Issue when MEC doesn’t
: know how to use flint with a knife;have ebike options to meet portability needs – urban vertical life (youtubed, ordered from US OEM);know jet boil configuartion option to meet buyer’s use case. The latter achieved via youtube and purchased via a family owned calgary store, Craze Outdoors(Canadian youtuber,MATV promoted).

Nobis,even this brand had what I needed. Mainly wool split mid layer jacket. Waterproof down, washable parka.

MEC real estate, went from member owned to lease?! NO EV charging at all stores.

The 1% for the planet movement matters,and I try to buy from these companies.

CTC should NOT be permitted to buy MEC,it can’t handle Sportcheck…ownns HBC sad.

Nice article, it underscores why members mattered.

@John Cornellier,
Cheap vs Inexpensive.
One is quality and one is price.
Bought an inexpensive action cam, 1/5 the price of the “bigname brand” and still going strong after 5 years.

That’s a great point Matthew. Back when I started at MEC in 2006, I received that 7 day training even though I was a casual summer hire – they used to invest a lot of time/money in their employees.

Back in the day, MEC staff received 7 days of product knowledge training prior to working on the floor. They also could only work in specialty areas where they were active. If you wanted to talk alpine boots, you spoke to someone who was an alpine climber. Same with canoes, rock climbing, etc.

The value in coming into MEC was getting expert advice backed by a lot of PK and excellent recommendations based on experience.

I think that is one of the things affecting the in-store experience. You no longer receive great advice.

I just found your site when looking for news about the future of MEC and applaud what you are doing. The mountains have been a major part of my life for over 65 years (yes I am that old- born in the first half of the last century). Having joined MEC (em-ee-see not mech) in its first year of operation, I felt abandoned when it was sold without properly informing its members or asking for their opinion. When it stopped carrying telemark skiing gear in favour of items for yoga and walks in the city, I began to worry about its future.

Now with tariff threats on the horizon, I feel I can no longer purchase items from REI, Freeheel Life, Backcountry or other US retailers without feelings of guilt and betrayal. Fortunately Valhalla Pure and Robinsons here in Victoria offer alternatives to MEC and often carry what I am unable to find at the local MEC store.

Keep up the good work and all the best for the future.

The bias against Chinese brands is partly an outdated perception that Chinese goods are low-quality. That was true in some cases decades ago, but China has long since become a global leader in high-end manufacturing.

When people dismiss “cheap Chinese gear” on Amazon, what they’re often rejecting is not the quality of the product, but the lack of a familiar Western brand name.

I’m nostalgic for the days when I could simply pick from MEC’s curated selection of products from big brands. Now I have to scrutinize reviews and tech specs. And that’s OK.

But I always thought the biggest mistake was the expensive real estate. As a very early co-op member I also thought that that expansion should have been done via local co-ops in each city, which would have given more control to members.

My partner keeps finding used MEC clothing at thrift stores, and it is some of my favourite outdoor clothing.

If they sell to a reputable CDN company, maybe I’ll darken their doors again