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Posted by Tom D on April 8, 2008 at 1:52:22 am EDT
In reply to Customer Service posted by hahayourdead941 on April 6, 2008 at 10:01:42 pm EDT

People hate REI for the same reason they hate TNF-it's not some little mountain shop any more. My favorite REI story (which I have told before, so apologies to anyone who has heard it already, but it is worth repeating):
The short version-
Clerk: Hi,What's your member number?
Me: (As I place an avy shovel on the counter)Usually everyone asks,"are you a member?" What gave me away, my REI rain jacket?
Clerk: No, you're buying a member item, non-members just buy clothes.
Me: Hmm, very observant.

This illustrates Bill's point exactly. The people who buy the clothes and outdoor chotchkes to wear around campus make it so the rest of us can buy decent gear at a reasonable price. If someone wants to drive around Brentwood in a Land Rover Defender with "roo bars" on the front end, or walk around BH (Beverly Hills) dressed like Ed Viesturs,so what? And yes, I seen both, maybe not the full ready for Everest look, but close enough.

btw, what do the rangers at the top of the Palm Springs tram call the high heels women walk around in up there in winter? One point crampons.

Oh, as far as good customer service, the aforementioned REI, MSR, MacPac, A16 in West LA, MEC (via email), Patagonia and my new favorite, Voile. I love those guys at Voile. They will take all the time you need to answer even the dumbest question and believe me, I have asked them a few.

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