REI classes

Toxmedic751

Toxmedic751

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Has anyone had any experience with classes taught through REI? I am not a huge fan of the store mostly due to their prices and honestly didn't even know that they did classes. My son saw this Preparing for the Unexpected/Outdoor Emergency Basics class and told me that he wanted to go. All of their classes appear to be free so I signed the two of us up.

Here is the link to the class that we are going to try out

https://www.rei.com/events/preparing-for-the-unexpected-outdoor-emergency-basics/greensboro/167345
 
Never done a class, but the REI brand is on my "OK" list. One of the few store brands that I trust. It's decent stuff and typically worth the price. You can typically ind it a *little* cheaper on Amazon or other sources, but if you add in the coop membership and get 10% back every year, it's not bad at all. In fact, I'll pay the extra $10 or whatever on shoes there over Amazon just to get more added to my coop. Yes, it's falling for their sales trick, but it's an ok trick to fall for in my book.

As for the classes...
I'd expect nothing short of well done form them. They don't seem to half-ass anything and their staff is typically knowledgeable. Seems like they actually test people or something before putting them in the backpacking department to give advice.

I actually didn't know they offered such a class like this, especially not for free. I may check in to them in the future.
 
They are pricey and fashionable now, but when I signed up in the early 1980's, they were one of the few places you could find such a wide variety of gear for outdoor sports (that wasn't mil surp).

Since then, I've come to choke a bit at their prices, too, but I always get good and reasonably knowledgeable service when I go there. I get gear elsewhere cheaper, but REI is still worth it most of the time--and +1 on the membership & rebate checks.

I didn't know they did classes. Might have to look into it.

Please let us know how yours goes!
 
I will absolutely let you know how the class is. You should really check out the classes portion of their website. They offer several different ones that look interesting and I will probably attend a couple more. I did notice that they offer a wilderness first aid class.
 
I don't buy pricey stuff (NorthFace) but the water supplies, store brand fleece, water jugs and other things I've bought in the store and on-line have been competitive. For the non-sexy stuff, they are okay on prices.
 
Yuppyville... went there once, overdosed on useless babble, scoped the place, drove home, thanks for the memories.....
 
REI member for some time now.
20 bucks for a lifetime membership and I get 10% back on all of my stuff? My first purchase netted me 45 bucks back, so I'd say I did ok.

Never done one of their classes, let us know how it is!
 
Toxmedic751 said:
Has anyone had any experience with classes taught through REI? I am not a huge fan of the store mostly due to their prices and honestly didn't even know that they did classes. My son saw this Preparing for the Unexpected/Outdoor Emergency Basics class and told me that he wanted to go. All of their classes appear to be free so I signed the two of us up.

Here is the link to the class that we are going to try out

https://www.rei.com/events/preparing-for-the-unexpected-outdoor-emergency-basics/greensboro/167345
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Hell, I signed up. See ya there. I'll be the large bald guy
 
I've taken a couple of their classes, and I've been generally impressed for the money. Been meaning to get into one of their orienteering classes this spring as a refresher.
 
HMP said:
REI member for some time now.
20 bucks for a lifetime membership and I get 10% back on all of my stuff? My first purchase netted me 45 bucks back, so I'd say I did ok.

Never done one of their classes, let us know how it is!
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Yeahbuddy...

I bought two Big Agnes bags and pads when I opened my membership. Saved a ton, and got them cheaper than the REI brand.
 
Also, the membership works on your online buys too.

Their prices arent that far off from Amazon on MANY things, and cheaper when you get 10% back.
Also, getting to put hands-on is nice.

Their private labeled things - what I've bought I've liked. I bought a cadet cap for cheap and been wearing it for years now, love it!
 
I try to buy shoes and boots from them. They have the best footwear policy around. If you are not happy bring it back. I have brought back hiking boots with toe wear after a year and gotten 100% credit. They ask no questions and give you no grief. Their people are pretty granola, but their products and services are pretty good. And their urinals are really clean. At least until I show up.
 
CZfool68 said:
I try to buy shoes and boots from them. They have the best footwear policy around. If you are not happy bring it back. I have brought back hiking boots with toe wear after a year and gotten 100% credit. They ask no questions and give you no grief. Their people are pretty granola, but their products and services are pretty good. And their urinals are really clean. At least until I show up.
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I was told that they have stiffened up this loose policy on all gear. If it weren't so crazy to begin with, I'd make a stink about it. It used to be an unwritten lifetime warranty on all products purchased under your membership. They told me that changed a year or so ago, but they'll still honor products bought before the change.
 
ripv2 said:
I'm registered as well.

CFF representing.
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If you aren't large, and bald, and have a beard, better get to work on that. :D
 
9outof10mms said:
I was told that they have stiffened up this loose policy on all gear. If it weren't so crazy to begin with, I'd make a stink about it. It used to be an unwritten lifetime warranty on all products purchased under your membership. They told me that changed a year or so ago, but they'll still honor products bought before the change.
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I've torn up shoes in less than a year and returned with no issues. But there probably is a point where they call BS. As long as you are reasonable they are good to go.
 
Can't believe the negative hype about their pricing. You get a full year to try anything (except used stuff from the quarterly garage sale). Don't like it? Take it back.

Also, they contribute more to conserving the natural beauty of our country than any other private business out. Most of the few extra bucks that you pay for an item there goes somehow, some way, to preserving the wilderness.

They are an incredible company. I'm no treehugger but I do love the outdoors, and I appreciate their contributions, whether it granola-fueled or not.
 
Prices aren't Campmor or Sierra Trading, but their OK. I have not taken their classes but I am subscribed to an email list...I get a list of their classes every month.

Regarding their "house brand," their boots, the Monarchs are (were?) made by Merrell, and are as good as any boot I have ever had.
 
Dammit. I had to work late and by the time I got off I had forgotten about it. And I didn't remember until you commented
ripv2 said:
What happened to you guys?

I'm just lucky no crap want down between the freeze dried guacamole and the climbing rope isle...

this time.
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ripv2 said:
What happened to you guys?

I'm just lucky no crap went down between the freeze dried guacamole and the climbing rope isle...

this time.
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Sorry buddy, my son had Driver's Ed yesterday after school and they wouldn't let him leave early. I wanted to come but he would have been disappointed if I went without him. How was it?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
ripv2 said:
The presenter was an experienced hiker and had some good ideas/knowledge for some products REI carries that I wasn't aware of. Mostly it was common sense info.

For a free class it was a win.

I see on there website that they have classes that are slated for 2 hours and are not free. I imagine they are more educational.
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Good to hear. I'm signed up for a few locally.

How heavy were they on the bolded part? I fully expect that one of the primary objectives of REI holding these classes is to put products in front of prospective customers, just curious what the balance is.
 
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