20% at REI

Good to see that you know how to de-escalate the sit'iation.

I buy all my gears at REI because of their return policy. I have return a few items that I didn't like and always felt bad for it. However, they sell the used item in their annual used gear sale which work really well. I am pretty sure that REI is benefiting from their 100% satisfaction, otherwise they wouldn't have it. I am sure a few people abuse the policy but that's only a few.

RETURNING TO THE MAIN TOPIC. WHAT DID YOU GUYS PURCHASE?

The Marmot sleeping bags are 25% off. Helium for me.

acronym 10/8/2009 11:17 PM

I am a big fan of REI and have bought a lot of things there over the years. I have a pair of carbon fiber trekking sticks and after a few years the twist lock stopped working. I went in to talk with them to see about arranging a repair and the cheery clerk said "Go get a brand new pair – everything we sell is guaranteed forever." I couldn't believe it. I kept explaining to her" No, that's OK, I've had these a while, I just want to get this one fixed, I'm not trying to take advantage of anything here." She laughed and got me a brand new pair.

I walked out amazed and impressed.

I think I'm gonna get a Patagonia Nano. Normally $150, so now $120 and have them ship it to their store.

I've heard great things about them.

Lightweight and by Patagonia.

So true, Nate!

If that Eco Thermo 6 is as good as my Ether Thermo 6 has been, that's a great deal. Especially if you get to take another 20% off.

Hal, I fully agree. I used a pair of ASOLO boots for almost a year. On that note:

YES! Sometime it takes a year to fully test something, especially when you don't get out every other weekend, or in my case, once every few months.

Anywho, I tried my boots, and loved em', for almost a year, but they constantly blistered the heck out of my heels. They were pretty beat up when I went looking for another pair. In talking to one of the workers while trying on various other models, she suggested I return the ASOLOs for a refund. I literally argued that, although I had taken care of my boots, I had used these hundreds of miles, including Mt. St. Helens, over its lahars and pumice, and described their current shape.

Needless to say, they returned them with, literally, a smile. Now, my conscience allowed this because I did not alter the boots themselves (i.e. cutting off straps, etc.) and I even saved the tags. I would not have the gall to return something I altered to suit my needs and then return it, crippled from its original design. I do know that most of their stuff that is returned (used), even boots as I had, are sold in the “Used Gear Sale” over in my neck of the woods, and they still make a profit off of it. They must. Even in this down-turned economy, they are still putting up stores over here.

J