REI Garage Sale - Is it worth it?

newkid900

newkid900

Member
The REI Garage Sale is happening in Seattle and I'm debating on going. I am in need of some new snow pants and a helmet? I've heard the lines can be long and the gear can be limited. I'm curious if anybody has had any luck at one of these when it comes to getting some decent ski gear. Also, what can I expect?
 
Not worth it to go out of your way. Stock they have is random so I wouldn't count on finding anything specific. I haven't been impressed with it at all in like the last 10 years or more. Used to be a lot more big deals but last time I went it's a lot of used shoes etc for not that big of a discount.

You will probably save time and money just ordering your stuff online from Sierra Trading Post or Ebay or something. I think you can get 15% off sporting goods today on the Ebay app.

Spend your time going to the mountain this weekend instead. It's the last weekend of winter my man.
 
I've gotten some great deals on clothes and climbing shoes before, but you need to be there as soon as it begins. Never seen any good deals on ski gear.
 
New pants and helmet?

I’d say wait a month or two once end of season sales start if you can wait.

I remember when Rei use to be super picky about the condition of the gear being sold. Had to be new/cleaned decently. I’ve seen some really dirty crap people were trying to sell at the garage sales.
 
My one experience was a waste of time. Waiting in a long line first thing in the morning was nbd. Walking in as others stampeded past to literally clear the entire shelf of all the foot wear in their given size was a lesson learned. But the fear in the associates faces when the people were eating each other was priceless.
 
14011552:SoAnG said:
My one experience was a waste of time. But the fear in the associates faces when the people were eating each other was priceless.
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I'm thinking of taking my kids, we're never going to walmart especially on black Friday or dusk on turkey day or whenever the annual near riot happens now, so maybe they can get a glimpse into the world of rapid capitalists fighting over scraps of goods in a slightly more tame environment.
 
14011178:OregonDead said:
Not worth it to go out of your way. Stock they have is random so I wouldn't count on finding anything specific. I haven't been impressed with it at all in like the last 10 years or more. Used to be a lot more big deals but last time I went it's a lot of used shoes etc for not that big of a discount.

You will probably save time and money just ordering your stuff online from Sierra Trading Post or Ebay or something. I think you can get 15% off sporting goods today on the Ebay app.

Spend your time going to the mountain this weekend instead. It's the last weekend of winter my man.
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Agree. Employees get to snag the good stuff the night before anyways
 
14011557:mystery3 said:
I'm thinking of taking my kids, we're never going to walmart especially on black Friday or dusk on turkey day or whenever the annual near riot happens now, so maybe they can get a glimpse into the world of rapid capitalists fighting over scraps of goods in a slightly more tame environment.
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Definitely teaching moments there to be had.
 
Garage sale is great if you want some used Vibram 5 fingers. Other than that it's fucking dumb.
 
14011640:Session said:
Garage sale is great if you want some used Vibram 5 fingers. Other than that it's fucking dumb.
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I think I will just go skiing instead. I just scored some Helly Hansen pants for 50% off here in Seattle.
 
I've been to a few garage sales, and I think you have nothing to see there. I was with my dad, and from everything there, the most impressive were the garage doors. Maybe if you are already a specialist in this kind of sales, you can find interesting things, but I didn't buy anything.
 
The one time I went was at the REI in Grand Junction, Colorado. it was awful. They were selling some touring boots with cracked tongues (I forget the boot) that were beat to shit for like $200. The selection was so painfully random. Most items were missing a crucial component too.
 
14144664:Victor8ST said:
I've been to a few garage sales, and I think you have nothing to see there. I was with my dad, and from everything there, the most impressive were the garage doors. Maybe if you are already a specialist in this kind of sales, you can find interesting things, but I didn't buy anything.
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Regular garage sales or "garage" sales which are basically parking lot sales of used gear and returns and in this case happen at the outdoor retailer REI?

I love regular garage sales, you can find some good scores in the nicer areas of town.
 
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