Customer Service (cashier) - Sales Associate/Cashier REI Employee Review

2.0
Aug 1, 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great deals on gear. Rei itself offers a good discount in store, the best discounts are done through the companies themselves. There are also good coworkers there, often working there for the same reason (discount, general passion for the outdoors).

Cons

I really struggled with feeling like I actually belonged/felt comfortable there. The managers were all about sales and making sure we meet goals (sales, membership sales, labor) and not much about making sure we we had all the tools we needed to be successful in helping our customers. When I started they promised lots of training but no you get a little heads up about how to sell stuff then they throw you to the wolves. Very low starting pay with very low raises. Mandatory weekends. They make sure to keep as many of their employees under 20 hours to make sure they don't qualify for any benefits (they actually got called out on this and only made minor changes because of the threat of a union). They advertise paid time off as a perk of part time employment but it cannot be used as traditional pto, it is considered a "yay day" where they pay you a couple hours to go do stuff outside twice a year, hardly something I would consider paid time off. My final con is they certainly toot being a coop, while it is technically true they are run just like any other giant corporation (profit driven, very high pay for higher ups, and very low pay for the workers).

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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