I have an REI membership because I got it free with a purchase a couple years ago.

Now I typically buy something there once or twice a year when I can use the 20% off coupon that drives a price on something lower than Amazon.

Without the coupon there's just no reason to shop there. Although they are having a huge sale this week that I found a solid deal on a pair of sneakers in. So there's that...but on a normal day without substantial discounts or sales, they have 3 star products at 5 star prices.

AS far as employees, the local REI has a shoes guy that has forgotten more about shoes and running and hiking that I will know in two lifetimes. Everyone else in the store, EVERYONE else....is parroting corporate sales pitchy details about products and can't answer follow up questions to save their lives. Just saying marketing details without actually understanding them.