Holiday retail work

So with a daughter in college and a bit of free time on my hands, I was thinking of taking a holiday retail job. I can't work there beyond the holiday season since my "real" work ramps up after January. We could use the bit of extra cash and I thought if I got a job at say a bookstore I would get all of my gifts there with the handy employee discount (is there an employee discount for holiday workers?). Has anyone ever done this? Is it worth it (I mean, is it minimum wage or what)?

If you have done it, where did you do it? Do you recommend any other places? Did you work during the day or overnight stocking shelves? What kind of clothes do you need?

Thanks!

The pay rate was slightly above minimum wage, but I did get the full employee discount for the duration of my employment.

Overall, it was an okay experience. The discount made it worthwhile.

My advice to you: Wear your most comfortable shoes!

But I've worked retail before.

I work in a women's clothing store, and am encouraged but not required to wear their clothes. (As if I need an excuse to shop. ;) ) I get paid slightly above minimum wage, and get the employee discount (and the special employee discounts above and beyond.)

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. :hi:

I moonlighted in retail and worked one Christmas season. I had no idea people could be so mean, petty, and rude. But it was fun and the discount was great -- except that I spent most of my paycheck in the store!

at a store that sold movie videos. (this was a few years before CD's became standard). It was a fun atmosphere and I got to see lots of movies. Apply at a store where you like the merchandise. Apart from making extra cash you get a discount too. It is hectic but remember it's only for a few weeks!

Do you like to dress up for work?
Work in the ladies department. I believe Dillards pays a bit of commission on top of your wage as well.

Some shoe departments or better shoe stores pay commission as well.

Then again, you could work at a Lowe's Home Improvement, get a discount, and wear jeans and tennies. They pay better than minimum.

Whatever they offer, ask for a little more money. Seasonal workers are hard to find and from my experience (seeing the ads in the paper), they paid more since it was temporary.

Good Luck!

I have a new one right around the corner from me. That would work for my uhm, extensive wardrobe too :blush: .

Don't let them put you in carpeting...it is wayyyy too heavy and hectic.
Home Depot doesn't have employee discounts, either.

Mixing paint is not too bad, either.

Or, you could be a cashier, but it is rather grueling.

(thank you!!)

And frankly, that's the big deal for me too. I would just simply work for the xmas cash to spend and "get more" bang for my buck with the discount so we wouldn't feel so squeezed this year.

Did any of you work at a bookstore? I'm not that interested in a ladies clothing store since my real job is running a farm and I'm usually dressed in jeans and a tee shirt - anything too upscale just won't work for me (and the guys in my family aren't going to be too thrilled with a ladies sweater purchased with the discount!) How about Target or another large store like Costco?

I ended up not taking it b/c a better job came through at the last minute, but here's some info that might be helpful to you:

Starting pay for seasonal help is $7.75/hr., but that's in NYC. May be lower where you are. They actually wouldn't tell me what the pay was until my orientation day, which was a little annoying.

For a bookstore, you'll probably need some comfy non-sneaker shoes. B&N doesn't allow sneakers or jeans.

I never found out how much the discount was, but seasonal workers DO get to use it. I've also worked in several different record stores and this was always the case, although some make you wait up to two weeks for a "trial period" before you can buy anything with a discount.

And finally (and most importantly) APPLY NOW! The earlier, the better. And the more flexible your schedule, the more desireable you are. Also, retail stores are open the day before and the day after Christmas, and they want to own you. If you apply to a major chain store, they will ask if you plan to go out of town for the holidays, and if the answer is yes, you don't get the job.

Hope some of that helps. :)

There's a B&N (in the same mall/location as the Lowes oddly enough) - that's the store that's been calling out to me actually, the siren song of seasonality. I'm heading out tomorrow then (after I get to the store for a pair of non-jeans, damn it will be wierd shopping for something other than the .50 tee shirts....)

I think I'll check a bunch of them out. I'm lucky in that I can make my own hours at the farm right now which should mean I am really flexible, nor am I going out of town at all this year. It seemed like a good chance to try this and see how it works out.

Thanks for the advice :hi:

I'm thinking about trying that myself. Oooo..discount books! I will be in heaven!

She interviewed at several stores. She got job offers at a toy store and two women's clothing stores where she liked the clothing. She chose to take the job at the toy store so she wouldn't take advantage of the employee discount and buy things.

I stocked shelves in the late hours before closing and into the early morning after closing on some shifts. It wasn't bad.

Good luck!