That guy at the REI return counter changed how I think about tent warranties

I was at REI in Denver last weekend returning a tent pole that snapped on my 3-year-old tent. The guy behind the counter asked if I ever actually read the warranty fine print. He said most people don't realize those lifetime warranties only cover defects, not normal wear and tear. It hit different because I've been treating camping gear like it's indestructible. He showed me a stack of denied claims for poles bent in wind and zippers jammed with dirt. Now I'm wondering if I should just buy cheaper tents and replace them every couple years instead of relying on warranty promises. Has anyone else gotten burned by gear warranties in a similar way?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_jesse26d ago

Wait, isn't REI's return policy different from the actual manufacturer warranty though? I thought their satisfaction guarantee was separate from what the brand covers. Like the guy at the counter might have been mixing up how REI handles returns versus what the tent company promises.

elliot_lane9626d ago

Honestly I feel called out because I was that guy at the counter once. Tbh I mixed up REI's return policy with a North Face warranty on a tent and ended up telling some poor customer they could bring back their ripped jacket after three years. Ngl that was an awkward conversation with my manager. But yeah you're right the store return stuff and the manufacturer's guarantee are totally different things. My tent collapsed on me during a storm last year and I spent a whole day figuring out which one covered it.

-1