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November 2023 by Oliver A.
I will take my business to mountain air sports or Amazon! My family purchased all our bikes from this location. All co-op bikes. When we purchased our bikes we were told that they had a one-year warranty and that we could bring them in for one free service in the first year. All of the bikes have a service need whether it's not shifting into all the gears or like my bicycle a really loud brake chatter noise since the first day I bought it. I have tried for a year to bring it back to this store to have it serviced. I have always gotten the runaround and not been able to get an appointment. Most recently they didn't have a technician to work on bikes for about 6 months. Now that they have a technician they are asking me to bring my bike in so that they can look at it before they'll give me an appointment and then I must bring the bike back for the appointment weeks later. I asked for a manager, explained the issue and the model of the bike and asked if we could just avoid bringing it down two times and just get an appointment to get the brakes looked at. Tyler, the manager started flip-flopping and giving me all kinds of rigamaru lying out the side of his mouth saying that this is how all the REI's Do it. When I pointed out to him that I had brought my children's bikes to the REI in SLO to get them serviced and they were serviced the same day while we waited and shopped around the mall, he began to flip flop again.Like I said, I'll take my business elsewhere and I'll be returning that bike now a year used...
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September 2023 by Kimberly F.
I ordered an XXL Thule cargo box during REI's Labor Day sale and when I went into the store to pick it up, Tyler the manager was there to help. He went above and beyond by not only carrying it out to my vehicle but helping us install it, giving us tips and then throwing away and recycling all the packaging. We had planned on strapping the thing on our roof and getting it home to figure it out but Tyler made it incredibly easy and simple. What a nice surprise and such a helpful manager- REI is lucky to have Tyler in charge, offering such amazing service and setting a wonderful example for his employees. Thank you Tyler!
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August 2023 by John A.
Another bad review for REI in Santa Barbara. I walked in Aug 28th about 6:45pm to return a defective THERMAREST Mondo King mattress with a large 12"x18" air bubble. When I leaned it against the counter to ask about a return, one employee (male) started yelling at me "You are going to put holes in it!" I said I just want to return it and ignored his rude comment. When I pointed out the large air bubble on my mattress, he again was rude and said "it has a stain," which was a flat out lie! I may or may not shop there again.
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July 2023 by Ruben G.
Super great place for gear. Shopping experience was awesome, sales folks were helpful. In Santa Barbara for a week and needed a good backpack.
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June 2023 by Snow L.
Terrible employees. I was recently shopping at this store for sunglasses and I had couple of friends with me. We had a very unusual experience at that time. We bought a pair of shoes and trying out sunglasses and at that time we noticed there was an REI employee keeping watch on us, one of my friends brought that to my attention. We didn't pay much attention at that time. But at the checkout, the REI employee scanned our items and before we could make payment she was called aside by the same REI employee. When the she returned for checkout, she grabbed the shoe box she had already scanned and opened it to check if there was something else as well in there. When she didn't find anything else in there except for the shoes we bought, she seemed startled and just told us that she was trying to make sure both the shoes are of same size. This was totally abnormal. Apparently she was checking if we stole sunglasses or something but she didn't call that out. We felt disgusted by this behavior of the REI employees and this is not the first time this has happened. The employees at this store have tendency to keep watch on people, we know this from the past. Some employees are nice but most of them generally look at the shoppers suspiciously. I'll try and avoid this store and REI in general. Not a good company, so obviously not so good people they employ.
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March 2023 by Lisa L.
Unfriendly to dogs since 2007. Too bad since it's a brand billed as "helping people get outside" -- just don't bring your dog.
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March 2023 by Heather M.
My husband & I were shopping for a pair of shoes! Our podiatrist recommended REI for carrying Altra shoes that she highly recommends. The Santa Barbara store carries them. The nicest young man helped us both & helped us choose the right size & told me how I could order the right size at the check out since they weren't in stock right then, but would be soon!!!Very helpful & great staff!!!
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February 2023 by Erika V.
I had a wonderful experience at REI last Sunday afternoon. I had only been in the is store a couple times prior to this visit. I started looking at the shoes and as soon as the associate was finished helping a customer try on some shoes, she happily came over to me. She asked if she could help and I told her I was looking for some Merrell shoes to hike in that needed to be waterproof. She kindly asked if I was looking for women's shoes (I was on the men's side, whoops!) she showed me what they had available and brought my size to me. She explained how the correct fit would feel and suggested I try wearing them while resting out a small climbing area in the store, where you can walk up and down the rock to test the fit of the shoe. This was very helpful and the shoes fit perfectly. They also have various socks (including wool) that you can try on with the shoes. Next I went to look for waterproof pants. I asked the same associate if a certain pair of pants was waterproof. She scanned the tag with a device she had and a wealth of information popped up on the screen. She informed me that the pants were water resistant, not waterproof and explained the difference. I went back to looking at clothes and asked another associate if they carried Merrell pants. She informed me that they only carry shoes with the Merrell brand. A little while after I left the store, I called to ask the names of the associates who helped me. Their manager, Tyler, happened to pick up the phone and knew exactly who I was describing and provided their names: Meg and Kathleen. He was very friendly, thanked me for calling and said that he would acknowledge the associates. Great experience all around :)
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October 2022 by Sabrina L.
Went to REI today to help find a new backpacking backpack. Met Patrick and he was awesome! Super friendly and helpful. Listened to me, understood what I needed it for/planning for upcoming trips, and spent the time to answer my questions and try out 4-5 different packs. Thank you for all your help and time!
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July 2022 by Mari K.
I went to this store to return a pair of shoes. I bought these shoes at REI and was specifically told if I was not happy with them I could return them. I chose the same pair of shoes because I loved them so much. When I went to the cash register to do the exchange the cashier was rude and degrading. She asked me questions about the shoes like I was defrauding her and REI. At the end she said I was within store policy of returning the shoes. I am disgusted and disappointed at this store. I don't know how they are training their employees about returns. I would fire the cashier if I knew this is how she treated customers. It was unprofessional and a horrible representation of REI. If you need to return anything at REI make the extra effort to avoid this store.
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July 2022 by Asya Z.
The sales team at the Santa Barbara REI location was instrumental in educating us on the benefits of Gortex and how this material differs from other options. We ended up purchasing Gortex raincoats for our Alaskan adventure. It was a great purchase!
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June 2022 by Marcos G.
Good for land gear but for water gear it lacks, kinda funny considering this is in santa barbara
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June 2022 by Sarah S.
I had the greatest experience shopping for trail/street running shoes here today. We were greeted as we walked in and saw lots of friendly employee faces on the way to the shoe section in the back. I was greeted by not one but two shoe department employees, which I find rare. Most shoe stores I go to I have to wait a few minutes to try to get the attention of an employee to help me, but even though it was busy and they were handling other customers they made a point to welcome me and offer their help. One employee, in particular, helped me for over an hour as I tried on shoe after shoe with the international of getting a feel for ever brand. He was extremely patient and had a great attitude the whole time. Not to mention, he was an encyclopedia of shoe knowledge! He nailed the sizes from brand to brand and the specs of each shoe. Without hesitation, I would trust him to pick out the best shoe for me, and I don't trust many people lol...maybe I should work on that. If I ever need to try shoes on again I know where I'm coming and who I'm going to ask for!
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June 2022 by Kelly K.
REI bike store treated me with kindness and speed for a simple request. Dave on the phone was excellent and the mechanic was fast and polite. Thanks for your help today
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April 2022 by Robert B.
So good store if you restaff it, besides from being really expensive they have some cool stuff in there. Anyway so there i was shopping around having a good day and being a member of their Co-op i thought it would be ok if i checked out the store but apparently i didn't fit their ideal costumer look and was bothered every two minutes by a snobby acting employee asking if i needed help. Then a overweight girl with bad skin approached claiming to be the manager. She proceeded to tell me that she could take my back pack with everything i was trying to steal up to the front. Wow now, excuse you! I told them they could look through my back pack and that I hadn't put anything in it. She said she couldnt so I voluntarily opened it up for them to see and took everything out so they could, guess what..., nothing stolen whatsoever. Now instead of being apologetic she was very rude and self righteous about it. I left the store leaving what i had gathered to buy on the table. I entered REI in a good mood but left feeling less than and unwelcome in a place i paid extra to be more a part of their lame Co-op. i was profiled and thought of as a thief as soon as i walked in the door. I thought REI was better than that and the experience was foul asf, so ill end it there and just say Fu@k you REI you shouldn't act like your better than anyone or assume to know anybody. I might not where Patagonia or drive a tesla but that doesn't mean I'm a thief