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Where do you receive good customer service?

LauraElizabeth

I was offered two part-time jobs (I was very relieved to get something!) in retail last week. However, both companies sell apparel and prohibit their workers from being employed at any other company that sells something similar in product. I had to pick one of the two and now I'm out to find another full- or part-time job in case I am not offered the university positions for which I'm interviewing.

I chose to work at J. Crew - the staff, service and product had higher standards than the other company that offered me a job. I'm looking for another job in retail, but it is important to me to work for a company that will provide good customer service and have high standards for their employees. What retailers have given you good customer service? My manager told me I can work in accessories (shoes, handbags) jewelry, make-up or Starbucks as examples. Thanks for any input!

(OT: can I gripe about how silly I feel it is that I can't work at two apparel places? I'm not going to be able to divulge any company secrets as a sales associate, and I need the income!! Gaahh! Can anyone tell me why this policy is in place? My manager couldn't!)

The latest reply was from LauraElizabeth . You can follow further contributions to the conversation through the RSS 2.0 feed.


7 Replies

Posted 3 months ago
Sarah

I have family that did and do work for Starbucks. Most "real" Starbucks have great service and are very good to their employees as well. I've heard it can actually be fun. Work = fun? I'm tempted to check it out myself.

Posted 3 months ago
LauraElizabeth

Good to know, Sarah! I'm printing their application out today. :) It would be wonderful to smell of coffee when you leave work!

Posted 3 months ago
Joy

I once worked for a friend part time in her coffee shop and it was loads of fun. You get to know lots of regulars and make new friends. You will be on your feet all the time but it was never boring.

Posted 3 months ago
chewyspaghetti (website)

I don't know where you are, but In n Out burgers is known as a good place to work. I think they are pretty limited in where they have restaurants, though. I remember when I was working at Disneyland, I had a co-worker who had a second job there. She made as much as at In n Out cleaning up the dining room area as she did as a shift leader at D-land, and I think her benefits there were better. Of course, that was a long time ago but I haven't heard that it's changed.

Posted 3 months ago
elpgal

Non-clothing places I can think of - Clarks shoe store (not the outlet), Pottery Barn, Pier One Imports, REI, Whole Foods makeup department,

Posted 3 months ago
Chris

Lots of retailers have that policy although in California it legally only applies to managers who actually have confidential info that can be divulged. Hourly associates/seeling associates are not covered by that type of exclusionary law.

That said, I wouldn't want to be the only one questioning the rule in my company but worth keeping ears open or checking again in employee handbook as times do change.

I was thinking about home type stores - Williams Sonoma, Crate and Barrel, etc. or Starbucks (lots of folks love it there).

Posted 3 months ago
LauraElizabeth

Thanks everyone! I got applications for PotteryBarn/Williams Sonoma, Macy's, Starbucks, and Coach. Coach's manager was on site and invited me to interview on Saturday... we'll see. Again, these are *hopefully* going to be my back-up plans. I really want a university job! :(

Posted 3 months ago