REI Reviews

Former Employee – worked at REI

Pros – Great people - REI has an active, engaged workforce. Pleasant culture - the need to find balance between working hard and having fun is not only acknowledged but encouraged.

Cons – Some managers were reluctant to ask employees to be accountable - but I think that happens in any organization and is thankfully it is rare at REI.

Advice to Senior Management – Stay focused on high levels of job satisfaction. Remain committed to quality product that everyone in the organization can be proud of. Continue to give back by supporting great causes.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at REI

Pros – Great Discounts. you get 50 or more percent off, its crazy who would want to pay regular price after that

Cons – They brainwash you with corporate bull, 20 hour miniumum work week, required meetings, unhappy customers, short lunches, no bathroom breaks

Advice to Senior Management – Its really a great place to work. you get awesome discounts, 50 percent or more off, its crazy. who would want to pay retail after that

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at REI

Pros – Fantastic discounts
Wonderful diverse community of people
Generous starting hourly pay
Good health benefits for part time
You will mostly work with liberal open minded ladies and gentlemen

Cons – At times I feel that the fact I was never a boyscout / girlscout counts against me in the social structure of the store.

Advice to Senior Management – Punishments and rewards should be more clearly defined.
Training should be more extensive in all aspects.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Former Employee – worked at REI

Pros – Great people on the floor, most of the time. Some of the old timers get away with murder and store manager are too ignorant or too much of a coward to deal with them. Great discounts and for the most time customers are really great people.

Cons – Don not let your self be fooled by their excellent marketing REI is only a COOP on paper, this COOP is run in the same manner Walt Mart is, just look at the rate it is growing and REI pays horrendous salaries. It could easily compensate its staff full time and part time much better and ensured a much lower turnover. As well store managers end of the year bonuses are calculated in such fashion that saving monies is only beaten by department sales, they will schedule new part times as often as possible until they become too expensive.
I loved working for REI initially and was promoted rapidly, however the hunt for members and turning away from the COOP model really turned me off. As well the political correctness is overwhelming and if you’re not a liberal (hardcore) then this is not the place to work. Finally if the members actually where informed of employee salaries I am sure they as COOP “owners” would have a thing or two to say about the COOP leadership ways of treating the sales staff, take one look at store managers and the leaderships end of the year bonus and you know this is no longer a COOP.

Advice to Senior Management – REI is a Big Box Retailer
Advice to senior leadership at HQ, wake up stop being fooled by retail directors find a new metrics to score for bonuses and for crying out loud. Either you are a COOP or come out and change your model or with that you must educate and train your retail managers.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Former Employee – worked at REI

Pros – Full benefits to part time employees. Great discounts. Great environment.

Cons – Managements focus on membership sales goals. Managements actual knowledge of given departments.

Advice to Senior Management – Become more knowledgeable of departments you are overseeing.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at REI

Pros – Great company,benefits, great ambience!!! The staff is super openly friendly and profesional!!

Cons – Haven't found one that I can count as a con!

Advice to Senior Management – keep up the enthusiasm and encouraging your employees

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at REI

Pros – Work life balance, growth oppotunity and a company that does the right thing are three of the main reasons to come to REI.

Cons – REI has some times when change is hard to make happen. This is changing, but it makes for interesting change management issues.

Advice to Senior Management – Keep doing the job that you are doing. Sally Jewell is extremely forward thinking and with her leadership, we are moving in the right direction and setting the CO-OP up for success.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at REI

Pros – Benefits are fantastic. Both medically and through the ProDeal system. Also, time off is granted for almost any reason (again, due to retail).

Cons – During slow retail times of the year (January - March) it is extremely difficult to get the hours you need in order to pay rent.

Advice to Senior Management – Positive feedback on a regular basis is MANDATORY to maintain happy employees. My immediate supervisors were fantastic, but the Store Manager had much to be desired.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Former Employee – worked at REI

Pros – Benefits for part time employees, encouraging environment, flexibililty with scheduling, opportunity to advance, great employee perks.

Cons – May not be great for someone looking for full time work. When I was there, the hours were good, but not really guaranteed.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Former Employee – worked at REI

Pros – Prod Deals, flex Time, Sabitical after 15 years, hoping of course that they don't lay you off in your 14th

Cons – I didn't find management to be honest, Differing opinions are not tolerate well. I asked a VP "who is REI" his response listed everthing including the managment but not the rank and file. We eere replaceable

Every year benefits went down, yet they continue to rank in top 100 companies. This was supposed to based on feedback from employees, I never knew anyone that was asked???

Political correctness taken to extremes.

Advice to Senior Management – Admit that REI is just about the dollars and be honest.