Has anybody grabbed any gear from REI's used website? If so, how was the experience? Were you happy with the product and did you feel like their assessment of gear condition was accurate? Anybody have to take advantage of the 30 day "satisfaction guarantee?" Any hassles?

Thanks a lot!

If you're referring to "Rei Garage", its not used gear, but more of their markdown and clearance items. If you don't like it, you can certainly return directly to the store, or mail it back in (may be a restocking fee for the latter). If you have an REI near you, they will occasionally do "Garage sales" at the store. These are the used items that have been returned to the store that customers didn't like/didn't work/any reason whatsoever. They can't resell those items as new, so they do a Garage sale and great gear is marked down to steeply discounted prices. At my local store, there's always a small crowd to get there earliest and grab highly sought after gear at great prices. There's actually a lottery to draw tickets and see who gets to browse the items first. The only issue is that the garage sale items are not returnable, so make sure you like it!

The REI return policy is one of the best...with few exceptions, if there's something you don't like within a year of buying it, REI will take it back for a refund. These are the items that end up in the garage sale! Hope this helps.

Just reread your post and did some searching. I was totally unaware they did used gear sales online. The only concern I would have is that you can't inspect it first hand. I've done the garage sales in person multiple times, and most of the gear is in great shape. All in all...I don't know if I've helped at all. Good luck!

In the email that I received from them announcing this "test", it stated that all items would be thoroughly inspected prior to being offered. I assumed from the way the email read that only "like new" items would be offered while the more used items would be offered at their traditional in-store garage sales. Most other retailers would take these items and resell them as new or place them on a clearance shelf.

There really is no need to offer "like new" items for deep discounts like they do at their garage sales. I don't see their garage sales going away because it is probably the cheapest advertising that they can do to get hundreds of people into their stores to shop and sell used and worn gear instead of throwing it away at the same time.

I just don't understand all the sun-glasses.

PatrickE - they just announced this a few weeks ago.

Yeah I shop there a ton, both online and in store and had never heard of them doing this. I looked through the used stuff and from what I've seen at the garage sales, I would be hesitant to purchase used shoes. I think most people would wear these in a good bit before returning. That said, I've bought some great rain gear used from REI and it looked new, works great.. Looks like they offer a 30 day guarantee so as long as there is a store close to make a return easier, I'd say try it out.

We where just at REI last week.Used to them is returned items that might have a slight blemish. It's not traded in items. They might want to change their terminology.

Thanks for the input people. I was looking at boots and there are some good deals. As long as I can return them to the store in Bloomington I will probably take the chance.