REI is known for its high-quality outdoor gear, so snagging one of its pieces should feel like a great beginning to your upcoming adventure. But what if you paid full price only to see the item go on sale a few days later? That can really put a damper on the whole experience.
Worry not, though. You still have a chance to get some of that money back with REI's price adjustment policy.
In this guide, we’ll break down the policy’s requirements, exceptions, and the deadline for claiming your refund. We’ll also introduce you to Settlemate, a handy app that can automate the tedious price adjustment request process.
What is a price adjustment?
A price adjustment (also called price protection) policy allows you to request a partial refund when an item you recently bought drops in price.
Many retailers employ this strategy for both their and their customers’ benefit. Customers can shop pressure-free and simply recoup the difference if a sale or promotion occurs shortly after their purchase. At the same time, retailers benefit from happier customers and a stronger brand reputation.
However, to avoid being overwhelmed with requests, retailers typically set eligibility criteria for price adjustments, such as:
What is the REI price adjustment policy?
REI allows price adjustments for both online and in-store purchases. However, the policy comes with several conditions:
- You have 14 days from the date of purchase to submit your refund request.
- The discounted item must be identical to the item you originally purchased, including size, color, and model.
- The discount must be offered directly by REI, not a reseller.
REI doesn’t have many exclusions to the policy, except when:
- You buy an item at REI Outlet (items with prices ending in $0.73)
- The coupon you applied to your purchase excludes price adjustments
These are the only two exclusions listed on the REI website. That said, there’s an overall lack of information regarding their price adjustment policy. Besides mentioning the time window and exceptions, the website doesn’t specify whether you need proof of purchase or if final sale items qualify.
To clarify, we’ve checked with customer service and learned that you do need a receipt or order number to submit a price adjustment claim. The customer service also confirmed that items bought at special prices aren’t eligible for a partial refund. These include:
- Closeouts
- Overstocks
- Special buys
- Items on sale
- Clearance items
Tip: Retailers can change their price adjustment policies at any time, so it's best to check REI’s website for the latest information before making any future requests.
What do customers have to say about the REI price drop policy?
After looking into online customer reviews, it seems that REI stays true to its word when it comes to price adjustments. One shopper said that their request took only five minutes to process, and the refund was issued almost immediately.
Another customer mentioned that even without the original packaging, their item was still accepted for the refund. All in all, it seems that REI does its best to keep the customers happy.
How to get a price adjustment at REI
If you bought the item online, you can request a price adjustment in a few easy steps:
- Confirm the price drop: Make sure that the item you bought is now selling for a lower price on REI’s website.
- Check the purchase date: Verify that you didn’t buy the item more than 14 days ago.
- Gather order details: Prepare your order number and item number.
- Contact REI customer support: Visit the REI price adjustments page, start a chat with a live agent, or call them directly.
For items bought in-store, you have to visit your nearest REI location and request a price adjustment in person. Make sure that you have the receipt with you.
Drawbacks of manual price adjustment requests
At first glance, requesting a price adjustment doesn’t seem like a lot of work. But in reality, there are a few friction points that can discourage shoppers from getting their money back, including:
- You have to notice the price drop yourself: To avoid missing the limited window for requesting an adjustment, you have to regularly check if the price has dropped.
- Time-consuming: If you are a regular shopper, keeping track of prices, order numbers, and time windows for each item can quickly overwhelm you.
- Varying policies can be confusing: If you’ve shopped at multiple retailers, trying to figure out different price adjustment policies can feel like a part-time job you didn't sign up for.
- Request processing delays: Not all customer support reps are equally efficient. Potential delays in processing your request can eat into the refund window and reduce (or even eliminate) your chance to recover your money.
Wouldn’t it be great if someone could keep an eye on price changes for you and ping you when you’re eligible for a price adjustment refund? Luckily, you can rely on Settlemate to do the job.
The app takes the hassle out of price adjustments by monitoring price changes and automatically sending requests whenever you’re eligible for a refund, so you never miss out on money you’re entitled to.
How Settlemate puts price adjustment refunds on autopilot
Every store has different rules for price adjustments. But you don’t need to memorize every policy; Settlemate Retail Savings Autopilot does that for you, and even takes action on your behalf.
The Settlemate app will:
- Automatically find your digital receipts in your inbox.
- Continuously track for price drops within eligible windows.
- Auto-file requests with the right documentation.
- Notify you when your money is on its way back to you.
Automate price adjustments end-to-end with Settlemate Retail Savings Autopilot. Download the app from the App Store or Google Play today.
Not sure if the app’s right for you? Settlemate offers a generous refund policy. You’ll qualify for a full refund if your one-year subscription ends up costing more than the amount you recover through the app.
Frequently asked questions
Does REI do a price match?
No, REI doesn’t have a price-matching policy, meaning that it won’t match lower prices from other retailers.
What is the REI return policy?
You can return most items for a full refund or exchange them within a year of purchase if you’re a co-op member, or within 90 days if you’re a non-member. Outdoor gear must be returned within a 90-day window, regardless of membership status. Certain items aren’t covered by the return policy, such as final sale items and damaged or unwashed used gear.
What are the REI discount exclusions?
REI’s discount exclusions depend on the promotion, but coupon terms often exclude products such as bicycles, bike trainers and simulators, snowshoes, skis, ski boots, canoes, and strollers. You should check the specific coupon’s terms and conditions for more details.
Which retailers offer price adjustments?
If you’re interested in how other popular retailers approach price adjustments, check out our other guides:
