[pct-l] ice axe length

[BWIL5272@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Brad Wilson)]

I don't know if you saw it in another one of my posts, but I said I actually
drive 45 min to and REI in another state because I like their selection of
gear - and mostly because I like their staff.

When I was getting ready for my AT hike, I went to workshop at REI led by
one past thru-hiker and one past section hiker (both employees). They gave
all kinds of information on long distance hiking and gear selection. They
had slides from their hikes and talked a lot about logistics, covering
topics weekender soon to be thru-hikers wouldn't think of right away.

Bill (the thru-hiker) really knew what he was doing and I called ahead a few
times to be sure he was working when I went to the store. Then, I was sure
to get in touch with him after I finished my hike, to thank him and let him
know how one of his "students" did.

Mags said he's been to the EMS in my area and said it's not a fair
representation of EMS as a whole. He said it look more like a fashion
boutique and I agree with that.

That store may not be like every other EMS, but I'm basing my opinion on
what I've seen and that's from visiting 4 of their locations. I've been to
their stores in Cranston, RI  Conway, NH  Emerald Square Mall, Mass  and one
in Conn. I'm sure there are good and bad employees in every store, but the
frequency of bad ones seems to be higher at EMS then REI or other non-chain
outfitters I've seen.

-Brad



On 2/18/03 1:09 AM, "Heidi Clark" <clarkh@ohsu.edu> wrote:

> While this is definitely true of some employess (not me!!!!!), it goes both
> ways.  I get customers at REI who come in and say things like, "Yeah, I had
> these boots that I bought like fifteen years ago, they were brown, you know
> those ones?  Are you guys still making those?"  Or even worse, "Yeah, I'm
> going rock climbing this weekend, taking my kids, never gone before, like what
> kind of stuff do I need?  Should we use a rope?"
>
> Also, sometimes the answers employees give are geniune and based on their own
> experience.  I think a good employee will qualify their answers by prefacing
> it with an, "In my experience..."
>
> Of course, I agree that there are employees who will tell you stuff as if it
> is an undisputed fact when they have no idea what they are talking about.  And
> they think that because they work outdoor retail that people will worship them
> as outdoor gurus.
>
> Also, as a company, REI would have you believe that in order to have a safe
> and happy outdoor experience, you need to carry a 200 pound backpack with the
> 100 essentials, complete with a picnic table, ten-person tent, and compactible
> SUV.  And they support and sell the Northwest Forest Pass (EVIL!- IMO).
>
> But a lot of the employees care deeply about the outdoor experience, several
> have section or thru hiked, and most will give you an honest and thoughtful
> answer when it comes to gear.  I will tell people what my opinion is, but I'm
> never offended when they don't decide to take my approach.
>
> Just my two cents on REI- not perfect, but not completely irresponsible,
> either.
>
> Heidi
>
>>>> Brad Wilson <BWIL5272@postoffice.uri.edu> 02/16/03 20:41 PM >>>
> Yeah I guess you're right, but I've had so many bad experiences with them...
> In fact some of my friends and I make a game of it. We basically go in and
> ask them simple questions - all stuff right in the catalogs, and see what
> they answer. There's no point system (yet) but we see who can get the sales
> person to make the most outrageous claims about gear.  The claim that the G
> pack can handle up to 60 lbs would have been hard to beat!
>
> Maybe we have too much time on our hands... But it keeps us out of trouble.
>
> -Brad
>
>
> On 2/16/03 8:11 PM, "Gary Wright" <at2002@earthlink.net> wrote:
>
>>
>> On Sunday, February 16, 2003, at 11:05  AM, Brad Wilson wrote:
>>> I'm from RI - there's not a whole lot in our area in regards to
>>> classes. I
>>> would look into classes offered in the Whites (or even Berkshires) by
>>> the
>>> AMC. I've never taken a class with the EMS school, but after some of
>>> the
>>> lies and BS I've been fed by their sales staff, I would not go to them
>>> for
>>> advice or instruction.
>>
>> To be fair I don't think that the staff at the climbing school has
>> much if anything to do with the staff at their retail stores. In fact
>> other than outfitters on the AT, I pretty much ignore the advice of
>> clerks at retail outfitters--unless they happen to be ex thru-hikers!
>>
>> For example, I stopped by a store the other day to see the new Gregory
>> G pack.  I asked the clerk what the recommended max weight was for the
>> pack and he said "oh, maybe 60 lbs.".  Hah!
>>
>
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