3 ms·

Sorry, what's wrong with REI? I've never been asked to donate to charity at my local REI...

• imagiko 8y ago
  Haven't you been pushed about getting an REI membership? I think twice before asking any REI salesman for help, because I know they are going to push me to get a membership. They're doing their job since their incentives are tied to memberships to some degree, but it makes for a poor experience. /edit:I'd rather be asked about a membership once at the cashier's than by every sales staff I talk to during my visit.
  • borski 8y ago
    Oh, I see. To be fair, I signed up and paid $20 for a membership many years ago; it's a one-time fee to never have to worry about saving receipts, which is a massive win for me since I shop there so often, and to get the dividend which inevitably amounts to far more than the one-time $20 charge. So, to be fair, I don't recall being pushed, since it made sense to me, and they wouldn't push me now because I'm already a member.
    • vadym909 8y ago
      my wife probably signed up sometime- cos when I gave them my phone number they said you have $21 dividend- want to apply it? I was like - wow - I love this place and I don't even shop there a lot. Don't love their prices but I love REI. Too bad the Orchard Supply which is also a CoOp is shutting down.
  • cliffordthedog 8y ago
    It's a coop, that's what they do. FWIW the dividend is pretty nice. Combined with the sale I saved a pretty solid chunk of money on a nice cooler.
  • biscoe9116 8y ago
    I've been shopping at REI for years and have never been asked about membership by the people working the floor. Also if you're shopping at REI without a membership you're doing it wrong. You get a percentage of every purchase back as dividend that you can put towards anything in the store.
    • borski 8y ago
      They'll actually give it back to you as cash also, though I've never used that option because I always find more things I want/need.
  • thinkmassive 8y ago
    REI is one of the most responsible retail business around in my mind. They still operate as a co-op and I don't expect that to change in the foreseeable future. I haven't experienced any pushiness from their staff, which is anecdotal, but I've been a customer for years in a least 4 states. If you anticipate shopping there more than once, or for any large item (excluding sales), then a membership is worth it. The dividend is 10% so it pays for itself after $200.
  • ardy42 8y ago
    > Haven't you been pushed about getting an REI membership? I think twice before asking any REI salesman for help, because I know they are going to push me to get a membership. Do you realize that REI is a co-op [1] and the membership will entitle you to cash back on your purchases and a vote for their board of directors? It's a one-time fee, and mine paid for itself the first year I had it. It's a stupid grocery store loyalty card. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consumers%27_co-operative https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consumers%27_co-operative
    • acct1771 8y ago
      Probably better, because they don't datamine you.
    • ardy42 8y ago
      > It's a stupid grocery store loyalty card. TYPO DETECTED: I just realized I meant to say it's not a stupid grocery store loyalty card, it's way better for the customer.