I am still working on the sponsorship. I talked with the "event 
coordinator" last night after the GPS got replaced. Last year when I 
approached them, it was 1 week before the event. At least a little bit 
more now. But, we shall see. He seemed open to the idea. I will give him 
time.


AZcachemeister wrote:

> Yeah, yeah, yeah! But did you get the sponsorship?
> REI member since my Boy Scout days in the late '60s. Back then there 
> was only the one store in Seattle. The annual trek to the fall sale 
> was a special treat!
> I have heard they will take back (or replace) the hiking boots you are 
> unhappy with because they wore out in only a year's time!
>
> Steven Stringham wrote:
>
>> I just was at REI with my Etrex Vista. What was once broken is now 
>> whole.
>>
>> Last year (May 2004), I took my Venture (green) (My original GPS - 
>> Christmas present) etrex on vacation to St Louis, and area. As I was 
>> getting out of the car at the St. Louis Arch (looking for a cache, 
>> naturally),  the GPS dropped out of my hand as I shut the door. It 
>> was broken. So, we found the nearest REI and bought (to my wife's 
>> budgeting sorrow) a Vista etrex. At the same time I bought for $15 a 
>> membership to REI, and got a 20% discount (lets see - $15 for a $60 
>> discount - ok, I'll take it).
>>
>> I shipped my Venture back to Garmin, and they fixed it under 
>> warranty. Then, May 2005, the Vista stopped working with the 
>> joystick, and kept turning itself off. I called garmin, who said it 
>> was out of warranty. It had been shipped Dec 2003. REI was able to 
>> fax me a copy of my purchase receipt. It was repaired by Garmin in 
>> warranty.
>>
>> July, 2005. Out in Wickenburg with AZJedi on a cache hunt. Last 
>> couple of planned caches for the day (it was hot), and I slipped 
>> going down a hill. On my back (my backpack with camelback broke my 
>> fall), and my Vista GPS goes flying. Into the rocks, and the screen 
>> is toast. Rats, that one is gone. I figured that Garmin would repair 
>> it for about $100. I was waiting for the budget to clear to let me do 
>> it. So, back to the Venture for now. (It is nice to have two)
>>
>> Saturday, I was at REI begging for sponsorship for the Halloween 
>> event (prizes for you all!). I stopped by the GPS counter. I  
>> mentioned my vista problem to the clerk. He asked if I was a member. 
>> "Yes", I said. "Bring it back, and we will replace it for free", he 
>> said. Stunned, I was amazed.
>>
>> Today, I took this Vista back, screen obviously busted. I also 
>> brought the receipt that I had been faxed. Guess what. They gave me a 
>> new Vista, brand new, in the box. No hassle, no fuss. Just, here you 
>> go. They also said, if I wanted to upgrade to a newer model, just 
>> bring it back, and trade up for the difference. What? I have never 
>> heard of that.
>>
>> They may be a bit more expensive, but they have earned my gratitude.
>>
>> Anybody else had this experience with anybody? Wow! I am dancing. I 
>> have my vista back (Yes, I know it is not a 60cs. Oh well).
>>
>> Steven Stringham
>> StringCachers
>
>