Great place most of the time - Service Specialist REI Employee Review

3.0
Jan 31, 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

REI is named in Fortune magazine's top places to work every year and it is great! The people making up REI are truly great. Everyone is going on a different adventure or getting into something new and there are always people to turn to for advice. Every year you get two paid days off that are meant to get you outside using all of the gear you have acquired through all the awesome prodeals. It's really easy to switch to a different store if you move across the country.

Cons

Sometimes the management can be a bit demanding. It sometimes is helpful but sometimes its just overwhelming. Customers expect us to make them happy and if we can't or wont, it can get a little heated.

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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