Does it cost anything to become an REI member?

$15 one time fee.

If you sign up now u get a coupon for 20% off which could more than cover the initial fee. You also get an annual 10% cash back on most purchases.

I think I just convinced myself to sign up ;)

link to coupon promo:
http://www.rei.com/rei/coupons/sale_e...

well that didn't work...

link to coupon promo

Thanks Ted! Yum, climbing and snowboarding gear, now I have an excuse to splurge.

The nice thing is that one time fee is for a lifetime.

If you just lose your card you can get them to look you up and give you a new one.

who puts asterisks in their urls?

hippies, thats who.

the one-time fee went up to $20 at the start of 2008; first rise in a looong time. Very much worthwhile; definitely pays for itself.
Some o' the benefits of joining this member coop:
10% dividend on all full-price items you buy in a year (comes out annually)
Several 20% coupons during the year
Two major sales/year: anniversary (May 2-11, 2008 = 70 years) and fall
Used gear "garage sale" for members only: returns that are still usable, promo pieces, etc. up to 70% off, check your local store for when these happen; in the Bay Area, they're staggered to different days of the month for the different local stores.
Discounts on the Outdoor School (in-store classes, and short local trips) -- many of which are alreay free, grin!
If you lose your receipt, you can still return stuff if you need to, since REI's record-keeping is your proof o' purchase.
If you lose or forget your member card, they can always look you up by phone # or name.
Love these folks: from the search for a better ice axe in 1938, on down to now, the gear is worth that 100% guarantee.
Being privately held, they get to keep to that long-term planning, good in the long long run for biz.
Fine print: I started working with REI this past spring on the customer service / cashier line, so I'm probably biased, but these are among the reasons I chose this place to work PT. Nice spread of folks/age ranges to work with.