I have always been impressed with the layout of REI stores, which often forego highlighting their own branded gear on endcaps and in major fixtures in favor of a bit more balanced presentation of gear. Bloomington's store accomplished this merchandising goal well. However, I have never been impressed with the level of service at REI's stores, often staffed by people who have to call over the one camping expert or one paddler or one insert-skill-set-here when I am in that section. Today, I waited for quite a few minutes in the clothing section, the camping section, the kitchen section, and the climbing section as I outfitted my four-person family for a trip to the BWCA. Several people looked at me with blank stares when I asked for paracord or sleeping pad chair kits or filter replacements. I finally gave up asking and roamed the store on my own. I expect more from a major outdoor retailer, and while I will continue to shop at REI, stores need to train their staff better when responding to questions they may not know or staff sections with employees who have more than a basic understanding of that outdoor activity. I worked for Patagonia for almost 10 years and a local outdoor store outside of DC and expect more from a store like REI. read more

Knowledgable and very approachable staff. Brought bikes in from an unfortunate crash, Nick walked out to my car for initial inspection, and helped bring in bikes. (Wish I remembered everyones names, all were great!) Repair tech, came out of service area for a look and talked with us for a bit. Other staff members helped us pick out bike parts, in an polite instructive way, that I did not feel pathetically ignorant. Awesome staff, my kind of customer service! read more

Aaahhhhh, standing in rental department feeling sorry for the TWO guys working. They are so overwhelmed and CLEARLY need more help in this area. I have a rental reservation and have been waiting for an HOUR. I love their Memorial Day sale, but wouldn't they benefit from having plenty of employees in this area as well?! My advice would be to do more big sales throughout the year, so this weekend doesn't make me like REI less. read more

Great service. Great membership rewards. If you like to be outside, this is the place. Very tempted by the climbing wall, which is really tall. 55 feet to be exact. read more

This REI rocks. It's the biggest one in the area, and they have a ginormous climbing wall. Great way to try out your equipment eh? I also like the size of the store, it's huge!! You can wander through here for hours if you're an outdoor nerd. read more

Great store with all sorts of gear, clothing, equipment for almost any outdoor activity. I'm a big trail running and I've purchased a lot of trail running gear here. The staff has always been very nice and helpful. I probably could spend $10,000 in here in a blink of an eye. I also had my cycle service here and they did a good job quick and easy. read more

I'm kind of spoiled because the REI I used to live next to was gigantic compared to this one and had a lot more stuff. However, this is my local REI and I've got to take it for what it's worth. They sell good stuff, have excellent return policies and a knowledgeable staff. If you're a member of the co-op you get 10% back every year and a 20% of coupon, which is a nice little bonus, but also kind of sad when you're reminded every year of how much you spent. read more

I was in Minneapolis for business trip last week and I saw the REI store on the way back to the hotel. I decided to stop by and browse for winter deals (discount). I found an Arcteryx rain jacket on sale was surprised that there is no sales tax for clothing and groceries in MN. This REI is huge and they have play gounds for kids. The rock climbing structure is the biggest I have seen. Coming from California where you have to pay 8.5% sales tax, this is a like a huge discount when shopping for clothes. Staff is very friendly and huge selection of outdoor clothing brands. I am big fan and member REI, they are expensive and a little overpriced but when there is sales, it is a great bargain. read more

5 stars for robin at rei!!!!! She was simply amazing!!! So sweet & soooooo helpful! Thanks for all your help. And of course this location is nothing less of AWSOME!!!!!!! 3 thumbs up read more

Thank you Robert and Dane for the outstanding customer service and for helping me with my cycling shoes. They both took time to answer questions and advise me on shoes, it was crazy busy but these gentleman still gave me undivided attention. read more

Holy mother fucking shit! This place has prices that are ridiculous. I wanted to buy a rain jacket, but said fuck it after seeing the prices. I don't care if you say it's breathable. That is a fucking joke. This was the first time I've been at REI for almost 20 years, and I bet it will take another 20 years for me to bother coming here again. The prices here are nothing when compared to Amazon. One of their rain jackets was priced at $180, and it was about $80 on Amazon. Gee, should I think about it some more? These prices are what I would expect at a Savile Row suit shop, except minus the quality. $250 for a Patagonia jacket made in China. Me thinks not. read more

I hardly ever take the time to write reviews, but I feel the service I have received at this REI location warrants it. I have been to this location twice. The first to purchase hiking boots for a trip to Utah. The second to purchase minimalist running shoes. Both times I have received excellent service. Most recently, when purchasing the minimalist running shoes, the first salesperson suggested I speak with another, as he had run a marathon in minimalist shoes. This person was great and took the time to explain many shoes to me as well as their benefits. I must have went through 7 or 8 pairs until I settled on the Merrill Road Glove. Even after explaining the shoes, the salesperson recommended a few books to me on the topic of barefoot or minimalist running. Overall, thumbs up to REI for having passionate salespeople that are willing to spend the time with customers. read more

Huge selection! Buy it and it you dont like it you can return it. No questions asked Cant beat that can you?

I generally only go to REI with my member card-wielding mother so I can go rock climbing. Members climb for free. Did you get that? MEMBERS CLIMB FREE. It's great. Last time I went I had the best experience. The guy who helped me was extremely knowledgeable and gave me some great pre-climb advice. He did a good job of challenging me but also supporting me while I attempted to climb the overhang. Even though I fell off a couple times and did some Cirque-du-Soleil inspired swinging, he kept positive and encouraged me to keep going but not in a fake way, which was really helpful. I definitely recommend trying out the Pinnacle as it's called, they have a wide variety of routes for beginners to advanced, and they provide all the equipment! And of course, parents or friends can get up close and take all the pictures/videos they want. Get climbing! read more

I was very disappointed today in this branch of REI. They have gotten rid of a lot of the topographical maps for the National Parks! They used to have so many more. Now they don't care Hawaii Volcanoes National Park... at all! :{ They also got rid of, or stopped carrying the waterproof spray for shoes. I used to buy it there before every trip. This last trip, our shoes got soaking wet, because REI no longer carried the water proof spray. They do carry a Nikwax in tiny bottles, but that's hardly worth the $20.00 for 4.2 oz!! :( I also didn't like today how the construction crew turned off the power midway through my shopping time. Don't they know how to do their work, without turning off the power? So the register line got very backed up and NO ONE was in any hurry to get the lines moving again. I was told..." it will take time to get the registers up and running again. We have lots of time!" Excuse me? Some of us have family emergencies, are trying to get to work, or on our way out of town! WE ARE in a hurry! I think from now on, I'll be looking elsewhere for a store with better service. Not happy with REI anymore. read more

Rock wall is awesome and the kids love it. Some of the climbing staff is rude and not patient with kids. Keyword, some. The wall is busy on weekends and you can expect to wait. First come first serve. They don't do climbing during the day M-F, which is dumb. Equipment they sell is good quality, but pricey. read more

Only because zero stars is not an option. In 32 years of membership I returned one item recently and was treated extremely rudely. The punk was condescending to me and my son. I asked for the manager who endorsed the rude attitude. I like the stuff there and the adventure trips are good but i dread shopping there. read more

This has been one of the worst customer service experiences I have ever had. First, I had to chase down a sales representative to help. When I located someone they ran off to help someone else, passed me along to three different employees and came back every time to ask if the other employee had helped, which they had done nothing. After, one of the employees tried to convince me that the wrong item was the one that I really wanted. she told me that she located the item finally but it was in a box. She left it at that as if there was nothing they could do about an item in a box. We left baffled without anything. I wouldn't recommend it. read more

Buyer beware!!! I bought a sleeping bag from REI. It was used for one trip and washed. Old bags could just be washed in the wash machine. New bags are made so thin and single stitched so they are hand wash only. No where on the bag site, the bag itself or the REI page for the bag does it state the change in wash instructions. REI does have a separate page with "expert advice". On the camping sub page and the sleeping bag page way way way down it says hand wash. My daughter took the bag back after it fell apart in the machine. The staff at this store were incredibly rude!!! She left the store in tears with an offer for 20% off another bag. Fortunately after a phone call, REI finally decided to stand behind their product and they are mailing another one. Which is why they are getting even one star. We have been members of REI for decades. This is NOT the store I knew and loved. Buyer beware! I get better service from Amazon! read more

I went to the Bloomington REI in search of Chacos sandals. The people in the shoe department were great! I did not have to wait around for help, and I actually had 2 different people help me who were both very competent and attentive to what I needed. They gave me good tips and advice about the sandals I was considering. read more

I love this place, this vibe. Cooperative ownership, great gear to get one into the wild, knowledgable staff, dividends, great sales - what's not to love?! read more

I've been shopping here now for close to 10 years and always had great service. Robin is absolutely the best and everyone i've talked to is helpful and knowledgeable. Lots of selection and quality gear! read more

REI is hands down the best outdoor outlet around. I've bought most of my high ticket outdoors items there because of their lifetime warranty. Staff is always friendly and I've yet to have a problem with anything I've purchased at REI. read more

generally i love rei, long time member who spends beaucoup bucks there every year. but... last week they did not have some maps i needed for the bwca. crappy inventory control. worker said they would be in on friday. i go back on sunday, no maps. lies & crappy inventory control. let's be clear, maps do not have a significant capital investment, nor require much space. plain and simple, this is poor inventory management. maps ain't glamorous but are a necessity for bwca travel and the flagship minnesota rei should KEEP THEM IN STOCK!!! read more

My consistent experiences at this store makes REI one of two national brands to which I have uncompromising loyalty. Any issues with product (e.g. Keen stitching) result in a full refund, though I prefer to exchange in those rare instances given the excellent product selection and outstanding staff. Prices are slightly higher, but the satisfaction policy & other member benefits make REI an exceptional value. read more

It's a co-op so I guess technically I do own the place but I swear every time I interact with any employee there I do feel as if I am the boss who they will bend over backwards to please. I like that REI is a co-op but still feel like I would like to support my neighborhood business. I understand that the selection at Midwest can't compete but you think the customer service could. But it simply doesn't. REI staff is so knowledgeable and helpful. The selection is unbeatable. The policies are so customer friendly. They will take anything, any age back if you are unsatisfied. They once paid to have a pant leg sewn (they offered to replace but because I am an environmentalist I wanted to fix instead--they apologized that their own tailor no longer worked there but they assured me they would pay for a repair. I honestly remained skeptical and was nervous taking in my receipt. Sure enough: no questions asked and they paid for the fix. Above and beyond! I am a loyal REI customer. They also have really helpful product guides as well as a great website. Parking at the Bloomington location can be tight during sales. read more

The REI in Bloomington, MN has a very large selection of what you want or need. But it ends there. The staff at this REI is very rude and they try to avoid you at any cost. You have to know going into REI that you will pay top dollar for anything in there store to make up for there return policy. Don't be fooled by the return policy. I have EXCHANGED some items NOT RETURNED. I bought 4 items off the REI web site and none of them fit. So I brought them to the store and EXCHANGED them for the right items. This was the second purchase since I bought my membership. About 4 months later I recieved a letter in the mail saying my membership had been locked and I could not purchase anything without a managers approval because I RETURNED as many items as I had bought. Which is not true. If they want there return policy to be something else they should make it that. I shop at Costco alot and they have a true no hassle return policy. So in theory there membership is nothing but a way to track your purchases and returns. I asked why my membership was blocked and they told me I was renting the stuff and bringing it back. Funny part is out of the 5 items I EXCHANGED none of them had ever been used. I will never buy anything from REI ever again. There is alot more stores like REI to buy items at that will not treat you the way I was treated by the managment staff. read more