Great place to work, but still retail - Cashier REI Employee Review

4.0
4 Dec 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The people who work at REI are all great, and treat each other with respect. The pro-deals on most gear are pretty unbeatable. There are also a lot of opportunities to be part of the larger REI community, with staff trips, picnics, etc.

Cons

The pay isn't very good--not really enough to live on in Boston. I also found that there was a lack of training that would have made the job easier--just because you work mostly in one department doesn't mean it's not helpful to be trained in the other departments. Customers can't tell the difference between one green vest and another.

Explore other reviews about REI

5.0
20 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Fun time with fun employees

Cons

Schedule was tricky to coordinate

3.0
20 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

- Excellent coworkers - REI does a great job of hiring enthusiastic and personable staff - Slightly better pay compared with other retail in the area - Prodeals and discounts - Flexible hours - Good (although rapidly diminishing) healthcare benefits

Cons

- Once a (better) company known for its investment in knowledgeable and friendly staff via extensive training and investment, the company has been slowly slashing away at most of what makes it special since the pandemic - Hours and benefits are worsening, proper employee training is becoming hard to come by - lots of mediocrity and sometimes questionable ethical calls made by management - Punitive disciplinary policies that seem to be designed to create higher turnover (advantageous to them given the gradual pay, benefit and policy changes)

4
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