REI

REI, 1405 NW Johnson St, Portland, OR 97209, USA,

Category:	Camping Store
Address:	1405 NW Johnson St, Portland, OR 97209, USA
Phone:	+1 503-221-1938
Site:	rei.com
Rating:	4.2
Working:	10AM–9PM 10AM–9PM 10AM–9PM 10AM–9PM 10AM–9PM 10AM–9PM 10AM–7PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 7

Christopher Boehm

The change in used gear prices is a severe let down in the name of simply making more money. I see items severly damaged that are priced way too high. This is a past time legendary event here in Portland Oregon, it rewards loyal members and people wait in the cold for hours to get in. Before the no camping crackdown people waited days. This time, it was a HUGE let down. Why doesnt REI charge an annual fee for membership?? 10,20,30 bucks a year I would gladly pay. REI has lost money because they are sometimes TOO forgiving with returns, in the ridiculous cases where someone brings in 5 year old shoes and wants a refund, you take it back!!! Ridiculous!! You have to make limits ro returns and use common sense!! Bring back the old gear sale prices and policies, and start charging members a basic annual fee. This is not too much to ask and is very reasonable and REI can get back some of that loss. REIs lack of common sense in allowing grossly used and worn products be taken back has caused them to make a knee jerk new policy on the gear sale. If you didnt take back the 5 year old worn and used pair of boots from the smelly hippy douchebag that brings them back only to get credit and buy a new pair, loyal members wouldnt suffer.

Randall Flores

Hard to say anything new about REI. They carry what you need AND what you want, but sometimes what you thought you wanted wasnt what you needed. I purchased a camp stove almost two years ago and for the first year, it just sat in a box until my old one FINALLY gave out. A few months ago, I pulled out the new (almost 2 year old) stove for recent camping trips, and it was actually defective. I went back to REI and by simply looking up my membership number (phone number), they were able to see when I bought it (10/2015) and howuch I paid ($109) and even though they didnt have a direct replacement (item now discontinued), I was able to get a DIRECT VALUE replacement!!! So, I walked over to the dept and pulled a brand new stove off the shelf. Mind you, it wasnt a "no questions asked" encounter as my stove WAS purchased well outside their "365 day return window." But, by looking at my PURCHASE history vs my RETURN history, I was able to demonstrate that I wasnt one of those "buy it, use it, return it" people. So, they quite literally, did what they needed to do to make me a happy camper! Cant say enough good things about a national business that still treats custoners the way a small business would/should! Thanks, REI!

michael walsh

I had an issue with the bike shop today. REI is a great store and company, but the bike shop puts a black eye on all they stand for. Its like the department has gone rogue. Actually theres one guy in particular that made my day. I respect the guy, but he doesnt put much consideration into his relationships with customers. He seems to be calling the shots over there, but his communication skills are poor. Today he called off a part order, called me and told me I have to bring my bike in to have him look at it before hell ok the order. I was already in that day, but I took my bike down there again to have him look at it. When I get there he says he wont be able to look at it until tomorrow night. I need my bike for work. Two trips to the bike department, and I got nowhere. He couldve told me to save a trip over the phone. Also, the department wants to charge for stuff that Bike Gallery will do for free, and I bought this bike at REI. Bike Gallery will throw the bike on a rack and get to it. REI will tell you it will be ready in 3 days, and last time I left my bike there for 3 days nobody even looked at it when I arrived to pick it up.

A Private User

I was on the fence about paying more than I should for a high-quality Osprey pack from Portlands Pearl District REI. I found one that I really loved (a Kenstrel 48 with integrated rain cover and bottom access) and wanted a few specifics from a helpful salesperson before committing to make a huge dent in my REI gift card. Instead, the half-mullet sporting pretentious salesman forcibly yanked the backpack from my hands and threw it to the ground in frustration, venting about the fact that so many people buy Osprey when theyre not even the best bag maker on the market. At this point I felt alienated and embarrassed. Then he led me to the clearance rack where, he assured me, a much better bag was already on sale. He proceeded to point me toward a blank spot on the wall where the bag had been but was now sold out. I asked if they had any more in the back, and he mumbled something and walked away. I didnt see him again. For the most part, Portland doesnt deserve its reputation as a snobby west coast city. But the Pearl District Portland REI has enough snobbery for all of Multnomah County.

Erin

My boyfriend and I called all the REIs in our area searching for any last 50% off Hydroflask; as part of their recent holiday sale. This specific store was our last hope in finding one and when they told us they had the exact one we wanted, we were sooo happy. We were transferred to an employee named Monica who, I believe, assumed we were driving there from about an hour away specifically to buy this water bottle. She laughed over the phone, seeming to make fun of the fact that anyone would drive out of their way for this sale. She complained about how much of a hassle it would be to charge us over the phone and keep it somewhere safe until we could get it, so her solution was to keep it on hold for us so we could "decide whether or not it was worth it to save $20". Needless to say, she completely lost the sale for this store and whether or not it was $20 they were making or $20,000, no one working in customer service should be allowed to have this kind of attitude. This was my first experience with this location and Im very disappointed in my brief interaction.

A Private User

Hey - Ive been to REI over half a dozen times and still not sure why they have such a following.. Im not a merchandising expert, but I always find their selection to be somewhat lacking - other large sports outfitters seem to have a much better range of options and the small specialty retailers (places that sell only shoes, for example) have a superior selection. Prices are REI can be stratospheric (and I dont mind paying more) but Im just not sure what I am getting in return. Also, it is almost impossible to find someone to help you... once, I looked around the store for more than 20 minutes to help me make a recommendation. Another, I was passed around two different employees who were not familiar with the merchandise in the store, claiming they will get someone who knows that area better... When I can find someone to answer questions, they usually are very good.

A Private User

Its hard for me not to get excited walking through the doors. Especially now that GI Joes is gone, REI is one of the few stores where I can walk down an isle and start dreaming of what I could do with the items on the shelf. However, service can really be hit or miss, so much so that if it can really affect the shopping experience. There have been times, like last week, when I have been abruptly told "Youll just have to wait until Im off break to help you" that make me lose all my excitement. Yet other times, Ive had a smiling staffer walk me straight over to what I needed and give me their opinion on the best choice. My suggestion is a little more managerial supervision to weed out the sourpusses!