Great place to shop for outdoor activities! The prices are pretty steep but you're paying for quality. You do get what you pay for.
They don't really have a big selection of shoes which is kind of a downfall and yes they are expensive compared to other stores. I would recommend checking their sale items beforehand.
Their customer service and return policy is THE BEST! Even if you bought an item years ago and it breaks, you get a replacement (not sure if that refers to members only) or if you're dissatisfied after using the product, you can still return it. Other stores won't let you do that.
It also pays off to become a member here. You do have to pay a $20 fee for membership but you get benefits including money back on certain items, special offers and discounts, and REI dividends.