Originally Posted by
RoadGuy
REI's Return Policy since it opened was Lifetime Satisfaction Return Warranty. Less than five years ago that was changed to a One Year Right of Return, because of the ABUSE of the Return Policy.
I have personally seen numerous people who buy new camping gear in the Spring, return after heavy use during the camping season (without a legitimate complaint), and use the Refund to Ski gear for the Winter Season, only to return the Ski Gear at the end of the season and buy camping gear with the refund. Those people do the same thing every year. As a result there is very little new money bing put into the system by these people, they are using REI as a Free Loan Store. Like the Auto Parts Stores that Loan Tools for free.
Yep. There was a good article about this a while back. At least one person mentioned in the article said they bought stuff with the intention of using it once and returning it. Some people joking referred to REI as "Rental Equipment, Inc.", except that doesn't really fit since they would get their money back and thus pay no "rent."