That old timer at REI who saved my tent

I was about to buy a cheap $40 tent at REI in Portland last summer. An older guy stocking shelves walked over and asked what I was using it for. He told me the floor seams on that model always fail after 2 trips. He pointed me to a used Alps Mountaineering tent for $65 instead and said it would last 5 years easy. Anyone else run into random employees who actually know their stuff?

2 comments

2 Comments

gray_gibson9d ago

That cheap tent split on me first trip out. Learned my lesson.

riverf349d ago

Maybe it's just me but I would have taken the $40 tent. I mean you can buy three of those for the price of that used one and if each one lasts two trips that's six trips total. Plus you get a warranty with a new tent from REI right? That used one probably doesn't have a warranty at all. I've had cheap tents hold up fine for casual camping trips and idk maybe that old guy was just trying to clear shelf space for something else.