6 REI’s no bags

[zerodish]

Just rode from Indianapolis to Miami. I stopped in 6 REI’s looking for panniers. In every case their website said the bags were in stock. In every case the bags were not in stock. One employee said he used the last set to replace a warranty return. One other employee tried to sell me a single bag from a set. There is no excuse for this. They should hire my sister who runs computers for Eli Lilly.

[BikeliciousBabe]

I ordered a rather expensive tent from them during their last sale.  They sent me two of the same tent in two separate boxes but only charged me for one.  When I called about the matter, it turned out that the sale code had not been applied to the price charged to my card even though it clearly showed it being applied when I placed my online order.  They had to credit my card and send me a return shipping label for the second tent.   

In any event, I think disruptions in the labor market have caused customer service to decline in customer service across the board.  A couple of weeks ago I was trying to get what should have been a simple answer to a question from my medical insurance provider.  I person I was speaking with was clueless.  Then a baby started screaming in the background.  I told her that I would call back later, hoping to get someone who could understand what I was asking.

[dayjack119]

My sponsor is Jandd Mountaineering, an American company which has supplied all my panniers, racks and smaller bags for the past 10 years.  I've come to know David personally and a great guy.  He said his company has just barely survived the Covid mess and they are slowly coming back online.  Most other companies get their bags made in China and they are still shut down due to the pandemic.
Contact Jandd.  He will do whatever he can to help you, I'm sure.

[DaveB]

Just rode from Indianapolis to Miami. I stopped in 6 REI’s looking for panniers. In every case their website said the bags were in stock. In every case the bags were not in stock.

Um, if you were already touring, why were you trying to buy panniers along the way?

[froze]

Just rode from Indianapolis to Miami. I stopped in 6 REI’s looking for panniers. In every case their website said the bags were in stock. In every case the bags were not in stock.

Um, if you were already touring, why were you trying to buy panniers along the way?

I was wondering about that myself, it does sound extremely odd.

[Westinghouse]

I was just now locating and REI store on Glades Road in Boca Raton Florida. Panniers and Tents were not on my mind. I was thinking about nikwax. The next moment I logged into the ACA discussion forum and saw a reference to REI. I bought from them one item and 1987. It was a Shimano biopace triple chain set. The price seemed to be reasonable. The product worked just fine from Seattle to Anacortes across the Northern Tier of states to Chicago Illinois, and much farther than that. I think I had a membership with REI.