Chapter 11 for Popular Outdoors

Shawn · Posted: 1/20/2005, 8:15 pm Post subject:

Campmor has about the best website I've seen for hiking stuff, plus the take anything back.
_________________
The bear went over the mountain to see what he could see.

matt gilbert · Joined: 28 Jul 2003 Posts: 698 Location: Mesa

gonediesel · Joined: 07 Nov 2004 Posts: 8

Been to a couple of Popular stores in Tucson and they are open and stocked. I'd rather shop at REI also. They seem to have better staff. Popular usually has slightly better prices it seems. As far as shopping on line, REI is great. Ship to the store for free and if you do not like the item they refund it right there. Recently though I bought some stuff at Campmor.com and they have awesome prices. My wife and I picked up all new ski gear. Columbia Titanium interchangeable 3-1 jackets were less than $100. We got 2 jackets, 2 board pants for just over $200. Going to try out the new gear tomorrow at Sunrise.

mike t · Joined: 04 Jan 2003 Posts: 175 Location: Gilbert, Az

I guess I just don't have the same luck as the rest with REI. Having only 2 locations is a pain, they are over priced, and at the Tempe store at least, I have only met 1 guy (Bill) that knew what he was doing. And to top it it off they seem to have an attitude like they are the greatest thing since sliced bread. I'll give you that their return policy is top notch and REIOutlet.com is good in that those items at 33-50% off are closer to an appropriate value.

I will miss Popular (although I'm right in the middle of all the open stores) but I will give you that their website is awful. I have to admit as well that most of their staff are little more more than clerks with a few here and there that know what they are talking about. But at their much lower prices that is alot easier to take.

I also like Campmor alot. I have always gotten great service. (never had to return anything yet though) The only problem, and this goes for all the websites, is that some items you just want to touch first prior to purchase. Unfortunately, that seems to be the way the marketing world is heading though. Brick and mortar stores will have a harder and harder time competing with the low overhead of online short of the Wal-mart model.

Hopefully Popular can get through this somewhat intact.
_________________
Mike T
---------------
less is more

matt gilbert · Joined: 28 Jul 2003 Posts: 698 Location: Mesa

I like campmor also. The only problem with them is that if you don't know what you're after already it's hard to figure out exactly what the products are from the catolog alone.

The thing that justifies the prices at RIE (for me anyway) is the fantastic customer service/return policy. I'll grant that a lot of the employees have a bit of an attitude (especially if you're not a member, but they have all those informational comparison sheets that virtually render the employees useless (until you have to check out). I guess the number of locations has never been an issue for me since I live right by the tempe store. But I could certainly see how that would be a problem for some, especially those outside the phoenix area.
_________________
Cogito ergo ambulo cum sacculo
-Matt Gilbert

Nighthiker · Joined: 05 Jan 2003 Posts: 1714

Popular was quite good for me and I will miss them if they close. Since living in Arizona I have shopped Del Rays in Phoenix, Yellow Front, Petersens in Mesa, Larada's Army/Navy Surplus in Tucson, Populars orginal location in the west valley and the Hiking Shack.

Daryl · Posted: 1/24/2005, 6:02 pm Post subject:

Hit Popular on Power and Baseline for shoes today on the way home. The racks were empty and I walked out very disappointed.
I just ordered them from REI on line.

(REI is an hour drive so it's easier to get them delivered...)
_________________

mike t · Joined: 04 Jan 2003 Posts: 175 Location: Gilbert, Az

Tom Treks · Gear Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 3347

gpsjoe · Joined: 01 Feb 2004 Posts: 535 Location: Mesa AZ

Uh-oh - Just stopped by the Populars at McKellips and Recker and the one at Power and Rte 60/Baseline. Both were closed and have signs saying they are permanently closed.

Tom Treks · Gear Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 3347

Ya know, at least they could have had a 'going out of business' sale, or something.

Crap.

SUN_HIKER · Joined: 05 Dec 2003 Posts: 1057

gpsjoe · Joined: 01 Feb 2004 Posts: 535 Location: Mesa AZ

Hey, at least I know I'm a gear-aholic.

matt gilbert · Joined: 28 Jul 2003 Posts: 698 Location: Mesa

and admitting you have a problem is first step towards help.

Of course if ever there were a problem to let run rampant it might gear-aholism.
_________________
Cogito ergo ambulo cum sacculo
-Matt Gilbert