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JeffL · · Salt Lake City · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 65
  1. You guys really need something better to do with your time...
Jeremy Bauman · · Lakewood, CO · Joined Feb 2009 · Points: 1,067

I had a similar experience recently. I had a pair of REI ski pants that I've only used a handful of times since I lived in Texas. This winter I was zipping my front pocket when the entire pocket delaminated and came out! I mean the pocket was all of a sudden outside my pants! Certainly not normal wear and tear.

When I tried to return them the guy tried to explain that they're not covered and that this is normal. I explained that this type of wear is more of a manufacturing defect and he reluctantly returned them for me.

I hear ya, REI isn't what it used to be.

Tristan Higbee · · Pocatello, ID · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 2,970

From the REI website for the Flash 18: "All-purpose daypack is handy in town, on trails and for short hikes away from basecamp; turn it inside out to create a stuff sack that helps organize gear inside a big pack"

Nothing about a summit pack.

Even if it were marketed as a summit pack (maybe it was at the time you bought it, I don't know), when I hear summit pack I think a pack you wear when climbing a big, snowy mountain on summit day. Not meant for rock climbing, let alone rock climbing on a chimneyfest like Epinephrine.

The ski pants thing, though, I'd want a refund for that too. Sounds like a defective product.

Ryan Williams · · London (sort of) · Joined May 2009 · Points: 1,245

I can't comment on current REI policy, or whether it was being followed in this case, but I agree with Tristan about the Flash. My wife has one. Great pack to travel with. She uses it to cycle to work. But dragging it behind me on Epinephrine? I'm not sure I'd trust it to hold my stuff for the duration of the route. It's obviously not meant for that kind of abuse.

Ryan Nevius · · Perchtoldsdorf, AT · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 1,837
JeffL wrote:REI flash 18 pack...climbing Epinephrine.
bearbreeder · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 3,065

for a rock climbing pack 210D is the BARE minimum ... 400D+ IMO just barely makes it in terms of durability

my old mec blitz crag is still ticking strong with 1000D+ fabric ...i bought it 6 years ago for 17 dollahs ... its been used daily

reviews.mec.ca/9421-en_ca/4…

partner with it last week

memorial ledge, squamish chief

the 140D denier of the old flash daypack just doesnt cut it IMO ...

alot of these UL packs are only really suitable for fast and light alpine ... or face climbs where you arent dragging and chimneying with the pack

years ago when the last model came out i blew through the 100D sides of a dead bird cierzo pack in about 2 months (no hauling used daily) despite it being advertised for "rock climbing"

packs made of burlier material dont weight much more IF the manufacturers focus on keeping a simple design ... unfortunately many want to add doo-dahs

try the BD bullet ... its a proven design with 400-1000D fabric and weights a ginourmous 2 oz more than the flash 18

;)

bearbreeder · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 3,065
Jeremy Bauman wrote:I had a similar experience recently. I had a pair of REI ski pants that I've only used a handful of times since I lived in Texas. This winter I was zipping my front pocket when the entire pocket delaminated and came out! I mean the pocket was all of a sudden outside my pants! Certainly not normal wear and tear. When I tried to return them the guy tried to explain that they're not covered and that this is normal. I explained that this type of wear is more of a manufacturing defect and he reluctantly returned them for me. I hear ya, REI isn't what it used to be.
delamination of the pocket is a defect ... especially if theres minimal wear

;)
20 kN · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2009 · Points: 1,346
bearbreeder wrote:for a rock climbing pack 210D is the BARE minimum ... 400D+ IMO just barely makes it in terms of durability my old mec blitz crag is still ticking strong with 1000D+ fabric ...i bought it 6 years ago for 17 dollahs ... its been used daily reviews.mec.ca/9421-en_ca/4… partner with it last week the 140D denier of the old flash daypack just doesnt cut it IMO ... alot of these UL packs are only really suitable for fast and light alpine ... or face climbs where you arent dragging and chimneying with the pack years ago when the last model came out i blew through the 100D sides of a dead bird cierzo pack in about 2 months (no hauling used daily) despite it being advertised for "rock climbing" packs made of burlier material dont weight much more IF the manufacturers focus on keeping a simple design ... unfortunately many want to add doo-dahs try the BD bullet ... its a proven design with 400-1000D fabric and weights a ginourmous 2 oz more than the flash 18 ;)
Just dont buy it from MEC. I remember the last time I went to an MEC. They charged full MSRP on everything I saw in the store, they charged a mandatory membership fee, and they charged for parking (which of course I dident pay). Who pays for parking at retailers???? Fuk that.
bearbreeder · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 3,065
20 kN wrote: Just dont buy it from MEC. I remember the last time I went to an MEC. They charged full MSRP on everything I saw in the store, they charged a mandatory membership fee, and they charged for parking (which of course I dident pay). Who pays for parking at retailers???? Fuk that.
anything bought from MEC comes with a no questions asked UNLIMITED warranty

and they have plenty of stuff at clearance at the end of the year

the membership fee is 5$ ... whoopay doo-dah

parking? ... if you look around the vancouver location there is ALWAYS free street parking a block or two up

;)
Ryan Williams · · London (sort of) · Joined May 2009 · Points: 1,245
20 kN wrote: Just dont buy it from MEC. I remember the last time I went to an MEC. They charged full MSRP on everything I saw in the store, they charged a mandatory membership fee, and they charged for parking (which of course I dident pay). Who pays for parking at retailers???? Fuk that.
It does seem crazy in a country with as much space as Canada that you would have to pay for parking anywhere! Were you in the centre of a large city? If so, I guess that's normal. Certainly is here in London.

I've only heard good things about MEC though. Nothing wrong with charging full price for their merchandise, or with making you pay a one time membership fee.
teece303 · · Highlands Ranch, CO · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 596

You destroyed your pack climbing in tough conditions. This is never covered by any kind of warranty anywhere. The fact that REI once covered these kind of claims was insane.

Bluestone · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2014 · Points: 0

I agree with teece. I always thought it was the responsibility of the buyer to make sure the product they chose is suitable for the task they're buying it for. Just common sense really.

Mikey Seaman · · Boise, ID · Joined Sep 2010 · Points: 5

You destroyed your pack climbing in tough conditions. This is never covered by any kind of warranty anywhere. The fact that REI once covered these kind of claims was insane...+1

And I think you were a bit out of line to expect a return, regardless of what the pack was marketed to do or be

Paul-B · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2011 · Points: 115
Maurice Chaunders wrote:You destroyed your pack climbing in tough conditions. This is never covered by any kind of warranty anywhere. The fact that REI once covered these kind of claims was insane...+1 And I think you were a bit out of line to expect a return, regardless of what the pack was marketed to do or be
++1
Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425
JeffL wrote:My REI flash 18 pack.....like all of my gear purchased from there, was more expensive than I would have liked.
$34.50

Really? It's like the cheapest day pack out there. I spend that much at the bar in an hour.
Eric Engberg · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2009 · Points: 0
Paul-B wrote: ++1
+++2
Gunkiemike · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2009 · Points: 3,492

The LOL is strong in this one.

Nick Votto · · CO, CT, IT · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 320
Scott McMahon wrote: $34.50 Really? It's like the cheapest day pack out there. I spend that much at the bar in an hour.
Absolutely Scott.....or in NYC on 2 drinks
Go grab a new one man!! That's cheap!
JeffL · · Salt Lake City · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 65
Maurice Chaunders wrote:You destroyed your pack climbing in tough conditions. This is never covered by any kind of warranty anywhere. The fact that REI once covered these kind of claims was insane...+1 And I think you were a bit out of line to expect a return, regardless of what the pack was marketed to do or be
Fair enough. I guess I'll just tape it and continue to abuse it.
Locker · · Yucca Valley, CA · Joined Oct 2002 · Points: 2,349

BINGO!

"You destroyed your pack climbing in tough conditions. This is never covered by any kind of warranty anywhere. The fact that REI once covered these kind of claims was insane."

Quit whining!

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425
Brassmonkey wrote:The manager at the store openly said that all the people who use to abuse the policy f-ed people like myself. Thanks guys!
There's a long thread here on this topic, and "REI ethics", but I agree with this. It all went to sh*t after that internet thread from some guy openly bragging about making money by abusing the REI return policy.
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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