Toxic Management, No Freedom - Seasonal Sales Associate Crate and Barrel Employee Review

1.0
30 Jan 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Coworkers were just about the only pros, also if you like the product it can be fun to look at the stuff all day. Discount is good but goods are still overpriced.

Cons

The management was absolutely terrible, upper management has a god complex and is manipulative. The most toxic person I have ever encountered. Tries to humiliate you and make you seem inferior. Tells younger employees not to hold their hands certain ways or walk certain ways. Creates random rules about what employees can or cannot do based on their mood that day. All employees know of the issues and have complained to corporate many times but they have done nothing about it. You are expected to harass customers repeatedly and will be scolded if you don't. Even if they make it clear they want to be left alone you are expected and told to re-approach 2-3 times. At every step of the customer interaction you must up-sell and push products on people who don't need or want them. It really is a humiliating job. The only part of the job that I enjoyed is the coworkers, very kind people and always helpful. However, you aren't allowed to speak to coworkers for more than 20 seconds at a time, even if the store is practically empty and every customer has been helped. You have to watch the customer until the pick something up and offer help or show them something additional to buy. Interactions with coworkers will be broken up my management if you look a little too happy. There is no trust in employees, you must get your purse or bag checked every time you leave the back room for stolen merchandise. No freedom. You are constantly told what to do and who to talk to over the earpiece. However, if you truly form a connection with a customer and are chatting with them a little too long for management's liking, you will be told to disconnect with them and harass someone else. This company values "making connections with customers" but this only means if they are going to buy something that day. Save yourself, do not accept a job here.

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Crate and Barrel Response
7y
We have received your advice and want to thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. We value all feedback and want to make ourselves available to listen to our associates. Please contact the Corporate Offices at 847-272-2888 and ask to speak to a member of the Associate Relations team.

Explore other reviews about Crate and Barrel

1.0
29 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The only saving grace is the people I've worked with . Other than that I'd leave a negative star if I could.

Cons

The CEO Janet Hayes has taken away additional employee discounts . At a certain time of the year we used to get an additional 15% off on top of our regular discounts. GONE! If an in store customer would like to have an item that ships directly from the vendor we offer free shipping . If an employee would like to do the same not only do we have to pay for shipping but our discounts can no longer be applied . How low can you go? What a great way to motivate the employees and show us all that we are just numbers and you could care less about us . This company doesn't care about it's workers and I wouldn't tell someone I don't like to work there. Every location is experiencing high turnover as management is typically incompetent and focuses on all the wrong things. Training is laughable and most designers are thrown to the wolves with high expectations after a few videos . You can not make as much as advertised so don't waste your time. Most don't stick around more than 3-6 months . You have to have open availability and they don't care if you go to church or need family time . There will be no work life balance . Constant updates are always required . What are you selling ? What are your future sales ? How many cards have you opened or how many emails can you capture? How many in home visits have you made ? Speaking of which did you know they send women to in home visits by themselves without vetting clients in the store first ? Another huge potential lawsuit on the horizon.

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