Managers couldn't be bothered to tell you anything important until you've messed up... and then you get written up for a mistake you didn't know existed.
No trial period for new employees; if you mess up big on day one, you get written up.
Customers frequently try to argue with you about sales prices, even though the signs and flyers say, bluntly, what is and is not on sale. And then they act as though it's your fault that fragrance oils are not 50% off, even though the candles are, even though they're sitting with the candles, and even though they get rung out under the 'candle' section.
The managers play favorites. A lot. And the favorites get away with murder; they can stand around socializing without doing a single thing during their shift, they can wander the store and totally ignore customers, and yet the managers are buddy-buddy with these people, so no disciplinary action is taken.
Don't expect a raise.
The company tends to preach a lot. There are even Bible passages in the employee handbook. Come on guys, save it for church.
As with any position that deals with the public, you get your share of nice people, and you get your meanies too: a lot of grumpy old people that somehow got out of the home, some uppity wealthier types who talk down to you, and serious crafters with no social lives - and no social skills as a result. Just try to laugh it off.
No scanners; we must enter the price by hand, remember an item's department of origin, and determine whether or not it's on sale. It gets easier in time, but it's still tedious.
If a manager doesn't like you, or is mad at you, they sometimes schedule you to close every night, rather than rotate people fairly.
Straight pay; if you're asked to stay late, you do not get time-and-a-half wages. An extra nine dollars an hour is not worth the agony of remaining at that store for any longer than is necessary.
