Low pay high turnover - Sales Specialist REI Employee Review

3.0
Mar 25, 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Co-workers are generally outdoorsy and easy to work with, customers are typically pleasant. Flexible hours, easy to get time off when needed. Great discounts on gear etc. Great place to work if you don't need the money to support yourself.

Cons

Low pay, hard work may be noticed and praised verbally, but is not rewarded with higher pay. Pay raises are quite small (typically 3% per year or less). Managers are overworked and underpaid as well. Little incentive to work harder if you don't want to get into management. Inconsistent scheduling, may be difficult to get hours. Business model is low pay, high turnover, keep most employees part time so they don't have to pay for benefits. Small number of full time and management positions with lots of competition, pay is still pretty low for the full time positions ($14 per hour to start, managers make more like $15-20 per hour)

Explore other reviews about REI

5.0
Jun 26, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good managers, deals, coworkers, products

Cons

No cons, I really liked my time.

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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