My dividend is here. Despite vowing to reduce my spending at that store, it's still a whopping $63.

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

So that a minimum of $630 annual spending? Never reached above $50 in dividends.

I wish they carried the mountainsmith stuff again. Do the Minnesota stores carry their stuff. It seems as they have gone "Kirkland".

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1974 240D 3.0L 4(M) - 250K -OM617.910 + 300D FW + Rajay turbo power!
1977 6.9 3(A) - 84k

I witnessed an employee refer to a customer with Down's Syndrome as a "retard" and her manager refused to make her apologise to the customer. When I demanded the names of the manager and the employee, the manager threatened to call the police and after I pohotographed him with my cell phone, he followed me out to my car and took down the plate number. What a fat little weasle he was too, wadling across the parking lot back to the store as I drove away.

(My sister was born with DS and was "mainstream" educated, graduated with a 3.95 GPA and held a productive job for over 25 years).

My letter to REI main office was NEVER answered and as a result my business has gone to Sierra ever since.
(At Sierra people with disabilities are 15% of the work force and are treated as equals in every sense of the word).

I love REI, don't forget to check out rei-outlet.com as well. Great stuff at great prices.

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1985 300D, 237k.
1994 F-350, 6.9 diesel, 5 spd manual, Banks Turbo. 261k.
Sold: 1985 300CD- 267K

That's messed up, but managers can't make their employees say they're sorry.

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

What's the value of an insincere apology? I doubt you had any effect on the employee or his boss. Most likely it had an effect contrary to what you would wish, now they are resentful toward retarded citizens in addition to being prejudiced.

I understand why you reacted as you did and I believe that making a dignified comment to the manager would probably have helped a little. The letter writing was appropriate and your best bet as long as it was respectful and explantory. Also telling all of your friends.

B

Sure they can, if more people heard, they would have lost a lot of customers. If there weren't any rules, even if it wasn't sincere they would be free to say whatever they want.

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1974 240D 3.0L 4(M) - 250K -OM617.910 + 300D FW + Rajay turbo power!
1977 6.9 3(A) - 84k

Well, that's one REI, and two employees. I've experienced nothing but good and professional treatment.

Oh boy, Mr. Status here, I worked at the REI warehouse in '75 in Seattle a few blocks from their first store (only one at the time) on Capital Hill in Seattle. Jim Whittaker, the first American to climb Everest, was the CEO or head guy anyway. He used to come walking through the warehouse and addressed the ranks once before he left to go climb K2.

Lordy, he was an impressive speciman. It wasn't a bad place to work - I wanted to work in the store - but word was you had to put in serious time in the warehouse first (I was tying packs onto frames... oh boy) so I moved on.

My REI membership # is in the 200,000s. Sorta like coming over on the Mayflower, doncha know.

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

There's an REI store a couple of miles from my house. Used to shop there a lot but its become too yuppified for me. I'm now preferring the surplus store.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13