REI Attic Sale
Let’s get this out of the way: I love REI. I loved it before I got into kayaking and bicycling. I’ll love it more now that I have a child on the way and I’m now in the market for baby joggers, baby carriers, and stuff like that. I mean, I drive a Subaru Outback, I’m legally obligated to eat granola and… Love REI.
So, REI’s prices can’t compare to amazon.com (see earlier post about how I love amazon.com). That’s a problem to someone who really enjoys finding the lowest price. There is a rare event, however, that causes this situation to invert itself: the REI attic/garage sale.
The REI attic sale is an event where they sell anything that has been returned or that was a display model. REI has a no-questions, no deadline, return policy, so not returns aren’t always a result of broken stuff. Oh, and the prices are at least 50% off and you can usually haggle to get them lower. It truly is amazing. I was sold on the garage sale from my last two experiences:
1. I went to one randomly in Boston and picked up a $200 hitch-mounted bike rack for the car for $50. It was a display model, so all the parts were there and it was basically new.
2. I went to an attic sale at the Fairfax store last year and got $120 bicycling shoes for $40. I actually didn’t research this event, underestimated the number of people who would be there, got in wicked late, and still picked up a great deal.
Now, the way that Fairfax does its attic sale is unique. Since the draw is so heavy, they give out tickets at 0800 in batches of 25. Then, when the store opens at 1000, they let in a group at a time. Last time, I didn’t even get a ticket and had to dig through the dregs. I also heard some stories about how people camped out and how it was crazy when they opened.
So, here we are today… I’m first in line, having arrived at 0320. The next person didn’t get here until 0430, so I may have overshot that one. I came this early in the hopes of picking up something for the coming baby, or the upcoming trip to Hawaii (stay tuned…), or for something that sparks my interest. I figured, hey, let’s do it right this time and see what its like when you’re in the first group. Let’s see what happens…
Fast forward: 0800: Tickets go out. I get in the first group, of course. I took the two hours between when they hand out tickets and when the doors open to go get breakfast at the biggest Whole Foods ever… You should go if you’re ever in the Fair Oaks area.
Fast forward again: 1000: Doors open. I get in and make a bee-line for the strollers in the back. I grab a BOB Revolution (probably the 2010 model) and escape the madness. Cost was $129. Another REI attic sale, another win.
