I turned an REI member 17 years in the past proper after I completed faculty and determined I needed to get extra into tenting. I bear in mind being within the Seattle retailer shopping for my first Gregory pack whereas the man within the inexperienced vest helped me stuff the pack filled with sandbags. Then I walked across the retailer for a bit earlier than I made a decision to make the leap.
Two weeks later, I returned house from my first backpacking journey and, because it seems, I didn’t just like the pack all that a lot. Fortunately I purchased it at REI they usually have the most effective no-questions-asked return coverage, so I used to be capable of trade it for one thing I discovered to be extra snug.
Since becoming a member of, my Lifetime REI Membership has saved me properly over $3000. The annual dividend, their no-questions-asked return coverage, member-only gross sales and coupons, free delivery, used gear trade-in program, and their out of doors talent workshops are just some of the explanations I store there and selected to turn into an REI Member.
I even determined to get a part-time gig at REI in 2014 after I was first beginning Bearfoot Concept and I couldn’t imagine they gave me three weeks off to go hike the John Muir Path – proof that the corporate practices what it preaches.
REI is a 100% member-owned co-op (which means you get a share of REI’s annual revenue) and on this publish, I share the entire perks you get as a lifetime REI Member and the advantages that maintain me coming again in spite of everything of those years.
Sponsored by REI Co-op
REI Co-op is our favourite out of doors gear retailer and a long-time supporter of our work right here at Bearfoot Concept. We admire their 1-year return coverage, their Member-only coupons, and the truth that REI Members obtain 10% again on their purchases yearly. We solely advocate merchandise we actually love and assume you’ll love too.
How the REI Membership Works
A lifetime REI Membership prices $30. It’s a one-time price and when you’re in, you’re in endlessly. You may buy a membership on-line or at any REI retailer.
This lifetime membership price shortly pays for itself, so even when you’re solely an occasional REI shopper, changing into a Member will prevent cash and the advantages simply outweigh the one-time price.
Why Turn out to be a Member?
REI is an trade chief with regards to top-quality, name-brand, and eco-friendly out of doors gear. Additionally they have an enormous product choice, so that you don’t must restrict your decisions.
Their customer support is unparalleled, their return coverage is wonderful, they usually deal with their staff properly.
For these causes and extra, REI is strictly the type of firm I like to help – one which helps getting all individuals exterior and educating them tips on how to do it responsibly.
REI is constructed on membership and in 2022 they did the largest revamp of their Membership program but including 5 new perks for Members (on high of the prevailing perks). We will’t stress sufficient how nice changing into a Member is!
12 Nice REI Member Advantages
1) Get 10% Again on Your Purchases With Your Annual Dividend
Yearly in March, REI Members get 10% again on every thing they’ve bought over the previous 12 months, excluding sale gadgets and REI journey, lessons, and adventures.
This dividend may be redeemed at an REI retailer, REI.com, REI Outlet, for an REI journey journey journey, or through the REI app.
With the ten% dividend, it’s like getting a sale worth on each buy you make from REI!
My REI Member dividend was $137 final 12 months. Yearly I stay up for this, particularly as we head into summer time as a result of there may be often some new piece of substances I’ve been eyeing.
This 12 months, I’m out there for a brand new automotive tenting sleeping pad and can seemingly use my dividend in the direction of this tremendous cozy Hest sleeping pad system.
2) REI Member-Solely Coupons
All year long, REI has quite a few gross sales, and through these gross sales, they provide extra reductions to Members.
Sometimes throughout these gross sales, Members get 20% off one full-priced merchandise and an additional 20% off an already discounted merchandise, though this will change primarily based on the sale.
The perfect half? These particular coupons are given to Members all all year long, not simply as soon as.
If you happen to’ve been saving for an enormous ticket merchandise, like REI’s Half Dome 2 Tent, 20% off saves you $66. That’s gasoline cash to your subsequent weekend street journey!
3) REI’s Return Coverage
I already talked about REI’s superior return coverage, however principally, you could have 1 12 months from the date of buy to return one thing if it’s not understanding.
This doesn’t imply you should use and abuse your gear and return it 364 days later, nevertheless it does imply that when you take these new climbing boots on the path and if they’re killing your toes, then you’ll be able to return them for a full refund.
Or that tent that ended up being just a bit bit too small for you, your associate, and your canine in your first in a single day outing? You may return that too and get one thing that works for you.
This return coverage applies to all REI buyers, each Members and non-Members, however the good thing about being a Member is you don’t must have a receipt. You may present up with the merchandise they usually can search for your buy historical past together with your telephone quantity – simple peasy and also you don’t have to fret about hanging on to your receipts.
4) REI Members Get Free Customary Transport
New as of 2022, REI Members get free customary delivery on all REI.com purchases with no minimal buy required!
It is a enormous perk and makes procuring on-line fast and straightforward. Simply take into consideration how a lot cash you’ll save on delivery prices – this alone makes the $30 lifetime membership so price it.
5) Member-Solely Storage Gross sales
So what does REI do with all that lightly used stuff that will get returned? They promote it at their Members Solely Storage Gross sales and now on their used gear website the place you’ll be able to rating ridiculously good offers.
Previously, REI Storage Gross sales occurred on sure weekends all year long however resulting from their recognition, some REI shops now have a Storage Sale part of the shop that’s all the time rotating and all the time open to buy. Name your native retailer to study their Storage Gross sales.
Shopping for used out of doors gear can be nice for our planet contemplating the affect new gear and attire have – we love supporting manufacturers which can be advocates for secondhand gear!
6) Save on REI Courses & Journeys
Do you know REI presents a ton of various lessons? From backcountry navigation to bike upkeep, camp cooking, and full-blown Wilderness First Support programs, REI lessons are a good way to enhance your out of doors talent set.
Some lessons are even free, just like the John Muir Path course I taught a few years again on the Henderson retailer. For the fee-based lessons, REI Members save $20-30 off the record worth. Increase. REI Membership paid for.
REI additionally leads wonderful journeys everywhere in the USA – from their Yellowstone and Grand Teton Climbing and Tenting journey to their guided backpacking journey alongside California’s Misplaced Coast.
Members get a hefty low cost on these journeys too and also you additionally get to fulfill different wonderful Co-op members.
7) In-Retailer Service Reductions
Past serving to you buy the suitable gear, REI additionally helps you preserve and tune up your gear in-store.
Do you know most REI shops have full bike and ski outlets in-house? Even higher: Beginning in 2022, members get 20% off these providers, plus free cycle flat tire restore and machine wax.
8) Reductions on Gear Rental
Wish to strive a brand new out of doors exercise however don’t wish to commit to purchasing all the suitable gear? Touring out of state for an journey and don’t wish to fly with all of your gear? You may lease gear from REI for all kinds of actions like backpacking, canoeing, climbing, biking, and snowshoeing.
Don’t have a motorcycle rack or a roof rack? REI rents these too. Though anybody can lease gear from REI, REI Members save as much as 33% off all gear leases.
9) Your Membership Provides Again to the Outside
In 2021 alone, REI gave $7.1 million to help over 450 non-profit organizations. Meaning your membership and purchases are price extra than simply the gear you purchase.
By means of your membership and purchases, you’re serving to REI present funding for parks, public lands, sustainable transportation, and efforts to “rewild” our cities with inexperienced areas.
So possibly a easy $30 membership isn’t so easy when you consider it: it’s a contribution in the direction of a more healthy, wilder, and higher future for everybody.
In complete, since 1976 REI has donated greater than 70% of its income to its non-profit companions for out of doors stewardship initiatives going proper again into the out of doors neighborhood. And as REI grows, their contributions do too.
By being an REI Member, you’re giving again and having a direct optimistic affect on the paths and parks in your neighborhood. As a Member, you additionally get to vote of their annual Board elections, having a direct affect on the choices made by the coop.
REI additionally donates $5 to the REI Cooperative Motion Fund for each new Member. This fund helps supply grants to nonprofits that promote justice, fairness, and belonging within the outdoor.
You may see a full record of companions and REI’s full giving report right here. Have a look, and there’s a very good probability you would possibly acknowledge a corporation or two in your city.
10) You Can Commerce-In Your Used Gear
REI Co-op Members can commerce in gently used out of doors gear in trade for REI reward playing cards by way of their Re/Provide program – what an incredible perk! REI accepts gently used gear that REI has bought prior to now 6 years together with most males’s, ladies’s, and children’ clothes and footwear, in addition to gear like sleeping luggage, backpacks, and tents – you could possibly obtain as much as 50% of the retail worth.
The perfect half? You may commerce in gear that you simply didn’t even purchase from REI (so long as REI additionally carries that product, in fact).
This isn’t solely a good way to dump your used gear, but in addition cut back the quantity of used clothes that prematurely results in landfills – a win for our planet!
11) You Get Early Entry to New Gear + Unique Gear
Co-op members obtain early entry, restricted editions, particular presents, one-of-a-kind collaborations, and extra superior offers on gear. You will discover these offers on their Members Assortment web page.
For instance, proper now Members can get early entry to the brand new REI Trailmade 2 Tent, which is an reasonably priced, but nonetheless light-weight, backpacking possibility.
This REI membership profit doesn’t have a price ticket on it. REI advocates for individuals simply as a lot as they do the out of doors areas that all of us get pleasure from.
Plus, they’ve a robust concentrate on enhancing and uplifting their fellow out of doors lovers by staying dedicated to preserving the outside a various and degree enjoying discipline that welcomes everybody simply as they’re.
They usually put their cash the place their mouth is. For instance, in 2020 REI donated $100,000 every to the Nationwide City League and to the NAACP Authorized Protection Fund, historic civil rights and advocacy organizations that work to struggle injustice and inequality. As we all know, individuals of shade have completely different experiences within the outdoor and it’s our job to be allies to all who want to benefit from the outdoor.
On the lookout for nice gear to buy together with your new REI membership? Try our hottest gear posts:
Are you an REI member? In that case, tell us within the feedback what your favourite member profit is! When you’ve got any questions on REI’s membership program tell us beneath!
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