I find that I don't go back to REI nearly as often because no matter how I tell myself I only need the one item I went there to purchase...I can't pass up the sale racks. I received a gift certificate from REI for Christmas and sure enough, I spent three times the gift certificate amount :-) I just see SO many things I need when I go there (OH, and I've learned the hard way that I definitely don't take my fifteen year old either, he has my same problem). I do like shopping at their online outlet store though.