REI Return Policy

I always pay with either cash or a debit card. Debit should be treated the same as cash. If they want to put it back on your card, ask for cash. If they refuse… simply tell them you no longer have that card. It's not exactly honest, but they should treat it same as cash in the first place.

That said, I've never had a problem with REI. It's a great store and I give them a lot of my business. I'm willing to pay more for a store with zero hassle return policies. I don't abuse it. I hate those who do.

Last time I returned something to REI, I asked them not to credit my credit card because I had reported the card in question as lost in the interim. They would not give me cash, only an in-store credit. I bought a lot of socks that day….

It seems that a lot of firms take up to a month to process the return to your credit card. It isn't just REI!

I pay with credit card all the time — and don't remember about a 30-day delay for the credit to appear on my card…

I just returned something today. I will let you know how long it takes for the credit to show up.

I bought something on impulse about 2 weeks ago, returned it the next morning unused and I still haven't got my money back. I called REI and they said it could take up to 30 days, depending on my bank. I called my bank and they said as soon as they get the credit, they will credit my account. This is the first and last time I return something to REI. And future purchases will be made with cash.

How can you be certain that you will never return something? Saying all future purchases implies you will still shop there… ;-)

"I bought a lot of socks that day…"

Wow Mary, I hope you did not return a tent! (That is a lot of socks, man.)

By the way, I love REI's return policy, but to tell the truth I have never noticed if they dallied on putting it back.

Ray…very true about the future purchases. I live 5 blocks away. I'm sure I'll need something from there soon enough.

Ray–"Wow Mary, I hope you did not return a tent! (That is a lot of socks, man.)"

No, it was a Steripen Adventurer bought with a 20% off coupon.

I've always had the refund put back to my debit card basically right away, quick enough so that I didn't notice……

+2 on ease of return… I'll admit I've done my share of returns at the berkely store, I have always been treated nice, no haggle, money in account within 4-5 days… and on top of that the employees actually care about the fact the piece of gear didnt work, and offer suggestions… this is the only reason I shop at REI, BTW…

Isn't that the way credit cards work? The credit shows up on your next "billing cycle". I would think it would be the issue with your credit card's bank rather than REI or Home Depot orwhatever company you purchase from.

While on paper bills the credit doesn't show up until your next bill, if you look at your bill online you can see your current balance and transactions at any time.

It's the date of the credit to your account, vs. the date of the return, that is the important item.

Not sure if it makes a difference, but I used a debit card for my purchase. I made the return on the 15th and had the money back in my account on the 18th.

Jamie

How about this for a return. Bought a UL45 two years ago as a "second pack" Rarely used it except in winter. On a trip last weekend the hipbelt literally fell off. Took it back and they told me they didn't make that pack anymore and that the replacement pack was out of stock. They told me to see if there was another pack that met my needs. Well, sitting right in the middle lit by spotlights was the Golite Pinnacle which could be my ideal winter pack (but I wasn't going to buy yet another pack.) Bottom line, exchanged the "obsoleted" UL45 for the pinnacle and had to pay $7. Now that was an unexpected bonus!

Nice, Greg.

Yeah, some may fault REI for being big and ubiquitous and driving out 'moms and pops" — but I don't think anyone can fault REI's satisfaction guarantee/product return policy.

Have a REI Half Dome that my son and I have used for many years for front country camping. Took it out this year to inspect it and found numerous holes on the rain fly where it goes over the poles. Now I take exceptional care of my hiking gear and this perplexed me. It was not dry rotted.

There were just too many holes to repair so I called up REI to inquire about a rain fly replacement. After talking to a manager I was told that I would be unable to buy "just a rain fly" but to bring it in a they would give me a new tent!

What? This thing is like 5 years old! I made the manager aware of how old it was and told him how quilty I felt taking advantage of their return policy! He assured me this is common practice and thanked me for my business.

Wow! I have actually never returned anything to REI. If it is not quiet right I usually find a way to mod it and make it work. Kuddos to REI. A great place with great people. I will always do business with them to some degree. Being 10 minutes from my house I have spent alot of money there over the years…