REI Dividend Day

David Kerkeslager wrote:

And in a societal sense, it's not free money even if you don't pay any interest. Retailers pay a fee (usually 3%) when you pay with your card, and they're passing that cost on to you in their pricing.

That's only part of it. Your purchase history gets sold for target advertisement, which is why there are income and credit score requirements for the higher reward CC, as (presumably) spending habits of the well-off is much more valuable. 

Eric wrote:

REI credit card blows (I used it for years) unless you make a habit of buying full price REI gear.

With the card, you’re not paying full price, you’re paying 15% off.  Of course, if you use the dividend to buy full price items, REI wins.

pga26 wrote:

$2.08 ya boi!

Good on ya. Support the mom and pop shops. 

grog m aka Greg McKee wrote:

You bought climbing hardware at REI? You know you can always find gear on sale elsewhere. I would never pay full price/rei price for cams. 

Also, 81$

Dawg, that's why your dividend is only $81!!  See the trick is to spend $2000 to get that $100 dividend.  You gotta stop shopping around, and up that dividend game!!

Mine was $350  (REI Credit Card, pay all my bills with it, then pay it off at the end of the month)

$1.12. Because I refuse to pay full price for outdoor gear.

The united states government and the financial sector, still part of the united states gov system,  no longer considers "people" who live in the united states as "citizens" the cc industry and finance industry, part of the united states gov mind you, labels you as "consumers" and labeled as such; no longer "citizens" of the united states but "consumers"...  just food for thought...  carry on...

grog m aka Greg McKee wrote:

Always the possibility you bought things on sale or what-not where they dont count towards your dividend. 

They don't? That might make sense then, usually  I only buy on sale items. If I used a gift card does that count too or no? Also, I learned over 2017 that I can item shop in store, then find it for 1/5th the cost on Amazon. Has made my camp life way more do-able. Either way, hope yall enjoy your dividend! 

I got $44 compared to last year's $290. I did most of my spending at Backcountry this year. 

Anyone know when they come out with that 20% coupon?

Peter Stangl wrote:

They don't? That might make sense then, usually  I only buy on sale items. If I used a gift card does that count too or no? Also, I learned over 2017 that I can item shop in store, then find it for 1/5th the cost on Amazon. Has made my camp life way more do-able. Either way, hope yall enjoy your dividend! 

Sale items don’t count and coupons don’t work on park passes as well. 

$3.50...don't even remember what i bought....

$148.63 - weak this year! I never shop at REI any more, I think the vast majority of this is the 2% on groceries and 1% on everything on the REI credit card.

Nate Tastic wrote:

I just spent mine on 8ft of PMI Accessory Cord. $4.22 + $0.09 from PayPal to account for the rest of tax.

So you are finally building that quad you've been wanting?  Make sure you fill it with lockers and use it at EVERY anchor.  Your partners will love you for it.

Full $12.55 for me, think I'll get more chalk.  Didn't go the REI credit card route, I prefer a 1.5% cash back card and spend the rewards anywhere (not locked into REI stuff).

The 20% off coupon always comes a week or 2 after the dividend.  Have some restraint and wait to buy that big ticket item with your dividend!

$362.75 REI Mastercard

Between me and the wife maybe a 100$, not a big majority of our spending as I outfitted 2 people for trad climbing and Denali this past year. (Ouch..)   i do have a friend who works there so I wait for 20% off coupons when I can.  I use REI for three things: 

1. Big ticket purchases on items that might not work for me after I try them like boots.   The return policy is worth the premium.  

2. Small stuff I need asap my local mountaineering shop doesn't carry.

3. Garage sale!  The anchorage garage sale is out of this world good, filled with all kinds of great gear.   Sometimes the pricing is too high, but just as often I find stuff so cheap it feels like I am stealing......

Eric L wrote:

Full $12.55 for me, think I'll get more chalk.  Didn't go the REI credit card route, I prefer a 1.5% cash back card and spend the rewards anywhere (not locked into REI stuff).

Actually you can cash out your dividend later in the year, June or July I think. I always do this instead of spending the money at REI. You don't get dividend on stuff you buy with your dividend so you're better off using the REI card on everything and just cashing out the dividend. Mine was $199, I have the REI card. I buy lots of gifts there since they are so easy to return/exchange.

Michael Hase wrote:

For the REI credit card do you get 5% back on REI purchases on top of the 10% back as a member?

Yes. It effectively increases your dividend to 15%. The 5% still applies to sale items, too, unlike the 10% dividend.

Jim Turner wrote:

With the card, you’re not paying full price, you’re paying 15% off.  Of course, if you use the dividend to buy full price items, REI wins.

It also comes with price protection from Mastercard for 120 days after purchasing an item. Buy item from REI, get full dividend, submit price protection claim, get a check for the difference in the mail a week later.