Great company, great people, but highly vulnerable industry - Customer Service Specialist REI Employee Review

5.0
Jul 13, 2021
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great work/life balance in a company with like-minded individuals. Loved working with my team, and we had great supervisors and management. The company cares about the employees and invests a lot of time in providing an inclusive and safe environment. Senior management is looking ahead to stay industry competitive and (for the most part) is transparent with objectives and timelines. Moreover, and what I really like, is that they aren't robots. They genuinely care about all employees and display emotion. The company takes a stand on current events and makes its position known to employees. It's not afraid to sever ties with partners who aren't aligned with its values. Regular pulse surveys for the employees that lead to discussions. Two floating Way-days are given each year to get outdoors and do something you love. Great industry perks and discounts. Great medical and 401K options, but it takes a full five years of employment with REI to be fully vested. Matching contribution up to 6%.

Cons

No place is perfect. Retail - so it's in a highly vulnerable industry that can affect headcount. But leadership does its best to make reduction a last resort. Pay is relatively sub-par, but perks make up for it. Career advancement is possible, but many departments are linear and hierarchical. Supervisors and Managers will work with you to help create opportunity, but there just isn't much based on the headcount of headquarters and compartmentalized departments.

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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