Wonderful company and employees but pushing memberships & credit cards - Retail Salesperson REI Employee Review

4.0
Jun 28, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Bozeman REI is a great place to work as all of the employees are great and managers are awesome. I am always supported and feel welcome and accepted while at work. Benefits are available to anyone who works with REI, no matter your work status (full time, part time, seasonal), and the benefits are fairly decent as well.

Cons

It has become much more required to sell memberships and REI mastercards, so much that sometimes I dread going to work just because I feel as though I am pestering people who are just out trying to get some sporting goods, not talk about money and memberships. I am happy to talk to customers about these items, however, it has become very pushy by management to sell both memberships and mastercards, and any increase in pay is related to the employee's number of sales of both. This was not apparent when I was hired 3 years ago and I would not have taken a job that I thought was at all on commission (which it is not, however, it now feels as though the only way to get a raise is selling more memberships and mastercards, when that is just something I do not enjoy or feel comfortable doing). In addition, pay is low and the job can be monotonous with folding clothes and restocking items continuously. It does not take much to perform the job descriptions and doing the same thing all of the time gets very boring.

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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