I'm sure at least one person on here has an REI membership. Do you find that it's worth it? I like that they carry Ruffwear plus all the other goodies. We are big into winter sports (skiing and snowboarding) plus kayaking. I also appreciate their lifetime return guarantee.

My main concern is that it will still be cheaper in the long run to try and buy what we need on sale or places like Amazon, even with the dividend. Though, it is possible that we may be purchasing a kayak in the near future, which would be great to get a dividend payment on. Thoughts?

Edit: I also found that you actually DON'T get any sale items, etc.. counted towards your amount back

Members do not get a refund on the following:
“Excludes sale/clearance items (prices ending in $._9 or $._3), items discounted 15% or more, gift cards, REI Adventures trips, REI Outdoor School classes and outings, sales tax, postage, mounting, engraving, labor, rental fees and membership fee.”

Sara,
I WAS you about 5yrs ago, but let me tell you its WORTH the what, $20 for the LIFE of the membership... sure you can find everything you need cheaper but if your out using that item and it breaks your shit out of luck and have to buy a need thing, REI takes it backs and GIVES you a new one! i have "traded" like 3 pairs of hiking boots that failed me in like 2-4 months of hiking, i now have a pair that has lasted me a season, know how much that saved me in boots... like $400! my telescoping polls that the one got stuck and would not scope anymore in less then a yr use, returned for brand new ones no money out of pocket. and lets talk the dividends and the 20% off, i went and got the REI visa so i get the dividends back on anything i charge, more on REI stuff, i got $46 i think this past yr + my 20% off i was able to get a heart-rate monitor that sells for $120 for like $48, well worth it i think! and don't forget about the members only garage sale, where you can pick up everything everyone returned for some reason or another at super cheap prices, i got cross country ski boots for $25, and lots of gloves and such. if i have not convinced you yet im sure others will help

Thanks for the feedback Jen!

Yep, it's definitely worth it. However, keep in mind that you get 5-10% back on regular price items in dividends. If it's a high performance piece of clothing or gear, you may consider buying it from REI with their guarantee. If it's something like a t-shirt, Camelbak water bottle, or something that isn't so 'high performance', and you find it for more than 10% off somewhere else, go there to buy it.

Stuff that needs to perform, I check other places to see how much of a cost difference there is. If it's something that you won't know if it works for you (or feels comfortable - shoes, backpack, etc.) then get it REI because you can always return it if it causes you more grief.

Also, keep in mind that the manufacturer may also have their own warranty, wherever you buy it. For example, I have a North Face gore-tex jacket. I tore a 3" hole in the back getting caught on a tree branch. I sent it back to NF and they repaired it for free. I just had to pay $10 shipping. Ruff Wear is another company that stands by their product regardless of where you guy it from. So keep that in mind too.

Do you get dividends when you use a 20% coupon when they have that deal for members, or is that considered a "sale"?

sara its considered a sale but like i said i got the REI visa so i still get a percent back, just not as much so i just charge all my rei stuff and pay it off when i get home its also my go to vet card, mine as well make some $ off the dogs!

Most def worth it.
Reasons:
-seasonal sales,
-20% off coupons,
-seasonal garage sales
-everything is guaranteed for life,
-yearly dividend.
Example- two springs ago, REI had a massive percentage off all REI products sale.
I used the 20% coupon off that price for a great tent, the Quarter Dome Plus.

I've had the membership for years, it's absolutely worth it for the reasons already stated.

Thanks everyone! Very helpful.

DO you have to have a membership to shop there? Or can you walk in and browse prior to getting the membership? We just got one in Cincy not oo long ago and I have not been yet as it is farther away than Bass pro shop so I have never even checked it out yet!

Nope, you don't have to have a membership to shop, but if you like their stuff you get a certain percentage back on a lot of purchases, as well as special sales and deals year round.

Thanks Meredith. I keep wanting to check it out but I won't get a membership until I know I am gonna buy. But if I get there I think just the hiking boots and dog stuff might be worth it.

Also an REI member. Very pleased.

REI is definitely worth it as the others have mentioned. Also every other month they have "garage sales" At these they have all the returned items for the last few months and sell them. Not everything is good at the sale but I have found some deals. A down jacket for winter that normally runs for $150 I snagged for $40. (it was returned because of a tiny tear you can barely see, I don't care about those things though) I also found the best hiking boots I have ever worn there also for $40 when originally they were $130. The dividends are pretty helpful too, my first year as a member I spent 400-500 in a year and my dividend was like $45. Comes in handy with those 20% off deals the others mentioned. And last year I only spent 100-150 that year and my dividend was 5-10$ I think. Not much but still nice. Worth it!

I love REI, I like their policies even though they just changed their return policy. We got Koga's first pack there. Plus with our dividend this year we got a nice new Yakima bike rack.

REI member here too! Love it.

How did their return policy change? I wasn't aware. But we've always been able to return stuff. They don't even ask why, but I tell them anyways as a courtesy so they don't think I'm taking advantage of this privilege.

They've changed it to a year limit. So now you have a year from when you buy it to return it. Too many people were taking advantage.