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| - Without exaggeration, nine to ten years ago, I came into this store......and it changed my life forever. I was young and green (*ahem* and still am) and had no clue what I was doing. I remember approaching the counter sheepishly and intimidated because there were three hot, athletic guys working there (it was inventory night and all the owners were there) and I requested the best climbing shoes for a beginner. Mike handed me my first pair of shoes (La Sportiva Mythos) and I left my socks on while trying them because my toes were so unkempt and I hadn't washed my feet after hiking all day. Immediately, Mike said, "You have to take your socks off to try these shoes on...you don't wear socks with climbing shoes." which added more to my embarrassment as my foot funk wafted and I was sure everyone would react to it. No reaction. No judgment. In fact, he touched my nasty feet to explain something to me and I remember I was mortified. All that exuded was 100% genuine interest in helping me out and 100% genuine passion when teaching/talking about climbing (which I came to find out was how most climbers are after I traded my heels and superficial perspective for the true human + Mother Nature experience that defines climbing/alpine lifestyle). I left the store in love....with my new climbing shoes. A couple weeks down the road, I returned to purchase my first harness. Travis was working at the time and as I perused over all the pretty, colorful harnesses, Travis led me to the Clearance area and handed me some heinous looking black and yellow, Wild Country harness. "Here...this ones on clearance; you can't beat it." I remember thinking, 'Uh! It's not cute!' (whereas now, I prefer functionality over appearance). But I purchased it and it served me well over the years on all the RR classics and worldly climbing trips. These guys outfitted me for safety and success and I'm not saying this because they are close friends; I rarely see them...I have since been living in the eastern sierra for the last three years but it's a pleasure to run into them here and there when I'm in the area and come to the store to make a purchase. I am grateful that a store like this exists because in the beginning, they were there for all of us in the climbing community for priceless beta, resources and quality gear. I bought my first, large liter packs here, my first puffies, my first approach shoes and endless amounts of chalk :) While in-store, you may catch a living Red Rock legend or two, who have invaluable stories to share on Red Rock's days of yore. This place has history...as does the climbing gym next door where you can climb the full length of the gym, wall-ceiling-to-wall and a power endurance ramp, unique to bouldering. Old school RR climbers have told me in one night, Chris Sharma, Lynn Hill, John Long, Tony Yaniro and so many more would be training there. Wish they had scrawled stuff on the bathroom walls; woulda been cool to see Lynn Hill had handwritten, "Lynnie wuz here" or "For a good time, call Chris Sharma at (310) 123-1234".
I suppose one thing that might help those that have posted their dissatisfaction from the store is number one, learn about return policies prior to a purchase. In regards to their exchange program, the Bishop Gear Exchange, a place that I frequent and love too, almost never calls right away after an item is sold. There are other consignment stores I have been to that are the same way. Take responsibility and call to check if it has been sold. It is also realistic that you can't get a check right away...it seems everyone these days wants things to happen instantly and they get angered if it's not happening. Dave, the owner at BGE, also takes a couple weeks to send out a check. I don't know why this is but from my experience, this has been the standard for many stores like this. If you want it changed, is the best thing to do to come online and write about how horrible that is? These are mom and pop stores, they aren't large corporations. I think the bottom line is, not every vendor/shop/restaurant is going to please everyone. If you feel snubbed, maybe there is some over-sensitivity going on....I can't fathom anyone who works here would be rude or purposely ignore anyone. Sometimes people like to give others space to shop around and not be down their back; personally, for me, unless I can't find something, it's cool to give me space. Maybe they are giving space because they think the customer looks like a seasoned, "bad-ass" and knows exactly what they may be looking for - in that case, take it as a compliment. :)
To sum it up, these guys have been here for a long time and have the widest gear selection around - being solely dedicated to climbing/alpine lifestyles; respect for that and all the incredible help and great customer service they have dispersed from the beginning of my love and evolution in climbing. Experience it for yourself!
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