. They are both superior in their own way. I wouldn't buy camping equipment from Dick's and I wouldn't buy baseball, football, basketball (any actual sport) from REI. Two different stores.

[Edited on May 6, 2008 at 2:56 AM. Reason : stored?]

5/6/2008 2:56:25 AM

i've been an REI member for 5 years or so now. the dividend is definitely worth it if you buy a lot of stuff there (i got $60something back last year). you can use the dividend in the store or request a check. we buy a lot of gear and i buy lots of clothes. i check prices online at other stores first, but usually dick's doesn't have what i'm looking for and with shipping prices it's just cheaper to buy it in-store where i can try it on anyway.

i wouldn't compare dick's with REI anyway. they're two completely different stores imo. like comparing target with lowe's or something.

oh and btw if you're an REI member, you get an additional 20% during the anniversary sale.

[Edited on May 6, 2008 at 8:56 AM. Reason : ]

5/6/2008 8:56:07 AM

why does everybody care so much about knowledgeable salespeople?

Just do research online before you go. Shoot, I never trust the word of a retail employee. Half the stuff at REI is useless anyway! Who cares if the salesperson can tell you all the pros and cons for different brands of ultralight espresso machines.

5/6/2008 9:24:23 AM

and don't forget most salespeople just talk out of their ass to make a sale.

5/6/2008 9:37:01 AM

I've gotten some excellent deals at REI. You just have to take advantage of the sales and clearance. A 20% off coupon goes a long way if you are purchasing a tent or bag. I also got a pack for 140 dollars off sticker. I like that you can order online and do free in store pickup, even if that is somewhat standard these days.

5/6/2008 10:39:08 AM

^^
not always

last year, an REI salesperson was honest about my not needing the $300 or $400 bike trainer

she said the $200 one was just fine, and was good enough for even professional cyclists

on the internet, nearly everything I found on the subject was biased or unhelpful


but, yeah, in general you should research first

5/6/2008 12:05:40 PM

online research is good, but can only go so far

When I bought my tent, I narrowed it down online to 5 different models that had the features I was looking for. At the store, a salesman assisted me in the setup of each, and pointed out a few things I had missed in my online search...took about an hour and a half. My purchases are usually much more straightforward and quicker than that, but it's always nice to have an in-store source.

5/6/2008 1:19:52 PM

Quote :

"I like REI, but I rarely buy anything that isn't on sale there."

true.

Quote :

"Who cares if the salesperson can tell you all the pros and cons for different brands of ultralight espresso machines."

what brand of scandium solar powered espresso machines would you recommend?

5/6/2008 3:45:40 PM

Got the half dome 2 hc today.

5/6/2008 8:19:20 PM

http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.wordpress.com/2008/03/11/87-outdoor-performance-clothes/

5/6/2008 10:31:01 PM

^^i have the original REI half dome and LOVE it.

^you know some people that actually OWN outdoor clothing actually DO go to the outdoors... you know some people go camping so much that they have a LOT of outdoor clothing. it's like the same people that wear exercise clothing out, or where jersey's out and about. it's not that they could go to an NBA game at any minute and don't have time to change clothes, or are going to go to the gym at ANY minute and can't change clothes first either.

that and the fact that no other rain jacket is actually waterproof unless you buy something actually MEANT for rainwear... among other things..

[Edited on May 6, 2008 at 11:40 PM. Reason : .]

5/6/2008 11:39:19 PM

Quote :

"it's like the same people that wear exercise clothing out, or where jersey's out and about. it's not that they could go to an NBA game at any minute and don't have time to change clothes, or are going to go to the gym at ANY minute and can't change clothes first either."

hahaha good point. also, wtf is with the nascar jackets and grown adults wearing spongebob or dora the explorer jackets.

i have outdoor clothing b/c i do stuff outdoors. even if i'm not hiking or kayaking or camping right that very second, the clothes are usually breathable, have sun protection, and are generally more comfortable anyway.

[Edited on May 7, 2008 at 8:14 AM. Reason : ]

5/7/2008 8:11:19 AM

Quote :

"you know some people that actually OWN outdoor clothing actually DO go to the outdoors... you know some people go camping so much that they have a LOT of outdoor clothing. it's like the same people that wear exercise clothing out, or where jersey's out and about. it's not that they could go to an NBA game at any minute and don't have time to change clothes, or are going to go to the gym at ANY minute and can't change clothes first either."

You really shouldn't feel the need to justify owning clothing with good quality and design. Especially when you think of some of the ridiculous crap you see out there today.

5/7/2008 8:51:02 AM

Quote :

"^you know some people that actually OWN outdoor clothing actually DO go to the outdoors... you know some people go camping so much that they have a LOT of outdoor clothing. it's like the same people that wear exercise clothing out, or where jersey's out and about. it's not that they could go to an NBA game at any minute and don't have time to change clothes, or are going to go to the gym at ANY minute and can't change clothes first either."

I'm not a fan of the entire idea that you NEED a certain type of (expensive) clothing to go outdoors. For example, polyester long johns from Wal Mart will keep you just as warm as something made by Patagucci. While hiking I wear a silk shirt that I got at a thrift store. My rain jacket is a simple nylon shell that my boyfriend got for free from his job valet parking.

I mean if you love buying stuff, and you have the money, then go for it! But it bugs me that people think the moment you step into the woods you will be killed by inclement weather, eaten by bugs, and all your stuff will immediately break - and the only way to prevent this is to buy expensive, overbuilt equipment made by North Face.

http://www.rayjardine.com/papers/cannonballs.htm

5/7/2008 9:45:29 AM

I mostly hike in whatever shorts I'm wearing on any given day and an Adidas mesh shirt, but I consider good shoes to be crucial. Nice outerwear and knowing how to work with layers is helpful when it starts to cool down.

5/7/2008 9:49:02 AM

Quote :

"Not to mention if you are a member ($15/lifetime) you get to go to all the garage sales and get 20% off coupons a couple times a year, plus 10% back dividend at the end of the year"

this is why i love REI

5/7/2008 9:51:14 AM

Quote :

"I'm not a fan of the entire idea that you NEED a certain type of (expensive) clothing to go outdoors. For example, polyester long johns from Wal Mart will keep you just as warm as something made by Patagucci. While hiking I wear a silk shirt that I got at a thrift store. My rain jacket is a simple nylon shell that my boyfriend got for free from his job valet parking."

I agree with this to a certain extent. Its true you don't NEED any of the hi-tech fabrics or fly weight supplies. But these premium items do enhance your experience. When i first got into mountain biking, i was of the same mindset. A tee shirt, cargo shorts, and pair of old sneakers was all i needed to have a good time on the bike. and that's still all I need on a bike. But one day on a whim, I decided i'd get a cycling specific shirt and see what difference it made, if any. the next ride was the first that i didn't feel like i was wearing a 10lb wet towel 10 minutes into it. I got some cycling shorts, and hey, that chaffing went away. Cool.

But its like any hobby. People don't mind spending money on things they enjoy. For me, I can't justify buying a $150 walking stick, but don't mind spending the same amount for new pedals.

Besides, if i'm working a full time job and have the expendable income, what difference does it make? What else should i be doing with the money? Saving it just for the sake of having it? don't get me wrong, there are certainly diminishing returns as the price increases, but i don't think there's anything wrong with having nicer stuff.

5/7/2008 1:01:02 PM

BTW, I didn't mean to imply that there was anything wrong with outdoor performance clothes.

But white people do love them. LOVE them.

5/7/2008 1:51:24 PM

do they have bb guns there?

5/7/2008 4:21:38 PM

no

5/7/2008 4:25:43 PM

no

[Edited on May 7, 2008 at 4:26 PM. Reason : beat me to it while i was reading]

5/7/2008 4:26:09 PM

just used my 20% off coupon online on a pair of maui jim sunglasses

last day for the anniversary sale...

5/11/2008 4:14:44 PM

I signed up for the membership yesterday and bought a pair of hiking boots for a Yosemite trip I'm taking in a few weeks. Like that if they suck, I can bring the used shoes back in and return them.

5/11/2008 4:48:46 PM