4 ms·
They might call themselves REI "co-op", but a consumers' cooperative is really the polar opposite of representing the interests of workers. It's really just a s
by vore 3y ago
They might call themselves REI "co-op", but a consumers' cooperative is really the polar opposite of representing the interests of workers. It's really just a shareholder owned company with a few steps removed in the middle.
- hotnfresh 3y agoIn practice, the “co-op” stuff really just amounts to a run of the mill rewards program. I can’t tell any actual difference between it and various other “loyalty program” thingies, aside from that they force you to join it to buy anything from them.
- ethanbond 3y agoThe difference is that the company is actually owned by the co-op members, so it’s a co-op and not a rewards program.
- hotnfresh 3y agoI don’t get any money out of it unless I buy stuff. And it’s never anywhere near how much I spent. And I’m pretty sure it’s store credit (I can’t recall for sure, been a while). So.
- justinator 3y agoI thought you were wrong about cash back being not an option, but that changed this year: https://www.rei.com/help?a=Can-I-receive-my-Total-REI-Rewards-by-cash-or-check---id--Ytf6cnCgSFiOXMxvK76dFg https://www.rei.com/help?a=Can-I-receive-my-Total-REI-Reward... That's pretty lame.
- NegativeK 3y agoMembers can vote on the board of directors. I doubt anyone really cares, and it's not open nominations.
- LapsangGuzzler 3y agoThis is how I’ve felt about it. I’m a member and I had no idea you can vote for board members, that never came up during the pitch to sign up. It was all about the member-only sales events and cash back rewards.
- metal_am 3y agoYou'll definitely get asked about it, but there is absolutely no requirement to join to buy anything from REI.