REI does have great products for the most part (Wisper-lite stove
), and great customer service. In fact I would probably still buy from them if their wasn't a better store with just as good selection and generally cheeper prices not 5 blocks from REI.
After doing some digging on the Intra-Web I couldn't find any hard facts, just a lot of hersay (so I guess you can add this to it). Here's what I know:
REI gives out grants and equipment packages to local enviromental groups. They give out quite a few of these (I think something like 160 grants a year). This sounds like a good thing b/c everyone wants to protect the enviroment. However, (and this is hersay) a few of the groups have had strong anti-hunting, anti-logging, and anti-recreation stances. Now this doesn't mean that from every $1, $.50 goes to PETA; it is more like $.00000000001 of every $1.
Many people may not view this a much of a problem, and I am not trying to keep people from buying from REI. I am simply trying to make THR members aware that, in the past, REI has supported anti-hunting and other extremist groups (however minor that support was).
Edit: I am still looking for credible sources, As I said this is currently hersay so take it with a buick-sized grain of salt. REI has given out Approx. $8 Million since 1976
http://www.rei.com/aboutrei/releases/youth.html most of this has been to groups like the Sierra Club. If/when I find hard evidence I will post it here, I simply put this up because I know that some members are picky about what companies spend thier money on.
If this is too much skepticism, Mods please delete my posts.
