REI sales policy - anyone know?

On the off chance that someone may know, I know that some stores will refund the difference between the full and sale price if you buy an item for full price and it goes on sale soon thereafter. Anyone know if REI will do this?

I bought a rather expensive pair of backpacking boots there last Saturday. Received their sale (starting tomorrow) flyer today in the mail and see that the very boots are $35 off! URG... I am seriously considering going to the store tomorrow, receipt in hand, to see if I can get the difference credited, since it's been less than a week.

Anyone ever tried or done this? I'm an REI member, if it makes any difference, and the boots were even charged on an REI Visa. My DH and I spend a lot at REI; in fact, the tent we are interested in and the sleeping bag I am interested in are also on sale, and we may be purchasing those this weekend as well. But any chance to save some $$ is always appreciated.

Thanks!
Emily

I've heard one week.

Never had to do it, but I really don't think you'll have a problem. If they fuss, just say you are returning the boots cuz they look funny, and then go buy another pair (at sale price)!:D

not sure what they will do. REI is pretty good about anything like that. besides if you go and it doesn't work you'll know. i'm sure they will though because they figure you can return them then turn around buy them again on sale anyhow.

They have a 100% guarantee policy. To me that covers things like...
*if you're not satisfied with the fact that they put your boots on sale right after you bought them, you qualify for a refund of the difference.

Yeah, you could return the boots and then buy them back at the sale price -- that is definitely covered by their guarantee. So I imagine they will accommodate what you want to do.

They have the most amazing customer service policies, and are incredibly accomodating. They will absolutely, positively do this.

(Can you tell I LOVE REI???)

I'll be finding out this weekend too. We bought 2 cateye computers for the Fridays, which have not been opened and are now 25% off in the sale flyer. That's a big chunk of change (over a $25 difference).

Plus they have PI cycling stuff on sale too:)

Carrie Anne

If all else falls ask for the manager on duty and politely explain your request. If it isn't their policy there is probably room for an exception, especially since you could just return the boots and buy them on sale.

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Originally Posted by xeney

Yeah, you could return the boots and then buy them back at the sale price -- that is definitely covered by their guarantee. So I imagine they will accommodate what you want to do.

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Yeah, I keep thinking that they'd be a lot better off just refunding me the difference than having to take back a used pair of $175 boots that they can't resell just so I can buy them again at the sale price -- and I don't want to do that since I like the pair I got just fine!!

We also have to try to return a pair my DH bought several months ago, and we stupidly did not keep the receipt. He just can't break them in to make them work for his feet. One foot is fine, the other whines and complains within a mile every time he tries to hike in them. Hopefully they won't balk at that return too, but we'll do that when we go in over the weekend so we don't look like scam artists trying to do both at once! And like I mentioned, there are several other pricy items we might be buying this weekend, so.....

I'll let you know how it turns out. Thanks so much for the feedback!

Emily

REI Rocks! My money is on no hassle at all.

If you are an REI member you may not need a reciept, because the sale info is in the computer system until the dividend check comes out.

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Originally Posted by KnottedYet

If you are an REI member you may not need a reciept, because the sale info is in the computer system until the dividend check comes out.

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Yeah, I was just gonna say I've gone back in with stuff without a receipt. I've already bought something at the store in Timonium, MD, went on vacation and had something go wrong. I took it in to the store in Boulder, CO and they took care of it for me. Since I'm a member, they just looked it up and everything was cool. Of course, I had to prove my identity with my license, but that's fine. Great customer service goes a long way with me.

If you're an REI member you don't need a receipt at all. That's what they told me. 100% guarantee for one year, just come in and they'll look it up on the computer.

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Originally Posted by KnottedYet

I've heard one week.

Never had to do it, but I really don't think you'll have a problem. If they fuss, just say you are returning the boots cuz they look funny, and then go buy another pair (at sale price)!:D

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that's what i'd do if they wouldn't refund the difference!

REI will refund you the difference. Same thing happened to me last year. I bought a few items and a few weeks later they went on sale. I just went in with my receipt and they gave me a credit voucher.

On another note, I had purchased some PI shoes, but ended up buying some Sidi's before I ever wore them, I ended up moving etc. I found the PIs in their box and took them to REI for a refund. This was several months after I had purchased them and I no longer had the receipt. They were able to look them up on my account and gave me a full refund.

They have great customer service 99% of the time and a great return policy.

I love REI's return policy. Last month we bought an Easton seatpost there for about $100. It worked out fine for me, but the next week we found the exact same Easton seatpost on sale at Nashbar for $40. That was too much of a savings to pass up, so I was going to return the REI one, but since it had been installed they wouldn't have been able to resell it. So I put the identical but brand-new Nashbar one in the REI box and returned that.

Was that cheating? Maybe it was. I would have returned the used one, otherwise, and this seemed less wasteful overall. (They always ask you if the item has been used or damaged, to determine if it can be resold, but that is generally the only question asked.)

I picked up some tights at lunch (didn't have the computers or their receipt with me). I asked what they could do, since they're now 25% off. They replied that within 30 days of purchase, if an item goes on sale, they will refund the difference. So there you go. However, I would think they would be even more flexible than the policy, given that you can return and re-buy.

Yep, you were all exactly right. REI rocks! They refunded the difference ($37) no questions asked. I did have my receipt but didn't need it since I am a member.

Tomorrow we'll return my DH's hiking boots that didn't work for him, and he really tried. We don't have the receipt, and they were pricy, so I feel kinda bad, but I bought several additional items from them today, so when they see how much we spend there, I think they'll be okay with the return. After my good experience there today, I feel better about returning a used item.

Thanks for all the great replies!

Emily

I did the same with the computers tonight - no questions asked and a $25 refund. They rock!

Emily in NC- did your DH try Superfeet inside the boots? Might help. They've been a great addition to my hiking boots. REI carries all kinds of models!