Gamestop managers?

[Tones]

You work at Publix? What part of FL? I'm originally from Orlando.

Yeah, I like stocking and unloading trucks, because it's satisfying actually seeing progress in your work, whether it be a full shelf or an empty shelf.

Actually, no, I don't work at Publix; we're a Winn-Dixie family. I'm just outside of Jacksonville in Orange Park, an area of about 100,000 or so people.

[jyoung]

I actually liked my job. Chucking boxes of merch off a truck was fun and stress relieving. And I was cool with a good number of employees. My bosses didn't bitch at me at all, but they were aloof and slightly dimwitted.

You work at Publix? What part of FL? I'm originally from Orlando.

I was a cashier/bagger at a Nashville, TN Publix this past summer and it certainly wasn't bad for my first retail job. Most of the higher-ups were genuinely nice people that showed some concern for the workers that they were responsible for, and I typically stayed busy throughout the entire shift, so the tedious nature of my work was really the only thing that ever caused boredom. Even then, I had some days when they needed me on a register and some days where they needed me to help bag and stock shelves, so it wasn't quite as boring as it could've been. The pay wasn't too bad either; if I remember correctly they started all cashiers with previous retail experience at $7.25/hour (I had no previous experience so I made $6.25/hour).

The only things I didn’t really like about my job were the shitty selection of about two hundred easy-listening/soft rock tunes that got recycled about three times a day and the company's stringent employee appearance standards. All Publix employees had to wear dark pants, a long-sleeve dress shirt, a dark tie, and a dark apron (a terrible attire for when you’re out herding shopping carts in 100 degrees of heat), and for some reason, moustaches were allowed, but any other type of facial hair was prohibited. They also wouldn’t allow male employees to have their hair length below the eyebrows in the front, below the collar in the back, and below the ears on the side.

[bandit]

My main problem with the Gamestop way of life has been the "red-book" that they implemented last year. It adds a shitload of pointless paperwork to your everyday procedure, and a rediculous amount of long form math that should really be done by the registers. I also think that it is ludicrous to count the bloody registers 5 times a day (especially when someone is working a stretch), but that's just me being lazy.

However, now that the merger is approved, Gamestop is getting the EB computer system, which will make things a LOT easier. Things like checking stock levels and comparing performance numbers are a lot easier in the EB system.

Just remember, it's retail, and everyone hates you.

I guess I left just in time before they implemented all that bullshit at GS.

As for the computer system, both are way out of date. EB POS system is just that...Piece Of Shit. Freaking CVS and all them other stores are even up to date, even with touch screens. Half the time, the scanners dont even scan. I remember either having to tape the scanners, smacking the monitor/receipt printout machine or having to manually type in all the numbers cuz the scanner broke.

[Kev]

Nashville, TN Publix

Good God, man. Tennessee? Damn, they've expanded. I remember when they just broke into south Georgia about eight years ago.

The only things I didn’t really like about my job were the shitty selection of about two hundred easy-listening/soft rock tunes that got recycled about three times a day and the company's stringent employee appearance standards.

That sucks. Especially the hair thing. And I hear ya on that weather thing. Dog-breath Florida humidity sucks completely.

[Timber]

Independent Game Shops FTW!

I've been in the video game retail game for about 7 years now. And I've done it all. I started at a local chain back in HS and worked my way up to manager over the course of a year. Then ended up staying with them for another year and some change managing 4 different stores during that time. It was a great job and I loved the people I worked with. But the owner was a coke head and one of the worst human beings I've ever encountered. Luckily he was addicted to Everquest at the time and I only saw him about once a month, so I could live with his shenanigans. Until he got super paranoid and fired everyone but me at one store and I had to work with him 5 days a week. That lasted a week or so and I decided I was done with him.

Then after a short stop (about a year) making pizza at a local family fun center. Which was the best job I've ever had. I ended up at a mall EB as holiday help. They loved me and kept me on after the season was over. My manager was a cool enough guy and my assistant manager was cool as fuck. Which made the job very enjoyable for a time. Then they fired the AM for not doing inventory every once and a while on something like backstock accessories in the back room. I got the AM job but then the RM got on my manager's back which ended up making my job way shitter than it should have been.

I left that for the opportunity of running my buddy's little shop in a flee market (I met this guy working at that first store I talked about). This was the best time I've ever had working retail. I had some awesome regular customers. My friend had one of the largest game collections I've ever seen (IRL or on the interweb) and stocked the store with games for every classic system you could think of. I basically had complete control of the store and he paid me 1/2 of the store's profits which came out great for me. But eventually he just didn't have the time to do absolutely anything with the shop (got re-married and ended up with 4 more kids on top of his 5).

Then I met one of his friends who wanted me to run his full time shop so he could open another. This was almost the same as the last place. At first I had a great time there. The customer base was the best of any retail job I've had. Sure, there were the crazies you get everywhere but there were far fewer of them. This was probably because of the location. I was in-between an upper-class neighborhood and the main Ohio State off campus apartment area. The only problem with this place was the fact that the owner had trust issues and wouldn't hire anyone to work when I wasn't there. So I ended up working all day 6 days a week (we were closed on Sundays). After about 2 years I just got burnt out on games and retail in general.

Here I am 2 years later and I'm working part time for one of my best friends who just opened a full time shop 3 months ago in a formerly dead mall here in downtown Columbus. He moved in just after one of the oldest EBs around here left. And I'm having fun again working retail.

Moral of the story? If you really want to work in a game store then try to get a job at a local game shop if at all possible. You've got a better shot at having fun there then you ever would at an EB or GS. Plus they almost always pay better.

[Hot Like Wasabi]

This thread has a great amount of info in it (I'm thinking it should have been in the Sound Off board but oh well). I think the negatives out weigh the positives in this case. It seems like bad managers/district managers in the company are a dime a dozen while the cool ones are hard to find. All the hard work in the world might not pay off if your store isn't getting enough subs for Game Informer.

Target isn't to bad but I think I'm just getting burned out in retail in general. When it comes to working on weekends (every other weekend for me), I can't stand it. Guess I will keep looking...

[Beefy Hits]

The only things I didnÕt really like about my job were the shitty selection of about two hundred easy-listening/soft rock tunes that got recycled about three times a day and the company's stringent employee appearance standards. All Publix employees had to wear dark pants, a long-sleeve dress shirt, a dark tie, and a dark apron (a terrible attire for when youÕre out herding shopping carts in 100 degrees of heat), and for some reason, moustaches were allowed, but any other type of facial hair was prohibited. They also wouldnÕt allow male employees to have their hair length below the eyebrows in the front, below the collar in the back, and below the ears on the side.

Our music selection at my job used to be horrible easy-listening 60s-80s. About a month ago it got way better. During the day, they play the Strokes, new Depeche Mode, Dido, Cheryl Crow, Dave Matthews. At night (which I don't work anymore), they always played classic rock, Lenny Kravitz, and occassionally The Ramones.

Our place is totally prejudiced against guys. Guys have to wear Dress shirts and ties, but they're pretty liberal with pants, hair, piercings, and shoes. Girls don't have a dress code other than no short skirts or high heels. They can wear what they want aside from that. I think it's ludicrous that you have to dress up to make < $9 an hour.

[Brisco Bold]

If they're still there after a year, they probably have reached the apex of their life achievements anyway.

I'm still in school...

[Six]

This thread has a great amount of info in it (I'm thinking it should have been in the Sound Off board but oh well). I think the negatives out weigh the positives in this case. It seems like bad managers/district managers in the company are a dime a dozen while the cool ones are hard to find. All the hard work in the world might not pay off if your store isn't getting enough subs for Game Informer.

Target isn't to bad but I think I'm just getting burned out in retail in general. When it comes to working on weekends (every other weekend for me), I can't stand it. Guess I will keep looking...

If you have management experience you should consider applying at Starbucks. There are always new locations opening up and they are willing to train outside hires. As far as big evil corporations go you can't get much better.

20hr/week gets workers access to insurance, stock, 401K and tuition reinbursement (and the health insurance costs a shit load less than the plan the school district offered me - really, it's a fucking steal). Giving a fuck about your lowest level employees ftw.

[Chux]

I've also heard Home Depot treats their employees right. Hell, my previous manager at NASA FCU left here for there.