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REI

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Overview

REI has a rating of 2.12 stars from 189 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers complaining about REI most frequently mention customer service, gift card, and return policy problems. REI ranks 143rd among Outdoor Equipment sites.

  • Service
    26
  • Value
    20
  • Shipping
    16
  • Returns
    17
  • Quality
    21
Positive reviews (last 12 months): 0%
Positive
0
Neutral
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Negative
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What reviewers want you to know

Positive highlights

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Critical highlights

  • I was not impressed by their customer service and will buy from somewhere else in the future.
How would you rate REI?
Top Positive Review

“Great Products with an Amazing Return Policy”

TROY M.
8/3/22

Simply put, I always buy my outdoor gear from REI because I know I can buy expensive gear with confidence. Confidence that the gear will be worth the price and if for some reason the gear just isn't right for me after I purchase then REI's return policy makes it a non-hassle.

Top Critical Review

“REI can't do online”

Michael H.
1/12/24

Transactional capabilities are borderline fraudulent. Store pick-up items: delayed 20 min at the counter where I'm told my amex card has canceled half my order. I had to call AmEx on the spot to discover that some bizarre intermediary that REI uses had refunded half of it! And now, in the store, they wanted it back. The clerk told me this happens all the time 😜 Delivery items: 2 days later they email and cancel my other 2 delivery items due to " nventory changes"

Reviews (189)

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Reviews that mention popular keywords

customer service (40)
Thumbnail of user troym327
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
August 3rd, 2022

Simply put, I always buy my outdoor gear from REI because I know I can buy expensive gear with confidence. Confidence that the gear will be worth the price and if for some reason the gear just isn't right for me after I purchase then REI's return policy makes it a non-hassle.

Products used:
Shoes, Jackets, micro spikes, and more.

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user zephyrp
9 reviews
12 helpful votes
December 2nd, 2020

They have so much unique camping tools, climbing equipment, bikes, and other outdoor stuff. I love browsing their store for hours just finding new equipment. It's really cool.

Thumbnail of user sallye43
8 reviews
4 helpful votes
September 1st, 2019

REI is the best clothing store for me! I like clothes that are high-quality and durability, travel, exercise, sun protection Plus a lot more. The service is excellent whenever you have a complain about something they return it without any questions. They are extremely friendly and courteous. My husband and I have bought numerous things from REI from camping goods to clothes And shoes. I would recommend REI to everyone!

Thumbnail of user marionm170
1 review
0 helpful votes
October 24th, 2020

I just purchased the Mountainsmith waist pack from REI. I love it. It holds two water bottles on the outside pockets which leaves plenty of room inside. The cinches on both sides snugs the pack closer to your body and just release them in order to reach inside the pouch. It's that simple.

Thumbnail of user clintb73
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
October 13th, 2020

The Head Kore 105 is a remarkably light weight ski that crushes the terrain, I ride the 189 cm and I can't tell you how quick and maneuverable they are in all terrain even at high speed. It's able to carve up the groomers but also shred the outer area's. I also ski in the Head Kore 1 boots which are equally as light weight as the ski it's a great set up. There quick to react to big turns or having to $#*! it down. I ski in Alaska and this is a fun set up!

Thumbnail of user katelyne9
2 reviews
1 helpful vote
April 17th, 2020

I love how this company stands behind their products. I have bought so many things, and love being able to return them for any reason. Especially with athletic clothes I think you need to wear them a few times before you know if they work for you, and since they are expensive, it's great to know you can get your money back if you need to return them.

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user phils262
1 review
0 helpful votes
August 27th, 2020

Ordered a pair of snowboard bindings to ship to a store right before COVID hit. The store closed down so the order wasnt available for pickup and the order ended up not being shipped, and by that time they were out of stock on my size. I let them know this and they apologized for the inconvenience, let me know that it might be back in stock again soon, refunded my credit card, refunded the $20 gift card i had used and also gave me another $30 card so I could possibly afford a more expensive pair that was in stock. Less than a week later my original pair of bindings I was looking for came back in stock, so I saved $30 in exchange for a little time wasted. My advice to those ranting against their service is maybe work a little more with them before giving up and just writing a bad review. Might have to call a couple different times, chances are somebody will work with you

Thumbnail of user erikr46
4 reviews
36 helpful votes
August 6th, 2018

I can always count on REI to carry the best quality gear. The service is excellent and if you have a brick and mortar location nearby, it is hard to beat. Membership entitles you to significant savings.

Thumbnail of user jackm229
5 reviews
1 helpful vote
January 16th, 2018

I can spend an hour just walking around,... the store has everything youre looking for and some things that youre probably not looking for... Guaranteed to be Satisfied!

Thumbnail of user dougo7
2 reviews
4 helpful votes
August 8th, 2014

My wife bought a pair of Merrell hiking shoes 2 years ago, didn't wear much, but did this past week on a 4 day backpacking trip on the John Muir Trail in Yosemite. It was the first time she really wore them on a long hike. She got blisters pretty bad, even though they were two years old (and worn in). She returned them today to REI and they gave her a full refund. Wow. I have total confidence buying products from them... they really stand by their stuff.

Thumbnail of user anno77
3 reviews
8 helpful votes
March 16th, 2016

These guys help me to love hiking even more despite the fact that I prefer to buy such things not online

Thumbnail of user amym71
1 review
1 helpful vote
June 10th, 2015

I was going on a trip for a year and bought most of my expensive stuff I needed at REI. While traveling there were a number of things I had bought that I decided I didn't care for anymore or wanted to exchange for different products. I surpassed the one year of owning my things without returning them and I went to two different REI stores and the employees were happy to have my returns and even happy to help me purchase new items online with my rewards I had earned from them the year before, in the end I came out on top. I will always recommend my friends to shop with REI because they truly care about their customers' satisfaction.

Thumbnail of user waynem103
1 review
2 helpful votes
September 9th, 2017

I am a long standing REI member. I've shopped at three different REI stores in Southern CA and online. In-store assistance has ranged from nice people who don't know the products they're selling to truly exceptional knowledgeable helpful human beings.
Today, my wife and I went to the Santa Monica store. We had done our online research prior to going and were hoping to find what we needed at the store as a double dividends promotion was being offered for all in store purchases.

WOW!

Shopping for zero fall hiking shoes - my wife was assisted by a truly helpful patient knowledgeable gentleman. Shopping for a high impact cycling helmet - I was helped by a man who's name tag said ROMAN. He was exceptionable - extremely knowledgeable, helpful, personable, patient and through.

Suffice to say we purchased the products we came to find, and both left happy as well as informed about related items we will consider for our next purchases.

5 STAR for sure for sure.

Thumbnail of user katiee11
1 review
1 helpful vote
January 1st, 2016

Our order either didn't show up or was stolen from our front porch, and REI sent us another one rush order so we would have it in time for Christmas, no charge. We also love that REI closed for Black Friday! We are loyal to them for both of those reasons.

Thumbnail of user jel318
7 reviews
1 helpful vote
January 25th, 2016

Never have problems All products are guaranteed for life

Thumbnail of user jamesm399
21 reviews
9 helpful votes
March 14th, 2016

You get what you pay for. The first time I saw the prices here I ran back to the generic sporting goods store where I've usually gotten my hiking supplies. Then the hiking boots I ordered from said nameless sporting goods store completely fell apart when exposed to snow. That's when I realized that if you want quality, you have to pay a little more, at least in the short term. I bought my hiking boots from REI 5 years ago and have taken them through some of the most insane cross country trips since. Those boots are still with me. In the end, I may have paid less since I haven't been buying new boots every year.

Thumbnail of user margieo1
3 reviews
4 helpful votes
May 4th, 2014

Great site to order sporting goods - from kayaks to shoes. I look at their outlet first and the sales are great. Good company

Thumbnail of user kc93
3 reviews
2 helpful votes
December 31st, 2015

My order didn't show up so they sent me a replacement in time for Christmas no questions asked. My call was answered promptly and my issue was resolved quickly. Definitely would recommend this website. Appreciate the mutual concern for getting the gift in on time.

Thumbnail of user jasons87
1 review
2 helpful votes
February 12th, 2014

I have spent thousands at REI, and I certainly intend on spending thousands more. Every time I have visited the local store(s) I am always satisfied and impressed with the customer service and employee knowledge upon merchandise. I can say the same for the online service, as my experiences have been fantastic.

Thumbnail of user sarahl14
13 reviews
36 helpful votes
April 22nd, 2011

Best place on the internet to buy your outdoor camping gear or cycling equipment. Not the best place for bikes but for the accessories they cannot be beat. Plus if you sign up for their REI card they really do send you REI dollars at the end of the year and even cash back if you want it. Their organized local trips are also really fun.

Thumbnail of user tashal4
1 review
2 helpful votes
June 2nd, 2014

Love ordering from this store site. I live on Kauai where I have to order a lot online. They ship here very fast and anytime there is an issue with my order they promptly email me back and say they are sending either a replacement or a refund and they do so Immediately. They are also a lot cheaper than Sports Authority which we have on island now.

Thumbnail of user jessicab82
1 review
1 helpful vote
May 21st, 2015

Yesterday I opened a package from REI that I had ordered online and discovered that one of the two items was missing. In my 38 years of life, my experiences with large corporations have been largely negative, so I was expecting a hassle. I called REI this morning to report the problem and was pleasantly surprised they sent me a new shipment without any questions asked. I was on hold less than 5 minutes total. They asked if standard shipping "would work for my needs". My needs actually matter to them? The "customer is always right mentality" still exists in a large company? All I can say, is Thank You, REI, for being a classy company and may the rest of the corporate world follow your lead.

Thumbnail of user mckenzien1
1 review
0 helpful votes
March 10th, 2016

The REI at 740 Ernest W Barrett Pkwy NW #450, Kennesaw, GA ******* is my favourite of the REI stores that I have been to. I had a product issue and the Manager, Cary was helpful, patient, knowledgeable, and really put the customer first!

Definitely rate the manager & this store 5 stars, and will be back. After an initially frustrating customer experience with the REI company, this store and the manager Cary reinstored my faith in REI!

Thumbnail of user davidb42
4 reviews
10 helpful votes
March 7th, 2011

Very professional -- it is supposed to be one of the best companies in the world to work for. They do treat you great. Great pricing on high quality items, and quick shipping.

Thumbnail of user chriss405
4 reviews
12 helpful votes
June 2nd, 2016

REI is a great place to shop for anything related to active outdoor activities. I've always found their sales people to be super knowledgeable about the products they are selling and are always happy to give advice.

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From backpacking to cycling to staying in shape and more, outfit your outdoor activities with the latest gear, clothing, and footwear at REI.

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