How to avoid the trauma of REI's sale (and get better prices)

Altrec sells outdoor stuff from brands like The North Face and Patagonia.  Altrec is currently having a Summer Clearance sale with up to 70% off, which is a pretty good sale.  Shipping is free on orders over $45.  But you can improve on both Altrec and REI to get rock bottom prices without leaving home.  There two keys to getting an even better deal:

• Microsoft Live Cashback gives you 30.25% cashback on purchases



• Altrec's great price matching policy will beat any competitor's price.

By combining these two, you can get anything Altrec sells for the cheapest price on the Internet AND an additional discount of 30.25% off Altrec's original price.  Pretty amazing -- you could even get some stuff for next to nothing (especially combined with REI's current sale).

How to get this deal:

1. Shop for something a) you want and b) Altrec sells at a higher price than someone else (hint: use a price search engine and make sure it's in stock at both stores -- it needs to be in stock for them to price match)



2. Go to Microsoft Live Cashback's Altrec link



3. Buy your item through that link at Altrec



4. Call or e-mail Altrec to get your price adjusted (not just to REI but any store on the Internet!)



5. Wait for your merchandise to arrive at your door and your cashback at your Paypal account

Examples of deals:

• 
  Men's North Face Mission Ripstop Short: $35.97 at Altrec, $15.83 at REI (50% off)




• Your price: $14.83 (after 105% pricematch)



• Cashback: $10.88 (30.25% of $35.97)



• Net price: $3.95

• Women's North Face Denali Jacket (White): $164.95 at Altrec, $114.97 at Mountain Gear



• Your price: $112.48 (after 105% pricematch)



• Cashback: $49.89 (30.25% of $164.95)



• Net price: $62.59

• 
  Men's Patagonia Capilene 3 Zip-Neck: $50 at Altrec, $36 at Fresh Pair



• Your price: $35.30 (after 105% pricematch)



• Cashback: $15.13 (30.25% of $50.00)



• Net price: $20.17