REI — Attraction in Alaska

This is a great store for just about every outdoor activity you can think of. I've bought tons of things here from hiking shoes, jackets, backpacks, sleeping pads, socks, shirts, water bottles, camping chairs; you name it. The staff is extremely helpful and they're actually knowledgeable about the products that they sell which is hard to find at most stores. If I have a question about a particular item, they're able to answer it thoroughly. At most other stores, the employees are clueless about the items that they sell. The return policy is also great and I've had no issues returning items. I think it's also pretty cool that you can return items in store that you purchased online.

The only thing that I wish they would change, is as others have stated; the whole check-out line ordeal. I've probably been to this store about 20 times this summer alone for backpacking gear and I know the whole drill with how they have the line start a ways away from the register, near the water bottles. But today when I went to checkout, I was standing in the normal spot by the water bottles waiting to be called next, when someone walked right in front of me to stand directly behind someone who was already at a register checking out. This kind of took me by surprise because I was thinking, "did she just cut me in line? or did they change where the line starts?". I've never really read the sign about where the line starts because I've always seen everyone else standing and waiting by the water bottles and that's where I've always waited too. But when I read the sign today, and after that lady unknowingly cut in front of me; I noticed the sign had the arrow pointing towards the registers but it said the "line starts here". So I naturally walked to stand behind the lady who had gone in front of me. None of the employees behind the counter said anything to her, or us. But someone else came up and started to wait directly behind us as well, and then a random customer who was waiting at the normal sign scoffed at her quite rudely about where the line actually started (by the water bottles).

They should really make it more clear about where the line starts to checkout, especially if even a regular customer can get confused about it too. Small gripe, and maybe somewhat silly. But other than that this is a...

I am giving the Anchorage store 3 out of 5 because my shopping experience was half good. The shoe department staff were very helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly. It took me some time to settle on which shoes I would buy, but they were patient and willing to let me try on as many pairs as I needed and helped make sure the fit was correct. The customer service areas and staff leave much to be desired! The "check-out line starts here" is far away from the registers. For customers who do not shop there often or never have, they wouldn't know that. Rest assured that when "I can help the next person in line" is heard and the inexperienced shopper steps up, the customer service person will embarrass them by pointing to the person coming from a mile away. I also made the mistake of getting in line at customer service in the back of the store thinking that since registers were there and no signs indicated otherwise, this was a place I could complete my purchase. I was able to, but I was rudely informed that "just for future reference" I need to take my purchases to the front of the store. If this is the way of it, then invest a few dollars in signs that address what that area is for and what it is not! I didn't bother to to inform the rude, little wet behind the ears young man that he is out of line, I'm a customer, and that discretion is the better part of valor (ie: sometimes customer service means keeping your mouth shut when you have nothing valuable, and rude to contribute). I debated on returning the shoes the next day so the store can just lose the sale, but my husband convinced me not to do that, but don't shop there again, and I won't. I will also share this experience...

As a long time member and customer of REI I am extremely disappointed by the pushy salesmanship and finger waving attitude that is becoming commonplace at these stores nationwide. Yesterday I drove from Talkeetna to Anchorage to purchase specific studded tires for my bike. I knew exactly what I wanted. Upon reaching the bike department the salesman scoffed at my old tire that were admittedly on their last leg, but hey I live in a remote area and hadn't ridden my bike since October. After waiting for the tires to be mounted I asked the bike mechanic what condition the tubes were in. He tersely and and sarcastically said "They're holding air, aren't they?" Taken aback by this rude behavior I gathered my purchase and made for the exit. As I was exiting, the greeter (a lady in her late 50s or early 60s) said unprovoked "They're still too skinny." Realizing she was talking about my tires, I felt as though I had to defend my purchase. I thought, wait a minute I just spent $120 at this store and Im being antagonized for it, or otherwise goaded into considering a fat tire bike that I DO NOT WANT. Every time I enter these stores I have a similar experience with the sales staff, and yesterday was the last time I will endure it. I will not make the 5 hour round trip drive to be lectured to by a pimple faced retail associate. I will not be shopping at REI stores anymore and will instead buy from smaller locally owned stores like AMH, and sacrifice my dividend and pay more so I won't be spoken to like an idiot. I encourage other outdoor professionals to...