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I was expecting a few bucks, but was pleasantly surprised to see I had built up a $100 dividend! DADDY GOT NEW BOOTS! $125, deduct the 20% for one single item...made them $100, applied my dividend and viola...FREE BOOTS!

cactuscat wrote:Bet I got the lowest - $1.63!

Although still a card-carrying REI member fir the first time I managed a big fat $0.

Once I added up how much I spent at REI over almost ten years minus the dividends received then compared it to what I would have paid buying it elsewhere it just didn't make sense any more. While the dividends seemed like free money, ultimately it came at the cost of spending at least 20-25% more up front.
(minus the dividend, of course)

cactuscat wrote:Bet I got the lowest - $1.63!

Need to check my mailbox, but I think I may be lower than you. If I break a dollar I will be impressed.

Spent most of last year living in Idaho and they had a Sierra Trading Post outlet store near my house. That place got most of my outdoor living budget in 2012.

SpiderLegs wrote: That place got most of my outdoor living budget in 2012.

Sierra Trading Place dot com got most of my budget also

BobP wrote:

SpiderLegs wrote: That place got most of my outdoor living budget in 2012.

Sierra Trading Place dot com got most of my budget also

The outlet store was dangerous because you could look at and touch all of the bargains. Took much self control not to drive by the store once a week just to troll the clearance racks.

Someday I will be well-off and will be able to report more than the $3.86 I received.............

One can always hope!

Well finally went to my mailbox, scratching my head and trying to figure out how I was able to rack up $27 in dividends. Guess I did hit REI at least a couple of times last year.

@BobP
@SpiderLegs
Am I the only one that get's a different subscription compliments of STP every year. I haven't spent that much with them in the last year, but last year they bought me backpacker and this year it's Climbing.

BTW putting everything on REI credit card and paying it off every month = Christmas in March! Holy Crap! I think my dividend is 3 times what I spent there last year.

@MtnBart01

BTW putting everything on REI credit card and paying it off every month = Christmas in March! Holy Crap!

You're right it does pay off to do that....I racked up a dividend of $310.16 last year mostly by using the REI card for everything

MtnBart01 wrote:credit card and paying it off every month

huh? what's that?

cactuscat wrote:Bet I got the lowest - $1.63!

i got $0.21. i spent over $180 last year at REI, but it was all with last year's dividend and a couple of gift certificates.

A lot of my purchases this year were "Nondividendable". Maybe I'm getting wiser in my old age. There are still a lot of things that I want, but not much that I truly "need". Unless I lose a hiking pole at Bryce. I am still over $1.63 because I buy gifts - mostly headlamps, flashlights and socks - and take the gifts, a cake and some cigars to the local USMC Recruiting Station on November 10. My Father had a special bond with Devil Dogs. If anyone thinks about it, buy a gift or headlamp and contribute it to Toys for Tots. Who knows - you might see it next time you are down at Supai Village. The Marines fly Santa Claus and gifts in to the Havasupai for Christmas.

cindyl wrote:

cactuscat wrote:Bet I got the lowest - $1.63!

i got $0.21. i spent over $180 last year at REI, but it was all with last year's dividend and a couple of gift certificates.

Cindy wins!

So its getting close to that awesome time of year again, tax returns for us hard working adults, and dividends for us loyal REI customers...

Just curious anyone have a huge dividend? any big plans for dividends? I always say its bitter sweet, on one hand you are getting an awesome coupon, on the other hand REI is telling you what you spent in there store last year, and not only what you spent, but what you purchased that was not applied to dividends

Me I thought mine was huge last year, bought a couple pair of boots, GPS..and a few other high ticket items, then Dave1 gave me an estimate of what his was one year and I was like ok I dont feel that bad...

My plans for this year new are definitely a new pack probably Osprey 60L or smaller...I use my Gregory Baltoro 70L for everything and I would like to get a pack in the 60L range, which would be more conducive to all the light over-nighters that I do..I also think I want the molded waste band, which stops at 60L if I am correct?

I was also thinking about a lighter bag for summer maybe 60 degree, or even just a down blanket for summer, anyone have experiences with these blankets? They do seem like the perfect alternative to bringing out a heavier bag during warm months? anyone have any input on these?

I just got rid of a credit card I don't use and swapped it for an REI credit card. Hey, they gave me a $100 gift card just for signing up and there's no annual fee. I'll probably use it for my REI purchases since it gives an extra 5% dividend, even on sale and clearance items that aren't eligible for the normal dividend. But otherwise, it'll go as unused as the other one. Free money LOL!

You still have a month before your dividend comes out though. If you're getting a tax refund, you can usually get that within 2 weeks of filing if you direct-deposit.

@chumley
I am going to anticipate a big dividend and make my purchase sooner than ;)

funny you mention the REI credit card, my friend and I just talked about the importance of staying strong, and not opening that damn card. despite the ten notices we have gotten in mail! it gets harder every time.

friendofThundergod wrote:the importance of staying strong, and not opening that damn card

That's what I said about my Boulders card. But @juliachaos convinced me to do it anyway. :guilty:

I am hoping to get a new "PDF" to go along with my 'yak. The PDF will be bought with the dividend dollars from the kayak lol.

And maybe some new pants, too... all mine have holes in the bootie, and now I'm wearing Jbeans' hand-me-downs.

@juliachaos
I think you only need a PDF when you paddle on Adobe Lake.

@chumley
I will need several PDF's, as it will ask me to put on a new one after half an hour.. and then another one half an hour after that..

I have a REI Visa card and usually end up with a $250-350 dividend. BTW, if you wait until July you can exchange your dividend for cash.