Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by enraged_camel 2412 days ago
>> Pretty much every single non-REI branded item that they sell in the store is insanely marked up

Nah. I'm a regular REI shopper and this has not been my experience at all (I always check competing retailers before buying something at REI).
2 comments
dgzl 2412 days ago
Agreed. I've been a member for a while now and REI's standard prices are pretty average if not a little high, but they have enough really good sales during the year (plus the member discounts) to make up for anything you'd consider high price. Not to mention the garage sales can be a gold mine.
link
notyourday 2412 days ago
It is definitely the case for ski gear ( skis/boots ), bike gear, cold weather gear, helmets, backpacks, etc. Northface store? 25% off. REI? List price. Columbia store? 25% off. REI? List price. Patagonia store? 15% off. REI? List price. Atomic REI? List price in Feb. Atomic at EVO? 25% off in Jan. Yeti at REI? List price. Yeti pretty much anywhere else? 10% off.

People justify it because of the dividends gimmick. Hell, I fell the first year for it myself.

link
dgzl 2412 days ago
I don't think REI moves as much ski/snowboard gear as a more local shop would, but they have seasonal sales on the same items you just mentioned every year, and their anniversary sale is usually pretty good. Not to mention their outlet store often has additional sales on items that haven't sold, plus the garage sale.

For instance: https://www.wired.com/story/rei-anniversary-sale-outdoor-dea...

The best 'deal' I found at REI was a ENO DoubleNest hammock for $12 at the garage sale, perfect condition. A near second would be a Black Diamond Access (I think) insulated hoodie for about $100, lasting me more than 6 years as my insulated layer for climbing, snowboarding, all around and casual use.

link
notyourday 2412 days ago
Last Season: REI great "snow sale" ~ 20% on Columbia gear. At the same time Columbia has the same stuff at ~75% off. Dick's has the same Columbia gear at 50% off.

REI is a cult. 10 years ago it was a cult that brought lots of things to the members because the brands sucked at selling on the internet or marketing on Instagram. Now the brands adjusted, and REI still behaves as if this is 2009.

link
bcmo 2411 days ago
Reasonable and accurate comment.

"I've been a member for a while now"... guy paid 20 bucks, one time, thinks he's part of an elite outdoors club.

link
dgzl 2410 days ago
Not reasonable or accurate, neither is yours.
link
notyourday 2407 days ago
https://www.columbia.com/womens-powder-pass-hooded-jacket-17...

$59

Rei outlet:

https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/product/162426/columbia-powde...

$77

It is the case for virtually all the products REI carries.

link
dgzl 2412 days ago
Now you're being rude and inflammatory. You're not worth the effort to respond to.
link