What has the world come to? A retail rant

[tump_lion]

'And I think that it’s dollar transactions that really defines success or not.'

sad that MEC has lost it's way, i'm tempted to return everything i ever bought there

 

[yellowcanoe]

All is not lost. Fortunately there are many small retailers that have the time and passion to meet our needs
Had a wonderful romp through Campmorva couple of days ago. Right outside NYC it holds true to its hiking roots. Awful for clothing though!
Ragged Mountain in North Conway for gear too. I like being able to buy consigned stuff and sell on consignment
Plus they sell fabric and parts and patterns for DIY gear

 

[sweeper]

That's one of the few reasons to drive into No. Conway, that and Moat Mountain Brewery

 

[scoutergriz]

Tearknee; you should check out Hiker's Haven in Oakville, they seem to carry decent clothes in a wider range of sizes than most. My daughter is also petite, at 5' tall everything she buys at MEC or sail needs hemming, but usually she finds good outdoor clothing at HH that fits off the rack, They've also got a decent range of packs, cookware, and other gear.
The biggest problem around here is that the little guys get pushed out or gobbled up, leaving nothing but high-end places like MEC or budget stuff like Canadian tire. I don't need or want stuff with all the bells and whistles (who needs pants with 16 pockets and 3 keyrings?), neither do I want the bargain stuff (split seams suck in the bush), so I find myself buying more and more work clothing or army surplus for the bush. It's starting to feel like the 70's again with a few high end retailers, and the average guy buying army surplus to stay on budget.

 

[ppine]

The market for trendy sportswear is enormous and growing all the time. The market for outdoor equipment that is made to be used is small and pretty stable.That helps explain why some retailers are a waste of time. I have been with REI since around 1970 and they are disappointing in the sense that they are subject to selling groovy stuff. They are fashion conscious. Their boats are terrible. I used to really look forward to the new REI catalogue because it had so much information. We waited in line all night in Seattle for the annual sale in the old building that was 5 stories high.

Times have changed. Now it is hard to resole boots. Equipment is expendable. The new lightweight stuff is a positive. There is a room for an old school company that sells durable stuff that stands up. LL Bean is another company that has fallen a long way from grace.

 

[Guest]

Back to what got me started on a rant. A couple of days ago the REI Deal of the Day was ...........


.......... a woman's purse.

 

[tump_lion]

on the bright side, the internet -- thirty years ago, what was around was what was around -- now nearly everything is available at my door...if i'm willing to pay shipping...way better selection than i've ever had...i prefer store, and people that i know who know, but it's something...

 

[tear_knee]

I bought a pair of boots from an army surplus store and the sole fell off the first day I wore them (in the city, no less). I took them back to the store the same day I bought them.

 

[Guest]

Oh dear God I went to an REI store today, to pick up a free-shipping Deal of the Day item.

I had a small list of other products as well. Very small; two items I know that REI stocked in the recent past. Starting with a pack of Aquasel/Cotol mix.

I might as well have been speaking Basque. The sales guy, while eager, was clueless. He eventually led me to several unlikely hanger racks as I explained what Aquaseal was and where it might likely be. He eventually went upstairs to check attic stock and, on returning, finally checked the store’s on-line inventory, After I spelled “AquaSeal” for him. Again.

“Nope, we don’t have any”. At least he was trying hard. Or trying my patience hard.

It got more comical after that. OK “I need some webbing straps with ladder lock buckles. 36” and 52”, or longer”

“What’s a ladder lock?”

Are you freaking kidding me?

“You know, not a Fastex or quick release buckle, but a ladder lock, the little plastic dookicky with two slots for the webbing to be pulled taut”.

Again, I am speaking Basque. This necessitated a call to another associate with more “expertise” in the area, and my starting over, finally trying “You know, like a sleeping bag strap….?”

I was afraid I’d have to explain “sleeping bag”, but he eventually led me to an absolute crap selection of ½” webbing with metal ladder locks.

I should have run away when I heard “What’s a ladder lock”?

Screw it, I’ll sew my own.

Next time, just for the heck of it, I’m going to ask about a lightweight summer frock with a floral print. Or a purse.

 

[Odyssey]

I've often encountered sales help trying to be helpful, but failing badly. I try to empathize. They're just folks trying to make a living, stretching out retirement savings, student funds, midlife straggling incomes...whomever, whatever. Why can't stores find and employ knowledgable staff? Don't they pay enough? Aren't there enough available to hire? I don't know the answers, but I try to swallow my frustration and deal with the very minor setback... until I've reached the relative screaming safety of the parking lot. I can't count the number of times I've stood in an aisle having asked a "simple" question and waited patiently while the staff person stood reading the fine print on the item looking for a nugget of knowledge to help me. While they fumble and mumble I think to myself "Darn it! They don't even know what they're holding." I briefly explain to them what it is, it's function, my question and reason for it, and then as graciously as I can beat a retreat. I don't get angry with them, just frustrated with the situation. The people I do get angry with are the ones who dispense useless wrong information. Stores are increasingly the wrong places to search for info.

Online shopping. I love-hate the feedback letters you see below the item. Some letters are helpful, but others are from dummys who misused/misunderstood the product entirely.

 

[yellowcanoe]

Oh dear God I went to an REI store today, to pick up a free-shipping Deal of the Day item.

I had a small list of other products as well. Very small; two items I know that REI stocked in the recent past. Starting with a pack of Aquasel/Cotol mix.

I might as well have been speaking Basque. The sales guy, while eager, was clueless. He eventually led me to several unlikely hanger racks as I explained what Aquaseal was and where it might likely be. He eventually went upstairs to check attic stock and, on returning, finally checked the store’s on-line inventory, After I spelled “AquaSeal” for him. Again.

“Nope, we don’t have any”. At least he was trying hard. Or trying my patience hard.

It got more comical after that. OK “I need some webbing straps with ladder lock buckles. 36” and 52”, or longer”

“What’s a ladder lock?”

Are you freaking kidding me?

“You know, not a Fastex or quick release buckle, but a ladder lock, the little plastic dookicky with two slots for the webbing to be pulled taut”.

Again, I am speaking Basque. This necessitated a call to another associate with more “expertise” in the area, and my starting over, finally trying “You know, like a sleeping bag strap….?”

I was afraid I’d have to explain “sleeping bag”, but he eventually led me to an absolute crap selection of ½” webbing with metal ladder locks.

I should have run away when I heard “What’s a ladder lock”?

Screw it, I’ll sew my own.

Next time, just for the heck of it, I’m going to ask about a lightweight summer frock with a floral print. Or a purse.

Just move.. LLBean actually knows what they are and is doing better in parts. Not online. you have to go to Freeport. Of course my beloved Ragged Mt. is a gear sewing shop.. Ladder locks of all types and sizes.

Im lucky. The outdoor stores in N Conway remain true to outdoors. And the North Face outlet across the street from LLBean in Fport has gear at half retail price. Patagonia is next door. They still do have Capilene but also too much pink and floral for me.

 

[JoelBeckwith]

True story. I applied to an REI in Columbia Maryland a few years ago. My Outfitting resume is actually absurd. I've worked for, managed and hung around outfitters since I was 11 years old. I absolutely love outfitting, helping people select appropriate gear and have done it for 40 years. My references included many high up in the outdoor industry. I get this call from a young assistant manager at REI and, after exchanging pleasantries, her first question to me was "so Joel, tell me, why do you love retail?" and my reactive answer to her was "retail, I hate retail" "I love outfitting". After not hearing from them by the time of their mass interview I called the manager who had been very excited I wanted to work there and asked him why I was not called back. His response... because of my I hate retail answer. If you walk through that store they have no one who knows outfitting but they love retail.

 

[Canotrouge]

I'm a fan of Filson, but even them are sometime disappointing in the way they are going, with there hipster crowd "Seattle fit". There is a lot of that happening these days, where gear(hard goods or soft goods) are made to please the city non outdoor crowd just cause they can sell it to them. One of the best example is TNF where 20 years ago it was great stuff, and now most of it is junk! GREED is what make the gear world going down hill, they want more for less.... I'm starting to get to a point where making some of my own gear make more sense, that said, hard to make a sleeping bag....

 

[Guest]

Of course my beloved Ragged Mt. is a gear sewing shop.. Ladder locks of all types and sizes.

My preferred brick and mortar store for quick release buckles, the ones with a ladder lock attachment on each side of the buckle that require no sewing is……

…..Jo Ann Fabrics

 

[NorseScotsman]

More about how Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) has lost its ways and is no longer really a co-op.

 

[Canotrouge]

MEC, When I move to the Yukon, every body was raving about MEC, at that time very few back home(Quebec) knew about MEC. So we got a catalog in the mail, and wow, most of everything branded MEC was made in Canada, that was 18 years ago and made to a good quality over fashion. Now 18 years later, most of everything branded MEC is now made overseas, with less quality but more fashion. I can tell you one thing, is that they make a lot more money since they switch to Made in China than when it was made in Canada and I didn't get any money as a member of the so said CO-OP!!!

I think it is sad to see more and more companies that ditch there roots to go the big profit way. again, GREED, greed run this world!!

 

[Odyssey]

Not to contradict anyone here (nor myself), but I've been happy with the quality of stuff I've purchased from MEC. No, I don't buy SUP yoga stretch pants, but I have bought tents, sleeping bags, pads, packs, rope. Yeah, I have to agree about the "resource section" being nothing more than a brochure stand the size of a bubblegum display on your way through the check-out. And I'm not in the least bit interested in the clothing department. Okay, I started out trying to spread happy positive vibes about the store and am getting close to another rant.

 

[yellowcanoe]

MEC, When I move to the Yukon, every body was raving about MEC, at that time very few back home(Quebec) knew about MEC. So we got a catalog in the mail, and wow, most of everything branded MEC was made in Canada, that was 18 years ago and made to a good quality over fashion. Now 18 years later, most of everything branded MEC is now made overseas, with less quality but more fashion. I can tell you one thing, is that they make a lot more money since they switch to Made in China than when it was made in Canada and I didn't get any money as a member of the so said CO-OP!!!

I think it is sad to see more and more companies that ditch there roots to go the big profit way. again, GREED, greed run this world!!

But isn't Coast Mountain there in Whitehorse a decent outdoor retailer? Though I was a bit peeved about not being able to return boots that went outside the store even for a minute. For that they had to put up with my tromping around for three hours.

 

[Canotrouge]

But isn't Coast Mountain there in Whitehorse a decent outdoor retailer? Though I was a bit peeved about not being able to return boots that went outside the store even for a minute. For that they had to put up with my tromping around for three hours.

I worked for them for 5 years..... It has changed a lot since I moved up here, first it was a private label, then it got sold to the Forzani group(foot locker, sports experts, intersport etc etc etc...) and then it got bought back as a franchise!! Anyway all that to say that the owners of the store in WHSE are the Hougens, and that doesn't make for a easy situation.... They are not here to help anybody but them selves!! Like I said, I worked for them.

But they are a decent store!

 

[joebh]

I agree with Yellow Canoe and others about Ragged Mountain Equipment in Intervale New Hampshire ( near North Conway).
We hike this area in the fall and try to cross country ski in Jackson every year and Ragged Mountain is well stocked and has knowledgeable staff to support both activities ( we live in east central Florida which doesn't have stores with either). Plus when we go the end of August , Ragged Mountain has their annual sale with clothing up to 60% off, much of which is made in their upstairs factory, which the earlier posters didn't mention ( Made in USA clothing!!) . I discovered the factory when I wandered upstairs looking for the bathroom. The owners let me take some photos of the employees sewing which I hope you can view .






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