I know there's a lot of really really negative reviews on this place, and I was expecting at best a so-so experience here, but was very pleasantly surprised (and relieved) that we still have a good REI on the Eastside. REI does so well downtown with its flagship store, and had such a beauty in Redmond, that their own act is hard to follow. But some of the comments here are truly silly: one guy brings back something after a year, because he got tired of wearing it, and asks for a refund, which they gave him, along with a wry little bit of reaction, and he complains and gives them one star? c'mon. People are people, that's why I like stores instead of online. We all react, we breathe, too, is that such a sin? Want a more professional attitude? then don't expect a refund, you won't get one in places like that. How do you know if they gave you a refund because they might have wanted to help you in case you were strapped and really needed the money? Think about it. This is your peeps, they have hearts and emotions, and aren't afraid to show them. But you will do better if you can embrace the humanity than in a sterile, phony place. Your choice, I have not found service with heart in places with no hearts.
Anyway...my visit...the place was busy for a Sunday, but parking was ample. I went in, and was immediately greeted by a courteous older gentleman who asked if he could help me find anything. I said, do you have that stuff..."waterproof spray?" I said yes, you read my mind, how did you do that? "It's raining and you're wet". I said that's cheating, but it's also great, thanks. He took me over to the display, pointed out the types of products and asked if I needed any info or anything else. In seconds I had my purchase, and was rung up by a very friendly checker. I wandered around the place for the other intended 4 minutes of my visit, but I stayed longer looking at lots of clothes and other things. The place, to me, is almost as big as Redmond, though it does not have the climbing rock, which at 71 I'm not interested in, just saying, but it had a pretty vast array of products, I did not see one empty shelf. There seemed to be several brands and choices of almost everything. I'm not even a camper, or outdoorsman, but if I were, I think this place would be very handy if not mecca itself, and certainly the best for many miles around.
I am giving this a 5 star, not because it equals Redmond store (now closed) or downtown, but because they kept an REI over here so we don't need to go downtown for most things. I'm sure if they don't have it here, they can get it easily for us. We're lucky. I get the traffic thing, it's bad down in Bellevue in that area. But parking was awful in Redmond Towne Center, too, very often for me, and Redmond is no bargain traffic zone, let me tell you. For an eastside store, for an REI, it's all it should be, I am relieved to say. read more
