REI COMING TO CHATTANOOGA

Birmingham Ben. Rock Creek has been good to you, because you have been helped by employees like me who love the outdoors and wanted to help you enjoy it to the fullest.

Would you like to know what that employee dealt with a half hour before they were kind and helpful to you?

I have had Tourette's syndrome since I was nine years old. I deal with subduing it every second of every day. A medical condition known as dysgraphia generally accompanies Tourette's.

"Dysgraphia is a learning disability that affects writing, which requires a complex set of motor and information processing skills. Dysgraphia makes the act of writing difficult. It can lead to problems with spelling, poor handwriting and putting thoughts on paper. People with dysgraphia can have trouble organizing letters, numbers and words on a line or page."

I've never made excuses because of these issues. I've worked around them. But you see, every customer who spent over $250 dollars at Rock Creek would recieved a hand written thank you letter, alongside a 15% discount on one item. Those letters were generally written by one of my very artistic co-workers who had beautiful handwriting and oftentimes included a little drawing with the letter.

But one day she was sick, and I was the only employee not assigned to a certain section in the store, and my manager asked ME to write the letters. I made it very clear that I shouldn't be given that job, because I just couldn't do it satisfactorily. But the manager said "oh no, don't worry, just do your best".

One of those letters went out to one of Dawson's friends. Who were offended by the quality of my hand writing. A week later I was called up to Dawson Wheeler's office, made to stand in front of his desk, with ten other employees around. And told that the quality of MY HANDWRITING showed "a complete disregard" for my job and then he said "in three years you're going to be a bum begging on the side of the street, and when I see you, I'm not going to give you a fucking penny."

At least at Wal Mart, there would be an HR to report to

Will, sorry to hear of your misfortune with Rock Creek. I moved away from Chattanooga in 2011 so I can't comment on what has changed since then. But when I was there they definitely were the community store in town. Everyone was always very helpful and competent when I went in. We even worked out some deals between SAU's Outdoor Program and Rock Creek in order for Outdoor students to get discounts. I also worked at The Adventure Guild rubbed shoulders with a lot of outdoor folks. Unfortunately it sounds like from your posts that the store has changed a lot in the last few years.

Nothing against REI, they have a great store with good quality products and good customer service. But I have always liked dealing with my local outdoor shop more. They seem more connected in the local climbing community and not so corporate. With that said...shout out to Mountain Gear my local shop in Spokane, WA.

Marlin Thorman wrote:Will, sorry to hear of your misfortune with Rock Creek. I moved away from Chattanooga in 2011 so I can't comment on what has changed since then. But when I was there they definitely were the community store in town. Everyone was always very helpful and competent when I went in. We even worked out some deals between SAU's Outdoor Program and Rock Creek in order for Outdoor students to get discounts. I also worked at The Adventure Guild rubbed shoulders with a lot of outdoor folks. Unfortunately it sounds like from your posts that the store has changed a lot in the last few years. Nothing against REI, they have a great store with good quality products and good customer service. But I have always liked dealing with my local outdoor shop more. They seem more connected in the local climbing community and not so corporate. With that said...shout out to Mountain Gear my local shop in Spokane, WA.

Will, I reckon I have nothing to add. Sorry you had a bad experience. Hopefully, you've found more agreeable employment since then.

Four Bridges Outfitters is a second small gear shop that opened recently in Chattanooga. They are great! They do consignment and new stuff. They are on north market across from the new public construction site.

Four Bridges is, without a doubt, the best gear retailer in Chatt. Be it new or used, looking for a trade, or just the awesome atmosphere the owners present... it is all top quality. Check them out. They are about 5 blocks past Walgreens on the left of north market. 3 minutes from Coolidge park by car

That's an interesting story....

....and that Wheeler guy sounds like an asshole. Don't know how someone with that lack interpersonal skills made it anywhere in business.....at least one where you have to deal directly with people

I will add my recommendation for Four Bridges! Owners are great folks and active in the local climbing community. They also carry Tenaya shoes.

love four bridges people there are awesome but if REI came to Chattanooga I would probably use them to just the fact is that I will buy the item I want from where it is cheaper not where the people are better and that goes for rock creek too.

Yuppie priced or used? What's cheaper? Jus` sayn`