REI

Robert Brewster

So i had some time to kill and wanted to find a carabiner for my keychain REI seemed like the perfect place. Im a member of their Co-op so i thought it would be ok if i shopped around a bit, they really do have so cool stuff in there. So there i am having a good day looking at all the stuff in there which i thought was ok but apparently i dont fit there ideal customer look (no patagonia jacket or flashy tesla) and was bothered every two minutes by some dopey employee asking if i need help. Was already getting an un welcoming vibe when i was approached by an overweight girl with bad skin claiming to be the manager. She then told me that she could take my packback with everything i intended to steal up to the front, Hey now lady excuse you! I said i wasnt stealing and that she could look through my bag but she said she couldn’t. I then voluntarily opened my backpack and took everything out for them to see and guess what nothing belonging to REI was in there. Now instead of being apologetic when i vocalized my distaste with how they handle the situation she was very rude and self righteous not once saying sorry. I put down everything i had intended to buy and left the store feeling less than and very unwelcomed in a place where i pay extra to be more a part of, referring to there lame Co-op to which ive been a member of since moving to SB to no benifit. Horrible experience all around! Ill end here and just say F@ck you REI staff, you shouldn’t think you better than or think you know somebody’s character it only reflects on yours. Just cuz i dont fit your profile dosent mean im a thief. I hope you get some act right soon!

Margaret Chang

Tyler is really great! He was very patient and knowledgeable about hiking shoes. He took his time helping us find the best fitting hiking shoes. He was very kind and was never rude about how long it was taking. He was also very attentive. We were so lucky to have run into him. I call him the shoe whisperer because he found us the best hiking shoes.

Steve Morse

About 7 or 8 years ago, I went into this store. I had been dealing with REI for many years before this and had been very happy with the service. I had 1000's of photos processed by them and even had one of their credit cards. However, the employee this store kept pushing me to become a member, something I declined several times. When I say several times, I am talking in several times in one visit. Needless to say I have never entered the store since then. When a customer says NO, it should be taken as a NO. It is unlikely that I will ever use REI again.

Cameron Embree

We recently visited after going to the Oxnard REI since they didn’t have the size backpacking pack we needed but the SB REI did. It’s a smaller store and felt a lot busier but we had an excellent backpacking fitting session with their staff. Jordan and (I think) Erica helped us for over an hour finding us the perfect pack and the perfect fit. Our sizing was a bit odd but they were excited and stoked to help us get the correct dialed in gear. No compromises. We had a lovely experience and their help found us the perfect pack. Plus, if anything doesn’t work out, we can return and find the right one again. Lovely staff, good pack selection. Only oddity is the store location in town! Will definitely visit again!! Thanks Erica and Jordan!!