Pros
- Comprehensive initial training period - Beautiful store atmosphere - Exemplary customer service policy - Decent associate discount, and benefits for full-time employees - Time and a half pay on Sundays - Closed all major holidays, with no extended hours during holiday season.
Cons
My journey through the dark side of Von Maur began -- as many others likely did -- with an outstanding customer experience. When the department store chain first opened a location within driving distance of my small farming community, I was both fascinated and intrigued. I spent hours browsing -- and indulging -- in merchandise that probably cost more than my monthly truck payment. But I was sold... hook, line and sinker. I couldn't get enough. Upon finding myself needing employment at a later date, I dashed off a hasty application, thinking to myself, "If I love shopping there so much, why wouldn't I love to work there?" After sending off the application, I was contacted almost immediately, set up for an interview, and hired, practically on the spot. However... mirroring their beautiful complimentary gift-wrap, the idea of employment at Von Maur is packaged gorgeously, and topped off with an extravagant bow. But, once one opens the package, there is unfortunately nothing beautiful -- nor even positive -- to behold inside. I truly wanted to love working for Von Maur. I bought into everything that I was fed during training... probably for a little longer than the average employee. (And I may have been a starry-eyed country kid, but I can tell when things aren't quite right, and I can tell when people aren't happy. And none of the co-workers I ever met seemed truly happy... in fact, most seemed kind of miserable.) In an interesting twist, I was actually promoted to a Department Manager position about six weeks after I started. At the time, I couldn't have been more proud or pleased... but looking back, I wasn't ready. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I had no retail management experience whatsoever. Basically, I was still just a dumb country kid with, apparently, a lot left to learn. So, needless to say, there were a few things I didn't do quite right, initially, but it wasn't for lack of trying. Even as naive as I was -- and I hate to say this -- but I never really had a lot of respect for upper management. I truly wanted to, mind you... because, I was raised to respect those above me. But... any time I would ask them a question regarding a policy, or whatnot, that I was unclear about... they'd just look at you like they were a deer in the headlights, and tell me that "That's a great question, I'll look into it." And then I'd never hear a single thing about it again. Ever. I think, though, that the final straw that broke the camel's back, so to speak, was when I had to ask for a couple days off when my grandfather passed away... and I was told, "We can give you bereavement, but... you don't really look that sad." Yes... that's an exact quote. From the store manager. Verbatim. I wouldn't recommend working here... I'm glad that I left with at least a little of my soul intact.