REI

Very disappointing that REI’s customer service is not what it use to be! I use to spend thousands of dollars each year with them but overtime I have started to purchase from Backcountry. I ordered a shirt online and when it arrived I did not like it so I stopped into the REI in Boulder for what I thought would be a quick return. Well, first off there was 2 people at the customer service desk. One person was tied up helping someone, the other customer service person after looking at the line which began to grow, decided it was more important to answer the phone. After what seemed like 5 min. or so she decided to finally help. I understand answering the phone is important but at the expense of others standing in line??? After all we took the time to stop in, rather then dial a phone. It saddens me to think that after being a member for over 30 years, their customer service is going downhill!!!

I’ve been an REI member since, I think, 1990. My older sister, who lives in Seattle, got me to join up when I was out visiting her back then, and I’m very happy I did. I used to shop at Eastern Mountain Sports when they were in Boulder, and a few other sports stores too, before REI came here.
When we need outdoor gear — backpacks, daypacks, hiking boots, sleeping bags, tents, etc., we head to REI. They have gear to fit children and adults, and the experts who know just what we need. We’ve also bought clothing and shoes, socks, and other supplies too. Car racks, rooftop storage boxes for several cars, bikes, yoga mats, rain boots, etc. Pricing is a bit high for somethings, but I generally wait to buy when they are having a sale.
As for the Boulder REI store, well, I agree with some others that say the selection isn’t as great as it is in larger cities, especially when you consider the number of outdoor enthusiasts that live in, and come to, Boulder to partake of all the incredible outdoor activities close by. On a rare instance, I’ve had to drive down to the Denver store to get something that wasn’t available in Boulder. Yes, I’ve also ordered online, and as a member, the discounts are nothing to sneeze at. Getting store credit back each year helps too, as we shop here at least 2 – 3 times a year, and I often give gift certificates to REI as gifts. I’ve also ordered from a few other sports shops online, but I prefer REI for their selection, expertise, and return policies. I get great service from wonderful people here!
They could easily double or triple the size of the Boulder store, they might have to move to do it, but I’m sure it would be well worth it.
Some other things I like about REI are
1. The variety of classes they offer,
2. The community involvement they foster with their employees,
3. They take back anything they sell,
4. They have a box for old, used equipment which gets donated to those less fortunate,
5. They go out of their way to help,
6. Their REI branded gear is often more affordable and is good quality too.

Poor shoe selection if you’re looking for barefoot options. Why only carry one specific version of the five fingers? It’s having them just to check a box on what they offer. Same with Merrill Trailgloves, etc. I’m done being disappointed by this store.

There isn’t anything *wrong* with my experience at REI, per se, but my journeys here have lacked the above-​and-​beyond requirement to earn more than the average 3 stars.
On my last visit, I was looking for a pair of shoes. I found the shoe section of the store fairly easily, and began browsing through their selection. I’m a novice when it comes to running/​hiking shoes and wanted to ask some questions before making my decision (it’s the reason I came to the store instead of simply looking online.)
The store was busy, and the staff never acknowledged my presence. Usually when I go to an REI, 3 or 4 people offer to help before I even need it. On this visit I had to track down an employee on my own. The women passively acknowledged me and began helping another customer. When she noticed a second employee walk over, she told them to help me instead.
The women who helped me did an okay job. I told her what I planned to use the shoe for and the brand I had been looking at. She made a few recommendations and quickly brought out my choices for me to try on. Although she ultimately provided the help I needed, she seemed a bit frazzled and I felt as if I was taking her away from something more important. I didn’t feel very comfortable with the experience (and it seemed as if she didn’t, either).
I left the store without purchasing the shoes. At least they helped me in finding the right pair. :)
((As a side note, I know this isn’t REI’s fault, but the parking here is AWFUL. The spaces are tiny and you can barely fit even the smallest sedan in. If you have passengers, it may be best to let them out before you park or else they may be trapped in the car.))

REI is an awesome sports store for all your snow gear, camping and outdoor adventure needs. The staff is knowledgable and helpful, and they let you return any item you don’t love within a year. I feel much more comfortable buying things knowing I can return it. I highly recommend REI, they only sell awesome stuff and they have just about everything you need. Buy a membership and buy stuff when it is on sale.
Cons– there are a few downsides:
1. Selection– They can run out of the best items and they don’t carry the super high end gear. I couldn’t find a ski jacket I liked so I ended up going directly to North Face for their top of the line jacket.
2. Staff can be busy– If you need help selecting stuff, you may have to look around and wait to find a staff member to assist you, they do get busy. Their staff is awesome and knowledgeable though so worth the wait. Go on the off times if you need help and don’t want to wait.
3. Sometimes online stores offer much better prices. For example, I went to buy a rain jacket and it was $ 99 the same one on backcountry was $ 60. I have no problem spending more at REI (you get a % back and can return things and they are awesome), but I wasn’t going to return this jacket so to save $ 40 I ordered it online.

REI does a great job. They don’t have all of the super high-​end gear; but carry a selection that will meet the needs of 90% of the population. Their staff is well educated about product and very helpful. Their stores are usually well stocked, and laid out in a fashion that makes it easy to find what you need. If you plan on buying supplies for a weekend camping trip, don’t wait until Friday, as the place will be packed, and many common items will be picked over.

I bought a tent from their Denver store. I returned a tent to this store. It had ripped on a trip we made this last summer. I don’t know why I expect a hassle when I return things, but I was pleasantly greeted and the return took just a few minutes.
Their satisfaction policy is top-​notch. I don’t see why you would buy anywhere else.

The sales associate called two different customer services to double check that a product had a feature I wanted. Talk about going above and beyond. The staff were very friendly.

This was the first REI I have ever been to. I must have spent over an hour looking at all the cool stuff that they have. Some of the things seemed over priced, but over all I had a great experience in the store. The staff was really knowledgeable and friendly. I was visiting Boulder and came a little unprepared for the weather. I ended up getting some smart wool pants and shirts, which is what the staff suggested. Man I’m glad I did! They kept me so warm. Thank you REI!

Super staff who know about the products and, if they don’t, aren’t afraid to ask a colleague who does.
Great dividend program and awesome sales. Very nice to have such a good store in the area.

I saw online that they had the kayak cart I wanted in stock, so I went to the store to buy it.
The clerk said they show they have one but after 15 minutes with a couple of people searching it couldn’t be found. So I went home and ordered it online from REI to ship to store for pickup. I ordered it on May 26^th and it was to arrive at the store on June 5^th, today is June 8^th and no kayak cart. I called the 800 customer service number and was
told that because they had sales at the time I ordered and delays were expected.
Really 14 days + to get something I ordered online is very slow.
REI failed in the store with merchandise they couldn’t locate and fail again by delaying my
order with no communication telling me of the delay. I still don’t have my merchandise and
only know that I should have it in the near future.

Shopping at REI is always fun and a pleasure. The staff is always so helpful and knowledgeable. No matter how much gear I have I always can find one more thing to buy there. No need to look elsewhere they always have what I need.

Love this store! Sales people are helpful, knowledgeable… the store is easy to maneuver, open, clean, great product line. Also, they have outdoor classes you can take in their community room for free. Took an «animal tracking» class last year and an «edible plant» class … great!

Not a huge store, but super helpful and usually have everything I am looking for when it comes to outdoor gear and apparel. Friendly staff and excellent floor plan. We signed up to be shareholders and find that the yearly dividends aren’t anything worth getting excited about, but a nice option for regular shoppers nonetheless.

Large REI location and I find that the people that work there are very well informed. It is Boulder after all, they are bound to be well stocked with what you need and they staff is able to answer your questions.
I bought some great hiking shoes here and they are perfect to this day. The man who helped us really steered us in the right direction, these were his top recommendation and he was right. They have great stuff during the garage sales if you’re a member. It is well organized and lots of staff are around to help. I picked up a travel pack that is great quality, and in pretty much perfect condition for a much lower price. It is going to be my home for my next overseas trip.
I like shopping at REI because they always have what you need and someone is always around to help. Being a member is great because you can access the garage sales and earn dividend points. All outdoor gear is so expensive you may as well get some perks when you buy.

Recently we needed camping chairs. Its a bit early in the season to get them from Target, etc. And we were in a rush cause our picnic was starting in moments. I knew I could go to REI and find a good chair, and that it would be slightly more expensive then what I could get at the right moment, in season, for a day, at Target. I found two camping chairs for $ 25 each. They were of quality build and both had a cup holder. My daughter was very happy that one of the chairs was just her size. I was happy to find out later, at the picnic, that even though it is a kid’s chair, it fits me too… let’s just hope I don’t squash it now!

Yes, I’m a member and I shop here all the time. Great stuff, great staff, good hours. They open earlier than most stores in Boulder, especially Sundays when lots of people have time to shop but not much in Boulder is open early. It’s clear that the manager expects quality staff behavior because though I have never been in an REI I did not like, this one seems to have the most informed and helpful staff. And there is just so much to choose from here. One of the biggest REI’s I have been in, though I know there are bigger and maybe I will get to one.

I can’t speak to the bike repair services. although I would never show up to any bike shop and expect 1) immediate help 2) free tools and instructions and supplies. I also have the wherewithal to CALL the store before going to look for something in particular. Even if they do carry it, they could be out of stock. So «Alden C» and «I know B,» the bad reviews for this place are WAY off base. You guys need to call ahead. Kings you are not.
REI carries a TON of brands. You can get lost in selection madness here. I don’t think they focus well on any one thing, but for a broad focus of outdoors activities they do a great job. Service is never far away if you have a good attitude or look confused. :)
One place of superior focus is performance foods/​dehydrated foods. They don’t carry everything, they have A LOT!
I will also say that REI has better selection and buys on TNF brands than TNF stores.

So apparently Spyder clothing is made by a company other than Spyderco which makes knifes. Omg could that not be anymore confusing?
REI still is in fail mode after claiming that they had all kinds of Spyder products like ski jackets and when I went here to hold them up to that. They had NO such products. Only for kids. If a company says they have something they sure as hell better have what they say. A pet peeve that went unsatisfied.

What the hottest nightclub on Saturday night is in LA, or the trendy dive bar is in Berkeley, REI is where to be «seen» on the weekends. Honestly, do THAT many people need to look at canoes? No, I don’t think so. But, it seems that if you are going to get your outdoorsy street cred you will have to show up to REI at some point during the weekend with your SUV, crossover or Subaru toting a thule car rack. So the store as a result is busy, full of people checking out each others’, ahem, «canoes», on the weekends.
The store itself is huge, has a helpful friendly staff, and has everything you need to go camping, biking, hiking, canoeing, or just look like you do. I personally have found things you might not expect at your typical «outdoor» store like iPad cases, and the perfect sports bra, so I can see why they are busy. REI is essentially selling a lifestyle, and all the accessories one needs, a lifestyle, as you can tell from the lack of parking in the lot, that boulderites have embraced.