tjspiel

I know it's not a commuting related topic, - other than the fact that REI sells a lot of products that work well for bike commuters.

Just thought I'd give them some credit for doing something cool with their #optoutside campaign. I may make it a point to get someone an X-mass gift from there.

Our governor is making admission to state parks free on Friday. We have an annual pass and November is not exactly prime time for state parks in Minnesota but it's a nice gesture.

Of course I avoid shopping on Black Friday at all costs but in support of #optoutside I hope to get time for a bike ride or something.

kickstart

I interact with REI through my job at retail, support services, and corporate facility's. They seem to take care of their people, and provide a positive work environment.

RidingMatthew

i think it is awesome! i want to purchase at least one christmas gift from REI because of that. Do i think it will turn the tide, no but at least it hopefully creats some good business for REI and good conversation among other Executives.

I wish that could get free admission to some NC state parks.

randallr

I, too, was real impressed when I saw this decision on their part!

tjspiel

Yeah, I know that for some people Black Friday is a tradition they enjoy, but for those who have to go in to work at some ungodly early hour, it has to suck.

I'm curious as to how this will affect their overall Holiday sales.

urbanescapee

I used to work for REI in a retail/shop position. In my experience in passed years REI has had significant sales increases on Black Friday compared to other normal business days. But because they never really offered any deep discounts for Black Friday, it's not like the sales boosts that most other retailers experience/rely on. While I think it's a great concept, clearly REI is milking this for every bit of ad exposure it can get. Don't think for one second that this is being done just in the interest of doing something good for the community and/or employees. They're counting on the exposure from this event to boost sales through to Christmas since they don't get much business the day after thanksgiving anyway, they can't compete with Target/Best Buy/Walmart for attention on that day anyway, too small of a niche in the market.

tjspiel

For sure, they could have quietly given their employees the day off with pay and not built this whole campaign around it. Or they could have closed the stores, not paid their employees for the day and built this whole campaign around spending Black Friday outside instead of in a mall.

They are doing something decent while at the same time promoting their brand. I'm all for it.

alan s 

I am a member, and they didn't ask me whether I wanted the store open on Friday. Never quite understood what benefits membership confers. The 10% cash rebate off the already inflated prices? I shop there because it's convenient and they tend to sell quality products, but never for price.

HardyWeinberg

And it's contagious too: state and national parks are free admission this Friday, in WA anyway.

InTheRain

I've always thought of REI as an employee friendly company. But that is not what I hear from some former employees. And recently there was a news article about some shady practices and pressure on employees.

The CEO of REI went on ****** and said to ask him anything. Lots of disgruntled employees obliged - Quartz

I don't have any personal experience with REI employment. However, retail just doesn't seem to be a career that anyone aspires too... no matter what the company is. I hear similar complaints from friends that work, or have worked, at Cabelas, Sportsman Warehouse, and Bass Pro Shops. They are all retail establishments where I like to spend time, but apparently for employees, they suffer some of the same issues as other retail establishments.

TriDanny47

No doubt any company has disgruntled employees / but I suspect overall REI and Costco have far fewer than most retailers. Employees seem to stay with them. My local REI has had the same core group for the past few years I've shopped there, and I'm there enough for bike gear to know them by name. Can't speak about other Costco depts because it's a big store and I don't pay that much attention, but I've dealt with the same 8-9 pharmacy staff for years - as a "frequent flyer" at the pharmacy they know me well - a lot of prescriptions since I see an oncologist/hematologist, cardiologist, pulmonologist, neurologist, and my pcp on a regular basis

Leebo

Ever use the sales and discount coupons? I too loathe paying full retail, I seldom do it anywhere. Try end of season and off season and the garage sales. Returns as well.

PatrickGSR94

BF censors the ****** ("red it") name? Weird.

alan s 

The coupons help a bit to bring prices more in line with internet prices. The main reason I buy stuff there is for the return policy, which is truly no hassle and no questions asked.

Leebo

I like them because of their community support for for trails and nature type stuff. Lots of grants given in our area. They partnered with us on one of our trail days to build some new singletrack in our state forest. A crew of 6 workers showed up with t shirts and gloves. Nice. 6 workers for 4 hours, nicer. We then provided lunch and mt biked for 2 hours after that. Awesome.

bmthom.gis

Ya know, it's not so much Black Friday that is the problem - it's the stores that start their sales on Thanksgiving itself. That's really ****ty to their employees. Not that anyone is really having terrific sales anyway...it's mostly all junk that gets the good discounts. Our BF plan is to go to an independent movie theater for a matinee, eat pie and left overs and generally just chill out. Maybe squeeze a bike ride in there if I can find anyone else riding.

PatrickGSR94

I've been hearing reports that Simon Malls is fining store tenants who do not open on Thursday. So stupid. Snopes has it as a mixture of true/false, but then I heard from someone else who called Simon directly and they confirmed that is what is happening.

1983

Yep. When an LBS's prices drive me to online retailers, they at least get the benefit of the doubt inasmuch as their overhead/payroll:income ratio is concerned. REI, however, charges a premium to maintain the kind of floor space targeted toward eco hipsters with plenty of disposable cash to burn on junk used to take social media selfies.

The membership sounded great for all of 30 seconds until you realize that your little piece of ownership is essentially useless and an extra discount is marginal at best.

InTheRain

I happen to like REI. I'm glad their employees get a few days off (I hope those are paid days.) I don't buy too many cycling specific products from them. However, I do buy and use a lot outdoor clothing from them for cycling. I have several REI brand pants and shorts that I use for commuting (come to think of it... I don't use anything but REI pants and shorts for my commutes.) I've bought a few higher dollar value items from them - a burley travoy trailer and an REI Kingdom 8 tent for camping. I enjoy talking bicycles with the guys that work in bike maintenance and repair - they're knowledgeable.

I don't buy too much cycling parts and accessories online anymore. I prefer to pay the extra to support the bike shops in my area. They are good. They give great service. And they have handled problems with the manufacturer for me (Cannondale carbon fiber frame replacement.)

Andy_K 

They probably did consult the board members that they ask you to vote for each year.

alan s 

My recollection of the voting system is you are presented with two options: vote or don't vote. Which is slightly better than the system in North Korea, where you only have one choice.

Andy_K 

Many local government positions work the same way. At least there is a process if you're unhappy about something. Unopposed candidates are usually a symptom of apathetic voters. In the case of REI's board, I'm OK with that.

In a mostly unrelated anecdote, a couple of years ago when I did the Seattle to Portland ride my cousin and I got a late start and by the time we got to the first rest stop at REI corporate headquarters the organized support was closed down. An REI employee who was there waiting for the cleanup to be finished let us in the building so we could fill up our water bottles in the break room.

mstateglfr 

You don't understand what membership is good for?
Then don't be a member. You will spend more then.
There ya go, that's the benefit.

kickstart

10% annual divided on purchases, it adds up surprisingly quick. Member since 1986.
Quality products, outstanding customer service, home town corporation, local retailer, customer of my employer. Lot's of reasons for me to shop there.

loky1179

I was also impressed that they are doing this, and for the life of me, do not understand why other companies are NOT doing it. I guess I'm old, but it PISSES me off that stores are open on Thanksgiving, or midnight on "Black Friday" - a term, by the way, I had never heard until the late 90s.

Organizations that MUST operate 24/7 have to have their employees work on Thanksgiving. Other organizations that CHOOSE to be open on Thankgiving, are, in my opinion, spitting on the traditions of this country. They don't give a damn about their employees; they view their customers as idiots.