Rei dividend 2008 aka "If Walmart had a baby it would be REI"

I have a shopping list put together and am wondering if anyone knows approx. when we should expect our dividends this year? For some reason I can't remember when they usually come...

I was just at REI on Monday and asked at the register. The employee said beginning of March give or take a couple of weeks.

Note that as soon as the dividends have been officially released, you can use them; no need to actually have the coupon thingy in-hand. I've used my dividend before receiving it in the mail for the last five years at least.

Speaking of which...

Screw the dividend.

Boycott the a$$holes and spend your money somewhere else, unless you get caught in an unavoidable situation.

Why are they $hitheads?
a) Because they've been the primary cause for *many* local shops closing (Mountain Miser, Grand West, Mountain Sports, Mountain Shop... just to name a few in the front range that have closed in the past 3 years)
b) Because years ago they falsely and wrongly accused me of and detained me for supposed shoplifting. This went to the point where I had to summon the police via 911 so I could leave. What an insult and a crock of BS.

Support smaller gear retailers, local or web.

EDIT for clarification: Referring to the corporation as a whole, not the individuals that work there on an hourly basis (except for that that jerk who worked in theft prevention).

Avery Nelson wrote:Support smaller gear retailers, local or web.

I hate it when people tell me what to do. I prefer suggestions, personally.

--Marc

Marc that's ridiculous -- you're on a web forum. The fact that it is a web forum, in itself and by default, implies it is a recommendation -- not a requirement.

I just spoke w/ the folks in Seattle and the dividend checks will begin to mail next week. Of course they always quote "beginning of March" for the checks to be received but as Charles points out, you of course don't need the check in hand in order to use the funds.

Paz, I understand your points, but I guess I didn't explain the situation very well. Maybe this will help:

Had it been Neptune's:

• I would not have had handcuffs brandished to me in public, and threatened to be handcuffed if I did not walk with them immediately to the theft prevention/detention room
• The theft prevention troll wouldn't have had a shit-eating grin ear-to-ear, because he thought he finally caught someone
• They would actually have had the video of my accused crime to show me, since they 'saw' it on video
• They wouldn't have stalked my vehicle, looked in it to find a new pair of bike shorts on the front seat (with an 8.5" x 11" receipt from the bike shop sitting next to them... note, they did not sell this bike short at the REI store) and accused me of stealing them!!!
• I wouldn't have been told a manger would be there, and still be waiting 20 minutes later
• I wouldn't have had to pick up the phone and call the police
• After writing both the general manager of the store and the board of directors, I would have gotten an APOLOGY, instead of a response (only from the manager, nothing from corporate) stating: "Sometimes we have to inconvenience our customers in order to keep our prices low"

Hope that makes things a little more reasonably clear.

Happy REI shopping!

Avery--

I just found it funny that you are telling people not to shop at REI because you had a bad experience there. Personally, I try to buy much of my gear at Neptune's. In fact, I spent $480 there yesterday entirely on products that I could have bought at REI--knowing that Neptune's doesn't offer a dividend and REI does (I am a member of REI, for the record).

I was just trying to point out that I, personally, would have been more receptive to a comment like, "I really urge people to try to spend their money at smaller, locally owned shops."

As opposed to, "Support smaller gear retailers, local or web."

Your comment just sounded like a command to me. Again, I was just saying how I perceive those statements.

I don't think that my point is ridiculous either. I think you telling other people not to shop at REI because you had a bad experience there is uber-ridiculous though.

I also kinda took offense to you calling everyone at REI "shitheads" and "assholes." I've never worked at REI but I've worked at other large outdoor retailers and I wouldn't want to be considered/called a "shithead" or an "asshole" just based on my employment there.

Please keep in mind that this is a thread where someone was trying to find out some specific information on his dividend from REI. He wasn't trying to ascertain the impact of REI on Boulder.

--Marc

Marc Horan wrote:I just found it funny that you are telling people not to shop at REI because you had a bad experience there.

What? That's called word-of-mouth advertising, whether it is positive or negative. It's the same thing as if, for instance, a person said they had a negative experience with their Subaru and did not believe it was a good car to buy.

Marc Horan wrote:I was just trying to point out that I, personally, would have been more receptive to a comment like, "I really urge people to try to spend their money at smaller, locally owned shops." As opposed to, "Support smaller gear retailers, local or web." You're comment just sounded like command to me.

Fair enough, but do Clinton's, Obama's, or heaven-forbid McCain's campaign signs say "I urge you to vote for ME"? Maybe, but more commonly they say "Vote for ME". Same deal -- it's semantics.

Marc Horan wrote:I also kinda took offense to you calling everyone at REI "shitheads" and "assholes." I've never worked at REI but I've worked at other large outdoor retailers and I wouldn't want to be considered/called a "shithead" or an "asshole" just based on my employment there.

Well, one of my long time climbing buddies worked as a supervisor at REI in another state for ~4 years, and knew of the situation. He too thought, 'what a crock' -- knowing what happened to me should not have occured. Clearly, the reference was to the corporation, not every individual that works at REI. Obviously, I have friends that work there. I think you may have misinterpreted what I wrote.

Cheers

Man, Avery, I'd be pissed too. I have never understood the justification of "holding someone" -- if a crime has been committed why not just note the license plate and the authorities. I remember some kid running & car-chasing after a thief from Wal-mart and he ended up getting shot dead. Was being so vigilant over $50 worth it? I mean bank tellers are instructed just to hand over the cash, c'mon.

In response to REI's position -- isn't most theft that really hurts a business from the inside (i.e. employee/person of trust)?

However as a corp mothership (rather a coop mothership) as they are defined, I feel that REI does give back to the community in some educational/event/program respect. So, anyone feeling undeserving of their dividend, please send your protested amount to me; as well I will also accept your donated aliens.

Avery Nelson wrote:What? That's called word-of-mouth advertising, whether it is positive or negative. It's the same thing as if, for instance, a person said they had a negative experience with their Subaru and did not believe it was a good car to buy.

Fair enough. Good point.

Avery Nelson wrote:Fair enough, but do Clinton's, Obama's, or heaven-forbid McCain's campaign signs say "I urge you to vote for ME"? Maybe, but more commonly they say "Vote for ME". Same deal -- it's semantics.

Are you campaigning for the smaller shops? I don't think it's anywhere near the same thing.

Avery Nelson wrote:Clearly, the reference was to the corporation, not every individual that works at REI...I think you may have misinterpreted what I wrote.

Avery Nelson wrote:Boycott the a$$holes...

Avery Nelson wrote:Why are they $hitheads? Because...

I think it's pretty tough to "misinterpret" what you said. You didn't say there's one or two "asshole, shitheads" that work in LP (loss prevention) at REI. A corporation or company is made up of individuals. IMO, you called them all "assholes" and "shitheads."

--Marc

PS Thanks for keeping it impersonal, Avery. I tried to do the same thing.

Marc Horan wrote:Please keep in mind that this is a thread where someone was trying to find out some specific information on his dividend from REI. He wasn't trying to ascertain the impact of REI on Boulder. --Marc

Well, I have been known to change the direction of a thread now and then, so I don't care. In fact it is alot more interesting of a thread now, so thanks. I tried to adjust the name so that people might realize that they are getting a two for one on this thread. They can find out about this years dividend AND argue about the Walmart nature of REI.

Marc Horan wrote:Are you campaigning for the smaller shops?

Hmmmm... My campaign is a little hybrid. Here's my slogan:

Avoid or boycott REI at all costs, and support your local, smaller shops (at least) part of the time.

John -- Great choice of new name

John J. Glime wrote: Well, I have been known to change the direction of a thread now and then, so I don't care. In fact it is alot more interesting of a thread now, so thanks. I tried to adjust the name so that people might realize that they are getting a two for one on this thread. They can find out about this years dividend AND argue about the Walmart nature of REI.

I noticed the name change; it gave me a good laugh.

I totally agree: Now that you've got the answer to your initial question, let's flame the shit out each other!! :)

--Marc

Avery Nelson wrote:Avoid or boycott REI at all costs, and support your local, smaller shops (at least) part of the time.

I can appreciate that a lot more than your first post.

Thanks for the good discussion, Avery. I have a better understanding of where you're coming from now.

--Marc

Beers on Shumin! Thanks for supporting our local habit.

I give part of the blame of the Alien disaster to REI.

John Langston wrote:I don't like REI... What I dislike about REI is knowledge, selection, and experience. Specifically the glaring lack of all three.

I totally agree (Edit: except for the selection part). Anytime I go into REI to buy something I do one of two things:

1) Research it before I get there, thoroughly. I then just go in and make my purchase.

2) Research product/company materials when I'm in there and base my decision on that.

I never expect that I'm going to find a knowledgeable employee at REI. It's a total crap-shoot, IMO. Sometimes you find someone; more often you don't.

If you're going to purchase products for an outdoor activity that you're totally new to, I would definitely suggest going into a smaller shop; they're much more likely to have knowledgeable staff on-hand. If you're already educated/experienced in a particular activity, it can be easier to make decisions based on materials you can find in an REI.

--Marc

I will only shop at REI if I have no other choices, running late while leaving town, etc. I usually can't buy anything with my rebate. I prefer to support Windyx and Bentgate.

However, my favourite shop is Wilderness Sports in Dillon. Love that place.

does REI sell man-pris? I need to get me some of them. maybe a matching prana climbing shirt too. (: