REI Bait and Switch sale

[daibutsu]

Be warned its buyer beware at REI's yearly sale. Rode to my not-so-local REI and found the "sale" is a "Limited to stock on hand" bait and switch! If they don't have what you want there is no resupply, transfer from another store, or 'rainchecks'. I wish they said that on their mailer which does clearly indicate the "Sale" runs from May 2 thru. May 11. i think they want you just to look at all their items!!!

[huytheskigod]

If it's not out of stock online, you can order it there and have it delivered for free to the store.

[daibutsu]

The three things I wanted were all not there. I was told to order them online, the Mgr. couldn't do it for me while he searched availability at other 'local' stores. Why would REI send out this mailer, not have the items, want you to go home and reorder? They want you to spend your time and energy (personal and petroleum) to peruse their stuff, when they know they don't have it to sell. That is new wave "bait and switch."

[huytheskigod]

I'm not sure of your REI, but the ones I go to usually have (granted some times limited) stock of the items at the beginning of the sale. Popular items often sell out fast. Especially if they're heavily discounted closeout items. My REI also has a computer terminal in store where I could order the item from their website. Again, this might not be the case with your REI and I'm not saying that it's not a bait and switch but not all REIs are the same. I'm sorry you had such a bad experience with yours but the REIs i've been to have been great. In fact, they just gave me a full refund for an item I bought 2 years ago that I broke and they could not repair. Not too many places would do that.

[linux_author]

Be warned its buyer beware at REI's yearly sale. Rode to my not-so-local REI and found the "sale" is a "Limited to stock on hand" bait and switch! If they don't have what you want there is no resupply, transfer from another store, or 'rainchecks'. I wish they said that on their mailer which does clearly indicate the "Sale" runs from May 2 thru. May 11. i think they want you just to look at all their items!!!

i used to peruse the over-priced junk at the REI off Columbia Pike & Rt. 7... i had been a member since the late '70s, but what finally got me was a bait-and-switch mailer deal on member's rebates... (mailer said one thing; checkout on Web site said another; customer service was non-existent even when queried)

i'll never shop REI again... their mailings now go in the trash... i now use other sources such as Chuck's Bikes or the LBS...

of course, YMMV...