[Az-Geocaching] Singing praises to REI

[AZcachemeister]

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
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