REI — Local services in Raleigh

The Raleigh store is a good one but mostly because it’s often filled by loyal, hard working employees. However I’ve been a member for over 4O years and sadly, I no longer think REI is a good company. My issue with them is simple greed. Often they mark up their prices at least 10% more than what you can buy the same item for somewhere else. Then they tell new members they will get a dividend in the Spring. But it’s really not a dividend because REI has already recouped whatever dividends they give out (by their overpricing in the first place). If you don’t believe me, do a little price matching. Then for very long time, REI stood out among all their peers — to large extent by their no questions asked easy and generous return policy. That return policy has changed dramatically in the last few years. It is no longer a great policy. Of more concern though is their more recent efforts to sell and profit from used gear that no longer works. Much of this gear is junk sold by REI to a third party but amazingly, is still sold on the REI website! Not only that, but I recently bought an air mattress that was marked “used excellent condition” but only lasted a couple of days. Unfortunately, since I was traveling I was not able to return the item on the 33rd day. This is because they are selling junk, misleading people by assessing it as in “excellent condition” (and only offer a 3O day limited return). You also can’t take your item over to your local store for return, even if you are inside this 30 day warranty. Be warned. Things change. REI is a shadow of the company they used to be. I’m cancelling a membership that I’ve had for over 40 years. Ok check that ... I spoke too soon. REI did come through and issue me a kind of refund (the day after the original review) . Maybe after they saw this review? Not sure, but I still appreciate it. Changing my rating from 1 star to 3, as I'm still not happy about the hassle or...

I went into REI to purchase two pairs of serious hiking boots and one pair of casual walking shoes. I am a member and have had great experiences with REI staff helping me make the right purchase in the past. When I arrived to the shoe department it was fairly busy so I didn't expect service right away.

When someone helped me out they didn't seem to care about what I was looking for. She went back to look for my boots and came back to say she didn't have my size. I overheard another staff member telling a guest they didn't have their size, but the store in Cary had their size. No one offered me this information about the boots I wanted to try.

I found a few other pairs I wanted to try and another sales associate got the boots for me. I told him I was going off trail for up to 20 miles a days with a pack, but I got no feedback in regards to the boots I was trying with that information so I figure my choices were good.

I wound up with the Ahnu Monteras. After getting home and researching the boot it turns out they are only sufficient enough for light day hiking with a light pack. Although they're comfortable and have ok ankle support they fail for what I need. After specifically stating what I needed I cannot believe they allowed me to walk out with these boots.

Having done little research on hiking boots prior to my 1.5 hour drive to Raleigh to go to REI for expert advice I was very disappointed in the help I received. I'm going to have to drive back - a 3+ hour trip - just to return this bad purchase that could have been avoided with the right advice.

I came loaded with money to spend and serious about buying quite a bit of gear. I'm disappointed in my experience and hope this staff can educate themselves on their boots and treat everyone like they are serious about the boots they are trying to buy.

I will not shop at...

Let me say this, REI is an amazing store with some of the best products for all of your outdoor needs. However, this particular made me feel judged and the employees were not helpful. First, let me say that my wife and I are overweight, but guess what, we aren’t as overweight as we used to be because we exercise a lot and are really active. I suggested my wife check out a book on hiking the mountains of NC. We grabbed a seat on the bench and she flipped through to see some of the hikes they recommend. Well, an employee comes over and says “Taking a break?!” Like we were so winded by his tiny store that we just couldn’t make it without sitting down. I let him know we were previewing a book and he said “you aren’t co-op members are you?” Like we jut stumbled in. Well, as a matter of fact we are and he could tell he was annoying me at this point so he left.

Then we go upstairs to look at some boots. I picked up 3-4 pair and checked out their features. I really wanted to see if they had a particular pair in a 15 I didn’t see anyone that worked there. I went to grab my wife to see what she thought of the boots and by then there were 3 employees bantering about their favorite cities in Colombia and weren’t the least bit interested in helping so I left.

Greensboro is the store we normally go to and everyone is super nice and super helpful. I highly recommend going to that store...