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07/22/2008 05:13PM |
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07/22/2008 06:48PM |
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07/22/2008 08:03PM |
But...the thing I don't like about REI is their slick catalog, which seems to market this outdoor jock lifestyle where image is everything, where you must have the latest clothing, kayak, rock climbing gear, whatever.
But I suppose I'm just a crabby old fart. Heck, I still like my buffalo plaid wool shirt.
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07/22/2008 10:11PM |
CB
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07/22/2008 08:59PM |
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07/23/2008 03:09PM |
Have you considered joint counseling? Maybe you just need some time apart to really appreciate each other.
I bought a Taj 3 based on your many reviews, so I know this must be hard on you. But don't worry, if it doesn't work out, I'm sure you'll find someone new - just give it time.
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07/29/2008 08:40PM |
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07/30/2008 08:40AM |
REI just isnt the same outfit it used to be, sad to see.
CB
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07/28/2008 06:06PM |
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07/29/2008 05:05PM |
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07/29/2008 07:07PM |
they did a sleazy thing (the reason i went off). i still stand by my view. ill never buy from them again because of it.
and no...i wont name names.
shall we move on now?
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07/29/2008 08:36PM |
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07/29/2008 09:04PM |
A lot of items at outlets are there because they are on closeout. It may have been closed out because it wasn't a good seller (which is why I seldom shop closeouts or outlets anymore). Poor quality may have been one of the reasons. Might this have been the case? How many GOOD reviews did you find on this item pror to purchasing?
Is this item/model no longer made? If it is not, and there are nearly no more of them out there to sell, then why not pull the reviews?
Don't get me wrong, in my opinion, REI is no longer an outfitter and I seldom even glance at their catalog if one arrives in the mail. They've gone so far that there is likley no return possible. I've seen fliers that might not have even one tent, stove or backpack in it.
Not saying that you were wrong to get 'P'd off. All reviews should be kept posted unless the item is no longer made.
P.S. I have a used Sierra Designs Light Year for sale but it's a little snug for most peoples likeing.
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07/28/2008 05:18PM |
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07/30/2008 10:34PM |
Granted, REI has nice gear and sure, you expect to pay more for quality. But I agree with the majority opinion here in that they have changed over the years. What was once a niche market with experienced staff willing to discuss the particulars of caribiners, ascenders, or whatever gear you were after is now staffed with people who are just doing "retail sales", by and large. The small company feel isn't there any longer, or at least certainly not in the way it used to be when you only found their stores on the West coast.
I'm glad to hear they re-posted your review, and it was sad that they even pulled it off in the first place. After all, the gear you take with you is the only thing you have besides your wits out there, and in my case that leaves me with mostly gear. ;-) I think it's important to share your honest opinion with others so that we can all make informed decisions about what we are relying on when we head into the big woods.
But hey, I still miss Herters...what do I know?
REI CxO, if you are reading this, give Jim Whittaker a call and ask him if the quality of his tent was important when he was climbing. I think we all know what the answer will be.
Now then...I'm looking really closely at that Taj 3 after my old Eureka Dome 2 bug screen zipper recently failed...after only 19 years!
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07/22/2008 05:52AM |
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07/22/2008 04:09PM |
Midwest Mountaineering = Wonderful shopping experience with a staff that is friendly and extremely helpful. Prices are similar, but lets face it gear costs dollars....
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07/28/2008 03:09PM |
i got the final explaination from REI. seems the review was flagged as inappropriate (foghorn going off now if youre a garage logic listener) by bizrate (i believe)....and for some reason they have the ability to pull a review...or atleast request REI to pull it. REI pulls it, then at some point goes back over it to see if it is offensive, etc.
bottom line, the VERY negative review i submitted is back on the website.
im still not sure if its because i complained or if it would have just taken time to get it reinstated. ill never know for sure.
there. im being honest. i thought it was only fair to give this update to all of you. take what you will from it.
(BTW...the taj 3 is back in the outlet store. lol)
Jan
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07/21/2008 10:16PM |
I wonder how many Taj 3's you sold for them.
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07/21/2008 10:13PM |
I buy alot of gear from REI because it is really handy. I have never received great service from any location. As REI has grown over the years they have sold out to the posers and the GQ types. Much of the store is trendy clothing. I have been a member since 1981. They have changed with the times and have sold out for market share and increased revenue. They are still a COOP and not a public company. Members should have a voice.
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07/28/2008 05:24PM |
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07/29/2008 07:02PM |
What are you talking about, Cheesehead?
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07/28/2008 05:56PM |
FYI: I have a Taj3 too & Love It!
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07/29/2008 04:56PM |
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07/30/2008 08:28AM |
I had to go to REI to see what all the fuss was about. I found the review:
Sierra dome 2
I can't beleive you got any grief over your review. There are no foul words or even extremely critical comments. You basically listed some things you didn't like said the tent wasn't really an REI design.
I don't understand...
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07/22/2008 11:54AM |
On our July trip, one of our very comfortable 3.5" thick REI Camp Beds sprung a leak and so my wife and I alternated using the non-leaky camp bed while the other used the leaky mattress. Even partially deflated, it was still more comfortable than the thinner Thermarests we've used in the past. When we got back, we went to REI and exchanged it for a new one, no questions asked. We decided against patching it in the BWCA as it did hold some air. But the REI sleeping pad comes with a repair kit, unlike the Thermarest and also a stuff sack is included and not sold separately like the Thermarest. It's times like this we really appreciate the value of REI gear.
All outfitters sell essentially the same gear. My local REI sells MSR and Optimus stoves, Thermarest sleeping pads, Perception kayaks, Cannondale bicycles, North Face clothing, Nalgene bottles, Harmony paddles, Pur water filters, Kelty tents, Lotus PFD's and other brand names I find everywhere else, in addition to their own brands.
I find they have good sales and using my REI VISA card for life's everyday purchases and work travel expenses, I get a rebate each year for free REI gear which has served me very well since I joined over 25 years ago. I can't say enough good things about REI, their gear and their return policy.
I have many REI tents, backpacks, cooking kits and other branded gear that are rock solid, last forever and highly recommended.
Sorry you didn't like your Taj3 tent. As I recall, the thread about this tent listed some pros and cons. What did you not like about the Taj3 so that you turned it back in for a refund? Was it the poor visibility or ventilation when the fly is on? The smaller vestibules?
I have used this tent in killer rainstorms and never had a drop of water get inside. I personally like a larger tent, but find it works great for backpacking trips.
Sorry for your bad experience and an older review being pulled from the web site, but I for one just can't get tied up in a knot enough that I am going to sever a 25 year relationship that continues to serve me very well. I hope your new tent serves you very well and addresses all of the concerns you had about your REI Taj3.
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07/21/2008 10:25PM |
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07/22/2008 02:59PM |
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07/21/2008 09:59PM |
I agree, pulling that rating after any amount of time is wrong unless it is stated that all ratings have a life span.
I would write corporate, it has been a good company for me and if I was going to leave them, I might as well give the top a chance to explain, if you do chose to contact them, I would be interested in there response, or lack of.
Boppa
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07/22/2008 11:28AM |
That Sierra Trading Post has always been better with customer service and great deals anyway. Take your business over there.
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07/22/2008 12:32PM |
asked when i walked in, asked by any floor sales I dealt with (service got cold when I said no everytime), asked again at the register. Made to feel like an arse when I said no thanks
cant bring myself to buy a membership for the privilege of buying overpriced merchandise at a discount
of course the famous time I asked about the quality of a certain piece of gear and was told the next one was better, when I asked why the first thing he sad was "well it costs more for one"
commissions???? I don't know
but thanks for letting me rant a bit
shop where ya like, REI just doesn't work for me anyhow
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07/22/2008 12:59PM |
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07/22/2008 01:47PM |
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07/21/2008 08:08PM |
im a tentaholic, you all know that. :)
back when tent hunting for a solo tent i came upon a "tent" at rei outlet. liked the size, weight was ok. price was right. bought it.
did the trip...hated the tent. returned it without a problem.
feeling as strongly as i did about the poor quality of this shelter i decided to write and submit a gear review of it on rei.com....
it was very negative but cordial. it was honest. i gave the tent 1 out of 5 stars.
they posted it. i like to know about others views concerning equipment i have or have had so i check back once in awhile.
this review was posted, on rei's website since late may...and it was still there about a week ago.
i looked again tonight? it got pulled.
went to live help at rei.com to enquire about this occurance. dawn forwarded it to next in command. he emailed me with no reasonable explanation of why it got removed. NONE.
i have a feeling REI doesnt like reviews less than 3 stars much...even though my 1 star one was online for a month and a half.
i still dont know why. however, this pisses me off enough to say...
REI? ya just lost a life long customer.
unsubscribing to gearmail....cutting up membership card.
and to think...i had my eye on another outlet tent...a BA, just waiting for a 20% off gearmail....however, i DO have standards.....
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07/21/2008 10:23PM |
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07/22/2008 03:39PM |
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07/21/2008 09:02PM |
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07/22/2008 01:34PM |