Member Refund 101

Members Share in the Profits

As a cooperative, REI is owned by its members. That's why sharing profits with our members is first priority at REI. If REI earns a profit during the year, the majority of that profit is returned annually to members in the form of a member refund on your dividend notice.

How is the Member Refund Calculated?

As a member, you'll get back a percentage of the money you spend at REI-every year! REI's goal is to return an annual refund of up to 10% to our members. In 2007, REI returned 10% of the dollar amount of members' eligible* purchases. For example, a member who purchased $500 in eligible merchandise in 2007 received a refund of $50 (10% of $500**). Since 1938, REI has never failed to return a dividend to its members.

*Purchases not eligible: sale/clearance items (prices ending in $._9 or $._3), gift cards, certificates, services, fees, travel and REI Outdoor School classes and outings.

**Purchases prior to 2008 made with credit cards other than the REI Visa card earn a refund of 2% less.

Taking Advantage of Your Refund

Dividend notices are mailed in late February of every year to members with eligible purchase activity for the previous year. After receipt of your dividend notice, you can buy more gear with it right away at REI.com, REI-OUTLET.com, in REI stores or through mail order. From July 1 through December 31 you can request to redeem the dividend for cash. A request to redeem a dividend notice for cash in our retail stores may be handled as a check request at our store's discretion. Please remember: Your dividend balance expires on December 31, of the year after it was issued.

Our Membership Services team is here to help you. We can answer dividend questions or help you if you've lost your notice. Simply use one of the forms in our Member Help pages. REI is your co-op—we're here to serve you. As always, thanks for your patronage!

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