It's a good job. - Customer Service Specialist REI Employee Review

3.0
Sep 20, 2013
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Awesome prodeals- up to 50% retail through vendor programs. Health Benefits even for part timers Entry level pay higher than most retailers.

Cons

Some managers do not have good interpersonal skills and are very condescending to employees. Hours are based on performance- so if you do not meet your sales goals you aren't getting many hours. Some of the goals are hard to meet. Pressure on employees to sell memberships!- customers hate hearing about ANOTHER membership from ANOTHER store. You have to have availability on both weekend days. Not really balanced. Hard to move up because of favoritism. This is a retailer who returns used crap and has trouble saying NO to customers! There is a lot of abuse of the return policy by customers and if it continues the company is going to face some major financial issues. I returned a USED $1000 kayak from 2007 in 2013. The customer just no longer "needed it." The return was approved by a manager. That was a nice blow in profits for the day....not so smart.

Explore other reviews about REI

5.0
May 16, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

People and incredible work culture. REI truly walks the walk when it comes to company culture. Significant amount of focus on people and values in a genuine way. Exceptional benefits and pay. Making medical coverage available for all employees part time and full time.

Cons

Not many negatives to share.

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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