REI garage sale deals

Was tempted to go, but avoided so as to avoid impulse buys. I find that going UL/SUL makes one very deliberate about purchases.

I would agree about that – I have my own UL gear and I passed on many pieces for that exact reason. I respect your will to live simply and not buying things just for the sake of buying things.

However.. There are many non SUL/UL outside activities, and this thread is for people who DID buy deals at the REI garage sale, not for discussing the merits of big box stores and SUL philosophy.

Lets keep this about the deals.

My one and only Garage sale purchase was a Flash 22 that I picked up for 13 bucks. Half of the "hip belt" was missing (really just a 1" webbing with a buckle). Otherwise it was in great shape.

Went to my local REI yesterday with the intention of buying some shoes for my 9 year-old. I didn't realize they were having a Garage Sale.

Here were the deals I scored:

Merrell Mix Master Move Glide: $11.60
(Issue: Customer return due to shoes being uncomfortable, barely used)
Teva Churn: $3.83
(Issue: Broken shoelace, barely used)
White Sierra Lizzie Lounge Shirt: $5.85
(Issue: Missing button, no stains and practically brand new)

So instead of buying just a pair of shoes, my daughter now has 2 practically new pairs of shoes and a new hiking shirt…not bad!

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A friend lost her gray left mitten on a hike last weekend. We swung by the REI store on the way home and I found a lone black left mitten! Fortunately she also lost a black left mitten two weeks ago! I also pointed out a pair of waterproof neoprene glove liners that she wanted for 40% off. She was able to talk the clerk into throwing the lone tagless mitten on for $1.00 and I talked my way into some homeless MSR tent stakes for $1.83 with the bag.

It's the small things that keep me going.

No super buys this time around, and I've definitely made a few unnecessary purchases. The finds I'm happiest with are a Patagonia Down Sweater for $50, and a Mountain Hardwear Fluid 12 for $24.

I had good luck last time but this time is was a mad house. Instead of it being outside (due to cold weather and snow),the items were randomly set about the store. Too many scavengers pilfering through the stuff so I lost my patience right away. Maybe if I needed something instead of going with the idea of, "what can I find"?, it would of been a better experience.

i have found a don of stuff in the past. I used to work near the flagship where they had a permanent garage sale in the basement. They changed their policy and now do the sales periodically. Bought tons of clothes for the kids including a pata down sweater for $40 and probably the best score of a returned (but perfect) jetboil sol ti for $35.

I just picked up a sunglasses case for $1.83 and some LaSportivas for $40.83 last weekend. Those are pretty good purchases.

HJ
Adventures in Stoving
Hikin Jim’s Blog

My enthusiasm for these is waning over the years. In the past I've scored some good deals, but Sunday was a waste of time.

Saw a Quarterdome T2 for $100. The fine print read: no rain fly! Did make me wonder what happened to the fly, and how REI came into possession of the rest of it.

These were selling for $150 brand new earlier in the week.

Crowded, too. I arrived at 1:30 and got a ticket and was told to come back in 2 hours! Went and got my hair cut, walked back over, and got right in, but shouldn't have bothered.

Broken poles were $20. Could probably get new ones at Costco for that price.

I think they used to be better. But recently, we were shopping at a Garage Sale (I forget which location) and around 11 AM they decided to do additional 50% off on all shoes. I had a couple pairs that I was considering, and I definitely grabbed them. One of them was La Sportiva Trengo. Is it only here in California that they can't sell the sleeping gears or is it nationwide?

Stores around me have different methods of entrance. Tustin is straight up first come line up, others in Rancho and Arcadia (I forget which ones which) have color bracelet distribution + lottery, and other one distribute numbers so you don't have to be in line. I am not up for straight up methods anymore unless I need another tent or something…

I think when they did fewer garage sales per year they had better discounts to get rid of it all. they probably have too much stuff now to store it.

This one was a bust for me but i've gotten so many good things that it balances out. my Giro Air attack helmet from 250 down to 45 has been the best so far.. love that helmet.

The downtown Austin store was a madhouse at 10, and the bins were scattered all over the place. It was actually hard to even find where they were and which gear was where. I was hoping to score a mat of some kind but nothing but the huge things.

My only halfway decent find was a smartwool LS 150 weight crew top with a tear in the elbow for $12. Otherwise it was terribly disappointing.

My dad the tinker-er/retired engineer came away with an MSR simmerlight for $20 and two higher end black diamond headlamps for $1 each. Everything was fixed and working perfectly by the next morning.

I am the king of REI garage sales! Ye who bow before me! I am thou who camps out when no one else will, to assure that I am but first in line!

Ok, enough of that, but for reals, I do well at the garage sales. Its fun chatting with other outdoor enthusiasts, and the camp out is part of the fun too (bring beer). I only go for great/like new stuff. Once got a brand new Sea to Summit 2L dry bag ($12.95) for THREE CENTS! Picked up a Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 1 ($370) for $130, and it had been used for maaaaaybe one camping trip. Merrell Chameleon 3 ($110) for $5. Half off a pair of Darn Toughs that hadnt even left the store but were found on sales floor without tags. Asolo Fugitive GTX ($240) for $45 or $50. I could go all day..

Im picky, wont take stuff thats too abused or that I dont need, unless I think a friend could use it. Then its christmas shopping done early! Have also sold a couple items on ebay for profit (when you get Merrells for $5..), but I dont like doing that too much, makes me feel like Im doing something wrong!

"Maybe if I needed something instead of going with the idea of, "what can I find"?, it would of been a better experience."

In my experience thats actually counter productive. The nature of the G-sale is such that you never ever know whats gonna be out there. Going with a specific item can sometimes work (found my Osprey Atmos 50 in the right size and even the color I preferred, in like new shape, for 1/2 off)., but often times its best to be opportunistic. And sure, you might not need X now, but what about the following season? Now that Im grown and my feet are the size they will be for some time, I stock up on shoes whenever I can.