Galyan's

“One of these just opened near my parents. Went there this weekend while visiting them.

HUGE

Well stocked.

A little over the top.

They seem sincere, and well meaning [E.G. The guy at the outdoor books display seemed genuinely interested in our opinion of the titles and selections]

A huge amount of gear. I could get lost in there with $10,000 and come out without a penny.

Not as strictly hard core as an REI or EMS (let alone a local mountain shop) . .more like a Kittery Trading post or LL Bean.

Cool none theless”

“i luv this store , just dont like the bite in the wallet when I leave! :)”

“Grrrrrrrr......”

“Evertime I go thru Atlanta I stop in. Huge huge sporting goods store. Good selection of backpacking stuff too. Prices seemed to be a little higher last time I stopped in.”

“I've got a Galyan's nearby. I'd still rather shop at REI.

(Was that the right answer, BWD???)”

“Smiley Girl...did I tell you how much I love you today?”

“I stop in the Atlanta REI also...
Don't want to hurt your feelings...
LOL.”

“Yeah REI rocks!!! BWD check out the Free Gear giveaway thread.”

“Galyans is an effective competitor. The do have a huge selection and their stores are very well merchandised.

I still feel that we have 'em beat with our customer service and expertise.

Ever try to return anything to Galyans?”

“I know a little of them, Galyan's they were actually started by the company I work for, Limited, gee another retail giant.
They sold them last year just as they do many retail stores they start... I have never gone to one but since I own a outdoor store I guess I would just buy from myself...:)
But I never shopped the big I prefer the small retailers, they know more about the gear.
Barbara”

“we have one of those right down the road! i don't think they have enough women's outdoor clothes, but they have sh-tloads of everything else. freakin' HUGE! oh, and they have the absolute best shoes ever...and not just for hiking.”

“BWD --

Please see my disclaimer within the body of my original post . . .I don't think they are as hard core as an REI or ems . . I do not have a local REI, so I am forced to go my local ems . . .I am SURE it is not as good as REI.

Gaylans problem will be staffing for the hard core enthusiast. A sullen high school student may not have the depth or knowlegde to help with pack fitting for instance.

(no disrepect intended towards today's youth Ice Tea)”

“No Dave, I don't think you have! LOL!”

“My theory is this:

Try all the gear out at other gear stores and if you like it.....see if REI has it so you can get the guarantee and the rebate at the year end.”

“hey lee, i had a sullen youth helping me try on packs there! he was a high-schooler, and all he did was stand around while Tarpy and i discussed and adjusted the packs...and he WOULD NOT leave! he just kept following us around, not saying anything, LOL. i guess they get commission or something? anyway, i finally said we were fine on our own. hee hee.”

“I wish we had one here, or an REI for that matter. Get on it BWD!”

“BB --

Fairly amazing. Glass front . .two stories . . . .Kayaks lined up on the second story against the window for display.

A 30 foot climbing wall (pull a ticket, fill out the waiver and wait your turn) . . ..

MOre packs than I have ever seen in one place . . .I drooled over packs.

Sleeping bags, meals, headlamps.

Clothes clothes clothes

didn't see the boot department, although I am sure they had one.”

“Lee, they have 2 in Columbus, and I was there all the time when I lived there. We also had one in IOWA when I lived there..... nothing in Cleveland, the market id ripe out here!”

“We just got one here in Vegas. It's by far the best that this town has seen besides one local climbing shop. The prices seem to be reasonable and on par with the web. I actually talked to a salesman who seemed pretty informed with what he was selling, but I also talked to one who didn't know jack s$%*.

My wife was impressed with the woman's technical outdoor clothing selection. It's not great, but it's a lot better than Sport Chalet. What a waste of retail space that store is. My wife ripped into the manager at Sport Chalet for not having women's outdoor clothing, it was a riot watching him squirm.”

“there are 3 galyans and 2 reis within 20 minutes of my house, but i don't need anymore gear. what to do?”

“Where do you live... I'll see what I can do.”

“The way I look at it is to see what others are happy with and see if it functions well then buy it off the net. I am but a click away from REI and any other place.

Hey Budda bear My e-mail is Ballonman@backpacker.com thanks”