Best outdoor store with knowledgeable staff and top quality merchandise
Fast-forward two weeks later, I was in the neighborhood of REI and went in side with the 100% intentions of buying a sleeping pad for my upcoming camping trip. When approached by a sales representative I asked for assistance in buying a large camping pad because I am a very large man and I am willing to carry an extra 2 pounds in my pack for a better nights sleep. The Salesman asked that I try out one of the more expensive if not the most expensive $220 REI co-op brand sleeping pad, with insulation. While it was a very nice product, I explained to him several times I didn't want a sleeping pad with insulation ( this is Texes it gets hot!), and I wasn't looking to spend $220 on a sleeping pad but was willing to spend upwards of $150. I asked him what the next step down was, he only wanted to focus on REI co-op brands and when we discovered that none of the REI co-op brands were of the extra large size, which is what I needed to fit my 6'3" tall, 300 pound frame, he continued to try to sell me the $220 sleeping pad. I told him several times it was a very nice product but it's not what I was looking for. He then tried to sell me the co-op membership, explaining to me that it was the last day to sign up and I was very lucky to have come in that day just so I could sign up. I had to explain to him I wasn't interested in the REI co-op membership and I sure as hell wasn't interested in this $220 pad that seemed to be his only suggestion for my needs. I put my foot down and told him which pad I wanted to buy, but unfortunately REI no longer carried that particular size in stock. Thus ending my second trip to REI.
The boots I wanted to buy at the first of the month, I've decided to buy online for $30 cheaper and free shipping. With more color options available as well.
We came to replace old boots. Found the exact same ones. Gawked at all the outdoor "necessities". Fun stuff.
This is a small REI store, with most of same great stuff.
Nice store. Really nice sales girl helped us find what we were looking for.
My first experience was trying on boots, the Employee that was helping me did not want to offer any other boot other than the $230 boots she wears her self. I'm sure she's very knowledgeable on boots as it's her department, I'm sure she's an expert backpacker and hiker, and I kept my personal opinions about my experience wearing boots as a US Marine in Iraq and Afghanistan to myself, to ensure I made the most of my time with this subject matter expert, and hoping I might learn something new, that 4 years in a desert and Rocky environment hasn't taught me already. Unfortunately the only thing my REI representative wanted to do was sell me a co-op membership with REI, telling me that day was the very last day I was going to be able to sign up. After explaining to her I was only there to try on boots, as I do not get paid until the first of the month, she seemed very unhappy and even visually upset that I wasted her time. She gave me her employee information should I come back and buy the boots and she not be there to take the commission off of that purchase. She then immediately walked away to help another customer, chasing that commission I'm sure. After going home, I found the same pair of boots for $30 less, and I don't have to pay for a co-op membership to buy them at a discount.
For 15 years I've been shopping at REI, mostly in Denver Colorado, however over the years they have offered cheaper quality items made in China and all they care about is selling that REI co-op membership. Save your money, shop online, or shop somewhere the employees are not motivated solely by commission.
I ended up going to Gander Mountain and buying a sleeping pad for $100, and getting $15 off of that purchase because they had a 15% discount that entire week on everything in the store.
Recently I've visited REI twice in the past month and regretted both visits. I live over 20 miles away from the closest REI so driving 30 minutes just to try on some boots or to look at some camping pads it's not something I was looking forward to, but I wanted the advice from the expert's that work in the various departments at REI prior to making a purchase. However both encounters with two different employees left me wondering if they're experts at all or just used car salesman.
Rei is a US Bicycle Store based in Houston, Texas. Rei is located at 17717 Tomball Pkwy, Houston, TX 77064, USA.
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