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| - My dad used to shop at REI all the time, albeit complaining about how expensive they were.
And they're certainly not a discount outdoor store--if Popular Outdoor Outfitters hadn't been run into the ground when it changed hands, REI might look positively expensive.
But their prices aren't horrible, and the service, selection, and knowledge are hard to beat. Whatever your outdoor predilection, chances are REI Tempe has it. If they don't, nearly anything REI carries (including REI Outlet inventory!) qualifies for free in-store delivery and takes only a couple days to arrive.
The real key is in membership, though: $20 buys you in as a lifetime member of the co-op. As a member, you get 10% of your purchases back at the end of the year. At that point, REI competes with or even ends up cheaper than many outdoor discounters. Combine that with an exceptionally generous return policy, and it's rare I shop anywhere else for my outdoor gear.
REI stacks up especially well against the newfangled "destination stores" in my opinion. Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops are nice to go wander through and look at stuffed animals, but they're a pain in the ass to actually shop at. At REI, I can be in and out with what I needed without wandering a mile through a mile's worth of merch or fighting for parking.
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