REI- Tempe or P.V. store

[AK]

I'm planning on attending the REI garage sale on Sat. the 21st. My question is which location should I go to for the best selection? I've always gone to the Tempe location because its closer to me. But having never been to the P.V. location, I've been told it is the larger of the two with more of a selection. This is my first time attending an REI garage sale so I'm trying to decide which location would I benefit the most from.
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Aaron

"Can't think of a good signature quote". - Me

[Trishness]

Aaron,

All I can tell you is that the REI in PV is bigger and has more of a selection of stuff. Haven't been to the garage sale there yet. I know where it is though if you need directions.

Trish
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~~~Trish~~~

"Eastward the dawn rose, ridge behind ridge into the morning, and vanished out of eyesight into guess; it was no more than a glimmer blending with the hem of the sky, but it spoke to them, out of the memory and old tales, of the high and distant mountains." � J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of The Rings.

[GTG]

I had someone tell me today (an ex REI employee) tell me they preferred PV. i've never been to a Tempe REI garage sale so I couldn't tell you the difference.

GTG
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Good things come to those who walk.

[Daddee]

I used to work at the PV store - and the garage sale there is slightly better than Tempe. Not sure why, but a lot of times the gear that shows up there is in better condition than the stuff that shows up in Tempe. Probably a demographics thing - but who knows.

Also, it's not consistent. Each location will have a few gems that go quickly. It really just depends on what's been going on that year at each store.

But, like I said - generally speaking the PV sale is a little bigger and has slightly newer/better stuff. But it is almost a toss up. You kind of just hope that they have a few things you want.

The best advice is to get there early, then go again late.

If you get there early the best stuff is still around (obviously - oh, and by early I mean get there to get in line before 7:00 am - those REI diehards get in line for the garage sales nice and early).

Going late is good because that is when they start slashing the prices to give away the stuff they can't get rid of. There are always a few treasures around at that point - just find the guy with a pricing gun and haggle a little.

Keeping in mind that every garage sale is a crap-shoot.
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"Only small minds want always to be right."
- Louis XIV

"...haven't you lived long enough to know that two men may honestly differ about a question and both be right?"
- Abraham Lincoln

[ck1]

AK, if you're still looking for info on this...pm me.
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-Colin

"The Journey is the Destination"

[AK]

Wow! Great advice dadee. I guess I'll have get up a little early on Sat.
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Aaron

"Can't think of a good signature quote". - Me

[CatValet]

Hit Tempe first, then go to PV, followed by lunch at La Parilla Sauza or Pasta Pomodoro, then hit Tempe again in the late afternoon, follwed by dinner at.....

It IS the garage sale and Eatfest isn't it???

[ck1]

The last B-93 sale at Tempe there were two guys sleeping on crash pads...they showed up at 3am. When I really want to pick up some gear, I'm in like around 6am. I've never been 1st in line...usually within the first 10.

The thing with Tempe is that they keep screwing with the procedure for letting people in...sometimes they use tickets, other times it's a staggerd start...

If you do go to Tempe in the am...head over to the mexican food place next door and get an egg and chorizo burrito...you won't regret it.
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-Colin

"The Journey is the Destination"

[AK]

Thanks guys! I appretiate all the info. This is kinda like standing in line for Pink Floyd tickets the night before. I'll probaly just go later in the day and see whats left.
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Aaron

"Can't think of a good signature quote". - Me

[plummer150]

Hmmm...wish we had an REI out here.
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"IRONMAN" cometh, hiketh, destroyeth

[AZ_Hiker]

hi all

im feel really stupid... but I have to ask 2 questions..

what is the rei garage sale?

and where is the P.V. rei..

take it easy on me I have only lived here a year you know;)

AZ_Hiker
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At the end of the day isn't sanity really just a one trick pony?

[Davis2001R6]

The R.E.I garage sale is like a huge tent sale for R.E.I. I haven't got to go to one yet but I here the prices are awesome. I guess it's all those things we use once or twice and decide we don't like and take back. Either that or last years stuff. I'm not really sure. I was pissed I missed this years sale. I bought a house on a Friday and it was on Saturday so I was moving the entire time. The P.V store is located of of Paradise Village parkway which is just West of Tatum and just north of Cactus. It's next door to Target.
-TIM-

[MikeInFHAZ]

thats the deal, Tim, always have the sale on a Saturday when all the 'real' hikers are out in the woods! I have never been to one of these sales, and Im not the kind to fight for gear. Remember the cabbage patch doll?

All I can say from my inexperience is that you should probably forget REI and keep an eye out for deals online at places like Altrec, Backcountrystore, and Mountaingear. I have found fantastic buys. Also, some other stores have a selection of rare or specialty items. But then again, what do I know.
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bridge hammock, quilts and tarp (all DIY)

what i do

[mike]

[Shawn]

REI is great mainly because of their return policy. Campmor on the web is awesome if you aren' t in an immediate rush.
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