Current REI warranty experiences

[PNWbrit]

Did REI ever offer a warranty specific to its Novara bikes (frames, in particular)? Or was it just the general 100% customer satisfaction "guarantee" on everything REI sold -- which is different from a bike frame warranty as to issues such as defects in workmanship? (e.g., bad weld resulting in crack across the weld)

Google: Novara REI warranty litigation Monika

Fuck REI.

RIP Monika.

[snoqpass]

Not sure why people shop at REI anymore, you can get better gear for less money elsewhere

[doebedoe]

Not sure why people shop at REI anymore, you can get better gear for less money elsewhere

It's convenient. I ride by it to and from work every day. If I realize I need something for a weekend adventure when I'm organizing Thursday night, I can pick it up Friday. Not my first choice retailer on the way, but often the others have even more limited supplies.

[Ted Striker]

Not sure why people shop at REI anymore, you can get better gear for less money elsewhere

Proximity, lack of brick and mortar competitors, loyalty schemes, gaperism - not necessarily in that order.

Of course rei caused all of that too.

[snoqpass]

As a kid I thought the capital hill store was one of the coolest places to go to, when I was an Ironworker I had a hand in the new store I think there’s still some of my footprints on the steel beams now I rarely go in one

[El Chupacabra]

Not sure why people shop at REI anymore, you can get better gear for less money elsewhere

REI Outlet (now Garage) is the only place I buy stuff from REI anymore, and even then, rarely.

[Rock Knocker]

I've brought in stuff that I bought prior to the change of warranty rules, and when they brought up that it was out of warranty, I replied that it had a lifetime warranty when I bought it and that the Magnusson-Moss requires that the warranty I bought it under remain in place.

I always win.

[GoldMember]

Google: Novara REI warranty litigation Monika

Fuck REI.

RIP Monika.

Monika wasn't alone with this problem. http://kval.com/outdoors/investigati...lt-in-lawsuits

"Because even though REI sells the Novara brand bike as its own, the member-owned co-op argued any alleged defects were the responsibility of the Taiwan manufacturers."

What a bunch of bullshit. REI contracted the Taiwan manufacturers and, therefore, is responsible for their workmanship and quality control. It's not the consumers responsibility to oversee the manufacture of the components, it's REI's responsibility.

All that aside, I don't know if REI would accept responsibility for a 14 year old frame but I would take it in and see if they'd at least give you a deal on a new bike. You don't know if you don't ask.

[Skidog]

Pun intended

Squeaky wheel...

Sent from my XT1650 using TGR Forums mobile app

[doebedoe]

Is 14 years a solid run for a bike frame?

Kinda. Sorta. Depends entirely on use. Its a good run for a mountain bike. I would expect a steel commuting, touring etc bike to not break even with regular use over that time frame. A hardtail ridden in Moab for 14 years -- well, that's certainly decent life. And while you'll meet the 2% of bikers who break frames with any regularity on the internet, the fact is those people are extraordinarily hard on gear. Most bikes should never fail from stress cycles even if ridden regularly.

Did REI have a lifetime warranty when you bought it?

Yep. Sure did. Whether you think its fair to use it or not is entirely up to you. Certainly you can press them that they need to uphold the warranty when you purchased, not their currently warranty policies.


At best, they'll let you return it. They aren't going to be able to replace the frame with anything that will work with your 14y/o components.

[SumJongGuy]

100% Satisfaction Lifetime Guarantee?

As mentioned, most vendors use the term "lifetime" to refer to the product, not the owner's lifetime and those guaratnees usually include caveats for "normal wear and tear" being excluded from coverage. IIRC REI didn't have those exclusions.. But, it boils down to should the customer be satisfied that a bike lasted 14 years before breaking? Depends on the customer and how they treated said bike IMO.. But, the loophole is still there for folks who think 100% satisfaction means free refills forever. That's probably why they had to end that policy..

[bodywhomper]

Steal is real :P