I went in for running and cycling gear. Despite attempting to get help, I received no acknowledgement from the staff. I won't be back.

I was excited when REI came to town, since the other outdoor store had basically become a clothing store for people who want to dress like they go outside. Now another outdoor store has opened in the neighborhood, and every time I go into REI, the clothing section is taking over more and more of the store. Looks like history is repeating itself. read more

When REI said it was coming to the KC area, I was thrilled. I visited the store today and came away fairly impressed. While I haven't been in too may other REIs, I thought that at least given the KC competition, the selection was pretty good. There are only a couple of similar businesses in the area, and their selection is pretty limited. That said, I do think this store has enough of a selection to warrant a trip if you're in the market for this kind of gear or clothing. The main problem I have with this store is its location. I realize catering to suburban moms in JoCo is big business, but if REI wants to promote an image of a healthy, active, environmentally-friendly lifestyle, they certainly aren't doing it by putting this store where it is. This location promotes sprawl and very much feels like an insult to the rest of the KC metro area. Furthermore, it's a slap in the face to those of us who are trying to promote and actually live things like urban transit, bike lanes, walkability, etc. This location is easy to get to only if you're already in south Overland Park, and unless you have hours to burn on the bus, it's really only accessible by car. This store is surrounded by tons of new development, be it apartments, retail, or surface lots (gotta have those!). Considering also that some of this store's main competition is literally in the same retail complex, I find it comically frustrating that REI chose to settle in the 135th and Metcalf area. If I sound overly bitter, well, I am. Sorry. Call me crazy, but I think a store that promotes healthy, active lifestyles should actually work to fulfill that mission. Honestly, I thought the store itself was pretty good, at least for what we already have in the area. However, if REI wants to make the world a better place, I feel they need to take a step back and re-evaluate just how they intend to accomplish it. There's a bigger picture here, and IMHO, this store is a contradiction of everything REI supposedly stands for. I realize part of the mission might be to help improve the O.P. area, and get people outdoors more, etc., but really, this store really only exacerbates that problem; in this case, I don't see it as part of the solution. read more

Andrew B was so helpful and friendly. He really knows his stuff and was able to recommend exactly what I needed.

Finally and REI in Kansas City!!! Woot!!! - Nice store with a nice selection of outside activity supplies. - Store seemed a bit smaller than the other REI stores I've been at around the country, however each department seemed to have enough stock. They do have a large selection of dehydrated camping food. - I do wish they had more emphasis on camping and hiking as 70% of the store is for other activities (kayaking, running, etc.) - As for knowledgeable floor sales folks... none. Seriously, there was no one on the sales floor to get help or ask questions. Where was everyone? Up front on the registers. What BS. If I can't find something or have a question, I need someone to ask. - PRO NOTE: Go 1 block down to Backwoods for knowledgeable staff and similar stock. It is night and day comparing the two stores. You will thank me later. - Why did I ding them stars? -- One star off is because of the lack of camping inventory and lack of staff. They really could show more camping items on their showfloor. They also need more staff on the floor. I didn't see any REI staff when I was walking the store. They were all up front at the registers. Don't get me wrong, I like shopping on REI.com, but I expected a level of service from REI that they don't deliver. It kind of feels more like a Walmart than an upscale sports store. -- The second star off is their chose of location. Seriously they put the store 1 block away from Backwoods, which is the first true camping store in our area. Backwoods has similar items and super friendly and knowledgeable staff (see my review). I think it was low of REI to drop a store in that location and not staff their store properly. I don't mind competition, but REI is not even trying. They are just living off their name. All in all it is a good store with less than expected inventory, and less than anticipated staff. I expect more from the REI name. read more

Love REI in Colorado. Kansas City location has poor customer service. Colorado locations, the employees are asking all the time if they can help, not in KC. Waited in line to check out for 15 minutes or longer...in line now with only one person in front of me.... Need customer service AND people to check out. This is a management problem. read more

This was my first time at this location and the service is amazing. Everyone genuinely wants to know if youre doing ok. We had someone helping my boyfriend find hiking pants and there was a lady extensively helping me find roof racks for our jeeps. She even invited me to a networking event for women who love the outdoors. read more

Re: Overland Park, KS. REI: Sad to Post, however... We enjoy the REI store and visiting their community resource area. This week I needed to go in for several items and needed assistance for the first time. It was simple. I needed to have the $15 item taken out of the package to test it's fittings. The manager would not do it because if it did not work, they could not resell it. I went specifically to REI because I thought they would have superior service and resources for my needs. Not only would he not accommodate this simple request, he offered no alternatives or solutions though their could have been. My visit seemed to be an inconvenience. His manor was demeaning and without any sensible salesmanship whatsoever. I work in customer service professionally and understand policy. However, this was policy without common sense. I left behind what would have been a $75 sale of collected product and good reason to purchase from large online resources that easily accept returns or their larger next door sports retailer. So sad that REI is my first online negative review. read more

There is nothing to dislike about this store. The people working there are knowledgable and available to help you find what you need. Last time I was in there the man took me to find what I was looking for and also went to get me a shopping cart when he noticed my arms were filling out with goodies. Signing up for the rewards program is a no brainer. I haven't had to try this out but most of my friends say they will take most any return...damaged or slightly used. I like knowing I'm shopping at a store that has a reputation for putting their customers first. read more

Yes, I'm a Johnson County tree hugger... deal with it! ;) PROs - it's. R.E.I. in. Kansas!! (yes, I visit and love me a bit of Seattle) - how can the pick ax door handle not just draw you in?? COME.ON!!! :) - recreational equipment can be very intimidating and they have been very knowledgeable and kind with the many questions I've had. - buy the membership! If you frequent, your money will come back to you quickly. - and if you are a member, sign up for their community events and teaching sessions. - the return policy is "no questions asked for one year" (read more about it because that's not quite it but pretty dang close) I mean, where else can you wear hiking boots in dirt (and not just your living room) and then return them? - online outlet shop: just check it out. You won't be disappointed! - free shipping to the store when you purchase online - simply the way the company is run. Google them and I think you would agree. - although they are a small REI, they will get it ordered quickly and customer service is spot on CONs - every visit requires a little wandering and I always leave with some new gizmo; that's a con for my wallet. - I made a substantial purchase and had to jump through a few hoops for discounts - Yes, they are more expensive than others read more

Everyone was very helpful and the store had everything we were looking for. A HUGE thank you to Sheryl!

I am from Seattle moved out to KC. when I moved here I was upset there was no REI. I was very excited to see an REI was coming to KC. I hyped it up the everyone around me. Needless to say I was extremely disappointed when my family and I went to the grand opening on Saturday. First of all there was hardly any signage or indication we were at a grand opening. No balloons or good deals or anything. Secondly the store is tiny and about a fourth of the size of the stores in Seattle. read more

Nice store. They have most things but it's smaller in comparison to the REIs in other states. I've been to probably like six others and ours is by far the wimpiest (sadly). Still nice though! The next closest one is in STL. read more

Though not always our "go to" for outdoors wear, we are huge REI fans. We always get outstanding service and their return policy is great. Frequently, we shop the store in conjunction with the website for better selection. read more

Love this place!!! They always have the basics of what I need. I love their clothing selection and somebody is always asking if I need help and very informative when I do!!! read more

I've never been to an REI store before, but this is a beautiful store. I went in to look at a pair of hiking boots and they had the ones in stock that I was looking for (I couldn't find them at any of the other big box sporting goods stores in town). The salesperson and the cashier were both helpful and friendly. I didn't look around other than to purchase the boots and some socks, but I'll definitely be back. read more

First time at REI and it was great. We were looking for a bicycle saddle and shoes for my wife. The staff was so friendly. The sales person ( Sarah) was Extremely helpful. I am proud to say we are now members and will be shopping at REI. Thanks for the great service. read more

I love this store because service is stellar. Very helpful they take the time to educate and compare products. Clothes seem really pricey, I look for sales. Great job!!!! read more

Love REI. Their return policy shows they believe in all their products. And they are true to their word; I say that from experience! Prices may be a little high but it's worth it. read more

Was given a gift. Returned it with tags on and gift bag to exchange up for better gear (and to pay more for it). Manager would not exchange even though the UPC scanned. I have to go back and ask for a receipt from the gift giver or settle on sub-par equipment. The manager here is a total joke. I have been going to REI in Colorado for years. Plainly put this branch is horrible! DO NOT GO HERE!!!! read more

Called to ask if the store was dog friendly as I always do prior to bringing my very well trained and behaved dog to retail stores. I understand companies have policies and if told no...no problem...just don't bring her. In this case, was told by an REI employee on the phone that they were very dog friendly if dog on a leash. Arrived and told dogs were not welcome and that the Manager doesn't like dogs and made to feel as if it was my mistake. I called to ask prior...the miscommunication and lack of clear policy is REIs problem, and perhaps specifically this location's issue, not the consumers. Why do they sell dog gear that a dog would have to try on if they aren't dog friendly? An outdoor goods store that isn't dog friendly surprised me to be honest...bass pro shop, scheels, cabelas, moosejaws all dog friendly. I mean anthropologie and free people are dog friendly for gods sake and they don't sell doggy gear/clothes! read more

I rate this as only two stars because of the following. Store personnel are not familiar with their products. It always "let me check the website". Store is waaay to small. And for the people who think this stuff is expensive go to walmart and get your coleman on. Most of the products here are designed to be light and used in situations that require the stuff to work and not break and run into walmart to get a new one. So please do not show us our ignorance by complaining about the prices as they are competitive. Its about time that Backwoods got some competition.. read more

I absolutely love shopping online at the store you can always find great prices and great shipping deals however a jacket I ordered started splitting in the zipper so I called and they said that I could take it into the store and have it exchanged. This is not necessarily easy for us because we live about 25 minutes away but figured it would be easier than shipping it back. Once we got to the store the sales person helping us was extremely rude and question that anything was wrong with the jacket I can understand that if I wasn't asking to exchange it but not only am I only exchange in the item I drove 25 minutes out of my way to do so I don't think I am making it up just because I temporarily fixed it does not mean it is fixed. I don't know if it is just the location of the store because I have shopped at the one in Minnesota many times and never had any issues. I will continue to shop online however I will not be visiting this location again. I stuck with two stars rather than one because they let me actually exchange it. read more

Great service and great adventure store. Visited and we're looking and hard tail mountain bikes the 30 sec in and Simone was answering our questions and giving us fact sheets. Went to another section to look for multi day packs for a camp/hike in CO and same thing, had someone helping us almost immediately. Great service, great products. Bikes, clothes, Camping, climbing etc. love it. read more

Quality Costs, simple as that. With that said, REI is a great company. You can not compare this to a Dick's Sporting Goods or Cabellas. This store is more of a specialist store for the above average customer that lives outside and has a fairly active lifestyle. Their membership program is a good value and the staff is fairly knowledgeable. REI does support the local community more than a big outdoors department store. REI, on an opening party donated thousands of dollars to Earth Riders Association, a non profit group of people that maintain our local trails for mountain bikes and trail runners. Again, REI carries quality products and has a large selection of specific interest; camping, hiking, bouldering, rock climbing, kayaking, and light fitness. There are better options for bicycles and shoes, but I'm personally kind of a biased here 'cause I live on my bicycle and work at Trek here in KC :) Again, this place is fantastic and I do recommend it. read more

Went into REI with my fiancé a few weeks ago, to work on our wedding registry. Brad helped us out and answered our many, many questions. He was extremely knowledgable on the products and we were able to make quick and educated decisions on the items we registered for. Very pleased! read more

Before my experience yesterday, at REI, this WAS my favorite store. I enjoy hiking and backpacking and a variety of other outdoor activities. Naturally, REI products equip a person well for these kinds of things. I would regularly pay the higher price for the products here in knowledge that REI is committed to quality, so much so that if an item is reasonably defective, it can be returned within a year of the purchase. However, yesterday completely changed my attitude towards REI. I went to the store in order to return a product. It was a backpack I had purchased approximately 11 months earlier and I had been meaning to return it for a couple of months now because two zippers broke and the stitching in one of the pockets began unraveling completely. I showed the problems with the backpack to Sam, the employee helping me and to her credit, she was kind. However, I had a completely different experience when she called over the sales manager to help her with the return. Sales manager Chad, after looking over the materials, agreed that the defects in the backpack were satisfactory reasons to return the product and that the product would be returned. Then, Chad proceeded to speak to me in a stern and accusatory tone, telling me that sometimes, these defects are considered normal wear and tear. He continued to give me a wide-eyed and stern-toned lecture about how in the future, this would not be returnable. I have NEVER been spoken to this way in my life at a store! Chad made me feel as if I was doing something wrong, as if I had somehow damaged the backpack in order to get a new one. I did nothing of the sort! However, this REI Sales Manager treated me as if I was in the wrong. So, I naturally asked if this backpack's defects were not satisfactory for it to be returned. Again, Chad agreed that these were satisfactory reasons and my return was accepted. I plan to NEVER shop at REI again. The service I received yesterday outweighed all of the positive experiences I had previously there. To be treated as if I was akin to a shoplifter or something, I plan to NEVER shop at REI again, despite it having been my favorite store just a few days ago. It seems to me because of my experience with Chad yesterday, that REI allows and may even encourage intimidation of customers returning items. If anyone would like a similar experience as the one I had, please ask for Chad. read more

This was my first visit to an R.E.I. I needed some hiking equipment, and I needed to return an online purchase. I was surprised at how large the store was, and I was pleased at the stock they had available. It seemed they had most every popular brand, and anything I would need for hiking. I needed to be fitted for a backpack because the one I ordered online did not fit right. The man who helped me was patient. He took his time to give me advice and find the right pack for me. He was an experienced hiker, and seemed knowledgeable about the products he was selling. He had weight bags to fill the pack I was trying on so I could have an accurate impression of how the pack would feel. He even insisted that I take my time and walk around the store twice to see how it felt after walking a while. He helped me pick out a pack, based on the trip I will be taking and did not pressure me to buy a more expensive pack. The trial in the store and his patience and knowledge sold the pack. I went to pick out some hiking shoes, clearly not knowing what I really needed. I told the lady I had a wide foot and that many of the shoes I had tried crunched my toes. She gave me several to try, and I again was encouraged to walk around and try them out. They even had a fake boulder to climb on. She suggested that I might want something with more support on the ankle, and suggested I just try a particular shoe, never pressuring me, suggesting that for the long trip I was taking, I might need more support. I ended up getting that shoe, and I feel really good about the purchase. I looked up reviews on that shoe when I got home, and it was one of the more popular brands and had great reviews. Many people have had that shoe for 12 years or more and the shoe still held up that long. I spent a little more for the shoe, but if I don't have to replace it 4 times on a 2,176 mile trek, (like many trail runners require) I will have saved money. The peace of mind, alone, felt good. She also told me to go home, try it out, hike at night to see how they would feel when feet were swollen at the end of the day. I said, "...and I can still bring them back if they don't work?" She told me, "Absolutely." I will absolutely go back to this store, even though I had to drive 4 hours to get there. The staff was knowledgeable, patient, not pushy, and sincerely wanted to help me get what was best for me. I also love the return policy and the membership benefits. I highly recommend this store, especially if you need hiking equipment. read more

Terrible customer service and return policy. I purchased a $100 Nike vest and needed to return it (too big). Unfortunately I had misplaced the receipt. They were not even willing to give me store credit. The tags were still in place. Obviously it had not been worn. I had joined their "club" for $20 (I believe) on my last visit, but had made this purchase prior to that. Joining their "loyalty member" club does nothing for you I'm this scenario. No loyalty on their part. I pulled up the transaction for the item I was returning on my credit card statement (right then - online) and they wouldn't even look at it. I actually had 3 separate transactions in that month. Ridiculous! They didn't care how much I had spent in the last few months. No returns. Period. Without a receipt. Even Wal-mart will give a customer store credit. My money in the future will go to companies that care about their customers. Rei sells nothing that I can't purchase elsewhere! read more