STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

ILoveChoo · Hermes

seasonal retail jobs

Kelly · Hermes

I have a friend who worked at American Eagle last winter and it was awful for her. She only made minimum wage, and they made her work 12 hours days, and a lot of overnight store decorating and stuff. They also basically made her be on call all the time - if someone called in sick and she couldn't come fill in, she got in trouble. I forget what all else happened, but I know she hated it and was only there a couple weeks.

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

My friend worked at a NY&Co store a few summers ago and it sucked for her because they would split her shifts on her all the time. For example on Sundays she would have to work 6am-12noon then she'd have to come back and work 6pm -12am. Basically alot of cleaning and rearranging before and after the store was open. She lasted about 3 months doing that before she found an admin type job at a law firm.

ILoveChoo · Hermes

sheesh! That does not make it sound worth the extra money! Maybe I'll stay home and be lazy instead.

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

Well I think every store will vary based on store manager and such but those might be things to ask about when you interview. Other idea - How about working a gift wrapping booth at the mall or at a store?? I would think you would only work during store hours.

jettie · Kate Spade

I worked at Ann Taylor as a seasonal job a few years ago in order to get discounted work clothes. It wasn't too bad. I'm sure you could negotiate a good schedule (maybe only be available one day during the weekend). Just don't make yourself available every day because it makes making plans very difficult as you don't know if you'll have to work or not until a week before.

I think I made about $9.50/hour.

-- Edited by jettie at 18:20, 2006-11-16

Metric · Gucci

one of my bff's works at a certain punkrock/goth clothing chain and is very happy there. He only makes minimum wage (which is $7 here) and 2% commission. But he really likes it and does well on commisision.

HeatherLynn · Gucci

I think Vanessa worked at Express a few winters ago. IIRC, she really liked it. You might ask her about her experience.

boobaby · Kate Spade

I think as long as you can negotiate your schedule up front, it won't be too bad that way. However, working retail during the holidays is pretty much hell on earth - the crowds, the angry customers, the crying children, the endless lines, the endless Christmas music...I'm starting to have flashbacks!!

atlgirl · Gucci

I worked retail for a lot of years (many years ago, so take this for what it's worth). I worked mostly for Dillard's, and one season I actually worked a Dillard's and Charlotte Russe, when my department's hours got cut and I needed to pick up an extra job to make FT hours. So I was FT at Dillard's and PT at CR. THAT was hell.

IME you would be more likely to get better pay and *maybe* better hours by working for a department store. As bad as retail can be, department store work, wasn't nearly as crappy as what I had to do at Charlotte Russe. It was just a friggin' mess in that store every damn night and we would stay *hours* after the mall closed, to get things in order for the next day. Which is not to say that that didn't happen at Dillard's occasionally too, but it wasn't as insane there. Of course, I was a regular Dillard's employee and so my perspective may be biased.

Scheduling is not likely to be what you want, in most cases. Seasonal employees are often "bottom of the barrel" for stores, so you get what's left after the regular PT or FT employees are scheduled. Which can definitely mean long hours, late hours, or very early hours. I have been out of retail since 1994 and I still have horrible memories of Black Friday, working until closing on Christmas Eve, or coming in at 6 a.m. the day after Christmas to do markdowns...

I'm not trying to scare you off...some stores may be better, or things may have changed in the intervening years. It's just not all standing at the register and processing jolly shoppers. ~wry smile~

jacL · Coach

I worked retail for a few years, but I was actually brought on as seasonal--they then decided to keep me on permanently. That first year, I didn't have to work the day after Thanksgiving and I took a week off after Christmas, but I don't think most stores would be this flexible. They will probably make you work at least the day after one of the two holidays.

Atlgirl is right in that the seasonal employees are at the bottom of the barrell so you have to be very adamant in your scheduling. Don't let a manager schedule you during your unavailable hours or more hours than you said you would work. As soon as this happens you have to take care of it. Working in a department store I never had a split shift unless it was something I had worked out in my favor (I was a student and a couple times had something going on in the middle of the day).

It is stessful work, but my retail experience was not too bad. I worked for a department store in a non-clothing department (handbags!) and kinda liked it. I also think this option is better than working in a "specialty" store, like Charlotte Russe. I think at most stores like GAP, you have to wear their current season clothes while at work (which is why you get a great discount, but if you are only seasonal or part-time, you are putting all the money back into the store--this may have changed but I doubt it). You can also use your discount on the entire department store rather than just clothing, so that may help with Christmas gifts.

I actually applied for a seasonal retail job but decided not to take it because I already work full-time and just didn't want to work more than that, but if you have so much time off, I would reccommend that you try it.

ETA: One piece of advice if you do this--wear comfy shoes (heels are totally fine if they are slightly comfy) because you will be standing, walking, and bending down your entire shift!

-- Edited by jacL at 08:59, 2006-11-19

Brittnoodle · Nine West

Last fall and winter, I worked at Godiva. It was actually great - normal pressures to make sales but you really get that anywhere. I received a 50% (!) discount, which was fantastic for Christmas presents. Though we absolutely did get busy, it wasn't as high-stress an environment as other stores might have been, probably because it was a luxury - people come into the store because they want to, not because they have to, so they tend to be in a better mood.