Where is customer service winning you over?

azbackpackr · Post by **azbackpackr** » Jan 30 2011 8:17 am

Outdoor supply stores are in competition for customers. Where is customer service winning you over?

REI, Summit Hut, Campmore, Babbit's, Aspen Sports, Four Seasons, Peace Surplus, etc..

You never lose 1 customer at a time in my book!

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azbackpackr · Post by **azbackpackr** » Jan 31 2011 9:48 am

I wonder if some of these places aren't money laundering fronts, the independently-owned ones, that is. That is what happened in Moab. A lot of the Moab tourist strip businesses were fronts for a big meth ring, back a few years ago. Not sure if that has been cleaned up or not.

PaleoRob · Post by **PaleoRob** » Jan 31 2011 10:13 am

azbackpackr wrote:I wonder if some of these places aren't money laundering fronts, the independently-owned ones, that is. That is what happened in Moab. A lot of the Moab tourist strip businesses were fronts for a big meth ring, back a few years ago. Not sure if that has been cleaned up or not.

Crazy! Do you have a link to a story about that? I'd like to read more about that.

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Jan 31 2011 10:33 am

Thats would be an interesting read. Meth addicts leading raft trips, oh, what fun!

azbackpackr · Post by **azbackpackr** » Jan 31 2011 10:34 am

No, I just used to know a guy who moved his family there, and after his kids got addicted he found out about it. He said it was pure hell, living there, due to what was happening with his kids and because he found out who the dealers were, the business owners.

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Jan 31 2011 10:35 am

azbackpackr wrote:No, I just used to know a guy who moved his family there, and after his kids got addicted he found out about it. He said it was pure hell, living there, due to what was happening with his kids and because he found out who the dealers were, the business owners.

Just like Las Vegas, but with gambling!

hippiepunkpirate · Post by **hippiepunkpirate** » Jan 31 2011 2:13 pm

Anymore in Flag I shop at Four Seasons on Milton, mainly because my friend Stew works there and he gives me awesome service plus a substantial discount. Four Seasons is a pretty small store, so not a great selection, but go in and ask for Stew, tell him Jake sent you, and he will treat you well.

joebartels · Post by **joebartels** » Jan 31 2011 2:45 pm

I am changing the direction of this thread to build on positives (I'd recommend reading the first post).
I'm putting up a poll soon to vote on best customer service.

Here is what we have so far... (once the poll starts new entries can not be added, though I'll leave a couple spaces to edit)
REI
Summit Hut
Campmore
Popular - opps...
Sportsman Warehouse
Cabelas
Babbit's (where?)
Aspen Sports - Flagstaff?
Four Seasons - Flagstaff?
Peace Surplus - Flagstaff

Please only post on poll suggestions until it goes live

hippiepunkpirate · Post by **hippiepunkpirate** » Jan 31 2011 2:49 pm

joe bartels wrote:Babbit's (where?)
Aspen Sports - Flagstaff?
Four Seasons - Flagstaff?

Babbitt's is on the corner of Aspen and San Francisco in Flag, Aspen Sports is N. San Francisco in Flag, Four Seasons is on S. Milton in Flag.

joebartels · Post by **joebartels** » Jan 31 2011 3:31 pm

Okay the poll is live, carry on

@hippiepunkpirate The substantial discount would be cool! You're going to make a lot friends wanting you to go with them or will wearing a hoddie suffice?

Hopefully I get outstanding customer service regardless of who I know

PaleoRob · Post by **PaleoRob** » Jan 31 2011 3:44 pm

The Desert Rat in St. George
http://www.thedesertrat.net/store.html
Of course, probably most here haven't shopped there.

PaleoRob · Post by **PaleoRob** » Jan 31 2011 3:50 pm

hippiepunkpirate wrote:Anymore in Flag I shop at Four Seasons on Milton, mainly because my friend Stew works there and he gives me awesome service plus a substantial discount. Four Seasons is a pretty small store, so not a great selection, but go in and ask for Stew, tell him Jake sent you, and he will treat you well.

I like Four Seasons on Milton. I've had good experiences there too, and they've always been helpful in finding me the gear I need.

YouTube https://youtube.com/username · Post by **kingsnake** » Jan 31 2011 4:28 pm

My general rule of thumb in buying anything is to try, in order, to give my business to 1) small local store, 2) local chain, 3) small regional chain, 4) small national chain, and last resort 5) mega store to whom my piddling dollars they could care less. I'd rather pay more for personal service from a little guy ...

te_wa · Post by **te_wa** » Jan 31 2011 4:36 pm

um, you left out the largest online store, backcountry.com.
i dont vote unless they make the list.
thanks.

joebartels · Post by **joebartels** » Jan 31 2011 4:42 pm

it's in there
- cricket out

te_wa · Post by **te_wa** » Jan 31 2011 6:19 pm

backcountry tops my list. i have spent more time and money there than any other.
summit hut because 1) they sell Montbell and Western Mountaineering. also, the only store ive walked in where they werent trying to sell Jetboils.
azhiking shack. they order anything you want, provided they can get it. just ask! AND THE FOOTWEAR SPECIALISTS ACTUALLY FILL THE JOB DESCRIPTION.

azbackpackr · Post by **azbackpackr** » Jan 31 2011 6:45 pm

I've always wanted to check out that Arizona Hiking Shack. Up on Cave Creek Rd. somewhere, right?

joebartels · Post by **joebartels** » Jan 31 2011 7:19 pm

yes, also I made all the choices clickable so you can check out their websites if applicable

YouTube https://youtube.com/username · Post by **kingsnake** » Jan 31 2011 7:49 pm

azbackpackr wrote:I've always wanted to check out that Arizona Hiking Shack. Up on Cave Creek Rd. somewhere, right?

Yeah, just south of Cactus, east side of the road in a little strip mall that is mostly antique stores.

azbackpackr · Post by **azbackpackr** » Jan 31 2011 7:51 pm

I don't know my way around that area, but can get the map quest.

hippiepunkpirate · Post by **hippiepunkpirate** » Jan 31 2011 7:53 pm

Canyon Outfitters in Sedona is pretty good too...but my vote would stick with Four Seasons regardless.