Tell California State AG Rob Bonta: Hold REI Accountable
Your state’s Attorney General is responsible for protecting consumers from unfair and deceptive business practices. If a company’s branding and promises don’t match reality, you have the right to ask for an investigation, and even reimbursement.
Below we've provided a direct link to the California AG page where you can file a complaint against REI, as well as sample text you can copy as a template for your own message.
Our sample complaint message:
I am a consumer and REI member filing a complaint regarding deceptive and unfair business practices by Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI).
REI markets itself as a consumer-owned cooperative committed to democratic governance, ethical labor practices, and environmental stewardship. These representations influenced my decision to shop at REI and to pay higher prices than I would at other retailers.
These representations are not accurate.
REI has changed its governance structure to limit meaningful member control, including restricting who can run for and serve on its board. The company has also engaged in anti-union conduct and maintained practices that conflict with the values it promotes to consumers.
As a result, REI is misrepresenting itself as a cooperative when it no longer operates as one in practice. I relied on these misrepresentations when making purchases. I am requesting that your office investigate whether REI’s marketing and business practices violate state consumer protection laws. I am also requesting appropriate remedies, including reimbursement.
Our sample resolution message:
In order to resolve my complaint, I want REI to end all of its union busting actions, bargain in good faith with the REI Union, and enshrine members’ involvement in company-wide decision making processes into its bylaws. I am requesting that your office investigate whether REI’s marketing and business practices violate state consumer protection laws.
Click here to file a complaint to the California State Attorney General.
Why are Co-op members filing complaints against REI?
Unfortunately, those broken promises are exactly what we’re seeing with REI: the company continues to market itself as a co-op but operates like a “faux-op” where leadership limits member control and protects its own power. As REI members, we know that we pay more to shop at the Co-op. We’re willing to pay that premium to shop at a company that shares our values, including sustainability, democratic control, and fair treatment of workers.
Instead of living up to those values,
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REI changed its bylaws to limit member control by appointing board directors to a full term without a vote
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REI engaged in anti-union conduct that conflicts with its stated support for workers
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REI remained silent on serious concerns about labor practices in their supply chain
If you relied on REI’s claims about being a democratic co-op when you made purchases, you were deceived.