Pros
This being my first experience in retail, I can only compare it to what I've heard of other retailers and what my own expectations were. The merchandise and sales are great. I have shopped at this store with my family since I was a little girl. I always loved the piano player in the middle of the store as well as it being an area for those not shopping to sit. The interest free credit card,free shipping,and free gift wrap are nice oerks as well. For an entry level position,the pay is not bad. A typical pay rate for a sales associate is $10/hour plus 1% commission. Good benefits,also.
Cons
Where to begin! Upper management communication is lacking in a big way. The inconsistencies with rules and decisions takes a toll on you. Security system is not up to par,in my opinion. I did not feel safe half or more of the time I was working there. There is TOO much pressure put on employees to keep theft from happening. Von Maur does not take enough pride in their merchandise; if they did they'd get a better security system. I felt very undervalued as an employee. Yes,I understand it's retail,but I do have a life,and there was no balance between my personal and professional life. I was questioned many times as to the validity of my health issues. The way the managers approached any illness I may have had, they were insensitive and sometimes downright rude in their responses/reactions. They were always understaffed,which led to associates covering in other departments on a constant basis. I hated this because if I was not familiar with a particular area,I could not offer the customers the kind of service that they deserved,and I looked like an incompetent idiot. But,really,the real incompetent idiots hang out in upper management. The dress code is outdated and stuffy. I worked in the women's contemporary department,but you would never know it by the way I dressed. Why buy designer jeans from someone in pantyhose who virtually has no idea what kind of wear and tear the product has that they're selling?! We,as sales associates,and DM's, also had to unbox stock in our nice work clothes. We were also discouraged to try to make friends at work. Sorry,but I'm not from here,and if my entire life is working at your bogus place of employment,where else am I really going to get to know anyone? This is not the "family" environment that you talked about in my interviews.