REI or Recreational Equipment Inc. is a privately held American company. It is structured as a cooperative where people can join their membership and get a rebate back on many purchases each year. 23 mountain climbing buddies got together and started the company.  Their focus is on sporting goods and outdoor gear, clothes, and more. They design many items they sell under their REI Novara brand.

We like this store because they sell a wide range of high quality outdoor oriented gear. Every year since 1998, FORTUNE magazine has saluted REI as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For” in the country.

Their return policy is one of the best around, allowing you to return virtually any item at any time within a year. There should be no hesitation purchasing products from REI.

Each year, REI donates millions of dollars to support conservation efforts nationwide and sends dedicated teams of volunteers—members, customers and REI employees—to build trails, clean up beaches, restore local habitats and other eco green tasks.

Per wikipedia: Lloyd and Mary Anderson founded REI in Seattle, Washington in 1938. The Andersons imported an Akadem Pickel ice axe from Austria for themselves, and decided to set up a cooperative to help outdoor enthusiasts acquire good quality climbing gear at reasonable prices. Through the 1970s it identified itself prominently as REI Co-op, focusing primarily on equipment for serious climbers, backpackers and mountaineering expeditions. Jim Whittaker, the first American to summit Mt Everest, was hired as the first full-time employee of REI and served as CEO during the 1960s. However, in the 1980s, with changes to its Board of Directors, the emphasis shifted toward family camping and branched out into kayaking, bicycling, and other outdoor sports. Clothing, particularly "sport casual" clothes, also became a greater part of the company's product line. Although the company remained a cooperative, providing special services to its members, the "co-op" moniker was dropped from much of its literature and advertising.

You can optionally join the $20 lifetime membership to qualify for the annual dividend and other special coupon discounts. REI members are allowed to buy returned/used/damaged goods at significant discounts at the REI Used Gear Sales. Other benefits of REI membership include discounts on rentals, deals on shipping charges, REI adventure trips, and shop services, as well as rock wall access at locations that feature indoor climbing walls

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• Company Vital Information:
• Company Name: REI
• Headquarters Phone: 800-426-4840
• Headquarters Fax: 253-891-2523
• Corporate Address:
  1700 45th St E.
  Sumner, WA 98352-0001 USA
• Payment Accepted: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover
• Sales tax in: Most States
• Shipping: Standard, Two-Day, One-Day, Ship to Local Store
• Return policy: f you are not satisfied with your purchase, you can return it for a replacement or refund—with a few exceptions—within one (1) year of the purchase date if you are an REI Co-op Member or within 90 days of your purchase if you are not a member.
• Information subject to change. Contact us with any updates.