REI "garage sale" goodies

[OakLeaf]

We're getting an REI in two weeks!!

[eofelis]

I think that half my gear and clothes came from REI Garage Sales. I've gotten some awesome things for cheap cheap there over the years. Too many to list them all. Right now I'm wearing an Isis fleece jacket that I got for $4.

We have a tiny REI here in town. Walking distance from my apt even. They used to have large garage sales every few months. Now they have a small inside garage sale every Saturday. I try to stop by and check it out. I have $40 dividend plus a $20 gift card to spend sometime. I seldom shop retail at REI.

[Irulan]

I did hear that REI is getting stricter on returns,

...considering that some people have abused the heck out of the program, I am not surprised. However, as a repair facility, I see real inconsistencies in what they will or will not take back under warranty. I've even sat down the manager and asked them to explain why item A gets warrantied and item B doesn't, and I can't get a straight answer.

[Crankin]

Well, I was happy they took back the x country ski boots that ripped my feet to shreds!
I've never been successful finding clothing there. Everything is just too big. But, we've bought camping equipment and things like Camelbaks there, as well as our skis.

[Irulan]

I wouldn't qualify that as abuse. It's the folks that do the whole PCT and then take their tent back saying "it didn't hold up" or similar. Years of use (not abuse) and then a return... that's what ruins it for legitimate returns.

[emily_in_nc]

Well, I was happy they took back the x country ski boots that ripped my feet to shreds!
I've never been successful finding clothing there. Everything is just too big. But, we've bought camping equipment and things like Camelbaks there, as well as our skis.

They've gotten better about carrying smaller sizes in the past few years, Crankin. I've got quite a lot of REI clothes, and I think we're about the same size. I've gotten several tops in XS, and the zip-off pants I recently bought were a 2P. They also had 0P, which I now realize I should have gotten. The 2's were a bit loose when I got 'em, but I figured the 0's would be too small so never even tried them on. I've lost a few lbs. since, and now the 2's are falling off me. They are also stretchy so the 0's probably would have been fine. Funny too, the old zip-off pants I have from them (at least 10 years old) are 4P. So there is is size inflation there like so many other places, but at least they carry smaller sizes now.

[antimony]

They've gotten better about carrying smaller sizes in the past few years, Crankin. I've got quite a lot of REI clothes, and I think we're about the same size. I've gotten several tops in XS, and the zip-off pants I recently bought were a 2P. They also had 0P, which I now realize I should have gotten. The 2's were a bit loose when I got 'em, but I figured the 0's would be too small so never even tried them on. I've lost a few lbs. since, and now the 2's are falling off me. They are also stretchy so the 0's probably would have been fine. Funny too, the old zip-off pants I have from them (at least 10 years old) are 4P. So there is is size inflation there like so many other places, but at least they carry smaller sizes now.

And they're about the only outdoor retailer that carries larger women's sizes -- a lot of them don't have anything over 12 or 14.

[Crankin]

I did notice some xs sizes as I walked through, after I exchanged my hiking shoes last winter. I can wear a regular xs in some brands, but I really need a petite in most tops. Not to get off topic, but when size creep is affecting outdoor clothes, I just shake my head. I generally buy things like hiking pants from Athleta, because they have petite sizes.
Both DH and I have been successful with Prana, Outdoor Research, and Zoic. DH is the male equivalent of a petite, and he has an even harder time. He's gone from a medium to a small in almost everything, and the thing is, he's kind of buff in the upper body, so it doesn't make sense. And a lot of the male outdoor stuff doesn't even come in size small.