Customer Service Specialist - Customer Service and Sales Representative REI Employee Review

4.0
Dec 14, 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

SO much, there are many great things about REI. The work is cool, the people you work with are typically awesome and the discounts are unspeakably good. There is very little push to make sales which means you can relax and sell things you only think people will really need for their outdoor extravaganzas. Paid day off on Black Friday. #optoutside

Cons

It's retail, so while REI pays above market by a decent amount if you include paid vacation/ sick/ retirement contributions, lower level employees (including department managers) make very little.

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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