Are you an REI member? If so, you’ll want to make note of the upcoming REI members-only garage sale. Basically, it’s an event where you can swap and sell gently used sporting equipment. Also, REI will be selling scratch-and-dent items from the store on the cheap.

Becoming an REI member is easy–and cheap. For $20 you can get a lifetime membership to REI, which allows you to get discounts on REI items throughout the year. Unlike other store memberships that require you to re-up each year, it seems that with an REI membership you pay once, and you’re done.

Both REI stores in the Philadelphia area will be participating in this members-only sale on New Year’s Eve. Here are the details for both of those locations.

• Conshohocken/Plymouth Meeting REI, 200 W Ridge Pike Ste 115, Conshohocken, PA 19428 (610) 940-0809
  Sale: 12/31/11 10 a.m to 6 p.m.
• Marlton REI, 501 Route 73 South, Marlton, NJ 08053 (856) 810-1938
  Sale: 12/31/11 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

REI suggests that you arrive well before the 10 a.m. start time, as a line always forms for this event.

Thanks to Houston on the Cheap for telling me about this event.