I think they just changed their return policy to not allow the unlimited return time anymore.
Yep, it's now down to a year.
I like REI, it's just way overpriced in my opinion (again keep in mind I'm on the end of broke and not loaded).
I'm also on the end of broke, and I agree that the non-sale stuff is overpriced. I just never pay full price for anything from there / online outlet.
As far as actual gear recommendations, I've already commented on this elsewhere but it can't hurt to repeat it: use a plastic painter's dropcloth as a tent footprint. Cut to size to save weight / space, or just fold to size for more protection from multiple layers. Cheap and easy to replace on the road in any town large enough to have a hardware store. A tent footprint is there to take abuse for the bottom of your tent, so why drop $$ on something that's meant to be destroyed?
You don't need fancy lexan water bottles (well, maybe have one that will survive a wreck in a soft bag or backpack) - just re-use quart-sized or larger ones that come with water in them to begin with. Wrap some duct tape in key spots to reinforce them.
Some things that you can buy at REI or other sporting goods stores, you can get at wally world for significantly less.
You can get cheap good flashlights at Target or from Amazon - look for Energizer brand LED ones that run on 2AA, single LED, aluminum body, like this: [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Energizer-High-Intensity-Flashlight-Battery/dp/B004WN5ZCO"]Amazon.com: Energizer High Intensity LED Flashlight with 2AA Battery: Sports & Outdoors[/ame] That particular kind will throw a spot quite a ways (150 lumen) and has decent batt life (2.5 hrs). It's a cheap 'tactical' flashlight. When my mom was in the market for an affordable bright light, I had her get this.
For a smaller, dimmer version (1AA) of about the same quality, try this: [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Energizer-Tactical-Handheld-Flashlight-1-Watt/dp/B0018OUWQO/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1377058107&sr=1-1&keywords=energizer+1aa+flashlight"]Amazon.com: Energizer Tactical Metal Handheld LED Flashlight, 1-Watt: Sports & Outdoors[/ame]
I own two of them. Found one in an auto parts store, the other in Target (that was a couple years ago, though).
I won't touch maglites; it took them years to catch up with the LED tech and I don't trust any company that is so slow to adapt to a new and obviously better tech. Incandescent lights of any brand aren't worth your money. I don't look at Xenon bulbs anymore either, because the LED technology can equal its brightness and uses less battery. Flashlights with multiple LEDs in them I also avoid, because that means they're using older (dimmer) LED tech. Also they typically can't throw a spot for crap and are only useful as very close-in floods. More is not better when it comes to LED bulbs in a flashlight, but they are okay in headlamps, which are designed specifically for a flood-shaped beam and put the multiple LEDs to good use.
For folding chairs, the smallest adult sized one wally world has is without arms (which only get in my way and bug me anyways) and costs <$10. Last time I bought one I think it was $6.