REI 20% off one item sale ends tonight-- anyone take advantage?

I spent some time poking around the site last night and trying to motivate myself to buy something, but in the end I'm just not excited enough about channeling my money somewhere other than a local bike shop (and I guess not urgently in need of anything.)

Apparently you can put one item from the main REI site and one item from REI outlet in your cart at the same time and get 20% off both.

Anyone seize the opportunity to buy that big ticket item they've been needing?

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Permalink Reply by dana on April 7, 2013 at 1:42pm
Thule roof rack.
Permalink Reply by Duppie on April 7, 2013 at 1:48pm
I pretty much stopped shopping at REI after thet started having an armed security guard at their store. Made me feel really uncomfortable. And the manager on duty was not interested in hearing my concern.

There are better (local) options to buy the things I need. And those shops don't treat me like a potential criminal.

I don't need REI anymore.
Permalink Reply by Eduardo on April 7, 2013 at 2:03pm

I'm going to be doing more trail running and bought some Vibram FiveFingers Spyridon LS Trail Running Shoes. I was able to use my membership dividend on top of the discount.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on April 7, 2013 at 2:03pm

Yes, it's the one at Halsted near Clybourn.  The first time I saw the guard was around Christmas 2011. The last time I was in there was the week after the NATO summit (May 2012). When I asked the manager on duty why they had an armed guard, he said that the city had asked them to get an armed guard for the NATO summit. When I told him that the guard had been there for almost half a year, he just turned around and walked away...

h' 1.0 said:

I haven't been in there in quite a while.  My enthusiasm really started to wane when I had a bad customer service experience at the North Ave store about 2  years ago-- have only been back once since.

Is that the store you're referring to? Does anyone know if something "happened" to necessitate the armed guard in someone's view?

Duppie 13.5185km said:

I pretty much stopped shopping at REI after thet started having an armed security guard at their store. Made me feel really uncomfortable. And the manager on duty was not interested in hearing my concern.

There are better (local) options to buy the things I need. And those shops don't treat me like a potential criminal.

I don't need REI anymore.
Permalink Reply by Jeff Markus on April 7, 2013 at 2:04pm

I took advantage of my dividend and coupon to pick up a tent, but alas that won't be a bike camping option rather an auto camping kit. However the windstopper gloves if I can still find 'em come next winter weather will be handy.

For the weekend warrior in me (Orienteering) I did grab a pair of spats...er gaters. But I also did not find a need in my bike kit that needed filling.

Jeff

Permalink Reply by Duppie on April 7, 2013 at 2:54pm

Thanks for making me laugh!



h' 1.0 said:

Sounds like the kind of enthusiasm for dealing with customers I've experienced there.

I wonder if it's an intentional schtick, like Wiener Circle or Dick's Last Resort?

Maybe Conan and Triumph the comic insult dog should pay a visit?

Duppie 13.5185km said:

When I told him that the guard had been there for almost half a year, he just turned around and walked away... 

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on April 8, 2013 at 3:59am

I have never had a bad experience at REI. Can't say the same about certain local bike shops…

Permalink Reply by Tricolor on April 8, 2013 at 4:25am

I looked at some alcohol stoves for a trip I want to make in the fall but couldn't get excited enough to buy anything.  The price of some of their micro tents is nuts, as well, though a good pad would be nice for my trip.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on April 8, 2013 at 4:31am

I've seen similar behavior in the past where there was apparently a membership drive going on. Every associate would descend upon me like a Jehovah's witness and push their membership deal, without bothering to ask what I was looking for. Quite comical.

Jennifer on the lake said:

Every time I'm there, I get an impression like they've just received a corporate memo about how to get more women interested in X and treat all female customers accordingly. Is their customer service really more gender-neutral than I thought?

Permalink Reply by David Barish on April 8, 2013 at 4:33am

I have always had good experiences with REI as regards returns, exchanges, customer service.  I used my dividend along with the 20% off to get a free pair of bike shorts.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on April 8, 2013 at 4:50am

I've never had a bad customer experience at REI other than their bike department at the Halsted/Lincoln Park location where they make the worst of Chicago Hipster LBS bike mechanics seem tame in comparison. Their personnel aren't as knowledgeable as they once were (or are still in the Madison, WI location) but outside of their horrible bike counter in Lincoln Park they are never rude or bad in my experience. 

It's too bad that REI isn't the same little coop I remember them being decades ago when I first became a member up in Madison.  These days they are more of a corporate walmart or whole foods than a real coop.   I recently got my "dividend" notice in the mail and it was for a whole $0.00 since I didn't spend any money this past year there.   Years back I'd have enough for a bunch of bonus gear as it would usually be for over a hundred bucks -sometimes even more. 

These days I troll http://www.geartrade.com/ and often find a lot of "garage sale" type returns listed from http://www.backcountry.com/ or I just buy from them directly.   Amazon has a bunch of good gear & stuff too and Niagara also carries a ton of camping/hiking gear so if I'm buying bike stuff I can combine shipping with that.

Permalink Reply by Liz on April 8, 2013 at 4:53am

The return/exchange policy really is the best feature.  If you're a member you can bring anything back for any reason.  I've had plenty of times that I've bought something, but didn't really test it out as I intended to use it for a couple months, only to discover it didn't work for me, and brought it back with no hassle.  REI outlet online often has last year's equipment for great prices, and I've never had a problem with staff.  

As far as security guards, I've honestly don't recall seeing one there when I've gone, the NATO summit guard must have been temporary, sometimes stores hire security during the holiday season as well, since that's a high theft time of year. 

David Barish said:

I have always had good experiences with REI as regards returns, exchanges, customer service.  I used my dividend along with the 20% off to get a free pair of bike shorts.

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