STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

kenzie · Chanel

Would I be completely off my beam if I did this?

Andrea Julia · Coach

No. Go for it! At least now, if you don't like it, you can quit. You have nothing to lose and designer clothes to gain!

tri_sarah_tops · Marc Jacobs

I think it's a great idea. You'll earn extra money to help make up for your paycut, but since it's not your only source of income, you can just quit if it ends up really sucking. It's definitely worth a try!

theotherjess · Chanel

Andrea Julia wrote:

You have nothing to lose and designer clothes to gain!

Hehe. My thoughts exactly.

rlutz · Chanel

I say go for it!

PrincessPink · BCBG

Oh, I do this all the time. Every couple of years. Last time, I worked at Banana Republic for 5 mos. Basically b/c they had an amazing sprign collection that I couldnt resist and getting it at a ridiculous discount is worth a few hours. Now I am repping a jewelry line CGC Collections that provides me with amazing designer jewelry and a nice little side income. I do it whenever I want and take a break when I need to - my designer - Christie Gies is totally cool with that. Its the best set up!

luckylily · Gucci

I actually think that is a great idea. I off and on think about getting a job at one of my favorite shops. It would be great to just work one or two evenings a week, maybe a weekend day here and there. I really need to look into this come fall.

PrincessPink · BCBG

I'm telling ya - its the way to go!

kenzie · Chanel

I'm seriously considering it, but I had such a horrible time for the past two years with retail management that I have bad taste in my mouth about it. Maybe I'll just try it and see.

I think my real problem is that I just like to be busy 24/7 during the week (weekends are different). I come home from my day job and design jewelry or write articles or whatever and if I don't have any of that to do, I get bored. I guess a part-time retail job would work pretty well. I'll keep you all posted!

Cortney1982 · Chanel

The main reason I work my retail job is that it beats staying at home all day. So when I get to be home and relax, it's more rewarding. Plus interacting with different people is fun, and makes it worth the lousy pay. When I'm not working I get bored and go shopping, so having a job helps save money while I'm earning some! And of course discounts are always handy.

poptart · Coach

NylaBelle wrote:

I'm seriously considering it, but I had such a horrible time for the past two years with retail management that I have bad taste in my mouth about it. Maybe I'll just try it and see. I think my real problem is that I just like to be busy 24/7 during the week (weekends are different). I come home from my day job and design jewelry or write articles or whatever and if I don't have any of that to do, I get bored. I guess a part-time retail job would work pretty well. I'll keep you all posted!

I am the same way - I like to be busy. I say that if you have fully recovered from the nightmare of your last job (shudder) then you should definitely go for it. But if there is a part of you that is hesitating, and maybe just wanting to chill for a while, you shouldn't push yourself to be as busy. (Though if you're getting bored, that probably isn't the case.)

Metric · Gucci

There are two things to consider

1) whether you have the time and energy to do it (don't burn yourself out or compromise your regular job/relationship/friendships for the sake of a little cash and staff discount)

2) how it will affect your taxes/tax bracket. Sometimes between working two jobs they won't take off enough for taxes and you might end up owing the government a wad at the end of the year. This has happend to so many people that I know, it sucks.

Other than that, If you can work it out, I say go for it.

gingembre1 · Kate Spade

When I worked retail a number of the ladies I worked with had regular, 40-hour/week jobs, plus the retail jobs. Some were a little crazier than others with hours (one of my friends works 15 hours retail/week PLUS her job as a social worker), and others only work one or two nights a week. Personally, I'm definitely considering retail part time, just one or two nights a week. 1, b/c of the discounts, and 2, for a little extra money. Plus I loooove helping people find good outfits.

jen · Kate Spade

Well, I work at AE and while I don't really need the money, it's great as extra income and the discount is awesome and SO worth it. IF it's a good environment, it can be fun. Just remember, your not the manager anymore so that's a lot less stress. I plan to work at Urban in the fall and hopefully my discount will extend to anthro since they're the same company. If you don't like it, then just quit!

erin · Chanel

jen - a long time ago i worked at urban and also received and anthro discount. but working at urban was hell!

kenzie · Chanel

jen wrote:

Just remember, your not the manager anymore so that's a lot less stress. I plan to work at Urban in the fall and hopefully my discount will extend to anthro since they're the same company. If you don't like it, then just quit!

Heh...yeah, the only thing good about being a manager was a bigger discount! It would be weird to only get the associate discount. I'm thinking about working at the Free People store that's opening (either there or the boutique nearby) and I suppose I would get a discount at urban and anthro b/c they're all the same company. It could be worth. It would be at King of Prussia and sales associates there get paid better than alot of keyholders and assistant managers in other malls. I'm going to seriously consider this.

jen · Kate Spade

OMG Erin, why did you not like it at Urban?! That's by far my fave store and I don't want to ruin it with a bad work experience-do tell!

Andrea Julia · Coach

BrazenCanadian wrote:

2) how it will affect your taxes/tax bracket. Sometimes between working two jobs they won't take off enough for taxes and you might end up owing the government a wad at the end of the year. This has happend to so many people that I know, it sucks. Other than that, If you can work it out, I say go for it.

Ohhhh yeah. This happened to me when I took on a part time job. I got a tax return still but much less than before. The part time job taxed me as if that was my only income. Something to consider, but if you figure out the difference between the rate you are getting taxed at your full time job and at your part time job and save at least that much from each paycheck, you should be fine when tax season rolls around.

erin · Chanel

i only worked there two weeks. it was in the summer at the georgetown location in dc. it was heavily trafficked with 12-20 yos who treated the store like their personal garbage dump. they would leave their drinks/food/etc everywhere. i've worked in retail before this (and after) but this was awful! not only that, one day i got really sick and needed to go home and i was not allowed to! i know it was in the first 3 months, and i would normally never do that, but i felt ill. i went home and basically understood my leaving meant i was done there.

the discount was great though. i worked at a lucky time. because i got an extra 40% on employee appreciation day!