REI, a 50 year trend of getting outrageous.
I became a member of REI 50 years ago. Back then they would send you a catalogue and you'ld fill out the order form, write a check and send both in. Your outdoor stuff would arrive at the front door in about 2 weeks. Now their gear is outrageously expensive,.....but you get a 10% dividend on it. My wife bought $2,300 worth of camping gear and received a $230 dividend, which she really couldn't use because she had already bought everything she needed. I purchased a winter jacket at REI for just over $230 to spend the dividend before it lapsed. In return I got a $23 dividend. I went in to spend it before 2026 and couldn't really find anything for $23 that was reasonable, besides power bars. The bike shoe cleats I finally bought after wandering the store for 1/2 hour cost $34, which could have been purchased at a bike shop for $22 or on Amazon for $18, all being the same brand name and model. Even with the 10% dividend they were over priced. 50 years ago they had the highest quality equipment no one else carried for a great pice. Now REI is an expensive rip off outdoor boutique. Plus, with so much theft their employees stand around like vultures staring at you. I hate going in there.