We’ve all been there: We buy a brand new ski jacket, a contemporary pair of mountaineering boots or the most recent backpacking tent—solely to understand we want a distinct model, an even bigger measurement or one other colorway as a substitute. REI makes it easy to return items. Prospects have 90 days to check out their new gear earlier than making a return, and co-op members have as much as a 12 months to take again gadgets. In spite of everything, path time is one of the best take a look at for whether or not a chunk of substances works for you.
However there are different, less-conventional causes to return gear too. Perhaps your pack makes you appear like a cartoon reptile, which isn’t actually your path type. Maybe a backcountry breakup has soured your love of tenting, and also you now not want that two-person tent to procure. There could be many reasons for REI returns, and a few of them are fairly humorous.
We’ve rounded up a couple of of the funniest causes for REI returns we’ve discovered. Need a good chuckle? Hold studying—and ensure to search for extra return tags the subsequent time you store REI Re/Supply in-store. It’s possible you’ll simply discover a couple of gems.
One thing Smells Off
“Pack has unhealthy odor inside. Maybe urine.”
Too Reptilian
![Photo of a return tag that reads, "customer's girlfriend thought the bag made her look like a ninja turtle"](https://www.rei.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/MicrosoftTeams-image-30-edited.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200)
“buyer’s girlfriend thought the bag made her appear like a ninja turtle”
Frowny Face
![Photo of an REI return tag that says,](https://www.rei.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/MicrosoftTeams-image-31-edited.jpg?resize=764%2C764)
“Buyer didn’t like snowboarding :(“
Backcountry Breakup
![Photo of a return tag that reads,](https://www.rei.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/MicrosoftTeams-image-29-edited.png?resize=961%2C961)
“used one time, broke up with companion and by no means need to backpack once more”
“Breaking Me In”
![Photo of an REI return tag that reads,](https://www.rei.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/01/IMG_1133-1-edited-2.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200)
“Tried out 30 miles, not breaking in, breaking me in”
Tight Squeeze
![Photo of an REI return tag that reads,](https://www.rei.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/01/IMG_1145-rotated.jpg?resize=1200%2C1600)
“squeezed outer toesies, determined diff mannequin.”
The 100-Mile Check
![Photo of an REI return tag that reads, "walked 100 miles, didn't like sizing after that."](https://www.rei.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/01/IMG_1146-rotated.jpg?resize=1200%2C1600)
“walked 100 miles, didnt [sic] like sizing after that.”
Shade Conundrum
![Photo of a return tag that reads, "Used for 7 months -- Didn't like color"](https://www.rei.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/01/IMG_1150-rotated.jpg?resize=1200%2C1600)
“Used for 7 months — Didn;t [sic] like shade”
Powerful Crowd
![Photo of a return tag that reads,](https://www.rei.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/01/Made-Fun-of-By-Friends-edited.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200)
“Used a couple of occasions however made enjoyable of by mates so she returned them”
Child Shark
![Photo of a return tag that reads,](https://www.rei.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/01/Baby-shark-edited.jpg?resize=600%2C600)
“clearly one thing occurred from the supply, appears to have a child shark chunk out of it doo-doo-doo”
Not Cool Sufficient
![Photo of a return tag that reads, "didn't like it. customer said, 'son didn't like it. it doesn't look cool enough.'"](https://www.rei.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/01/MicrosoftTeams-image-40-edited.jpg?resize=768%2C768)
“didn’t prefer it. buyer stated, ‘son didn’t prefer it. it doesn’t look cool sufficient.’”
Purchaser’s Regret
![Photo of REI return tag that says, "customer states 'never used, brought it on a trip and set it up only to realize it as not a bag'"](https://www.rei.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/01/MicrosoftTeams-image-39-edited.jpg?resize=768%2C768)
“buyer states ‘by no means used, introduced it on a visit and set it up solely to understand it was not a bag’”