REI members get a dividend, or rebate on their purchases. I don't recall the amount, but it's a percentage of full price items (most sale items are excluded). They also offer more if you get an REI charge card and use it for purchases.
Registered: 10/30/03
Posts: 4963
Loc: Marina del Rey,CA
Long ago in the misty past, REI was started as a co-op to buy climbing gear at reduced prices. It is still organized as a co-op, but one the size of a good sized corporation.
As Paddy said, the dividend is a year end rebate to members of about 10% of most of what you purchased, with a few exceptions.
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Don't get me started, you know how I get.
To add this, you don't get money back on sale items EXCEPT if you use an REI Visa. If you have the discipline to alway pay off the balance within a couple of weeks of a charge posting, it is a good investment. If not, the interest is high and can beat you up.
BUT with the REI Visa, those sale, clearance, and discount purchases will get you a 5% return. As an employee, I haven't gotten a dividend in years, because all my purchases were already discounted as an employee. Last Summer, I got an REI Visa and my dividend this year was over $50.
You also get a 1% dividend on ANY non-REI purchase, though I only use the REI Visa for gear and trip-related expenses.
The REI Visa is a good deal, if you pay it off (of course, that's true for any credit card that offers frequent flyer miles or any other incentive.)
My wife and I also try to put all our gas, hotels, meals out, etc. on the card, since you get 1% or so on all purchases, and 15% on REI purchases. This year, we effectively converted about $700 of routine household expenses into REI dividends.
By the way, did anyone point out that you can spend the dividend like cash at REI? You can even get a check issued to you if you really can't find anything to buy (yeah, right - ours is already spent on a new car-camping tent and a really cushy camp bed for Karol.) However, they won't issue a check until mid-summer (July, maybe?)
Registered: 02/23/07
Posts: 1735
Loc: California (southern)
Cash instead of gear? I would never do such a thing. That dividend burns a hole in my pocket.... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Registered: 08/28/06
Posts: 162
Loc: Atlanta, GA, USA
Yes my dividend and the 20% off this month will go towards a new water filter. The dividend is a nice little bonus for shopping at REI. Of course you have to take into acct their prices, which are reasonable, especially if you wait for sales. I like their liberal return policy but I mostly like the store because it's just a cool place to shop and browse and lust for gear.
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