REI — Local services in Athens-Clarke County Unified Government

One of our employees went in there to buy a pair of boots. Although there is a small bench seat for an employee to sit down on and help the customers try on shoes. No REI employees assist with the unboxing, removing the tissue paper, untying the strings. They will not help a customer put your feet in the shoes or tie them. Nope here's your box of 250.00 hiking boots.

Example a shoe store in Ashville. Come in pick 2-3. Have a seat. they bring you the shoes, unbox them, they sit down with you and you slip your feet in them. Then the employee tie's them for you. The customers are at the door waiting there turn by this particular shoe store. There business is booming.

Oh well... Customer service is slipping I guess nowadays at some stores.

550.00 at REI today. One might think Customer service would rate...

Shopped here about 5 times since opening, quality items but I don’t like being “bugged” about being an award member. You get approached as soon as you walk in, they ask you what looking for which is fine then you know they’re going to lay the schpill on you. I go to the shoes and get it again.. no thank you. Check out at the register and here we go again. I was buying shoes for a family members birthday, other than that I won’t go back because I hate getting asked over & over about saving $50 on my purchase that will cost me $30 for a membership. I don’t shop enough to reap the benefits. REI you need to do better and not be so pushy about this reward thing. I’m sure the salesperson gets a kickback from it. Almost like walking...

I see a lot of reviews about them being “pushy” and what not about the membership. That comes from a bunch of people who’ve never worked a goal-oriented retail job before. In my experiences at REI Athens, I have only been met with great deals and even better employees who actually know what they’re selling. If you are an actual outdoors person, there no better place on the planet. The level of knowledge difference, compared to other competitors, is off the charts and REI has employees who have literally trekked the entirety of the Appalachian Trail. I love my REI store, thank you guys for your help in gearing me up! PS. The membership is $30 for LIFE, so those complaining should probably stick to hotels and RV’s when...