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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: jeromedawg on May 25, 2015, 12:07:40 PM

Title: REI returns? Should I?
Post by: jeromedawg on May 25, 2015, 12:07:40 PM
Hey guys,

I have a Oakley sunglasses small vault that I got from REI about 10 years ago and still have the receipt. I've barely used it and really only used it for maybe a year to hold a pair of Oakleys that I ended up selling. Since then it's pretty much been sitting around collecting dust.

Given REI's lifetime return policy at least for items purchased before 2013 or whenever they changed the policy, do you think I should just return it? It's not like I've used and abused the thing and it's in great shape. I just feel a little guilty that it's taken 8-9 years to decide that I should return it haha.

What do you guys think? It was $20... yea I definitely wasn't Mustachian back in 2005 LOL
Title: Re: REI returns? Should I?
Post by: nereo on May 25, 2015, 12:23:00 PM
...had a similar, lively debate about this recently with friends.
Personal opinion: the lifetime return policy is intended to ensure customers that if the gear/clothes/item doesn't live up to their expectations that they can get their money back.

For example: Suppose you bought a tent and used for one week before it went into storage, but after 10 years you set it up and it completely fell apart.  I feel it would be appropriate to return because tents shouldn't fail after a half dozen uses, even if 10 years has gone by (assuming proper storage).
However, from your post it doesn't sound like the purchase 'failed' you in some way.  They just sat on a shelf and you were too lazy to take them back in a timely manner.   

Different option:  Put them on ebay or craigslist and get some cash.  Everyone's happy.
Title: Re: REI returns? Should I?
Post by: forummm on May 25, 2015, 12:50:19 PM
Wow, I can't think of anything I bought 10 years ago that I kept a receipt for (other than investments). I will probably keep the closing documents on my house. And maybe some tax records.
Title: Re: REI returns? Should I?
Post by: Hoberto on May 25, 2015, 01:00:40 PM
I agree with nereo, sell them. It just seems shady to return them.
Title: Re: REI returns? Should I?
Post by: forummm on May 25, 2015, 01:19:15 PM
I agree with nereo, sell them. It just seems shady to return them.

Heh. Shady.
Title: Re: REI returns? Should I?
Post by: TheGibberingPotato on May 25, 2015, 02:53:33 PM
Hey guys,

I have a Oakley sunglasses small vault that I got from REI about 10 years ago and still have the receipt. I've barely used it and really only used it for maybe a year to hold a pair of Oakleys that I ended up selling. Since then it's pretty much been sitting around collecting dust.

Given REI's lifetime return policy at least for items purchased before 2013 or whenever they changed the policy, do you think I should just return it? It's not like I've used and abused the thing and it's in great shape. I just feel a little guilty that it's taken 8-9 years to decide that I should return it haha.

What do you guys think? It was $20... yea I definitely wasn't Mustachian back in 2005 LOL

I think it is un-ethical to do this.  Since you feel a little guilty, so do you.  You're asking on the forum because you're hoping people will say "nah, it's not un-ethical".  Well it is.  REI changed it's policy (i think) specifically to deal with people like you who were taking advantage of them; when this happens, we all lose because now the return policy is changed.

Being frugal and trying to save $20 should not compromise one's morals.
Title: Re: REI returns? Should I?
Post by: Janie on May 25, 2015, 03:02:33 PM
I would not return.
Title: Re: REI returns? Should I?
Post by: TheDude on May 25, 2015, 03:35:27 PM
Ha but you arent this first to do this. Thats why the return policy is now one year.
Title: Re: REI returns? Should I?
Post by: KungfuRabbit on May 25, 2015, 03:47:49 PM
You mean $200, right?  i don't think $20 Oakley glasses exist, unless you were on a street corner in Mexico and the Dude's name was Rei. 

i am an avid fan of Rei, i purchase everything i can there.  i was extremely sad when they changed their return policy to 1 year, instead of forever.  i used it twice past the one year mark - snowboard bindings that failed after 2 seasons and boots that fell apart after 2 winters.  i feel both of these were legit.  However, they needed to drop the policy because of people abusing it, as i would consider your glasses to be. 
Title: Re: REI returns? Should I?
Post by: Retire-Canada on May 25, 2015, 04:58:15 PM
You mean $200, right?  i don't think $20 Oakley glasses exist,

He is talking about an Oakley branded glass case not a pair of sunglasses.

-- Vik
Title: Re: REI returns? Should I?
Post by: jeromedawg on May 25, 2015, 07:31:29 PM
You mean $200, right?  i don't think $20 Oakley glasses exist,

He is talking about an Oakley branded glass case not a pair of sunglasses.

-- Vik

Yea, it's for the case.

Thanks guys for the reinforcement. Looks like I'll be listing them on Ebay/Amazon. I'm currently on one of my declutter "listing streaks" again gathering up items from around the house that I've dug up and never use.