Backcountry alternatives

[Steve2]

(I posted this a few minutes ago, but it appeared in how-tos and problems section at the bottom of the page, so am re-posting here.)

I'd rather not buy from Backcountry, for reasons mentioned in the other discussion. But here's the dilemma: their prices beat almost anyone's.

I check reviews on outdoorgearlab.com before purchasing any significant gear. That site lists the manufacturer's price and the price at a couple of resellers. Backcountry is usually listed, and almost always offers 25 percent or more off the MSRP. How do you pass that up? (I wonder how they do it, but that's a different conversation.)

The reseller that comes closest to Backcountry is Amazon. I'd like to go with Amazon, if it has a good return policy. If anyone has tried to return items (especially clothing) to Amazon, please post your experiences.

[dwoodward13]

It seems like a lot of outdoor gear now, including clothing is listed "free returns" on Amazon. Just look on the product page and it should specify if free returns are allowed. I've never had any issue returning things, including clothing from Amazon if its listed as a free return item. I did have a pair of Superfeet insoles that were listed as a free return item, but I wasn't allowed to select them to return on the orders page. I contacted them, and I guess certain items for sanitary reasons they don't want you to ship them back, and they just told me to keep them and credited me back the money.

It used to be you had to print off your the shipping label and box it and take it to UPS or USPS, but now you can just take your product to any UPS or Kohl's store and you don't even do anything!

I've never attempted to return an item that didn't specificity that it was a free return item. I'm sure that depends on the seller policy, and you'll have to pay to ship it back. Some I think will assess a restocking fee as well.

[cottonmountaineering]

you don't want to buy from a vendor with the lowest prices due to personal beliefs, but refuse to pay more? Is that what im reading here?

[TaylorHolt]

theClymb.com has some good deals, but their inventory changes frequently, so they may not always have what you're looking for. I had good experience at backcountrygear.com getting a rope last year; they seem to have really good prices as well. I also keep a list of gear in my phone's notepad that I want to buy or upgrade and wait for deals/sales/coupons from manufacturers. A lot of well-known manufacturers have had big sales recently.

[Steve2]

you don't want to buy from a vendor with the lowest prices due to personal beliefs, but refuse to pay more? Is that what im reading here?

No, just looking for an alternative to Backcountry. Amazon is close, so if they have a good return policy and honor it, I'll order from them.

Thanks dwoodward13 and 4thPlace for the suggestions. I'll try those and hopefully won't have any problems if a jacket doesn't fit or something.

[TomPierce]

When I'm in need of a piece of gear that isn't just routine restocking (e.g. food, fuel, which I get from the local REI 1.5 miles away..) I'll look at a couple of vendors, and believe me I've used them all, or at least most. I like backcountrygear.com, and Moosejaw's site is nice, they at least seem to have a sense of humor. But my favorite bigger site is campsaver.com. They seem to have the usual pieces, but a lot of discounted gear/sales/last year's model. I've had good luck with them, but others may disagree.

I agree, I'll respectfully decline to use Backcountry.com again (can I even write "Backcountry" without fear of getting sued?? ). I work in corporate America and fully understand defending intellectual property, but c'mon..."Backcountry"? An awfully convenient way to bludgeon underfunded near-competitors, or just folks working in the outdoor sports industry. No thanks.

As for Amazon, I find I'm using them more and more, just so damn convenient. But yeah, I own my hypocrisy, they too are an 800 (8,000?) pound gorilla in the retail space. That aside, the last time I did a return through Amazon I used that Kohl's option mentioned above. Super easy, no hassles for me.

-Tom

[two lunches]

I've used

• CampSaver.com

• Enwild

• Sierra

• Moosejaw

• Mountain Steals

also if you're a CMC member, don't forget about their discounts and pro programs for icebreaker, zeal, bentgate, mountainsmith, CAMP, etc.

[climbingcue]

CampSaver has been my closest substitute for backcountry.com
But backcountry has had way better prices on the jackets I was looking for this spring. Also a Splitboard binding toe strap I needed backcountry was the only company that had it, and the 20% off coupon was excluded for that item. So I try my best to use anyone other than backcountry, but the last two items I wanted/needed came from them.

EVO has also been pretty good for some of my needs.

Bill

[Steve2]

Well guess what? The item I'm interested in is cheaper on Patagonia's own website. On outdoorgearlab.com (where I always start) the MSRP for the Patagonia Galvanized is listed as $349. Backcountry is offering it at a "discount" of $243. So just for kicks this morning, I went to Patagonia's website -- $174. Maybe Patagonia reduced it.

A couple of other resellers are also offering it in the range that Backcountry is offering (Evo and Mountainsteals).

So I guess it isn't hard to beat Backcountry's prices after all.

[BB_ME]

Amazon Prime products ship free with two day delivery; Prime accepts returns for any reason at all within 30 days and pays the return postage. So you're not sure if some size will fit, order multiple sizes and return the size that doesn't fit. On whim have a pack of bubble gum delivered to your front door. Of course, you're paying for the Prime service. But Prime gives you the security that you're never going to be screwed.

[timisimaginary]

between my membership dividend and 5% cash back card from REI, i usually get the best deal with them but their selection is lower than other sites. i've gotten better prices sometimes on moosejaw, campsaver or Amazon. i've found stuff on campsaver that i haven't been able to find anywhere (like a pair of hiking boots last year in a light tan color, that was unavailable or out of stock literally everywhere else).

[PBitting]

Wait... so you don't feel right ordering from Backcountry because they were too aggressive with their trademark enforcement and your legitimate alternative is Amazon?!?! You might want to do some research into Amazon's business practices.