Today REI has their twice-a-year sale of returned goods or display items. For me it is kind of like my Christmas after Christmas! In fact, there are only a couple of times each year I don't mind getting up before 6:00am : backpacking in September, hunting in October, and the REI sale.
Today I woke up early and went with my buddy Lynn Peterson to the sale. We arrived and it was way too cold to both stand in line, so we rotated going back to the car. The sale didn't start til 9am and we were there around 7am. The sale doesn't take place in the store either, it is in the parking lot roped off so people can't sneak in or out.
We had a pretty good position in line since we were there early. I think we numbered the 50th or 60th people in line so I was pretty happy. Once the gate opens it is an all out rush to the goods dispersed somewhat systematically throughout the lot. The strategy here is to just grab as much stuff as you can and look at it an hour later or so once the looting is finished. If you take too much time looking at the items as you go, you are going to miss out on some good spoils. This year I took home around $1450 worth of gear for $278.85. Here is the list
- Asics running shoes $89.95 (worn outside and returned-$11)
- REI Hiking boot GTX $189 (didn't like the color-$15.93)
- Keen clog shoes $99.95 (ripped pull tab in back-$2.93)
- Bath toy kayak $18 (missing one dude-$4.93)
- Keen sandals for Savannah $19.99 (elastic piece broken-$2.93)
- Kamik boots for Savannah $29.95 (dirty-$4.93)
- Polar RS200 and extra accessories $219.95 (battery comes on and off-$9.93)
- Cateye LED flashlight $40 (broken strap- $4.93)
- REI sleeping back 15degree liner $59 (too thin-$20.93)
- North Face backpack $69 (ripped mesh-$29.93)
- Running Soles $45 (display- $7.93)
- North Face Tent Tadpole $239 (??? no problem-$70.93)
- Merrell Leather shoes $89 (??? $7.93)
- Brunton compass $19.99 (missing lanyard $0.93)
- North Face gloves $65 (missing liner- $13.93)
- Salomon XAP hiking shoe $89.99 (tear- $19.93)
- Pearl Izumi leg support $34.99 (used- $4.93)
- Eagle Creak travel luggage $239 (?? -$39)
I realize that some of their listed prices probably aren't the actual market value. In fact, I could find much of this even new on the net for lower than their listed price, but I want to think that I got a better deal than I did anyway.
3 comments:
Wow! I am jealous of all the shoes... good job! Sav is going to be stylin'! I'll have to remember that next year! ;)
Lindsey
Kyle,
Congrats on your find! As always, beyond crazy good deals.
I work at the newly remodeled/expanded Boulder, CO REI...we haven't had a Garage Sale since spring since we were under construction...7 folks slept outside the store last night in a tent to be first in line...it was crazy...but lots of folks got so awesome gear.
If you ever want a good chuckle, just take a read of the return tags as to the reasons folks give us as to why their purchase didn't work out. If folks don't think we are about as laid back and easy going with our members as anyone other outdoor retailer or Co-operative...have them read those tags ;-)
Enjoy your gear!!
Joshua
um, i don't even know what a lanyard is -- sure hope the compass is good without it!
i'm really upset you didn't bring me home another pair of sandals or a 13th sleeping bag.
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