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> A lot of mountaineering gear costs a lot, but lasts for a really long time. Precisely. REI has some stuff which is wildly overpriced - I wouldn't buy hiking
by Bartweiss 10y ago
> A lot of mountaineering gear costs a lot, but lasts for a really long time.
Precisely. REI has some stuff which is wildly overpriced - I wouldn't buy hiking shorts there. But if I'm buying climbing gear, no one will sell it cheap anywhere. REI dividends and a good warranty make the competitive, because I'm expecting to keep the gear for a decade or more.
- weaksauce 10y agoThey changed the return policy on climbing gear to be much shorter. The gear coop has pretty good climbing deals and a good selection and a lifetime return policy(iirc) just don't abuse it. Edit not lifetime anymore. Both places are one year.
- praneshp 10y agoBut most other places don't offer return on climbing gear. Even REI said they wouldn't take back my approach shoes if I didn't like them.
- Bartweiss 10y agoThat's a bit odd - I wonder if it's just a sanitation issue? Certainly no load-bearing climbing gear is ever returnable. Harnesses, ropes, draws, and pro aren't (and shouldn't be) returnable or resalable ever. I assume helmets can't be either. But non-safety gear like chalk bags can be returned, and I'm surprised they won't take back approach shoes since they aren't even used on a wall.
- weaksauce 10y agoThey used to take all gear back. They would be obligated to destroy it in the back if it was safety critical equipment though.
- calbear81 10y agoThey took back climbing harness a friend bought two years ago but told them that even though it's in their right to return, they would basically destroy/dispose of the harness since it's a critical safety equipment. Other stuff goes to the Garage sales.
- justinator 10y agoBeing cheap when buying climbing gear is like being cheap when getting a tattoo, except the latter won't kill you. Usually.