Sales Specialists for Princeton Store - Sales Specialist REI Employee Review

3.0
Oct 27, 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Amazing company/co-op to work for. I not only enjoy the management team and co-workers, but the members and customers that walk in are some of the best I've experienced in retail. Great pro-deals on REI gear and trips. Lots of oppurtunity for advanced if you are willing to move to a different area. Oppurtunities to work for volunteer events, races, and other rei stores. Great place to find like minded outdoorsy people to be oustide with. Store managers are understanding and fun.

Cons

If you want to get a management position anywhere within the co-op you have to do the endorsement process through your own store. Sounds great and keeps hires internally, right? Well not with this store either they don't think you are serious about REI or whatever but after expressing interest in getting endorsed the management team has yet to comply with me or many others of the co-workers. No benefits until after a year (not the problem) and you have to average 20 hours a week. Sounds easy but with budget cuts most everyone's hours are down to 6 - 18 a week.

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

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All