[at-l] Need REI Help

[giniajim]

    I've had pretty good luck at REI.  I generally buy most of my gear from 
them, either at my "local" store (a good ways away) or on the web.
    A couple of points.  The store may offer backpacking classes that might 
be worth taking.  Go to the store wth a list of the gear you have and some 
idea of what you want to do (weekends, week long trip, hiking distance, 
place and time of year, etc. (I would certainly not start with more than a 
weekend trip; and possibly even camping in a state park camp ground to "try 
out" your gear to make sure you know how everything works and what you can 
do without).
    Ask about: insect protection, seam sealing, first aid kit.  Ask about 
returns policies.  Have an idea of the amount of weight that you can 
comfortably carry (this is probably the most critical point!).
   Just some random thoughts...

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <KLandau364 at aol.com>
To: <at-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2007 1:42 AM
Subject: [at-l] Need REI Help


> Does anyone on the list either work at the REI in Framingham, 
> Massachusetts
> or know someone that you can vouch is knowledgeable and trustworthy?
>
> My sister, who lives in the area, and her family want to do some 
> backpacking
> this summer...something with which they have little  experience.  I've 
> gone
> over the basics with her of what she needs, but she  needs someone to 
> guide her
> through the actual selection of gear.  She's  afraid of being taken 
> advantage
> of by someone trying to "up-sell" her or sell  her stuff she doesn't 
> really
> need.  She has some items already, but doesn't  know which, if any, of 
> those
> would work on a backpacking/camping trip.  In  either case, she'll still 
> need a
> good amount of new gear, and doesn't want  to spend a fortune outfitting 
> her
> family of 4.
>
> Please email me off-list with any suggestions of folks at that REI store 
> who
> might be of good help to her.
>
> Thanks,
> Ken/Walkabout '99
>
>
>
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