Lots of changes - Store Product Expert/Sales Associate REI Employee Review

2.0
Sep 26, 2013
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Typically hire good people at the store level. Great deals on gear.

Cons

This company has changed so much from when I started working for them nine years ago. They no longer provide benefits such as health insurance for part timers, employees no longer get first pick of returned items, and "Work/Life Balance" is no longer a touted REI ethic. They used to provide great training that translated into great customer satisfaction but now the only training you will get is on how to sell memberships. And you'd better sell memberships or you will not get hours. Most people who were trained under the old REI are gone now, they were being paid more than REI wants to pay so they either left or were fired for one thin reason or another. If you take a job in one of their stores you can expect it to be a WalMart kind of experience.

Explore other reviews about REI

5.0
Apr 24, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great work environment, Management Cares. Great discounts if you are into outdoors stuff

Cons

Sometimes mundane work, but coworkers are great

3.0
May 9, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Most coworkers, some managers, discounts, outfitting people properly without extra nonsense

Cons

Some truly horrible managers, pressure to sell credit cards is a morale killer, the union people. Employees drinking the union kool aid fail to see the company’s position, REI cannot give higher pay, better benefits , consistent hours, etc… with the erratic revenue stream that comes in , if a 5 year average is X in revenue and 5 year average is Y on wages and costs, how are they supposed to increase wages and benefits? It’s numbers and they don’t line up, if REI gives the increases which increases the expenses greatly, they will cut staff, a lot fewer employees which will eliminate a bunch of union supporters, an REI job is not supposed to be a lucrative deal, when you get hired the part time , part time plus and full time options are there and you choose what you want fully understanding what hours you are going to get at minimum, they will hire those positions on a need basis, to cry later that you don’t make enough money is your fault, the terms were clear and you signed off on them. The union is promising rainbows , reality will be far different, careful what you wish for

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