What do you think of the 'New' EMS?

[pizza]

Originally Posted by riverc0il

i agree pizza, cotton does get a bad rap and is okay for fair weather hikes so long as it is not too warm and you're not sweating much. i rarely hike when i am not sweating though, and i really prefer synthetic regardless of the weather when doing outdoors sports.

I like my synthetic stuff, too - but remember - probably 70% of EMS' clientele goes camping once a year or hiking less than 3 times a year. They're more interested in comfort, and in the store, nothing beats cotton for that.

[thetrailboss]

Yeah, REI is just OK. We went there and saw some good deals, but really would not have gone if it weren't for the $50 gift certificate from Ms. Trailboss' friend. I've liked EMS because of their service and guarantee...but a few years ago I became dismayed when they began dropping high end products. Now I like the EMS brand stuff when it goes on sale

[bvibert]

I would probably like REI too, but there aren't any near here. EMS is really the only store with decent stuff at decent prices around here.

[thetrailboss]

Hey guys, thanks for drumming up some good conversation over here in Gear!

[bvibert]

Originally Posted by thetrailboss

Hey guys, thanks for drumming up some good conversation over here in Gear!

You're welcome, do that mean that we get some free gear in return?

[kickstand]

Originally Posted by MichaelJ

The key to the REI dividend is to have the REI credit card. All purchases anywhere with the card earn dividend. Plus, as you know if you use a different card *at REI* your dividend on that purchase is reduced.

I funnel all my repeating payments (gym, storage unit, etc) through the REI card and get a sweet dividend every year.

That said, I'm still about 40:40:20 on my purchases ... REI : EMS : other

DING DING DING, we have a winner! The REI Visa is key to a big dividend. I'm sitting on a $160 dividend and I haven't bought anything big at REI in a while. Last year was great. The Alaska trip was thrown on the REI Visa. My dividend was something like $300. We hardly do any shopping at REI until the divident comes in.

[smitty77]

Originally Posted by MichaelJ

However ... for other things, I'm very pleased that they've turned back from the "outdoor clothier" and gone technical again. The EMS by me has over a dozen kayaks hanging from the ceiling right now, for example.

I'm glad to see this too. For a while, they were starting to look like a Lands End outlet store.

I buy some of my stuff from them at their flagship store in Peterborough because it's the closest one to the house. If you happen to hit it right, you can get some good deals. A few months ago they had their "Sample clothing clearance". I picked up a pair of mis-labeled "Sample" pants for $10, and the wife got two pairs of trail shorts for $5. Hard to beat. Saw some "split sized" boots (9.5 left, 10 right) for $10, originally $75. I knew I had one foot slightly larger than the other so I tried them on. Turns out it was my left foot that was bigger.
Smitty

[Rushski]

It's a toss-up. Gear is still excellent (what they actually still have-see below), store layout is a different matter. This was at Nashua's new location. Literally couldn't tell where the mens Vs. womens clothing racks were. Sales guy said he thought the same and had many complaints.

And, also one of the guys said that EMS brand mocs never existed, even though my wife has two pair. They don't even carry Merrell mocs anymore either...

[bvibert]

Originally Posted by Rushski

Literally couldn't tell where the mens Vs. womens clothing racks were.

You know what, now that you mentioned that I've noticed the same thing. I thought it was just me. Its kinda annoying...

[thetrailboss]

Originally Posted by bvibert

You know what, now that you mentioned that I've noticed the same thing. I thought it was just me. Its kinda annoying...

Yeah, I concur.