Rei Spotlights Geocaching

[+Cherokeecacher]

REI article

[+sept1c_tank]

Nice article. This is the part I like best:

...With its international appeal, worldwide access thanks to the World Wide Web, and relatively light and small gear list, geocaching is an activity that is destined to stick around...

 

[+greende]

NEAT!!!

Edited August 19, 2004 by greende

[+JMBella]

And instead of hunting for a chest buried in sand, you'll be hunting for a cache of goodies strategically placed in an environmentally friendly site above ground.

 

That may be the best line in any article or news story of ever heard regarding geocaching. Applause to REI.

[+Cherokeecacher]

Pocket change—Once the initial investment of buying a GPS is made, geocaching is a surprisingly low-cost activity. Take along a few dollars on every journey though, 'just in case.' You may need gas, encounter a parking fee or be tempted to stop at an out-of-the-way diner.

 

Boy... aint that the truth. I have ended up in a few, of those "out-of-the-way diners"

Edited August 19, 2004 by Cherokeecacher

[+wimseyguy]

Wow, someone at REI knows us well and loves us. That article rocks!

I too like the line that sept1c quoted but for a slightly different reason:

With its international appeal, worldwide access thanks to the World Wide Web, and relatively light and small gear list, geocaching is an activity that is destined to stick around.

Yea right sure-coming from my main supplier of trail um, er necessities.

[+bigredmed]

REI probably wishes that sentence didn't get in there. That store specializes in sports that have a "long gear list".

[+Snoogans]

Verrrry Kewl!!!

 

BTW-Happy, Happy Birthday!!!! to Scott of the Cherokeecachers.

 

[+Cherokeecacher]

Verrrry Kewl!!!

 

BTW-Happy, Happy Birthday!!!! to Scott of the Cherokeecachers.

 

Thanks Sn gans

[+Metaphor]

A very nicely done article

[+Team Lyons]

I Think I'll start shopping at my local REI. Ya got to support those who support us!

[+TotemLake]

REI is normally the first place I go to. After that, I expand outwards to the other stores.

[+IV_Warrior]

El_Diablo and crew should like this part

 

Since then, numerous geocaching sites have popped up on the Web. A few of the more popular and stable sites originating from North America include: geocaching.com, Navicache.com, todayscacher.com and brillig.com.geocaching/. These are where you'll find most of the geocache coordinates.

 

 

Congrats guys and gals, you've made it "big time"

[+JohnnyVegas]

Now all REI needs is to train the staff in how to use a GPS, we have a few REI's in my area, Most of there staff cannot even explain the functions of a GPS let alone even turn one on. I went to an REI with a buddy of mine who wanted a GPS. The sale person at this REI (He was the GPS guy for that store) showed us a Garmin legend, turned it on after trying to remember how. and that was it, so I took it from him and gave by freind a demo, then I asken the (REI GPS guy) about the Magellan sport trak map, he said he did not like that one, so I asked him if he used it much, He said he had never used a Magellin and admitted the only time he had tried a Garmin was at a 1hr seminar ( Some specialist) THen I did a demo of a Magellan, my freind bought the magellan, by the way REI GPS guy did not know there was a rebate for the Magellan.

 

The problem you will find with any REI is that they do not pay enough to get good quailty help.

 

As far as the remark "They support geocaching" They support REI, geocaching is a sport than can involve lots of gear, They have lots of things they can sell to a new geocaher besides a GPS, things such as Boots, Sox, hiking sticks, Fanny pack, Day pack, water bottle, Camel backs, Deet, first aid kits, maps compass. A new geocacher could very easily spend $300.00 on other gear needed for a safe hike, and that is for one person, if it's a couple that is starting out thats $600.00. Not including a GPS.don't kid yourself, if Geocaching was not growing at the rate it is REI would never mention it.

[+JohnnyVegas]

I Think I'll start shopping at my local REI. Ya got to support those who support us!

REI supports REI

[+drat19]

As far as the remark "They support geocaching" They support REI, geocaching is a sport than can involve lots of gear, They have lots of things they can sell to a new geocaher besides a GPS, things such as Boots, Sox, hiking sticks, Fanny pack, Day pack, water bottle, Camel backs, Deet, first aid kits, maps compass. A new geocacher could very easily spend $300.00 on other gear needed for a safe hike, and that is for one person, if it's a couple that is starting out thats $600.00. Not including a GPS.don't kid yourself, if Geocaching was not growing at the rate it is REI would never mention it.

You read my mind as I was reading this thread and the article.

 

True, it's a good article on Geocaching and covers the basics very well, but let's be real...REI's in this to sell merchandise! I'm not holding that against them, but just trying to "keep it real" here.

 

-Dave R.

[+clearpath]

Great article. They almost got all the facts straight ...

Taking a souvenir from a cache? Leave something behind in exchange. 'CITO'—cache in, take out. Leave the environmental as pristine as, or better than, you found it.

 

Oh well, its still good publicity.

[+IV_Warrior]

The problem you will find with any REI is that they do not pay enough to get good quailty help.

That's true of almost any retail store. Go to RadioShack, or Wal-mart, or any other retailer and ask a even semi-technical question about a product, and you're likely to get met with blank stares.

Great article. They almost got all the facts straight ...

 

 

Taking a souvenir from a cache? Leave something behind in exchange. 'CITO'—cache in, take out. Leave the environmental as pristine as, or better than, you found it.

 

 

Oh well, its still good publicity.

 

Probably an editor's mistake. Considering the rest of the article is pretty accurate and well written, an editor probably figured the writer just made a mistake, since "cache in, trash out" likely doesn't make any sense to someone not "in the know"

[+Cherokeecacher]

I Think I'll start shopping at my local REI. Ya got to support those who support us!

REI supports REI

YUP and They NEVER give back to the community either. Not like they do trail work, donate thousands of dollars, and introduce city kids to hiking, camping, and other out doors stuff.

 

Those selfish bastages.

 

 

RELAX, it is a good article, they covered it well, and introduced our lovely activity to another audience.

[+tirediron]

Nice to have positive press... a litte more research/editing wouldn't hurt though...

[+Colorado Cacher]

Positive press is quite good for oneselves profit. Try getting a donation from them for an event is another story. I have personally taken the time to solicit donations from 200+ companies for our upcoming 2nd Annual Geocaching event in Colorado and to introduce product, and those that have donated will be greatly acknowledged and appreciated. I will come back and list the donors that I have in my files when I am not at work reading forums. Keep on caching!!

[+briansnat]

and introduce city kids to hiking, camping, and other out doors stuff.

 

More customers for them .

 

That's true of almost any retail store. Go to RadioShack, or Wal-mart, or any other retailer and ask a even semi-technical question about a product, and you're likely to get met with blank stares.

 

 

Depends on the store. When I was out of work I applied for a job at a small outdoors chain and my interview included questions about the differences between internal and external frame packs, flyfishing techniques and canoe hull design.

[+horsegeeks]

The local REI here in Cary, NC has three of their sales staff that know GPSs inside and out. They are really sharp. I bought City Select and Topo there. They even know where a couple of the local caches are. I heard them selling a guy a 60C and offered to take him out and go geocaching in the parking lot.

[+JohnnyVegas]

this is a radio shack story

 

I stoped into a "radio" shack to buy a clip to hang a micrapohone for one of the ham radios in my truck. The sale person did not know what it was, I said it is for a micraphone for one of my two way radios, she said to me, "whats a two way radio" I said it's like the CB radios you sell in the storem, she said "whats a B radio" I just walk out, I just do not like dealing with idiots. the name of the store is RADIO shack. By the way, she is the store manager. ABout the only thing they do in radio shack now is sell cell phones

[+Cherokeecacher]

Positive press is quite good for oneselves profit. Try getting a donation from them for an event is another story. I have personally taken the time to solicit donations from 200+ companies for our upcoming 2nd Annual Geocaching event in Colorado and to introduce product, and those that have donated will be greatly acknowledged and appreciated. I will come back and list the donors that I have in my files when I am not at work reading forums. Keep on caching!!

So your event is so great that everyone you ask for a donation should give one to you hmmm?

 

What kind of "local giving budget" do you think companies and stores have per month?

 

How many requests do you think local companies and stores receive each month, from "worthy" groups?

 

Positive press is quite good for oneselves profit. Try getting a donation from them for an event is another story.

 

With one local group, we have had great success getting "something" donated from them4 times a year. With another group, we have not had any luck so far.

 

Does the company you work for, or own, give donations to everyone that requests one? If so, I need the name please, because I have been doing this for 17 years and have yet to find a company that does.

[+Colorado Cacher]

1. No I never said our event was any better than anybody elses. Because we are all the same, peel off our skin and we are all the same underneath it.

 

2. "Local Giving Budget" could vary anywhere from: none, some, much. All dependant upon size of company. And NONE are expected at all, only asked for out of the goodness of their heart.

 

3. How many requests do local stores recieve from "worthy" groups? I am sure anywhere from zero to many each month and dependant upon how it is presented to each store/individual I have seen decisions made either negative or positive.

 

4. The company I work for give donations to everybody that asks for them? No, I am lucky I get a paycheck every two weeks from them. Although they are known all over the world. Each individual and companies show their greed simply in how much they care for their employees after they hire them.

 

Here in Colorado I gladly frequent Galyans before any Dave Cook, Gart Sports, or R-eally E-xpensive I-tems store. The price differences on the same items are an amazingly huge difference.

 

Have a nice day.

[+Kealia]

REI supports REI

And the problem here is.....??

 

Don't know many businesses that don't look out for thier own bottom line. Whys is this an issue?

 

Sounds like the same griping that goes on when somebody re-hashes the issue of GC.com making money. Yes they do, and they should.

 

So again I ask, the problem is.......?

[+Byron & Anne]

REI supports REI

That's cool with me. I'm a member of the REI co-op, which means the better REI does the less I haved to pay for my outdoor activities habits.

[+Nero]

I dont see why everyone is bashing REI, i hear so many good things about them, i looked them up online and saw there was one close to me, i went in there yesterday and i thought i was in heaven!!! the sales people were very informative and helpful and i will go back again for sure!!

 

beats big 5 and the other crap we have around here...

[Jake - Team A.I.]

Someone at work pointed out to me that a class on navigation was being offered. Low and behold, REI is coming to my workplace to teach how GPS's work and things to do with them.