Pros
Flexible hours Decent associate discount Opportunity to build relationships with customers (I had to force that 'pro') Benefits
Cons
This place sucks. Four hours feels like eight. I feel like everyday I have to rush around to complete this or that and talk to almost every customer when I'm a SMILES leader. It's too much of a stressful job for such little pay. Breaking down shipment/tagging/racking is a huge task and a huge bore. You have to clean the store (vacuum, clean mirrors, etc.) at the end of a long day. Racking the shoes is an over-complicated process. And topstock gets piled so high it's hazardous and a huge chore to stack/sort the shoes and get the shoe you need. I hate having to harrass customers about joining Payless Rewards, measuring their kids feet, trying to convince them to buy accessories, etc. Also you have to deal with WAY too much attitude from customers; the customers also disrespect the store making huge messes (and often not even buying anything) and stand on stools helping themselves to the topstock (often causing things to fall to the floor, then get angry when an associate tells them not to do that) You have to follow a list of "critical actions" and at most stand-alone stores you have to complete at least like 4 per customer(things like suggest an item, validate with compliment, collect personal info, etc.). The customers see it coming and often try to avoid associates. If your sales/returns don't reflect well on the company you get lectured (even though it's not exactly your fault no one wants to buy the same styles year in and year out and same overpriced crappy jewelry, and people return the stupid defective shoes) It's all your fault if someone steals (even though both of the stores I work in have poor security i.e no working cameras, no security tags) Often when I'm off I get called to see if I can work. The management is always breathing down my neck as if I'm an inmate they have to keep a close eye on. If you wanted to make a career out of this it would be a dead end. DO NOT WORK HERE EVER. Unless you're a manager because all they do is sit in the back and play on their phones. It's ridiculous. They lecture you on selling more (as if you're getting paid commission) and they don't sell much themselves.