REI

Reviews 6

KE

Kevin Johansen

Quick summary: REI has gone down hill as they seem to be hiring minimum wage staff to replace the old extremely knowledgable staff they used to have. This new staff in turn are acting like they are being paid minimum wage. Go to other stores if you want staff that are passionate and care about their products and therefore are willing to pay the in store premium. Otherwise stick with the internet. I used to love REI. It used to be my favorite place to go. The Berkeley store has traditionally had knowledgable staff that were passionate about their department. Long story short. I was in the bike department. The staff member working the area was talking about getting laid and shitfaced with his coworker at some party a night or two before while they were both (she was helping the winter area) ignoring customers in their section. The two cut off conversation and went to helping customers. At this point its more like okay, I get it, slow day at work, both friends and conversation got a little out of hand and I happen to overhear it. I was exchanging shoes. They were a gift and the wrong size. The REI employee goes to the back and gets a new pair for me and then leaves. Luckily they ended up fitting me, but I seriously couldnt find him when I had a question after I tried on the shoes. I then decided to go check out skis and overheard another employee giving out advice on boots that while wasnt patently false, certainly was not correct nor beneficial to the customer. I was an outdoor professional for 4+ years and been in the mountains for 3 years. At this point I was pissed. The bike guy was entirely unhelpful/absent and it was clear this salesperson had never spent a season on the mountain, or had even gone up to ski in the past 5 years. What happened to all the awesome employees that were passionate about the gear they were selling. Anyways I go to outdoor stores (vs online) when I want to talk to somebody who knows more about the product than I do. Otherwise why would I pay the marked up prices? My experience at this REI, and from things I have heard since, leads me to believe that REI is going the classic corporate route of cheaper, more inexperienced staff. There are plenty of other shops in the Bay Area with staff that are knowledgable in their fields and if all else fails at least the internet provides massive discounts. I will not be back with our without REIs golden return policy.

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ER

Erin Scholl

Employees Ive dealt with here dont seem to know anything about camping, and they certainly have zero retail experience. The salesperson I spoke with on the phone (from the camping mat section of the store) had never heard of the brand Therm-a-Rest before. Later that same day, customer service had the Therm-a-Rest on hold for me, but it took 5 employees to find it... apparently because it was labelled clearly with my name and sitting at the front of their hold shelf (!!??!!??) First, however, they refused to check the holds and explained condescendingly that "customers dont really know our system" and Id have to go look around the sales floor myself to see if they had any left, "since I didnt pay for it online." Of course, the lady on the phone earlier told me I got the last one in the store for my hold, so I tried to explain that there was nothing on the floor to find. (I also dont understand how I could have paid for something online via a phone call?) I have been in here several times, and always a similar, confusing experience. Oh, and for a co-op, the prices sure are equal to the HIGHEST prices anywhere else. I feel like a total idiot for buying a Therm-a-Rest from REI. Only a fool would shop here more than once.

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A

A Private User

So, I was travelling there from across the country, got all excited about trying on stuff during a busy Saturday sale and left my jacket and my somewhat expensive digital camera with photos I hadnt saved on my computer yet in the dressing room. Let me tell you, you do that in Florida and you better kiss that sucker goodbye. All was there the next day when I called and picked it up. They had even wrapped my camera in a bag to protect it. Suddenly I no longer felt buyers remorse over the $600+ I spent the previous day on stuff for a trip to Sequoia after we left the Bay area. We even grabbed a few more things we forgot. Staff was helpful both days, except one guy in the shoe department who might have been having a bad day. You can find deals and the selection is amazing. They have the cheap stuff to the really expensive stuff. Either way youll feel like youll be able to get what you need from people who know what theyre talking about without having to check 15 different places. I love REI!

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MI

mitchymoose

Ive been shopping with REI for a long time and Ive never had a bad experience until I went to this store, it was over $8!!! My girlfriend and I have spent hundreds, if not thousands of dollars with this company. I brought a Black Diamond RockLock Carabiner to the register that was listed for $10.95; it was locked behind a glass case. It rang up for $18.95. I showed the friendly cashier that it was in fact $10.95, it turned out they had stocked an entire selection of the carabiners in the wrong place. They then asked me if I wanted a different carabiner, and I replied, "Honestly no, I was under the impression that it was $10.95, can you honor that for me?" They told me "no." I then spoke with the manager Jamie to explain the situation, and to see if he can honor me the price as a loyal customer. He replied "no" and that he had no authority to help me. I was quite offended by the situation and Jamies negligence to make things right. My girlfriend and I will now shop elsewhere.

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VI

Virginia Wang

I dont shop anywhere else for outdoor gear. Why? I never know how outdoor gear is gonna stand up till I use it, and REIs amazing return policy means I can try it and (like that tent I was woken up in because raindrops hit me *through* the tent) return it even after I use it, no questions asked as long as its within 1-year of buying it. Also, their staff are SO knowledgeable and SO helpful on everything, from water sport equipment, to hiking shoes and socks, to camping gear. Theyre paid by the hour, not on commission. Also, they have used gear sales 1x/month where you can sometimes get amazing deals, and they have multiple free events every month (film screenings, talks on local hikes, etc). Yes, they can be more expensive than other stores, but I want them to stay around forever so I am gonna keep shopping here! Plus, if you become a member ($20 for a lifetime membership) you get a rebate every year on full-price purchases.

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KA

Kaccie Li

I came in needing some screws for my snow board bindings because they were quite old and worn out. It took 2 or 3 minutes for guy to come help me, and he was shaking his head the whole time I was explaining my problem. When I was done, he apologized and said he cant help me. I was like "are you serious? you guys have a repair shop right there". Another employee stopped by and told us they had the correct screws available and went and got them. So back to employee number 1 (the other one went to help someone else - I asked him if I could get a second set, and he tells me again in a snobby voice that he cant sell me any more because they need them for the shop. Give me a break! I just bought the one set of screw and got out. Never coming back again unless I have to!

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