I was not looking for a job nor do I need a job. I was pursued by the Store Manager and current Pet Trainer to fill the second spot for pet training. My dog is in classes for social activities and is very advanced. Many of the other pet parents come to me for advice and that is why the Store Manger hired me.
I was told that I would be trained in floor and cash register so that I can sell classes when I do not have a class. I was told I would be sent right away to the Train the Trainer classes...
Bait N Switch
I am either on the floor or cashier. I sell the classes but am not getting to teach since they have yet to send me to the training for it. I also understand that there is a commision for the person training the class no matter who sold it. I do no care about the money but the principle behind it. I would be a trainer as a voulenteer full time 40 hrs a week, I have a passion for it. But when it comes to being on a cash register for 8 hrs, that is not the job I signed up for. I do not mind selling classes, I actully enjoy it. I love to see the pets and pet parents learn how to be happy together.
Now on to the rest: My back ground, retired GM, VP/Director of Marketing
After the hiring training I was so pumped of what a great learning material it was, I thought it would be carried through to the rest of my training. Little did I know that it ended there.
Register trainging consisted of being given the register booklet for 30 minutes without guidance at the end of my shift. I did not work for 4 days after that and was put on the register after being given my employee number. I was left alone without any review or help. I was not shown how to call someone if I need help. I was not show things like returns, checks, giftcard, ect. I was not shown how to know when to go to lunch or break.
I asked the manager if she could go over the breaks and lunches with me, she told me that I get 1 break, 1 lunch and if she feels like it later depending on her mood she may give me another break after my lunch.
Now onto why I am the only person in the store that is told to straighten and not face front. I was told that I needed to match upc codes with merchandise and pull the things that did not have a home. I did my job and had a basket full from one aisle. The manager started just putting stuff in any slot to take it out of the basket. When I questioned if I had done it wrong she said no, but that the upper mangers will be pist if they see baskets with merchandise out. When I asked why she told me to face front only to put it back and (taking from my marketing and GM days knowing that if there is that much items that dont belong that come audit time they would be getting a bad mark) she stopped putting it back and just huffed and took it the back of the store. That Basket has been the none stop barkfest...of OH your the one. I was told to put it all back the next time I worked and when I questioned why was I told to pull it in the first place I was told that I should not question. To set an example the manager scanned an item to show me that it did have a spot and the item priced at .01 cent. It was discontinued another was in recall and so on and so forth. Now I am told to straighter and every one is told to face front....is that another word for lazy straighting.
I have been very dissappointed with my time at pet smart.
Management has zero respect for employees, there is no teamwork, managers only speak to us when we are making errors. For a new hire to only be told they are doing it wrong and then over hear the manager complain to the other managers is horrible.
I have never had a job that I could not stand, but I believe I just found it. I love working with the customers and building up my sales. Brings me back to the good old days of getting awards for my sales numbers. I love signing up pet parents for classes so dogs will have a forever home and not be put in shelters for misbehavior.
But the inconsistency of management and the high school mentallity is just to much. I think I will go get trained on my own and teach fosters as a volunteer.....ta ta Pet smart
