[pct-l] REI

[Jim BayGarden]

Okay. Here's my REI story. Since I know you would have difficulty  
getting through the day without it.

I started hiking and backpacking in my late 50s. Knew nothing - and  
haven't learned much since. But I read Colin Fletcher's "The Complete  
Walker". Made me want to have my worldly possessions on my back. And  
to walk.

Knowing no better, I went to the Berkeley REI. And being a pretty big  
man, I searched for a big salesman. Joshua literally stood head and  
shoulders above everyone else in the store. He was a great help. Spent  
hours with me and gave me advice, often for gear not available in the  
store. I asked him if he were buying boots, whom would he seek help  
from. He said, "Brad". Brad gave me an appointment two weeks down the  
road so that he could special order some boots for me. And then spent  
more than two hours checking my feet, advising me, and fitting me. His  
final advice was to have boots custom made by a fellow in Bishop.  
Never could afford that. But it's one of the things I would do if I  
won the lottery.

Anyway. I wanted to climb a mountain. The people at the Berkeley REI  
worked with me to find gear that would fit my huge feet and very big  
body.

When I was on the PCT in 2004, I got email messages from one of the  
salesmen, checking up on me.

I was treated extraordinarily well at REI. One of the best retail  
experiences I have had. No. That's quibbling. It was the best.

Things have changed. There are small manufacturers who offer their  
wares only on the Internet. And they are targeted at specific outdoors  
activities. And REI has not caught up. And they can make more money  
from the Weekend Warriors. Not a failing, but a change of direction.

I still like going to an REI store. Surrounded by all that gear. And  
can almost always find someone to talk trails with.

And besides, one of the great gear repair places on the planet,  
Naraayens, is diagonally across the intersection from the Berkeley  
store. And Wilderness Exchange is just down the street. Good vibes.

Now, don't you all feel better knowing this?

Walk well,
Jim Keener ( J J )
http://baygardeners.com

On Oct 27, 2009, at 10:52 AM, Jeffrey Olson wrote:

> I lived in Seattle in the late 80s through the 90s.  I used to enjoy
> going to the flagship store on 12th street I think it was.  It was  
> very
> funky, very Seattleish.  I really liked the bins of used/returned gear
> that was like 90% off.
>
> Then, in the late 90s, the REI world changed.  They built this
> multi-million dollar building with gravel paths to test mountain  
> bikes,
> and big spaces.  No longer could I find the bins of used/returned  
> gear.
> Those two things signaled the death of the "Co-op" principle if you  
> ask
> me.  I lived in Laramie, WY for a number of years and traveled to
> Denver.  The REI store there has waterfalls, the gravel path, multiple
> levels and again - no real deals that I could find...
>
> Things change - corporatization mostly driving change it seems.
>
> Jeffrey Olson
> Martin, SD
>
> Paul Magnanti wrote:
>> Wow...I seem to have struck a nerve with people based on some  
>> private e-mails. :)
>>
>> Look, if someone gave me an REI gift card, I'd gladly buy something  
>> there.
>> (Anyone? Anyone?)
>>
>> But, to ignore the  *main* customer base is not to understand "REI  
>> as lifestyle comment" I made.
>>
>> I can't help it...I have a sarcastic sense of humor. Back in the  
>> Northeast, we called it "normal". ;)
>>
>> If the REI comment offended people, replace with LL Bean, Eddie  
>> Bauer, Patagonia, etc.etc.etc.
>>
>> Now, here's a clip of rainbows, sunshine and lollipops to make you  
>> all happy:
>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2sKH8yjVsM
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
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