Recreational Equipment Incorporated, commonly known as REI, was founded by Lloyd and Mary Anderson in 1938 in Seattle, Washington. They had imported an ice axe from Austria and decided to set up a cooperative to help other people buy quality outdoor recreational equipment at reasonable prices.
At first the company was known as REI Co-op and was primarily focused on equipment for backpackers, climbers, and mountaineering expeditions.
In the 1980’s the company’s focus changed to family camping, kayaking, bicycling, and other outdoor sports. Sport-casual clothing also became an important part of the product line at this time.
REI still operates as a co-op for its members, but this title has been dropped as it also does business with the general public whether they are members or not.
REI has repeatedly been ranked in the top 100 of Fortune’s Top 100 Companies to Work for in the United States, finally earning the #8 spot in the Fortune’s Best Companies to Work For: All Stars in 2013.
REI has 11.6 million members, over 11,000 employees, and had $1.93 billion in revenue in 2012.
REIRecreational Equipment Incorporated, commonly known as REI, was founded by Lloyd and Mary Anderson in 1938 in Seattle, Washington. They had imported an ice axe from Austria and decided to set up a cooperative to help other people buy quality outdoor recreational equipment at reasonable prices.
At first the company was known as REI Co-op and was primarily focused on equipment for backpackers, climbers, and mountaineering expeditions.
In the 1980’s the company’s focus changed to family camping, kayaking, bicycling, and other outdoor sports. Sport-casual clothing also became an important part of the product line at this time.
History
REI still operates as a co-op for its members, but this title has been dropped as it also does business with the general public whether they are members or not.
REI has repeatedly been ranked in the top 100 of Fortune’s Top 100 Companies to Work for in the United States, finally earning the #8 spot in the Fortune’s Best Companies to Work For: All Stars in 2013.
REI has 11.6 million members, over 11,000 employees, and had $1.93 billion in revenue in 2012.
Have become very anti straight white male since their political party lost the White House.
FYI: Suunto
I purchased a Suunto Core about 2 &1/2 years ago at REI to replace my Suunto Vector that had that had run flawlessly for 15+ years. Then the altitude indicator failed so I purchased the Core. The Core Altitude function failed in about 2 years – much sooner than the Vector.
I sent it in to Suunto and it was received July 13th, 2017. That is the last I’ve search from them. They have an 8 day turnaround stated on their website. I’ve checked their website for updates and it always states “received.” Obviously , no action.
Their contact phone number has been disconnected. The only other way to communicate with them is Facebook.
Are they really still in business? Do they only care about sales and NOT repair?
Can you make a corporate contact to find out what is going on?
Otherwise you should alert customers that the watches can not be reliably repaired – if you buy a Suunto your on your own!
I’ve been an REI member for about 50 years. This is the first time a vendor with goods sold through REI has failed me.
Paul M
Wow!! I cannot believe that I cannot contact REI HQ by phone or e-mail with a very serious employee and customer safety issue that has potential to threaten your employees and customers.
I am retired now but, I managed global operations and factories for a fortune 50 company up until the time I retired. I know what employee and customer safety is all about. I also know of some very serious and disturbing issues in one of you major stores and I am trying to learn that you are doing all of the right things to protect employees and customers.
I have spoken to my contacts at OSHA and have stopped short of lodging a complaint in hopes that I could talk to someone at REI. You need to know that your employees there are frightened of the environment and frightened to speak up. That is a dreadful situation for any company to hold in its environment. Without a response, I will follow with OSHA tomorrow.
I want a call back from Jerry Stritzke or Rick Bingle tomorrow morning east coast time please. I really want to be helpful and do not want to seem threatening but, this issue needs to be addressed so, give me a call.
Thanks, Tom Lyden 508-904-XXXXX
Do you partner with social media influencers and brand advocates? My website is livelifehappy.com. Please get back to me
I am hoping to connected with the food buyer for your stores. Kura New Zealand Protein Smoothie Powder, grass-fed, gmo-free, non-confinement dairy cows, organically flavored, probiotics, omega 3’s and 26 vitamins and minerals! Perfect shaken with your favorite beverage or blended with fruit and veggies.
Kura loves REI!!! #newzealand
Would love to set up a time to makes some Kura beverages for the REI team and talk about our marketing support programs.
We are looking to contact Wendy Mason in merchandising regarding our product,
Warm Skin Weather Guard. Warm Skin has a proven track record in the sporting goods industry. We have been selling Warm Skin since 1986, and many times we get customers
who shop REI request the product. Vail Resorts Inc has sold Warm Skin for years,
Midwest Mountaineering, Whole Foods, Verrmont Country Store and Duluth Trading.
Last year we sold over 36000 tubes last year just to Duluth Trading. Please get back to me as we would like to have REI be our main wholesaler in the Western States and beyong. And visit our website.
Kathryn
612-259-****
Why does REI president Jerry Stritzke support the takeover of virtually all public land in Utah by the state of Utah? Why is he speaking in favor of this outrageous land grab?
I thought REI stood for better than this, and I think REI owes all its members an answer.
REI president Jerry Stritzke, who also spoke at the summit Tuesday, said understands the tension and arguments on both sides of the debate, including the state’s desire to consider other uses of the land to drive the economy. Stritzke said he’s seen enough from Utah officials to believe officials intend to be good stewards of the land.
Stritzke told summit attendees that Utah should be commended for creating an office of outdoor recreation, holding the summit and recognizing the immense potential of the outdoor industry. Stritzke said Utah is becoming a model for how other states should work with the outdoor industry, estimated to bring in an annual economic benefit of $40 million to Utah. That’s one reason many companies are moving their operations to Utah, he said.
“We see Utah really understanding the power of the outdoor industry and playing a leadership role in how it addresses that,” Stritzke said.
Recently made my first visit REI store in Troy Michigan before Christmas 2014 and loved it. Salesperson informed me of the benefits of becoming a member, so I purchased the membership. At this time I purchased a backpack for my son, valued over $200. The salesperson stated that my membership already paid for itself with the dividend I would receive for that purchase! I also made other purchases within the same year prior to Christmas 2014. March 2015 comes around and I receive my dividend….$0.00. Apparently none of my purchases qualified as dividend sales!!!! I was never informed that there were only specific purchase would qualify for dividend….MISLED!!!!! Not happy!
hi i would like to get info about how to open a branch REI store in overseas.if you can pls respond.tnk you
I wrote the following email to REI after trying to go to a garage sale, I got to the store early, before the advertised opening time but got screwed. The response I got from REI was a sorry and they’d pass it along. That does nothing to me. DO NOT GIVE THEM YOUR MONEY! SHOP WHERE THEY CARE ABOUT PATRONS!
Hi my name is Tom and I’m writing this email because I’m so irritated about what happened at one of your stores today 1/4/2015. So I’ve shopped at REI for years but just recently became a member because of the benefits like the Garage Sales. The Garage sales are the main reason I got the membership because the sales lady told me how wonderful they are. I live in Athens GA and the closest REI to me is a hour a way in Buford GA. So I left early enough and drove for over a hour in pouring down heavy rain to get there before they opened at 10am. I drove in horrible conditions but managed to make it there about 10 minutes till ten thinking I’d be there before the doors opened and have the same chance as every other member to score some deals. When I got there to my surprise they’re were already people in the store. I went in before 10 (the time they advertised opening) to find they had opened 15 – 20 minutes early and everything was already snatched up. I’m really irritated cause i drove over a hour in bad conditions on a Sunday morning and made it there early only to find they opened early and I was late. This is Wrong! Mis leading! False Advertising! And dishonest! I can promise you I will never make another special trip to shop at one of your stores! Something I’ve done 3 times in the last month and will probably take my business elsewhere in the future! It’s just not right and how I treat people in my business. I hope this email makes it to people that actually care and doesn’t fall on deaf ears.
Former Happy Customer
Tom
Sent from my iPhone
I have been a REI member for approx. 25 yrs. I purchased a pair of Keen sandals in March of 2013 from the Ft. Collins, Colorado store. I am an active person and did not buy the shoes to sit in my closet. The stitching began to unravel a number of months ago but I continued to wear them. My wife started making fun of me so today I returned them to the Ft. Collins store but they refused to exchange them. The sales ticket when I bought the item said I was “guaranteed 100% satisfaction”. I did not bring them in sooner because when I purchased them nothing was said about a one year guarantee. I have definitely not “100% satisfied” and I feel you owe me a pair sandals. Or you a running a scam here. Tom
To Whom It May Concern:
My name is Courtney Maxwell-Shey, and I have been a customer at REI for several years. I am writing you today because of my disappointment in the quality of service at your Salt Lake City store. I have moved to the area from Bend, Oregon last summer and have frequented this particular store approximately three times. Unfortunately, each time I have shopped there, I have not received the service that I am accustomed to at an REI. The sales associates seem impatient, pre-occupied, or non-exsistent. I have been in twice to inquire about a balance bike for my son and both times have left due to lack of assistance. I had an experience yesterday that left me so frustrated I wrote the store about it and have decided to not shop there anymore.
The service provided at your Bend, Oregon location is exemplary, and I am fortunate enough to have your Sandy, Utah location which provides the same level of service.
I thank you for your time in reading this letter and sincerely hope your Salt Lake City location can improve.
Sincerely,
Courtney Maxwell-Shey
Hi there! I have let a couple of messages with the merchandising department regarding a product I am promoting that would fit in perfectly with REI’s culture. Unfortunately, I have yet to receive a return call. Please forward this to the appropriate individuals and check out the website: dogpackitout.com. I know this product is greatly needed as dog waste is a serious problem for our environment. I look forward to someone contacting me at the above email. Thank you.
Lisa Mackey,
that is “left” not “let” a couple of messages!
Hi!
My name is Taylor Foley and I work for an amazing company called, Tessemae’s All Natural. We are a start-up company that makes and manufactures All Natural Salad Dressings and Sauces. We are only 5 years old and have managed to become one of the fastest growing companies in America, we have become a global vendor in Whole Foods and gone national with Safeway while, maintaing an extremely active, fun and passionate company culture.
My co-worker and I are on a nation-wide tour to promote and spread the word about our amazing products and we are headed to Seattle first! We love your company and everything it stands for and we would love to drop off some of our products at your office. Would that be possible?
Also, please check out our website, tessemaes.com, for more information.
Thank you!