Originally Posted by
prathmann
I'll second the comment about REI's customer service. Bought a tent from them 25 years ago and recently had a problem with the end piece on one of the poles. No longer have any receipt or other proof of purchase but when I took it into the nearest REI store they quickly repaired it free of charge.
Add another vote for REI service. I had a Thermarest mattress that developed a slow leak after years of use. Took it into REI and they swapped it out with absolutely no hassle.
They are not the absolute cheapest place to buy but the way they back up what they sell is well worth the price difference.