Bonhams reviews

2.9

54% would recommend to a friend

(203 total reviews)

Bruno Vinciguerra

61% approve of CEO

37% positive business outlook

Bonhams has an employee rating of 2.9 out of 5 stars, based on 203 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an average working experience there. The Bonhams employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Retail & Wholesale industry (3.5 stars).

Reviews by job title

203 reviews
1.0
Dec 1, 2015

Trainee-Junior Cataloguer

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Provides you with a network of successful people in the business and this in turn gives you leads to get out of Bonhams ASAP. This is the only pro.

Cons

No Support. No training. I am sure the pay is illegal because it is so low. Lie to you when describing job you are about to accept, saying that there is opportunity to progress and low wage is because of the quality of training you receive. I received not even one days work of training and I was there for two years. Lied to me about possibility of pay rise when I said my job was worth more than the 15.5k they were paying me. No respect from management. Complaints fall entirely of deaf ears. Nobody makes changed 'it is just the Bonhams way'. Hierarchy within the company is appalling. I am an 8st 20 something year old and was moving.lifting 30kg (minimum) boxes of books in our department in to cars and only had a stolen Tesco trolly with a broken wheel to move them around in as a result my back is completely useful, even a year after leaving I am in agony with it. No lifting training offered until I had been there for EIGHT months because 'they forgot' by which time my back was scuppered. I literally can't put in to words how little this company cares for or looks out for their staff. It was the worst 18 months of my career to date. No training at all is offered to trainees and when you are promoted to junior cataloguer all that seems to mean is that you can create the catalogue for sale instead of just packaging items to send in the post to buyers after a sale. I can already feel my blood pressure rising simply by writing this review. From the bottom of my heart, if you are thinking of applying to work for Bonhams, I sincerely implore you to reconsider. It will be the worst decision you make.

3.0
Nov 29, 2015

Business Manager

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great exposure to the auction business as well as different art forms. Working for Bonhams was like working for an art gallery. I enjoyed sitting in on sales and sometimes bidding on behalf of clients.

Cons

Morale in my department was low, so when I started my new position it was somewhat hostile. A lot of folks I worked with felt under appreciated. Also $32,000 is a hard salary to get by on in San Francisco, which is why I ended up taking another job.

3.0
Oct 28, 2015

Administrator

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great co-workers, good locations, international

Cons

Very low salary compared to auction houses, management has no regard for support staff, The management has lost sight of its original core clientele

Viewing 184 - 186 of 203 Reviews

Glassdoor has 237 Bonhams reviews submitted anonymously by Bonhams employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Bonhams is right for you.