Recreational Equipment Incorporated Bait and switch, unethical advertising practices Internet
The recent Anniversary Sale Flyer for the sale from 5/17/13-5/27/13 advertised a Garmin Oregon 450T GPS (item 798-880) for $199.99. This was on my shot list of GPS units and the flier and e-mail made my mind up for me; it is a great price.
A few days before the sale started I checked stock levels at my local REI and online, they were good locally and low online (I didn’t want to get my hopes up).
Come 9:00am on 5/17/13, I walk into my local REI and they have none and try to sell me a unit for $350.00. All of REI did not have a single Oregon 450T at the start of the sale (not at ANY store or online).
Store customer service is in the dark. When I discussed this with corporate customer service, they will not issue a rain check, or offer a similar discount on another GPS. When they get back in stock it will be after the sale and when they are selling them for $365
This is a clear bait and switch. It pissed me off, and I love REI and spend way more money there than my wife thinks I do.
I am Very disappointed.