"What are you spending your REI dividend on?" 2009 edition

[moss13]

In August we will be going to IR for the first time and will canoe the inland lakes. What type of boots would you recommend for the portages?

These are the best portage boots for summer canoe trips in my opinion. I have the gaitor neoprene socks to go with them and love the combination of the 2 for canoeing.

http://www.boundarywaterscatalog.com/br ... 4,797.html

[Don_P]

Dividends are available. Will wait for the coupon and perhaps get a GPS.

[fonixmunkee]

Yaay! The coupon should be coming soon. They usually send it out once they are sure everyone gets their end of year statement.

And Don_P, unfortunately, GPS devices are usually exempt from the coupon Maybe you'll get lucky though.

[fonixmunkee]

The 20% off coupon code is now available at REI. Coupon code is MEMSAVE. Here's the instructions and exclusions, and unfortunately Don_P, no GPSes allowed:

http://www.rei.com/promotions/memberrew ... exclusions

Happy shopping!

[Ingo]

In the little catalog they sent with the coupon in it, they have GPSs! I thought they may have lifted the restriction on using the 20% off for GPSs. If they have, GREAT . If not, I'm disappointed to see REI going the route of advertising deception, otherwise all too common .

[Ingo]

I just sent this email to REI after verifying that GPS are still on the excluded list.

"I was initially excited to see GPSs advertised in the little catalog with the 20% member coupon, knowing that they have been excluded from this discount in the past. So I was even more disappointed to discover on the web page that GPSs are still excluded from the 20% off. I understand why REI has this policy. I do not understand why any honest person would advertise excluded items in a flier specifically announcing a discount coupon. I expect this type of deception from the corporate culture of our times, but am very disappointed that REI has chosen not to behave differently. I guess you are no different than the rest. At the very least, please add a prominent note on the GPS page stating that they are excluded from the discount (and any other excluded items of course).

Sincerely,
John Ingersoll"

And received this reply:

"Hi John,

Thank you for taking the time to contact REI with your feedback.
I must say I agree with you! I am going to forward your email onto the appropriate department for further review.
Wishing you wonderful outdoor adventures!

Rebekah T
REI Online Customer Service"

I guess we have to wait a year to see if it does any good...

[Don_P]

Disappointing on the GPS but I don't "need" one anyway. I'm staying on-trail so GPS isn't a necessity. Given the sales offered by so many sites these days, 20% off full price isn't much incentive to buy. I'll either find a steal of a (sale) deal at REI or just wait for July and get cash.

[trailgoat]

My dividend was $3.42. I put it toward a new MSR Pocket Rocket canister stove. It replaces my previous Pocket Rocket, which provided me with 6 years of solid camp cooking. This little blowtorch never let me down. Not once.

[moss13]

I received my dividend yesterday. $38 and I have no idea yet what I will use it on.

[fonixmunkee]

I just spent my dividened (and accompanying 20% off coupon) on this: http://www.rei.com/product/781096

What can I say, I'm a sucker for Backpacker's annual gear reviews.

[Backpacker534]

Ya know what? My buddy got a sleeping pad several years ago and I wondered why, because I had never had one and always managed to sleep fairly well without one. During one hiking trip I borrowed his sleeping pad and tried it out. Needless to say, I was hooked and wondered why I had never thought to get one. So, I went out and bought a 3/4 length pad and absolutely love it. It is well worth the little extra pack weight I have to bear.

[vitz]

Mountain Hardwear Typhoon Jacket http://www.rei.com/product/746664

[fonixmunkee]

That's a beauty of a jacket, Vitz!

Backpacker534: I'll never not use an air mattress. Sleeping comfortable in the woods is the most important thing to me, so I don't cut any corners on my beauty sleep.

[From_Patagonia]

That's a beauty of a jacket, Vitz!

Backpacker534: I'll never not use an air mattress. Sleeping comfortable in the woods is the most important thing to me, so I don't cut any corners on my beauty sleep.

Try Exped DLX 7, synpad
You are going to love it

Pablo

[philranger]

Looks like Kari is going to get a compression sleeping bag, like the Cat's Meow. R.E.I. was all out of backpacking tandem bikes and banjos.