you just need to learn more about cooperatives. There are probably a dozen different types.

REI is a retail consumer cooperative.
My local bike collective is a volunteer cooperative.

I can work on my bike at one, but not the other.
We belong to a grocery cooperative- even though I'm a member, i cant bring a chicken into the store, walk behind the butcher display, and prep the chicken. Thst doesn't mean the grocery store isn't a cooperative, it simply means there are different types.

Some coops allow you to use/rent space and tools.
Some coops exist for a bunch of other reasons.

Google around.

I did mention a good friend was a mechanic for REI, right? I'll take the word of someone who actually worked for them. And the rapid employee turnover is a pretty good indicator of how well a business adheres to its stated mission.

Hey, I'll buy from REI when my LBS doesn't have something I need right away. But don't expect me to buy into their co-op kumbaya hype. The only difference between our local REI and Walmart or Target is the quality of the merchandise and their tricky strategy of annual dividends rather than simply lower prices every day.

Calling something a co-op doesn't make it one.

I’m going to chime in with a couple of observations and experiences. First, I’ll state that I’ve been a REI member since 1973. Second, I worked at a large REI store for about 10 years in the bike/ski/paddle department. Third, since fully retiring, I ride at least once a week with current REI employees and bike shop techs and talk with them often about current practices. Here are some of the things I know (and they will relate mostly to the store at which I worked):

• When working there, we were not allowed to ship any new bike to a home address - all bikes had to be assembled, tuned, checked, and delivered at the store. I assumed that was company-wide policy. Since the pandemic shutdown, the protocol is that if a bike is ordered online, it will be delivered to a REI bike shop where it will be assembled, checked, adjusted, and then re-packed and sent on to the customer’s home address. Supposedly, the bike is ride-ready before it is repacked and should need very little adjustment or reassembly upon arrival. That’s how it’s supposed to work.
• Virtually all bike shops, whether in a large store or a small shop, have niche markets. It does no good to piss and moan about what you want the store to carry - they carry what works for them. REI aims for the middle/upper segment of the outdoor market - their bikes reflect that. We often sent customers to a higher-end shop if I couldn’t find what they needed, but we hardly ever had a customer complain that the prices were unfair - they knew what the store was.
• I realize there can be a vast disparity in experience and training in the different shops - especially between larger stores and smaller stores. The shop where I worked had at least four techs who had been to the Barnett Bicycle Institute for in-depth training, and a few of the techs had been in the shop for 15+ years - they were not slouches. The shop had developed a loyal following much like you’d see at a LBS, and they did high quality work.
• Finally, the complaint about high prices may have some validity, but not when you compare apples to apples. If you need a long-sleeve base layer for riding, you can find a Smartwool shirt that will cause your wallet to go into lockdown. Or you can find a Pearl Izumi or Co-op brand shirt that seems more reasonable. Or you can go to Walmart and spend even less. But what you don’t get at other places is a 10% dividend or a one-year return policy. And, by the way, co-ops aren’t required to have a work space for members - that’s merely a choice that some shops choose to offer. Previous poster stated “Calling something a co-op doesn't make it one.“ But looking at the history of REI (going back to 1938), that's exactly what it is regardless of how you choose to define it.

I certainly would not state that REI is for everyone, and I know that some have been alienated by the store for some reason or another - that’s the nature of retail. As far as the OP’s post regarding the bike as it was delivered, it sounds like there were a couple of issues that shouldn’t have occurred - especially the headset issue. But the brake caliper problem - if you’re going to have disc brakes, then you need to know how to center your wheel and discs when putting the wheel on. That’s an owner education issue and I bet a phone call might have solved that. We also have no idea if the OP tried to rectify the issues with REI - much like one would do with a LBS. yes, there were issues, but 180 miles in three days and “I like it” seems hardly rant-worthy.

Again, just my two cents.

See my above response to a virtually identical post.

Do you folks worked for REI or have some interest in them? Great.

It's not a proper co-op. It's daily practices don't match their mission statement. The "dividends" are just refunds, instead of lower everyday prices. Call it what you like but it's just a clever misdirection.

I'll buy from them anyway, next time I need something right now and the LBS doesn't have it.

Not buying the hype, though.

No i don't work there. I buy random stuff from the bike dept and its usually because i want something right away and REI is still open when LBS is closed. I buy clothes from there at times, but its all rei branded, which is the least expensive.
Definitely dont work there, unfortunately it can't possibly pay what I would want.

Each store is different with regard to what is stocked and how much turnover there is. The local one to me has been open for 4 or 5 years and a mechanic is still there from the start, as well as some other faces I recognize. It isnt always massive turnover, like you suggest.

You mention their practices don't match the mission statement how so?
“we inspire, educate and outfit for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship.”

Thats their mission statement. Besides the lack of an Oxford comma, whats wrong with the mission statement? How does the company not fulfill thst mission statement?

The local store has many in person events and classes each month- basic bike maintenance, intro to climbing, backpacking essentials, etc etc etc. There are also scheduled talks given by people who have done incredible trips. They partner with local outdoor organizations and advocacy groups for projects and fundraising. They advertise local trails/parks each month. And obviously they sell gear that allows people to experience outdoor adventures.
The 3 other stores I've been to(in 3 different states) are all similar from what I saw.

Sure seems like they are on point with fulfilling that mission statement.

I purchased a Tern from REI years ago, they would not ship it to my house. I thought that they did ship a few bikes but not all of them. I don't live near a REI store but ordered it and picked it up on a trip to a city that had an REI.

You’d have to live in a pretty deep cave to not know what Dick’s Sporting Goods is. They have almost 750 locations in the US. REI has just over 160. And, while Dick’s can be found in some smaller cities, you won’t find them in many small towns. In Colorado, all the Dick’s are along the I-25 corridor from Pueblo to Fort Collins...about150 miles long by about 50 miles wide. There isn’t single one outside of that fairly narrow band.

REI has a number of stores in the same corridor but they have 2 stores elsewhere in the state...one in Dillon and one Grand Junction.

Many do on here?

Never mind the poor wording but many, if not most people, on these forums know what Dick's Sporting Goods is. It's just not their first choice for bicycle related gear.

I seldomly shop at Dick's Sporting Goods because I do most of my shopping online and their website normally doesn't come to mind. However, I did buy a bicycle item from them a month ago - 4 bottles of Finish Line chain lube (4 oz) for $5.99 each on clearance and they offered curbside pickup. Only made sense to grab them after a bike ride.

I've been an REI member for at least thirty years. It's changed a lot, but is still fundamentally a good outfit.

FWIW, my fave shop recently tore apart one of my bikes to send the frame in for a repaint, and the rebuild had a few issues. It happens.

My point was people were comparing lower end chains to REI, like Walmart and I thought a better comparison of a lower end chain that sell's lower end, but not junk to be Dicks.

Now some folks on here have extrapolated out of this all kinds of things none of which I meant.

Reading, and paying attention do not necessarily go together.

And no, I am not picking on anybody :twitchy:

I'd buy a bike at Walmart (already did twice) before going to Dick's. This took place when I first got into biking. Now I wouldn't buy bikes from either stores.

Yep, there are different types of co-ops. We buy our electricity from a co-op, but we sure aren't doing workshops to learn how to maintain the power lines.

Oh man, now I feel really old. I remember when there was just one Dick's, and I was there when they moved to a new building next door!

With that said, I once bought a bike from there, 1997 maybe? It was a Mongoose. I got what I paid for, nothing more, nothing less.. Their selection is a step up from Target, Wal*Mart et. al, but I'd rather spend a few extra bones at REI (I have a DRT 1.2 in fact) or my local LBS (the spawn has a Trek Marlin 5). I prefer doing my own wrenching, but there's virtually no difference between my LBS and REI when it comes to service. REI can often get it turned around a hair faster, maybe? That's about all.

But I am curious, what does your LBS have like the ADV 3.1, or the Salsa Fargo Apex 1? I am curious......I have not seen anything like those bikes at a LBS for those prices. Maybe for the Salsa, but not the 3.1. Both are steel frames, and the Salsa will take a 27.5 wheel, although it's at least advertised as a 29.

And there is a difference with returns, and service depending on where you are which has been mentioned often, but every third poster ignores it?

You may have to start?

The power was out for two or three hours yesterday, so maybe it is time to learn some maintenance skills ...

43 years ago the neighbors in my neighborhood had to restore out power because BG&E was taking their old sweet time. Then the neighbors did restore the power.
This is not my last rant......:50:

REI turned off our power and got my wife pregnant during the blackout.

Walmart never would have done that.

Just because people hadn't agreed with you didnt mean they disagreed and it definitely didn't mean people aren't aware of the largest sporting goods company in the US.

We get it- you think REI is an apt comparison to Dick's. Its been noted.

I think you meant to say "beats a poke in the eye with a sharp stick." Geeze, get it right ;)

Come to think of it, it's hard to imagine anything that wouldn't beat a poke in the eye of any type.

We? An apt comparison?

Well the sale ended yesterday. And I still have not spent a grand on a bike. :) Now if the one I want eventually gets down to seven I may.