[Jeff Higgins]

REI grew up in my neighborhood. I was a member when it was still a little co-op, a real co-op. Bulletins used to go out to members for group buys on cool stuff; the more of us that got in, the cheaper it got. Members were their biggest source of product information, from what to stock to how it worked. Used to have lots of surplus stuff, and inexpensive (but tried and proven) gear. No glitz or heavy marketing allowed.

That has all changed. Yes, they still have the best customer service in the industry. Now, however, they pay for that service by spreading it out accross their customer base. No more cheap, useful, reliable equipment to be found at REI - it's all top name brand at top dollar. No more piles of stuff to sift through out on the floor to find the cool stuff and the good deals. They've gone yuppie on us. They have gone from the VW bus crowd to the Range Rover crowd. Oh well; they do have great equipment and great service. I just miss the quaint little hole-in-the-wall locale and the enthusiastic (but poor) counter-culture staff.