Backorders & Pre-orders

As a benefit to our customers, while we wait for inventory to arrive in our warehouses and stores, select items advertised on REI.com will be available for backorder or pre-order. While these pre-order and backorder items won’t ship immediately, we will do our best to fulfill them as soon as we get them in stock.
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Frequently asked questions
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Can REI automatically notify me when the item I want has been restocked online?
  • Yes, we offer a “Notify me” feature for select products that we know will be restocked within the near future.
  • If a product is eligible, you’ll see a button on the product detail page in place of the usual “Add to cart” button. This will allow you to sign up to receive an email when the item is back in stock on REI.com and available to order.
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Why is inventory for bikes and watersports gear so limited?
  • We’re seeing strong customer demand for gear overall. We are working constantly to replenish our inventories, but some items, such as bikes and watersports gear, might continue to have limited availability due to supplier issues.
  • If present on the product detail page, use the “Notify me” feature to get an email when your item is back in stock. REI Co-op Members also can check out our Member Collection for early access and limited-edition gear just for members.
  • In addition, inventories vary from store to store, so we encourage you to check with your local REI location and work with our gear experts to find the right solution for you.
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How is REI helping its members and customers?
  • We are working as quickly as we can to replenish our inventory assortment. When possible, we offer options for either pre-orders, backorders or “Notify me” emails on select products online to better understand demand and to keep customers informed.
  • To help more people get outdoors while keeping useful stuff out of landfills, the co-op also transformed its popular Garage Sale events into Re/supply. Check out year-round Re/supply used gear sections in stores and our Re/supply used gear website—both just for REI Co-op Members. ​​​​

When will my backorders and pre-orders ship?
  • We try our best to ship all backorders and preorders within 30 days. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee a backorder will be filled. If the backordered item is no longer available, we’ll cancel the item from your order and notify you via email. For information regarding refunds for canceled orders, please see Refunds for mailed-in and canceled orders. ​​​​​ ​
  • You will not be charged separate shipping fees for backorder or pre-order items that ship at a later date. Please see the product detail page and messaging in checkout to confirm if oversize shipping or other fees apply for your item(s).​​​​​ ​
  • For the latest estimated shipping date, please visit our Help Center to contact us.

How will I receive updates about my REI order?
  • We will email you. We try our best to ship all gear within 30 days or less after the order date. However, item(s) can sometimes be delayed. A few days before the 30-day mark, we’ll send you an email, prompting you to contact us if you’d like to extend your backorder or pre-order beyond 30 days.
  • If you do not wish to wait beyond 30 days for your preorder or backordered item, please visit our Help Center to contact us and request cancellation.
  • If you choose to keep active, we will continue to try to fulfill your order till the date shown in your notice. If we are unable to fulfill by that date, your order will be cancelled and you'll receive an email.

Can I cancel a backorder or pre-order?
  • Yes, you can cancel backordered or pre-ordered items any time before they ship.
  • Visit our Help Center to contact us.

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