"shoes and chaos"

That was a fellow bargain-hunter's reply when asked what was in the storeroom at REI's members-only garage sale this morning. Held several (?) times a year, REI allows co-op members (those of us who've signed up for their rewards program) to purchase used/returned goods at drastically reduced prices. Roof racks, sleeping bags and tents, skis, ski and snowboard boots, bicycles, clothing ... you name it, people were climbing over each other for it. REI employees handed out playing cards and then let folks inside by randomly calling out the cards - judicious, but still a mob scene. H and I skirted the periphery but when we attempted the "shoes and chaos" room, the crowd was just too much. Next time we'll prepare a go-to list - today was just too nuts for casual browsing.