I agree, Glenn, and REI's prices definitely reflect the cost of that abuse!

REI still gives you a year, which should be plenty long enough--unless like me, you stick the box of what you want to return in the back of the closet and keep forgetting to take it with you! I have two items I'll have to put on For Sale, but that's my fault!

The year is waived if the item is defective (hopefully that will exclude your example with the 10-year-old zipper!).