Category: | Camping Store |
Address: | 303 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012, USA |
Phone: | +1 212-680-1938 |
Site: | rei.com |
Rating: | 4.5 |
Working: | 10AM–9PM 10AM–9PM 10AM–9PM 10AM–9PM 10AM–9PM 10AM–9PM 11AM–8PM |
CA
Casey Penk
REIs based out of the Northwest and they do a much better job in that region. This locations the only one in the city, making it packed and raising expectations. Youd hope a SoHo location would function as a flagship and show the best of the brand. Its not terribly large; they span two floors, with a moderate footprint. Why not another floor up or down? The Seattle flagships got three floors, and a much longer footprint. This location actually wastes their bottom floor for stock. Yes, the entire thing is boxes of inventory, and apparently a lounge for employees. Selection is limited as a result. Theyve got only certain sizes of certain styles in certain colors. I was looking for a Marmot Minimalist shell, alongside a Marmot inner. The first guy I talked to in mens jackets was delightful. He explained the different components of a jacket (even though I already knew), as well as the models with their different properties. He noted the difference in water resistance between the proprietary coating on Marmot and TNF jackets, and the Gore-Tex coating. Upselling for sure, but at least he admitted that the proprietary coatings will be leaky in a rain storm. So he was great, and I continued to browse. I was interested in the Minimalist shell I mentioned, but they didnt have my size and I wasnt sold on the style of a rain jacket anyways. Ive been upping my fashion game and a Teflon coating dont help. I walked out of the store to look for a more fashionable jacket along Broadway, but came back when I felt increasingly desperate for rain protection. This time I asked a staff member (different guy this time) for my size. I was looking for a small to try on, since the medium had such long sleeves. He left me waiting for at least five minutes. It doesnt take that long to find stock in a wall-managed store. He meandered up the stairs and told me without infection that they didnt have it. This is NYC, and they need to speed it up. I needed to catch a train so I hopped out. Not planning to come back here for jackets. Ill use an umbrella and stay fashionable, like the rest of the city.
DA
David Mark Brown
Location and venue are great. The staff is above average. However, the big problem is REI does not insect their returns and puts product, particularly camping gear, right back on the floor. In the past 3 years, I have bought a camping stove, a water filter, and, just recently a camping chair there were USED. 1) The camping stove was obviously not new. I returned it. 2) The water filter was filthy and contaminated. Imagine pulling this out of your pack after you’re high up in the Catskills. 3) The camping chair was covered with dust, dirt, bent, broken, and scraped on all edges –looked like it had been at a drunken football tailgating party. Sadly, we live in a world where consumers buy products and use them for one event and then return them: formalwear to camping gear. Unfortunately, REI New York does not take to the time to inspect their returns and their inventory is littered with second-hand, damaged, and abused camping gear. There is nothing more disappointing, and even unsafe, than spending hours hiking to a campsite with ‘new’ kit, only to find out your ‘new’ REI purchase is damaged and often unusable. REI staff shrugs their shoulders and apologizes. Refund, yes. Accountability, no. Next steps, no. They marked my returned and refunded items as ‘damaged’. Thus, in a sense, me –the ripped off consumer’ –could appear the guilty party. Insult was added to injury. In conclusion, inspect any camping equipment bought from REI New York before you take it from the store. Otherwise, ‘you will find yourself up the creek, without a paddle’. Pardon the expression. Eastern Mountain Sports is more reliable at purchase time.
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Grace Fu
Staff extremely pushy for membership yet very unknowledgeable with their products. Most sales staff have no personal experience using their products, gives only very general answers or some of them even need to get online to read product details when a specific question is asked, It’s especially frustrating when they are so understaffed and understocked most of time. I had experienced several times products have defects/not working properly or the staff just recommended wrong items, yet they give me huge hassle while have to return something. Management are rude, totally no respect to customers’ needs and time, they even give hassle for return brand new unused/ unopened item. Their policy of 100% satisfaction guaranteed or returnable within a year is a total lie and bogus statement!!! Do not let the sales person convince you to be a member! They would only promise your satisfaction when trying to convince you becomes a member, and treat you like trash after you paid the membership fee.
EL
Elaine Oliveira
Eu amei essa loja!! O atendimento é ótimo, desde vendedor até o caixa. Muita opção para esporte radical e bons preços. Tem uma mini montanha (mini mesmo, tipo uma pedra grande) pra vc simular a subida e testar o tênis antes de comprar. Se vc possuir o cartão de membro, terá ótimos descontos. Comprei um tênis a prova dágua, o preço era US$138 mas com o cartão de membro o preço foi para US$108. Super recomendo.
JE
Jeff Martz
They dont do a good job keeping up with prices. Selling a light / camera for $50 more than available on manufacturers website. I asked them to lower the price and they refused. Wouldnt price match the MANUFACTURER price. She kept repeating "we are the middle man and sell it at the price they tell us to." Then repeated it twice. Very snarky and kind of rude. Then on top of that she volunteered before I even asked that they wont give me 20% off because its electronics. I took my business to Amazon. See attached photos. 1 from Amazon. 1 from Cycliq website and then their price in store and online. Update: I went to their online chat and they told me that their prices are "at or near MSRP and they dont price match because they want to keep the integrity of my membership" -- so my membership entitles me to pay $50 more than MSRP? What a joke!
JE
Jen Fraenkel
Very helpful staff and a great selection of quality outdoor and climbing supplies. Well see how well my shoes wear but picking them out and buying them was a pleasure. EDIT: Even better than expected. I ended up bringing my shoes back with the intention of exchanging them... Long story. I was helped by Xander who was incredibly knowledgable and helpful and I left with the shoes, Advice on wear and breaking in Etc. Amazing customer service and hopefully some pretty great shoes to boot. 2nd update: I went to REI again today to buy a tent and find out what the best dust proof options are. Kaitlin was amazingly helpful and kind (and patient with me, who isnt Inherently outdoorsy!) I got a fantastic little tent and set it up in about 3 minutes at home. So pleased! I cant wait to go back for the rest of my gear.
DI
Diana Figueroa
Always a good experience at REI. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. I have purchased many items such as a camp chair & ottoman, sleeping bag, backpack for my first experience with camping with my friends. They have great sales. I suggest you sign up for membership its worth it for the dividends to allow to purchase further products you may have your eye on. The reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5 is due to the fact they dont have plus sizes in the stores but online only. I am fortunate to find my size there but I believe that people of all shapes and sizes should have an opportunity to try on clothes. I think that would increase possible interest in camping or any outdoor sport.