[Tom]

Just in case anyone is interested, here are some REI.com coupons... 20% off 1 regular priced item code: FHDY3 Exp 12/24/03 10% off all regular priced items code: HVGM Exp 12/30/03 REI Outlet: 15% off highest priced item code: AFFT3 Exp 12/8/03 20% off 1 regular priced item code: REVA3 Exp 11/20/03 15% off $100+ codes: BAGSTUFF, FAABG Exp 11/20/03 (great for sale items ) 10% off 1 regular priced item code: XTFWD Exp 11/3/03 20% off 1 regular priced item code: SANGRAND Exp 10/30/03 Free shipping with in store pickup. Save another 2% via ebates.com.

[frankm3]

Great, All I need is another excuse to spend more of my money there.... Their products continue to impress me. They are pretty topnotch. I just got this coat there a week or two ago and wore it while I had to be outside in the pouring rain yesterday for work (yuk). I did not get wet AT ALL.

[Tom]

Who says you need to spend more money? You can always order an item that you bought at higher price, use the coupon, select free in store delivery, pick it up, and return it with the other reciept. It's the return every item "cooperative" way. BTW, you can usually use these coupons in store.

[frankm3]

[Bob K]

Do we still get a rebate if a coupon code is used?

[MooseAndSquirrel]

Tom, you remind me of that wheeler-dealer Radar in MASH- you have a great knack for delivering the goods, man!

[Dayhike Mike]

[Tom]

Yep, that's why the 15% off coupon is a good deal because you can use it on sale items which don't qualify for a dividend. With the the 2% ebate that's a 17% savings. The 10% coupon is somewhat of a wash since you'd normally get a 10% dividend, but you do get the 2% ebate and you're not paying sales tax on the 10%. OK, before you guys think I'm a total tightwad I resisted the urge tonight not to go back into Fred Meyer tonight and get back the 75 cents they overcharged me on my hot dog buns.

[forest gnome]

I once found a pair of nylon pants with the rei tag still attached,at a garage sale.....yup I took 'em back. Guilty? not my feelings when I picked out 35$ worth of food, I felt hungry.

[Dayhike Mike]

[Slugman]

I am such a wuss, I've never returned anything to REI, even when not completely satisfied! My fears are really stupid, like they might accuse me of sabotage, or look at me funny or something. Never in a million years would I damage a jacket welding or the like, and then return it. Tanja is fearless when it comes to demanding satisfaction, I should dig out a couple of reciepts and send her over there with a couple of items. My Petzl Zipka has an intermittent intermittency in the "on" switch, causing it to flicker occasionally. When my Stearns water bag developed a slow leak after two vigorous seasons of use, I went and bought a new one. I should grow a spine or get therapy or something, since they wouldn't even hassle me if I did return the items!

[Dayhike Mike]

[Newt]

I was going to return a pair of shoes to REI that I had had for about a year. Used very little as they seemed to be a bit tight and thus uncomfortable. I went in there one day and saw what had been returned. Some shoes were old and wore out. Excuse was they didn't fit. Took mine back and had a hassle free exchange for a half size larger. IMO the return policy is probably the best thing about REI. Well, they usually have a decent selection too. NN

[MooseAndSquirrel]

Say what you will about REI, but as Newt said their return policy is tops. I think trust goes both ways so we should all try to abide by the Golden Rule. I returned a pre-Switchback model REI shell in which their proprietary waterproof/breathable liner was flaking off like dandruff. This coat was at least 3 years old, probably more, and their customer service desk without hesitation gave me a full refund (they told me they had been having problems with that lining). Another time I had an issue with their repair service patching some pants and they not only fixed them at no charge but gave me another pair gratis ($50 value). The Redmond store manager came out to discuss things with me, and they sent me a letter apologizing. This was during the Dot-com boom times, too, so they weren't suffering for customers. Service like this does not go unappreciated!

[Allison]

I couldn't agree with you more. I return things when they fall apart too. The people who make the stuff appreciate that too, because then they know about it. From what I know, returns from field damage (under normal use I stress) seems to be a big part of long-term testing. Stuff doesn't get field tested forever before it goes into production. Nothing wrong with the frugal thing either, FWIW.