Good option for retail work - Customer Service Specialist REI Employee Review

4.0
1 Dec 2013
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

REI was a fun place for me to work in 2010. Between the great pro-deals, other benefits, and fun coworkers, it was the best retail position I've worked to date. The pay, while not amazing, was better than I had been paid in other retail positions. I also enjoyed selling quality products to people and REI's company values (i.e. educations, conservation, etc). It was a really great job for me at that time in my life, and I would generally recommend others to work there too.

Cons

Unfortunately, it's still a retail position, so hours can be all over the place. It can also be difficult to get on as a full-time employee, which can make it hard to support yourself with just 1 job. While I was there, the multiple systems we had to use for customer service were cumbersome and frequently very frustrating.

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
9 May 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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