REI reviews

Can be very physical, paid and hours a based on membership sales a lot of the time...but it is a co-op, people that should be let go aren't.

The focus has apparently changed since I was first hired and the drumbeat now is "sell, sell, sell memberships." Although the mantra of "great customer service" is still used, the bottom line is the number of memberships you sell as an employee. Charts are everywhere with employees' names and membership numbers listed. People with more memberships are praised in "huddle." It appears that employees with the best membership numbers are given preferential hours and shifts. This has resulted in a competitive and sometimes confrontational atmosphere among sales staff on the floor, with some employees "poaching" memberships from customers being assisted by their own co-workers. It doesn't seem that there is much difference these days between REI and salespeople in other venues working on commission. Sad. The "team" approach is gone. It is every person for him or herself.