REI

So I. went here the other night and purchased a new bike, a black diamandback hook line and sinker, it was last years bike so the gave me about 30% off. IM HAPPY! also it was 15 min till the store closes but they didn’t rush me out, they where cool. But I only gave them 4 stars because my chain popped off on the ride home :(after I go back for my free tune up if everything goes well ill bump this up to 5 stars.

I shopped for boots for more than 2 hours here, after spending 2 hours in the Columbia location the day before. By comparison, the two guys working in the boot section were not NEARLY as knowledgeable as the two women in the Columbia location. They seemed to have no idea of what boot could offer what benefits over another style or brand. They offered no advice and did not seem to be experienced hikers. When I asked a question, they just read the specs from the shelf card right back to me… I can read those myself. They seemed annoyed/​confused that I was taking so long to decide.
Upon discovering that I was already an REI member and they couldn’t sell me a membership, they pretty much left me alone.
I finally settled on a pair of Salomons because I needed to use my 20% coupon that day, and I can always return them.
The cherry on top was when I left with my purchase. I was chased out to the parking lot and accused of shoplifting the boots that I had rightfully paid for at the cashier desk. The man who had helped me checked my bag and receipt, and once he verified that I had not in fact shoplifted (but didn’t seem convinced)…sent me on my way. I have NEVER nor have I EVER stolen anything. And if my goal was to shoplift, would I spent 2+ hours agonizing over my choice? Not happy.
Otherwise, the store itself is your typical REI.

The costumer service is awesome, I was having a little trouble with my bank card apparently my card had been blocked so I had the cashier waiting on me until I spoke with my banker to resolve the problem, I felt embarrassed because there was a long line behind me but thank goodness they had another cashiers open and the one assisting me was patient and gave the good vibe to not be worry.

GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE. The main reason that I like this store is the staff is very knowledgeable about outdoor gear. So much so, they can tell you about gear that REI does not sell. I will give you two examples. (1) I have a toy poodle with a collapsing trachea. I like to hike with him in my backpack. My backpack has a drawstring that sometimes causes pressure on his trachea. I went to REI hoping to find some kind of internal frame daypack that did not have a drawstring. There was not one. A sales person told me that he has seen backpacks made with a basket used by fisherman to gather fish. I researched on the Internet and found backpacks made with baskets for fruit picking. At this time, I have not purchased one, but I am thinking about it. (2) I bought battery-​heated, warming socks from an Internet company. They did not keep my toes warm at all. I talked with a sales person at REI. He told me that REI does not sell this type of gear because they generally do not work. He then explained how to use chemical toe warmers in a way to get the maximum duration of heat. REI can be pricey. Nevertheless, their customer service means a lot to me. Also, the REI clothes that I have bought have held up well. I thought the sales person that fitted me with hiking boots was really good. I have had my hiking boots for several years now and they are still in good shape for hiking in the Shenandoah mountains. The boots give my high arches the support that they need.

I LOVE REI and am a truly loyal customer but the staff here was rude and poor on customer service this is too bad because it is the first time I have encountered this at an REI.

I joined REI back in college, when it was still «the Co-​op», with mostly mail order and only one brick and mortar store in Seattle, dedicated to cost-​effective if sometimes bare bones outdoor gear. Over the years it has become nation-​wide, much more corporate, and carries some gear that can only be called «glamping». But there is still REI brand merchandise, you can find what you need for almost any muscle-​powered outdoor sport (does caving count as «outdoors»?). and the people are still knowledgeable and avid actual users. SO for hiking, camping, backpacking, bicycling, paddling, skiing, rock climbing, orienteering, whatever, give them a look. And a water filter, crank operated LED lantern, and backpacking stove are really good things to have around when you need to get through a weather event.

This is a smaller REI than some of the other newer stores. However they always seem to have tons of clearance items, more so than other locations. Staff is helpful as you would expect from REI. I’ve found a lot of bargains in this store.

I love it when I spend my hard earned money and I leave a store satisfied each and every time. Always a satisfying shopping experience. Customer service does matter and these folks are trained pros! Their return policy is similar to Nordstroms. If you don’t like it even if worn bring it back within a year. It used to be longer but a year now. This is my only stop for bicycle and the North Face gear. My online experience is just as good as in person and shipping is free over $ 50.

Are you a member? Seems like all REI staffer ask you this every time I come in. Yup, I am. If you are into outdoor equipment or wear, it’s hard to avoid this place. Prices are high, but maybe it’s because they have high quality product in here. Waiting for sales or clearances can get you great prices sometimes. I’ve been in this REI more than any their other stores, but again, this is the closest one to my home. It’s in a kind of lousy shopping center in the middle of a residential neighborhood, but I guess it makes parking easier. Join and you get rebates once a year.

Went there to get my gear for snowboarding. It worked for me. Not to expensive and I was able to find my boots and pants extreme easily. Wasn’t too expensive and I got in and out quickly.

I had been trying to track down a men’s black medium sweater vest from patagonia for awhile now, and for awhile now, I couldn’t find it in store in the Rockville area. Luckily,
tracked one down at this location.
I called before making the long drive to them to make sure they had one and to put it on hold. The kind lady over the phone said that her computer indicated that there was ONE left in the store and asked me to wait so she could track it down and put it on hold so no one else could purchase it. After a few minutes, I was still on hold and she came back to tell me she was still trying to find it. A man then picked up the phone and I told him what was going on and he said, «Oh, let me see if I could find it.». Thank goodness a minute later he came back and said, «Got it. I’ll put it on hold for you.»
After a 20 minute drive, I arrived and a young hip looking man helped me at the register. He asked if I had was a member and I said, «No, but my brother is.» So he looked up his information for me and said, «That’s nice because you just gave him $ 15 in credit.» As he was ringing me up,
«I take it this a gift?»
«Yes it is.»
” Well, please tell your brother Happy Birthday!”
«Oh, thanks!»
I didn’t have the heart to tell him that a) it was for my husband and b) it was for Valentine’s Day, but he had great intentions.
What a great store. Seemed a little dark inside, but they’re very friendly and there’s lot of parking in the lot.

Absolutely disgusted with these people don’t get me wrong I am a huge fan of REI but my experience today has really shifted my thoughts. This particular REI has some nasty racists m******** (excuse my language) but I was not pleased. My mother and I decided to get some workout gear and since I am familiar with REI I suggested we go there also let me mention my mother and I are African American which seems to make a difference in whether or not you want to loose or gain customers. From the time I got in there I was watched constantly and asked if «I needed help» multiple times even after making a purchase an employee an older man about 55 or so with glasses a beard short hair and about 5’9 asked me if I was making a return and I replied no he then proceeded to tell me that if I buy something then I need to leave the store??? EXCUSE ME this is how you speak to your customers absolutely not I was furious and the manager offers me a $ 20 gift card? Please REI BETTER BE READING THIS BECAUSE I HAVE NO PROBLEM FILING A RACIAL DISCRIMINATION SUIT AGAINST YOU! :) never know when i’m recording stuff.
–Vanessa Russell

Has REI lost it’s way?
Here’s the breakdown if you’re in a hurry:
Staff: 10 Stars. Whether you are going to car camp for the first time or plan to hike across country for the fifth time, the sales staff are your new best friends. They know their shit and yeah, they’d be outside using the gear if they weren’t talking to you about it.
Selection: 7 Stars if you have lots of spare cash. 3.2 if you don’t. This isn’t Dick’s so they don’t waste space on balls.
Quality: 9 Stars if you stick to items meant for going out to play. Caveat emptor if you just want a cute Prana shirt. But if you have a membership, you can take it back.
Price: 2 Stars.
If Unilocal had existed when I first started going to REI I’d give the whole place 10 stars. But that was then (15 years ago). Now the place is fast becoming a store for obnoxious poseur twats who can’t just go camping or hiking. They have to go do their thing with the latest, greatest, grooviest and most expensive gear. A boutique outdoor store, if you will.
And that makes no damn sense a-​tall. Plus, what’s with the steady increase in clothes for strolling around sipping lattes? We can go to the BananaGapNavy for that.
I’ve also noticed they’ve dumped a lot of their brand items (particularly clothing) to make room for Designer lines and that means they roll out a new line seasonally and it is expensive. I don’t get it. If you have a membership you can buy a $$$ proto-​bird dinosaur jacket, use it HARD, wash your car with it, use it to smother a grease fire and take it back to the store and use that money to buy a cool pseudo-​Germanic jacket and start the cycle again. So props to REI for its recycling program, but they need to sell more of their line in the store. And yeah, ditching some of the casual wear and bringing back more outdoor gear would be a great idea too.

Great selection of quality outdoor gear. Knowable, friendly staff. Prices are about average.

Big fan of this REI.
I probably go to outdoors /​sports stores a couple times a year, and I really look forward to doing so when it’s to the REI in College Park.
It’s my favorite first stop when planning a trip. For example, last summer I had to gear up for a serious multi-​night backpacking trip on a really difficult trail. I’d never done this before, and so wanted to talk through the trip with someone — figure out what I needed, might need, could do without — then optimize used necessary gear with new necessary gear.
I just said gear five times. Note: I’m not a huge gear person at all. But this trip actually required it.
Both visits I made to REI, I found myself paired up with a staffer who stayed with me as long as I had questions. One of these times was probably for an hour or more.
Almost a year later, I’m now getting ready to do another thing I haven’t done before: a long bike trip. I stopped by REI with an old bike, put my name on the list at the bike counter… waited maybe 25 minutes as others were being helped. And then got the (mostly) undivided attention of a bike dept employee for probably more than an hour. We went over what we’d have to do with my old bike to get it in shape. What different cost-​effective options were. We discussed what gear I needed nad could do without etc etc. Super, super helpful.
What I like best is that each time I’ve gone, the employee i end up pairing up with has actually done several of the types of trips I’m doing. For my backpacking trip, I was helped by a 60-​something guy who’s done tons of these. For the bike trip, a younger guy who’s also done a bunch of bike tours. So it was particularly helpful to be able to ask them what worked for them etc.
Overall: big fan of College Park REI.
Thanks guys!

If you know REI, this is just like every other REI, only a bit smaller than some. Most of the employees are very helpful and know who to ask if they don’t know the answer.
A little bit disappointed by their selection and inventory, but thats just because they’re not as big as some of the others.

Dear REI,
You know I have been obsessed with you for years. In fact, I am addicted. Your staff are friendly and god I love drooling over your gear. I was a little disappointed in your lack of snowboarding pants though. It is the middle of winter and I had only two options (that were in my size and not XXL). Luckily the ones there worked, but next time don’t take advantage of my never ending love for you. It is just mean.
Love always,
Molly W.

Do I like the concept — yes. Do I like the selection — somewhat. Is the staff helpful — absolutely Do I like the prices? HELL NO.
Seriously, REI is ridiculously priced. Sure, it’s convenient if you’re going on a trip and have $ 500 to drop on a quick stop by REI for 2 items the evening before leaving for your trip. Many of us, particularly those of us who reside in the College Park area do not. Even some of the «clearance» items are ridiculously priced. You are better going on craiglist and picking up a Burton jacket for $ 20.
Another thing that irks the shit out of me, and REI will receive the brunt of right now is the abundance of shit they sell ridiculously overpriced that is MADE IN CHINA. I don’t pay premium prices for stuff made in China. A) I question the quality, and B) I’m not gonna send my country down the river w/​o a fight.
In searching for a jacket, I did find one REI brand jacket that was made in Canada. It was a winter/​ski jacket. Now doesn’t that make sense? being made in CANADA? I had Canadian figure skates growing up and you’d be hard-​pressed to find better quality ice skates at your local sporting store today.
Anyway, I can’t wait until someone opens up the discount version of REI because let’s be honest — does it matter if your North Face came out last year or this year? Or if your Marmot ski shell was from the 2008 line? No, it does not. You’re looking for quality and dependability, not the 2010 Burton Paris collections. Exactly.

My friend called me last night and asked if I wanted to go to REI with him. They were having a Super Clearance Sale. I said I’d go just to keep him company; I didn’t need anything from a store like REI.
He spent $ 12. I spent $ 90.37.
So… I guess I’m a sucka for a sale. This is no ordinary sale though. From now until Jan. 19^th all sale items ending with $ 0.83 are another 50% off! A $ 15 knit EcoRaggs cap for $ 4.83? Even though I didn’t really need it, it was too cute and too cheap to pass up.
Also, I am still in mourning over the loss of my favorite newsboy cap that I bought in London two years ago. I left it in my seat at the AMC Mazza Gallerie 7. Nobody turned it in. It was only £5, but I loved it all the same. Well, I am happy to report that I found a suitable replacement at REI yesterday! It’s brown, not red, and has a embroidered flower design on it, but it fits great, looks great and was only $ 9.83.
My big splurge, which was on sale, but not on clearance (therefore not 50% off) was a pair of Merrel cold weather «Encore» clogs. Retailed at $ 90, I scored the last 7.5-sized pair for $ 59.93.
I’m going to have to come back. Thanks Freddy for my new obsession.

I so love this store.
I needed to buy random things for my sons’ camping trip. They go on a school sponsored camping trip every year for an overnight adventure.
We needed wool socks and flashlights. My first thought of course was REI. They never disappoint. The wool socks were «buy three get 20% off» and we did. This time I got myself a pair for those cold winter football games.
Another great trip with three pairs or wool socks and 2 flashlights for less than $ 30 bucks. The staff were very helpful.
The boys stayed warm on their trip and had flashlights to lead the way.
A+ all around!