REI dividend

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rperth
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REI dividend

Post by rperth »

Each year, REI Co-op members receive a unique benefit—the REI member dividend—which is your share of REI’s profits of the last year. Since we didn’t earn a profit in 2020, we don’t have those profits to provide to members in the form of a dividend. Even though we didn’t make a profit last year, you’ll receive a member reward equivalent to what your dividend would have been: 10% back on your eligible full-price purchases in 2020. This will feel a lot like the dividend experience you’re used to, and you’ll see your total reward in your account on March 1.

I got this email today. So, we are getting a dividend but they are calling it a reward?
ker0uac
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Re: REI dividend

Post by ker0uac »

Yea I was confused by that paragraph too. I think for members there's no difference, but there might be one for taxes.
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Re: REI dividend

Post by markf »

This year's member reward can't be turned in for cash like the regular dividend, and it expires at the end of this year instead of the end of the year after it was issued. Not much difference for most people, but legally yes, there is a difference.
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rperth
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Re: REI dividend

Post by rperth »

markf wrote: Thu Feb 25, 2021 1:44 pm This year's member reward can't be turned in for cash like the regular dividend, and it expires at the end of this year instead of the end of the year after it was issued. Not much difference for most people, but legally yes, there is a difference.

Thanks Mark, that makes sense. TBH, for 25 years I did not know you could turn it in for cash. So, it won’t make any difference to me.
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Gene913
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Re: REI dividend

Post by Gene913 »

Because the coop did not turn a profit this year, there is no cash available to pay a "cash" dividend.
Unlike our government, the coop cannot simply print money. If there are no profits, there can be no cash dividends.
So instead of giving coop members a cash dividend, they are giving coop members a "reward" in the same amount they would have received if dividends were issued.
The reward is the same as cash when you buy something at REI. So your reward spends just like cash as REI, but it cannot be spent anywhere else.
"If you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, and you say to this mountain, 'move from here to there,' it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:21
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Gene913
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Re: REI dividend

Post by Gene913 »

ker0uac wrote: Thu Feb 25, 2021 1:36 pmI think for members there's no difference, but there might be one for taxes.
no tax difference for members. there is an accounting difference for the coop. the coop cannot pay a cash dividend if there are no profits from which dividends are paid.
but the coop can give the cash equivalent of the dividend to members in the form of a "reward" that can only be spent at the coop.
essentially the coop's books are paying the 2020 dividend by discounting prices for members in 2021.
"If you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, and you say to this mountain, 'move from here to there,' it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:21
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Re: REI dividend

Post by bergsteigen »

Gene913 wrote: Thu Feb 25, 2021 2:34 pm The reward is the same as cash when you buy something at REI. So your reward spends just like cash as REI, but it cannot be spent anywhere else.
Except that you don’t get rewards for next year on purchases with the dividend. Hence why I always get the cash. Oh well. Maybe next year.
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Re: REI dividend

Post by Scott P »

bergsteigen wrote: Thu Feb 25, 2021 2:48 pm Except that you don’t get rewards for next year on purchases with the dividend.
True, but you also get 20% off an item when you use your dividend.
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Re: REI dividend

Post by ker0uac »

Scott P wrote: Thu Feb 25, 2021 2:59 pm
bergsteigen wrote: Thu Feb 25, 2021 2:48 pm Except that you don’t get rewards for next year on purchases with the dividend.
True, but you also get 20% off an item when you use your dividend.
Are you referring to the member coupons? You can always get the 20% off.
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Gene913
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Re: REI dividend

Post by Gene913 »

bergsteigen wrote: Thu Feb 25, 2021 2:48 pm
Gene913 wrote: Thu Feb 25, 2021 2:34 pm The reward is the same as cash when you buy something at REI. So your reward spends just like cash as REI, but it cannot be spent anywhere else.
Except that you don’t get rewards for next year on purchases with the dividend. Hence why I always get the cash. Oh well. Maybe next year.
you're right, and I get it. Most people do not convert their dividend into cash and simply use it as a "credit" when they buy more stuff at the coop. For those people, who are the vast majority of coop members, there will be no difference between the normal "dividend" and this year's "reward." The coop does not have the cash to pay a dividend this year, but they are trying to do something. Chalk it up to more COVID-related collateral damage. As you say, Otina, hopefully 2021 will be better and, dare I say it, back to normal??
"If you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, and you say to this mountain, 'move from here to there,' it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:21
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SkaredShtles
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Re: REI dividend

Post by SkaredShtles »

I think I'll go buy a package of fire-starter with my $3.28 dividend.

:mrgreen:
ker0uac
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Re: REI dividend

Post by ker0uac »

Well if your dividend is high then you are buying way too much at full price
Those who travel to mountain-tops are half in love with themselves and half in love with oblivion
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