Stuff Etc Reviews

There are some significant downsides to this store that need to be pointed out. This store is not the perfect opportunity as they try to make it out to be. - Non competitive pay. Flat out tell you that you will start at 9-10 dollars an hour. Depends on what they offer in the interview. Not bad to start with, but raises don't go far from there. 5 years in the company, you'll most likely be making less than 13 even as a fully trained and competent worker. My advice is if you're coming into this job, don't expect to be a permanent worker here. You'll plateau your work value fairly quickly and realize there is a meek future if you're hoping to move up the "ladder." Brings me to my next point. - Lack of career opportunity. I get that this is a local mom and pop store, but they've been around for 30+ years. Someone working for 20 years may still be at the same level they came in simply cause the opportunities are non existent, non inviting, or not feasible. Supervisors don't make much more than the traditional worker, so the incentive is really only there to those who A. Really needs the money or B. Someone coming in who has no idea what they are really taking. Management is almost always hired externally. They do not cycle in existing employees nearly as often as a good business should. Again, this is because most people see how poorly corporate treats them and are wise enough not to fall into that trap. Management is often pigeonholed because corporate will make decisions for the self interest of the owners rather than the longevity of the store. Whether it's for greed, laziness, a mix of both, whatever, you will see that even basic things like getting supplies for the store becomes a real chore. I have seen it with my superiors, I've heard it directly from them, it's been consistent throughout my time working there. Worse still, they will often deceive management in providing "solutions" that will end putting the problems on those they screwed over instead of leaving the work to themselves. It ends up becoming the mess of the employee and management to clean up, rather than corporate themselves. This has been extremely frustrating to work in this environment in the two years that I have been there so far. - Lack of full training. Their system of training employees is rather uncoordinated and minimal. This goes with both basic employees and management. The best way to summarize this is sink or swim. You learn as you go, since there really is no guide book they follow. You learn the basics, stumble over mistakes, and simply get corrected as you go along not knowing half the things you should. Not at the fault of yourself, but from the fact that no system is used to thoroughly train outsiders coming in. This is also frustrating as the lack of training will lead into mistakes that another employee has to then correct in consequence. This is compounded from the fact that many stations in the store are tasked with a lot more than what an individual can feasibly handle. If you are someone who plans to work menial tasks such as stocking, cashiering, or cleaning, this is not really a problem. If you're someone who aspires to try anything complex, be prepared to be given a lot more than what you can fit on your plate. Of all the things that has frustrated me while working here, this has to be among the top. And they will not fix this problem. - Lack of any compensation or benefit. I did mention the optional and rather expensive insurance. That's just about it in terms of benefits. There's a mere 401k that matches petty amounts based on what you set aside from your existing wage. If anyone plans to stay there for more than 10 years which is maybe 10% of the entire chain's employees, then sure you can make good use of it. Don't expect sick days either, they do not give any. If you have a baby, expect to be out of work without pay the entire time all the while leaving others to cover for you if you hold any form of higher responsibility (not an option if you're the dad). Vacation Days are given maybe 2 a year if you're a full time employee who has worked enough hours to actually be awarded any. In other words, don't expect any if you take any significant amount of unpaid days off the entire year. Which means none of us. - They will only fix problems if it really becomes a problem. To them. If the store exceeds their capacity in what they can efficiently work in, they do not care. They will expect the employees to put more than they can physically work to compensate the lack of hiring, training, or creating a more efficient flow in the system. They also refuse to spend any money that they deem unnecessary to the store. While this may seem obvious, their greed has skewed what is good and what isn't. For example, an "expensive" two dollar roll of painter's tape is too much to invest, so they expect all forms of processing done on a much harsh and stickier packing tape purchased in bulk. Essentially they are either too greedy to do anything for the store's well-being, or they're too oblivious to even know that it's necessary. Even the manager's hands are tied when it comes to making changes, because much of what they propose to do has to go through corporate who finalizes a lot of these decisions. Their way of fixing things is putting all the responsibility towards the higher ups who run the store because they know they have the leverage against them by employing them in the first place. Taking advantage of their employees with no guilt. - They will make unexpected and unannounced changes without the care of the employees. This is very broad, but I can give a few examples. They may say that everyone's hours will suddenly be cut for the month of 'xxx' because they see a slight dip in their profits and will not want to pay employees and their existing hours. Or they will suddenly say you are no longer to participate or use existing perk in the store because the "cost is too high". In short, if they feel that they're too cheap to provide a reason to spend money, they will make a dumb excuse not to. Don't rely on this store too much, especially anything financially related, because this store will find any reason not to pay their employees or expend any cost towards them. As a summary, if you are someone who is looking to work part time for a year or two doing boring and menial tasks anyone can do such as stocking or cashiering, none of these concerns really apply to you minus a few lack of perks. However, anyone who seeks to redeem any sort of valued skill they have may want to seek elsewhere for a job. Being taken advantage of, overworked, or deceived is commonplace here. Interviews and job listings are a piece of work. Hear it from someone who has seen it and still sees it in the job today.

Management plays favorites with certain employees. Corporate is very out of touch with employees. Insane "goals" for Employees Inconsistent rules and regulations. Inconsistent guidelines for what is considered ideal for consignment and what is not. Management are very rude to employees and customers. There is no respect towards employees. Employees are treated like they are disposable. No good deed goes awarded. They steal Employee's ideas and claim them for themselves. Insurance is HORRIBLE, dental is even worse. Breaks are paid but you're always called away from breaks to assist other employees. They pick out people that have angered or defied one of their favorites, and will badger and berate them until they are a bundle of nerves and ready to quit. Poor work performance is rewarded if you're a favorite. Almost the entire store is women so drama and gossip and hormonal outbursts are constant. The policies and procedures are ever changing, yet not written down anywhere, the fate of consignor's items or an employees is at the mercy and whims of management,