REI can and does offer merchandise at a higher price than what their competitors offer. This is due to REI values consumers and they are willing to outlay more cash for that price. Consumers follow REI’s positive outlook on issues that concern the environment. REI encourages and goal is to provide as little impact to the surroundings as possible and advocate being green as possible. From this REI use to have a return policy that lasted as long as the ownership of the item. However people were taking advantage of the company and in the end REI was losing money. So being good stewards, REI instituted and policy change on returns making the lifetime to 1 year return.
