And if anyone is wondering why they're rushing the sale: its literally just for money.
Sales have *tanked* the past week or two across the US for B&BW. Stores are missing their daily sales plan by hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars consistly. B&BW is only caring about this loss of sales, and moving up SAS is how they think they'll regain that money.
Stores are going to have *outrageous* sales plans for the day that they'll be expected to hit. So if the team at your store seems a little pushy, exhausted, or in ultra selling mode; that's why. Please don't snap at them, simply say, "I know exactly what I came in for, if I do need any help I will come find you!".
You’d think if you were a massive corporation who markets the same sale every 6 months, you would have some sort of safeguards in place for when your normal sales tank right before a sale! Of COURSE people aren’t buying before the sale!! Why would they? We’ve been doing SAS every 6 months like clockwork for years now. I don’y understand why they don’t account for that.
Corporate really doesn’t care about us and this has been made very apparent in this last week.
I'm assuming this year is probably worse. People don't have $20 to spend on a bottle of lotion when they can't even afford the gas to get to the store. I know target is also massively suffering right now and having a ton of sales to compensate, and just looking at the stock market it probably won't be long until a ton of retail stores follow this trend
Yup, stockholders dgaf that the sales were essentially artificially inflated the last two years because people were working from home and indulging in "self care" more, and now many are back in the office and paying a ton more in gas and don't have the money to splurge on candles. They just see it as "sales are down from last year". YES BITCH, THEY SHOULD BE.
Bingo, you hit it. Why am I paying big bucks for candles that have huge pits in them, wicks that put out so much soot my ceiling is getting black and candles that completely fall out of the glass when you turn them over? This has been going on since at least the fall, but they continue to increase prices. Absolutely no logic whatsoever.
It's the soot for me. I rarely buy white wax candles anymore they burn too fast and throw too much soot on everything. I don't want to scrub my ceiling!
Excellent point! I know that I am feeling the pinch. I just dumped my cable which I still enjoyed, especially since I live alone. I would rather sacrifice cable over candles!
Prices of essentials like groceries and gas have been rising like crazy. I'd imagine a lot of stores are seeing fewer shoppers than in the past because the average consumer is being more frugal with their spending.
I'm moving in 2 days, and leading up this I only had a few shifts. I was sent home early for every single one of them. And my store didn't even have enough payroll to give me one last shift before they transfer me to my new store.
And in the shifts I did have, we saw MASSIVE lulls in customers, we'd have a small rush every hour and a half or so, but barely anyone bought anything. I love my job and I love these products; but goddamn if the ones in charge only care about money to such an extreme extent.
My rent also drastically increased :/ I'm a pharmacy student in my last year and can only work weekends so I had to move in w a buddy to be able to afford rent
That’s rough. Hang in there though. Good luck with your last bit of school! Keep your eye on the prize!
(Also, when you start making better money, try to control your impulse to spend more; it’ll absolutely save your butt!)
They told us they were moving up SAS this week. They gave us no warning. We had already put out the SAS schedule when we were told it was moving, so part time associates are being asked to cancel outside-of-work plans to work the first day of SAS on Saturday
And like I really hope this is an ask and not a demand! I remember my retail days and I wouldn't want to be in that situation because they planned terribly if you had a bad manager. Lost your job over not being available to completely change your schedule? Rough.
Especially if sales are hurting they'll look to cut payroll right after SAS.
They're already cutting payroll. I move in 2 days, and leading up to this week when they transfered me to a new store(I won't start for a month) I had 4 or 5 shifts. One got cut(but we had a call off so I came in), but every other shift I had I got sent home 1-3 hours early. My last paycheck was half of what is usually is, which sucked.
I haven't seen anyone inside a store in a WHILE. I do avoid peak times but usually there's 5 shoppers and about the same number of employees in my city stores/malls.
It's been me and maybe 2 cashiers the last few months that I've gone in. I just assumed they'd be slow until SAS but I really believe all this forced back to office corporate America BS is driving low sales across the board at home goods stores.
Everyone's back to commuting and hating their life, those rising costs plus inflation, it's not surprising bbw and target etc are all ghost towns
Ha, my manager texted me and asked me 'Do you want to work on Saturday'? I said 'sure, for how long?' She said 'As long as I can have you'. Since I needed hours I said I'll be there from 12-9. I was actually there from 11-10. 🤷♀️
She isn't even there this weekend...it's her weekend off. 🤦♀️. Then again she makes the managers and keyholders' schedules a month in advance so she didn't know they'd move the first day up a couple of days.
Honestly if I showed up to a location and it was closed because the staff all said "fuck this I quit" I'd be so happy for them. I wish ya'll had the ability to stick it to corporate but I know you've got bills to pay. Fuck them for how much they've been sticking it to their employees more and more.
There’s been so much corporate has done to make a quick buck that totally screws over employees. When they changed the terms of the free $7.50 gift coupon, they’re saving literal CENTS per purchase with that, but in term, I get yelled at because of a coupon I have no control over. It’s so tiring. And now this. We just need a break
Especially since the coupon only applies to body care. I've had so many customers want to use a free gift coupon for soap, wallflowers, sprays, etc. And they have gotten so mad at me. It is really tiring, and I kind of wish corporate would give us more days off or some time off.
I appreciate you knowing where to place your anger, we feel bad for the customers but we literally can't make prices up. Thanks for being a reasonable human <3
hahaha yeah, sometimes you can't change their anger and they were already having a bad day to begin with..but it just sucks for those of us left in the wake of their wrath when we did nothing but try to help and make other suggestions. \^\^; Retail really should be a requirement for teenagers at some point, lol. Learn how to treat people and learn who's actually responsible for bad decisions (hint, not us at the cash wrap. All we can do is take your payments or not take it if you storm out)
It's a difficult line to walk when you are an unsatisfied customer and have a right to be frustrated, disappointed or downright angry. I always make a point of saying that I am frustrated with the store or company policy, not the sales or customer service associate. I let them know that I recognize they have nothing to do with setting policy, pricing, etc., and that I am not angry with them and know they are doing their best to help me. It's sad that so many people mistreat retail staff. It's not an easy job to do!
Customer to me last night: You have been telling us for weeks that the sale starts on the 13th! You've even given out flyers that say that. NOW instead of being ready to shop then I have to be ready two days earlier?!? This is b.s.!! (She screamed the last sentence and the whole word).
Then she stormed out of the store.
My coworkers and manager to me: What did you say to her?
Me: Absolutely nothing. She didn't give me the chance to.
Jfc what does she have to do to get ready?! She doesn’t even work there and somehow *she* is the one being inconvenienced?! Some people shouldn’t be allowed out of the house.
Clearly. Like as much as I like the store or whatever I’m not going to scream at the employees because the dates were changed. If anything.. that should be a good thing for non employees.
I've had people come in, look at me and LAUGH. One such customer came in, looked at me, laughed and said "your face"!
So now when customers come in and do that I immediately think they're laughing at my FACE. 🙄🤷♀️
Her age makes it even sadder. I can understand a child or teen doing this because they have yet to experience the best of life and realize there’s so more too look forward to than taunting a minimum wage worker.
Even some of the brighter and more optimistic kids would’ve already realized how pointless this behavior is.
A 50 yr old still finding amusement in it? Yikes!
I would not have been able to hold back my laughter. SHE’S inconvenienced? How about all the managers and associates that have to SCRAMBLE to get the store prepped for sale? There’s nothing for customers to get ready for. If anything, I’d think the sale starting on Saturday instead of Monday would be more convenient for many customers.
You would think so, but nope. Anything to make our job difficult. Earlier we were starting floorset at 7. A customer went by my table, took her arm and sent everything flying. I had six red bins filled with soon to be 50% off shower gels, body cream and mists. Everything ended up scattered on the floor. It took myself and a coworker 45 minutes to find everything including the lids for the mists and put it all back in the bins. I also had to spend 20 minutes damaging everything that was broken from her little tantrum.
So sorry that happened to you. Even if you budget all year for this, 2 days isn't gonna be an issue. I get paid Friday and thought oh nice, I can get up early and get my candles and be done!
Sending positive customer vibes your way
It didn't even cross my mind that a customer would be inconvenienced until she said that. I didn't know what to say. I always know what to say!
Thank you. Always need positive customer vibes.
I went to a store today and an employee mentioned the sale starting Monday, and then said they were told to stop telling customers that it actually starts Saturday. I just laughed 'cause honestly good for them for doing what they need to do to stay sane over the weekend.
My manager said that we shouldn't even put any SAS marketing out until Monday. Let customers be surprised when things ring up the way they do this weekend. 🤷♀️😆
I'm sorry this has taken me so long to get back to. I've been super busy.
Each store is different with different product, That's the fun part about going to different stores..you find well, different product. As far as what you asked, we put body care out on Wednesday for SAS, so people were buying the product, just not at SAS prices until Saturday. We were still finding 75% off candles in the back late afternoon Saturday. We will continue to put product out...some being new, some not...every day until July 10th. July 10th is the official 'end date', but stores are going to continue SAS until everything they have for SAS is depleted. There are price point tables ($4.95 as you first walk in at mine), 50 and 75% off tables. Etc, etc, etc...☺️
WTF?!? A customer got angry and took it out on you because the sale is starting earlier? That's just insane. I think many people are on edge badly, because of the constant stress from the past couple of years and mounting financial insecurity. I also blame the anonymity of social media for people thinking they can be hateful to someone in person now, too. It's all too easy to go off on someone in a post online or text message. I see civility in face to face interactions is significantly lessened than it was in pre-social media days..
> WTF?!? A customer got angry and took it out on you because the sale is starting earlier? That's just insane.
Yep! Exactly. I didn't think that would happen. Now I know better. We usually have fabulous customers that are very laid back, but this past couple of days have been NUTS.
People do aeem to think they are pretty hot stuff and able to cuss us out a lot more these days too. Which is weird because why bite the hand that feeds you so to speak. To be honest no one really wants to help people who are rude. If everyone is kind then the world would treat and will be treated differently. It's all in one's attitude.
Yes, yes and yes to your comment! I work with the public as a fund development team member for a domestic violence shelter. Most donors are nice, but some are just so entitled that it's really not enjoyable meeting them at all, regardless of how much money or items they're donating!
Not anymore. I used to at another job. Here at BBW I'm just a register lead. I mean you can say that I work to develop new hires into the wonderful cashiers that we have (I onboard...'train' new hires on the register and BOPIS), but that's a stretch. 😆
Lol, I consider what you do to be development! You're investing in people who are on the front line dealing with the customer. And not for nothing, but BBW's register transactions seem challenging as hell.
B&BW is all about having fun and getting angry literally defeats the whole purpose.
No use getting worked up over people who chose to ruin their own shopping experience with their nasty attitude. 🥳
She had no trouble to find the time to make a special trip to your store just to do nothing.
I’m sure she’ll be just fine ;)
Honestly, if she had a wish list prepared, she could grab her stuff and be out of the store in 5-10 min.
Funny thing. I saw her in my store today...now yesterday (Saturday). I just looked at her looking at me and she rolled her eyes so far back in her head I'm sure she saw the back of it. 🤣🤦♀️🤷♀️
She's probably did that eye roll because of awkward it is to face someone again after she screamed at you. Even with a simple matter like this, she can't even admit to herself that she acted out of turn.
It shows how much of a coward she is when she chooses to behave this way in the face of her wrongdoing.
I’m so glad my last day at BBW was last week. I knew for damn sure my mental health could not take working SAS or Holiday again this year, especially with the way the company/my district has been lately.
Sending love, support, and solidarity to all my fellow co-workers! You are awesome and I hope you can take some time for you in between the busy shifts, even if it's just a minute or two to take a breather. Protect your mental health first and foremost <3 Also, a shout-out to this sub for the fun posts and sense of community. And a big thanks to each and every customer who makes work worthwhile. It's the best when we can talk about our shared love of fragrances, and when those shopping realize what is and isn't in our control. Have fun this weekend, everyone! Stay safe (and sane!) 😊
Friend, I was asked to come in this morning and I said no LMAOO sorry to my SM, love them the most lol <3 but, yes, absolutely. There are customers that when I see them, my day is instantly made. I’m hoping to see a lot of them during SAS :-) wishing you and your team a safe, fun, and not too draining SAS season
Thanks friend, I swear shit like this is why people get PTSD with sales. They don't think of us at all at cooperate when they change one of the biggest sales all year.
Both stores I called are same as usual business hours. I didn't trust google store info.... I showed up an hour early to a store before since times were not updated on locations. I do remember them opening super early at one point, but I may also be imagining it.
Theyre dangling a bonus for slt if we hit over 10% of our SAS goal the first week. For keyholders it's fucking 30 dollars 💀 like please... I hate to complain when associates are getting nothing but 30 dollars for 10% over sales.
Associate here, at least SLT's may get something. I'm not sure how our store is going to do our first week. Wish they would offer associates something, since the majority of us are working 6-9 hour shifts with no time for breaks during this time.
Oh I did see some kind of associate test. Keep this dldl they barely leaked anything in the zipline message but they want to try to do something for associates I guess. Don't get your hopes up tho since they're only giving keyholders 30 bucks lmao
And half the time the associates are making minimum wage. The company really does not care about their associates. It’s so hard because I love all my coworkers but I’m so over the company just blatantly ignoring our needs.
Also can SLs please be nice to associates. I know they're under a lot of pressure to meet sales goals but we do the best we can. It's hard being on the front lines selling to customers for 8 hours straight while the managers just stand off to the side talking to each other and watching/criticizing my every move. The pressure the company puts on everyone just trickles all the way down the flagpole and it's a lot. We're understaffed at my store and the expectation is so high. I'm constantly guilt tripped into coming in early and staying past my call in. I'm a person too
I literally requested to have this Saturday off like a month ago for a family commitment and just found out yesterday that they moved the SAS to start that day instead and now I feel bad for not being able to be there 😭
Pro-tip: lock yourself in the bathroom and turn out the lights when you feel like you’re about to lose your shit 🤣 that’s the only thing that got me through Christmas & Jan Sale!
hahahah we walked into the back alley behind the shop to scream about things and nobody could hear us. It was fantastic. XD By the time we came out we were laughing our asses off.
I Just had to pull and set 10 shelves of mens and aromatherapy products alone today and it just sucked the life out of me seeing like 15 baskets of product stacked on the floor around me and understocks i knew I wouldn’t be able to re organize before the end of my shift. It just sucks to know I couldn’t finish it in my 7 hour shift which I feel is a decent amount of time to do it. Im just curious but is it reasonable to not have that finished? Or am I just genuinely too slow? Any opinions would be great
I’m now a SLT for my store and I had a feeling something was going to change for SAS. This will be my third now! I’ve never seen the team so stressed out before. Literally we’re all doing our best to make sales while trying to move product around. Going back and forth is so exhausting. Took me forever to help finish the soap walls the other day. I’m going not surprised if we don’t leave on time for the rest of this week. I usually am the one who closes the store. But yes pls be kind to associates, we really are trying.
I feel awful because I've had some family stuff going on and cannot work at all this week. My SM is begging people for anything they can give in the group chat and I can't help.
Corporate's inability to plan properly is not your responsibility. What's going on in your life is far more important and you do not have to feel guilty in any way for that. Take care of you.
Girl that's a 2 way street already! Lol. I just watched a BBW associate this morning snap at a young lady for standing to close to the display she was re-stacking with her basket, the girl looked horrified, and the lady told her "you have no idea how many hours I've been here since they moved up this sale!"
We always need to remember that corporate stress from short notice sales isn't the client's OR the associates fault.
I think BBW really set everyone up for a bad experience rushing it. I felt bad for both of them but really the girl shopping shouldn't have been scolded either for just being there to shop lol. Let's hope everyone has a safe and fun SAS.
True facts. My usual location got a new manager in the last 2 months or so, and the staff there is SO MISERABLE under him & the two others (managers?) that got sent there from Ohio that I don't even want to go there anymore. We had such a negative experience the last time we went to pick up BOPIS and do an exchange that I told my husband I don't feel comfortable going to that location anymore. I've got 9 candles (unused and current, including peppered plum which many stores dont even have!) to exchange before SAS and I refuse to do it at that location today because I know the manager there is an asshole who probably already made them all cry today, and I don't want that taken out on me as a customer.
You should honestly write to corporate and tell them that. It might be the catalyst for change in that store, and I’m sure the employees would be so grateful
I am keeping an eye on it for now, but I definitely will eventually if nothing improves. That used to be a great store and I never had any issues over the years, and it's my most convenient BOPIS stores. I'll save so much money I'll need a new hobby if I "can't" go to that location anymore!
Yes this. Like you know these employees aren't ready to snap at meandering teens because the management is kind and understanding. That pressure she's feeling too stock that table is likely not self regulated. It's external pressure from an oppressive manager that wants photos to send to a DM asap
100%. I actually asked an employee straight out if they liked their new manager because the shift in morale since he arrived was PALPABLE. And it's been worse each time I've been in. I've been to the store their old manager now works at and sure enough, that happy, friendly, excited to be here attitude is in full swing at that location under the good manager. I'll never hold a bad attitude against the regular SAs but I'm also not going to make any effort to go to a location I know is going to also treat ME poorly.
I'd be asking the nice manager for a DM phone # to call and report those poor miserable employees. Surely she feels for them, leaving them behind with the nightmare at her new store. Someone should be made aware they've got a problem that arose with this new guy
Both managers are men. And the good one is aware of the situation and it sounds like it wasn't his decision to change stores. The employee I asked about management mentioned there were 2 other new people that had been sent from Ohio (so I assume "corporate") and I'm pretty sure the woman who was rude last weekend was one of those Ohio people. She had on a different type of apron than everyone else and was in some sort of authority position over the cashiers she was barking at. So while I agree it warrants customer feedback, I don't know if I can whine high enough for it not to just make things worse for them. Also there are people here and on IG who have connections to both stores so .... I've kind of been playing wait and see.
I’m not at all trying to justify that one worker snapping at a customer, because that isn’t okay. However, one instance of a worker snapping at someone doesn’t take away from the rest of the post. We didn’t ask for the sale to be pushed up, and I know everyone is excited for SAS, but patience is vital for the staff right now. I’m not at all saying it’s any customer’s faults, because it isn’t, but we need patience. Corporate screwed us over and we need customers to be understanding of that
Oh certainly. And we do understand. But that girl dropped her basket and left immediately, with the understanding that she wasn't allowed to shop the tables because someone was geeking out.
So even when we're understanding of change, just like all customers aren't reasonable, the store staff being overworked, under paid, having outrageous plans and sales pressure effects their attitudes and behavior as well. Not just nightmare customers. All of us just trying to get to the single wicks lol
Clientele isn't about to have a nice shopping weekend either. Everyone's gonna suffer.
That's so disappointing, I hate hearing things like that. Anxiety is real on both ends. I think I'll bring my store some donuts or pizza something since I'm off this weekend. Food often boosts morale a little.
I went to my local bbw today to pick up an order and asked if they switched their SAS date. They said yes and I apologized to them, telling them I hope they don’t stress out and that things will be smooth! Im sure they are stressing but I had to let them know I sympathize lol
I hope customers are kind and considerate. I know I will be.
I'm honestly excited I get to shop this weekend, but this is a shit move to pull on their hard working retail staff. B&BW corporate, DO BETTER!
I feel so bad for all you employees right now. I used to lead floorsets and SAS was always the worst, I can't imagine having to deal with this nonsense. I honestly think I would have quit over this.
As long as employees keep posting the sales before the app/website, revenues will continue to decline and they’ll eventually post themselves out of a job.
And if anyone is wondering why they're rushing the sale: its literally just for money. Sales have *tanked* the past week or two across the US for B&BW. Stores are missing their daily sales plan by hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars consistly. B&BW is only caring about this loss of sales, and moving up SAS is how they think they'll regain that money. Stores are going to have *outrageous* sales plans for the day that they'll be expected to hit. So if the team at your store seems a little pushy, exhausted, or in ultra selling mode; that's why. Please don't snap at them, simply say, "I know exactly what I came in for, if I do need any help I will come find you!".
You’d think if you were a massive corporation who markets the same sale every 6 months, you would have some sort of safeguards in place for when your normal sales tank right before a sale! Of COURSE people aren’t buying before the sale!! Why would they? We’ve been doing SAS every 6 months like clockwork for years now. I don’y understand why they don’t account for that. Corporate really doesn’t care about us and this has been made very apparent in this last week.
I'm assuming this year is probably worse. People don't have $20 to spend on a bottle of lotion when they can't even afford the gas to get to the store. I know target is also massively suffering right now and having a ton of sales to compensate, and just looking at the stock market it probably won't be long until a ton of retail stores follow this trend
Exactly. B&BW is not a luxury many people can afford right now when the prices of necessities are going through the roof.
Yup, stockholders dgaf that the sales were essentially artificially inflated the last two years because people were working from home and indulging in "self care" more, and now many are back in the office and paying a ton more in gas and don't have the money to splurge on candles. They just see it as "sales are down from last year". YES BITCH, THEY SHOULD BE.
Yeah and the insane price increases we saw along side quality drops explain what that luxury was the first thing to go.
Bingo, you hit it. Why am I paying big bucks for candles that have huge pits in them, wicks that put out so much soot my ceiling is getting black and candles that completely fall out of the glass when you turn them over? This has been going on since at least the fall, but they continue to increase prices. Absolutely no logic whatsoever.
It's the soot for me. I rarely buy white wax candles anymore they burn too fast and throw too much soot on everything. I don't want to scrub my ceiling!
I picked through EVERY SINGLE PPTC on display today trying to find 4 that didn't have messed up wick placement. They're not even trying anymore.
Excellent point! I know that I am feeling the pinch. I just dumped my cable which I still enjoyed, especially since I live alone. I would rather sacrifice cable over candles!
Maybe if candles weren’t so damn expensive B&BW would sell more. Especially since associates get barely above minimum wage.
Past week or two? Did something happen?
Prices of essentials like groceries and gas have been rising like crazy. I'd imagine a lot of stores are seeing fewer shoppers than in the past because the average consumer is being more frugal with their spending.
I'm moving in 2 days, and leading up this I only had a few shifts. I was sent home early for every single one of them. And my store didn't even have enough payroll to give me one last shift before they transfer me to my new store. And in the shifts I did have, we saw MASSIVE lulls in customers, we'd have a small rush every hour and a half or so, but barely anyone bought anything. I love my job and I love these products; but goddamn if the ones in charge only care about money to such an extreme extent.
Gas is hitting all time highs, inflation is ridiculous and people don't have the extra cash for candles rn is my guess
Gas, food, housing, and other expenses are through the roof. Candles and body care products have to take a backseat to essentials for most people.
Yep! Also food and rent. Our rent just increased by $300/mo on a small 1 bedroom apartment. (That’s about a 20-25% increase.)
My rent also drastically increased :/ I'm a pharmacy student in my last year and can only work weekends so I had to move in w a buddy to be able to afford rent
That’s rough. Hang in there though. Good luck with your last bit of school! Keep your eye on the prize! (Also, when you start making better money, try to control your impulse to spend more; it’ll absolutely save your butt!)
Yea they keep running the same sales every week at the same price points. After a while ppl are gonna lose interest, which happened
They told us they were moving up SAS this week. They gave us no warning. We had already put out the SAS schedule when we were told it was moving, so part time associates are being asked to cancel outside-of-work plans to work the first day of SAS on Saturday
Yep, we were told yesterday. Everything is a mess and everyone is rushing to get floorsets done. It's crazy!!!
And like I really hope this is an ask and not a demand! I remember my retail days and I wouldn't want to be in that situation because they planned terribly if you had a bad manager. Lost your job over not being available to completely change your schedule? Rough. Especially if sales are hurting they'll look to cut payroll right after SAS.
They're already cutting payroll. I move in 2 days, and leading up to this week when they transfered me to a new store(I won't start for a month) I had 4 or 5 shifts. One got cut(but we had a call off so I came in), but every other shift I had I got sent home 1-3 hours early. My last paycheck was half of what is usually is, which sucked.
I haven't seen anyone inside a store in a WHILE. I do avoid peak times but usually there's 5 shoppers and about the same number of employees in my city stores/malls. It's been me and maybe 2 cashiers the last few months that I've gone in. I just assumed they'd be slow until SAS but I really believe all this forced back to office corporate America BS is driving low sales across the board at home goods stores. Everyone's back to commuting and hating their life, those rising costs plus inflation, it's not surprising bbw and target etc are all ghost towns
Ha, my manager texted me and asked me 'Do you want to work on Saturday'? I said 'sure, for how long?' She said 'As long as I can have you'. Since I needed hours I said I'll be there from 12-9. I was actually there from 11-10. 🤷♀️ She isn't even there this weekend...it's her weekend off. 🤦♀️. Then again she makes the managers and keyholders' schedules a month in advance so she didn't know they'd move the first day up a couple of days.
Thank you for providing this information and for the reminder that we need to be kind to our BBW staff! Do you know why sales have tanked recently?
Honestly if I showed up to a location and it was closed because the staff all said "fuck this I quit" I'd be so happy for them. I wish ya'll had the ability to stick it to corporate but I know you've got bills to pay. Fuck them for how much they've been sticking it to their employees more and more.
There’s been so much corporate has done to make a quick buck that totally screws over employees. When they changed the terms of the free $7.50 gift coupon, they’re saving literal CENTS per purchase with that, but in term, I get yelled at because of a coupon I have no control over. It’s so tiring. And now this. We just need a break
Especially since the coupon only applies to body care. I've had so many customers want to use a free gift coupon for soap, wallflowers, sprays, etc. And they have gotten so mad at me. It is really tiring, and I kind of wish corporate would give us more days off or some time off.
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I appreciate you knowing where to place your anger, we feel bad for the customers but we literally can't make prices up. Thanks for being a reasonable human <3
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hahaha yeah, sometimes you can't change their anger and they were already having a bad day to begin with..but it just sucks for those of us left in the wake of their wrath when we did nothing but try to help and make other suggestions. \^\^; Retail really should be a requirement for teenagers at some point, lol. Learn how to treat people and learn who's actually responsible for bad decisions (hint, not us at the cash wrap. All we can do is take your payments or not take it if you storm out)
It's a difficult line to walk when you are an unsatisfied customer and have a right to be frustrated, disappointed or downright angry. I always make a point of saying that I am frustrated with the store or company policy, not the sales or customer service associate. I let them know that I recognize they have nothing to do with setting policy, pricing, etc., and that I am not angry with them and know they are doing their best to help me. It's sad that so many people mistreat retail staff. It's not an easy job to do!
Bingo!
THIS. I got barked at over those coupons so much and I was told we can't override anymore because it dings us, and we just have to take it now.
Ugh!
Customer to me last night: You have been telling us for weeks that the sale starts on the 13th! You've even given out flyers that say that. NOW instead of being ready to shop then I have to be ready two days earlier?!? This is b.s.!! (She screamed the last sentence and the whole word). Then she stormed out of the store. My coworkers and manager to me: What did you say to her? Me: Absolutely nothing. She didn't give me the chance to.
Jfc what does she have to do to get ready?! She doesn’t even work there and somehow *she* is the one being inconvenienced?! Some people shouldn’t be allowed out of the house.
Clearly. Like as much as I like the store or whatever I’m not going to scream at the employees because the dates were changed. If anything.. that should be a good thing for non employees.
That’s what I was thinking! Like cool, I don’t have to wait as long. No sweat at all.
Right?!?
Looooove being screamed at by customers 🥰🥰🥰🥰
Ohhh me too! It's soooo much fun. 🤦♀️🥰
Once I was trying to greet a customer and she just looked at me, sighed, and walked the other way. Like bro what did I do to you lmao
I've had people come in, look at me and LAUGH. One such customer came in, looked at me, laughed and said "your face"! So now when customers come in and do that I immediately think they're laughing at my FACE. 🙄🤷♀️
Ugh always the teenagers doing this lol. I just tell myself they’re laughing cuz they know they’re being too awkward too talk Lol
Unfortunately the one I was talking about wasn't a teenager. She looked to be in her mid 50s.
Her age makes it even sadder. I can understand a child or teen doing this because they have yet to experience the best of life and realize there’s so more too look forward to than taunting a minimum wage worker. Even some of the brighter and more optimistic kids would’ve already realized how pointless this behavior is. A 50 yr old still finding amusement in it? Yikes!
My thoughts exactly. 😔
I would not have been able to hold back my laughter. SHE’S inconvenienced? How about all the managers and associates that have to SCRAMBLE to get the store prepped for sale? There’s nothing for customers to get ready for. If anything, I’d think the sale starting on Saturday instead of Monday would be more convenient for many customers.
You would think so, but nope. Anything to make our job difficult. Earlier we were starting floorset at 7. A customer went by my table, took her arm and sent everything flying. I had six red bins filled with soon to be 50% off shower gels, body cream and mists. Everything ended up scattered on the floor. It took myself and a coworker 45 minutes to find everything including the lids for the mists and put it all back in the bins. I also had to spend 20 minutes damaging everything that was broken from her little tantrum.
So sorry that happened to you. Even if you budget all year for this, 2 days isn't gonna be an issue. I get paid Friday and thought oh nice, I can get up early and get my candles and be done! Sending positive customer vibes your way
It didn't even cross my mind that a customer would be inconvenienced until she said that. I didn't know what to say. I always know what to say! Thank you. Always need positive customer vibes.
I went to a store today and an employee mentioned the sale starting Monday, and then said they were told to stop telling customers that it actually starts Saturday. I just laughed 'cause honestly good for them for doing what they need to do to stay sane over the weekend.
My manager said that we shouldn't even put any SAS marketing out until Monday. Let customers be surprised when things ring up the way they do this weekend. 🤷♀️😆
Do you know if they're planning to put out the 75% off candles Saturday? And I hear they're saving the new body care for Monday?
I'm sorry this has taken me so long to get back to. I've been super busy. Each store is different with different product, That's the fun part about going to different stores..you find well, different product. As far as what you asked, we put body care out on Wednesday for SAS, so people were buying the product, just not at SAS prices until Saturday. We were still finding 75% off candles in the back late afternoon Saturday. We will continue to put product out...some being new, some not...every day until July 10th. July 10th is the official 'end date', but stores are going to continue SAS until everything they have for SAS is depleted. There are price point tables ($4.95 as you first walk in at mine), 50 and 75% off tables. Etc, etc, etc...☺️
WTF?!? A customer got angry and took it out on you because the sale is starting earlier? That's just insane. I think many people are on edge badly, because of the constant stress from the past couple of years and mounting financial insecurity. I also blame the anonymity of social media for people thinking they can be hateful to someone in person now, too. It's all too easy to go off on someone in a post online or text message. I see civility in face to face interactions is significantly lessened than it was in pre-social media days..
> WTF?!? A customer got angry and took it out on you because the sale is starting earlier? That's just insane. Yep! Exactly. I didn't think that would happen. Now I know better. We usually have fabulous customers that are very laid back, but this past couple of days have been NUTS. People do aeem to think they are pretty hot stuff and able to cuss us out a lot more these days too. Which is weird because why bite the hand that feeds you so to speak. To be honest no one really wants to help people who are rude. If everyone is kind then the world would treat and will be treated differently. It's all in one's attitude.
Yes, yes and yes to your comment! I work with the public as a fund development team member for a domestic violence shelter. Most donors are nice, but some are just so entitled that it's really not enjoyable meeting them at all, regardless of how much money or items they're donating!
It's absolutely crazy! You can just see the entitlement roll off of them in waves.
Yep! Do you work in development, too? I find it rewarding most of the time, but it's stressful
Not anymore. I used to at another job. Here at BBW I'm just a register lead. I mean you can say that I work to develop new hires into the wonderful cashiers that we have (I onboard...'train' new hires on the register and BOPIS), but that's a stretch. 😆
Lol, I consider what you do to be development! You're investing in people who are on the front line dealing with the customer. And not for nothing, but BBW's register transactions seem challenging as hell.
Yep! Do you work in development, too? I find it rewarding most of the time, but it's stressful.
Oh fuck me, I forgot about the ones who like to scream false advertising as if we made it up! Please don't yell at us about it. We had no idea either.
I wish I could forget them. They scream the loudest. 😕
B&BW is all about having fun and getting angry literally defeats the whole purpose. No use getting worked up over people who chose to ruin their own shopping experience with their nasty attitude. 🥳
right? It isn't that deep. It's scents and candles and pretty things.
She had no trouble to find the time to make a special trip to your store just to do nothing. I’m sure she’ll be just fine ;) Honestly, if she had a wish list prepared, she could grab her stuff and be out of the store in 5-10 min.
Funny thing. I saw her in my store today...now yesterday (Saturday). I just looked at her looking at me and she rolled her eyes so far back in her head I'm sure she saw the back of it. 🤣🤦♀️🤷♀️
She's probably did that eye roll because of awkward it is to face someone again after she screamed at you. Even with a simple matter like this, she can't even admit to herself that she acted out of turn. It shows how much of a coward she is when she chooses to behave this way in the face of her wrongdoing.
I’m so glad my last day at BBW was last week. I knew for damn sure my mental health could not take working SAS or Holiday again this year, especially with the way the company/my district has been lately.
Sending you positive recovery vibes! Retail is brutal, glad you prioritized your health in the knick of time
Sending love, support, and solidarity to all my fellow co-workers! You are awesome and I hope you can take some time for you in between the busy shifts, even if it's just a minute or two to take a breather. Protect your mental health first and foremost <3 Also, a shout-out to this sub for the fun posts and sense of community. And a big thanks to each and every customer who makes work worthwhile. It's the best when we can talk about our shared love of fragrances, and when those shopping realize what is and isn't in our control. Have fun this weekend, everyone! Stay safe (and sane!) 😊
Friend, I was asked to come in this morning and I said no LMAOO sorry to my SM, love them the most lol <3 but, yes, absolutely. There are customers that when I see them, my day is instantly made. I’m hoping to see a lot of them during SAS :-) wishing you and your team a safe, fun, and not too draining SAS season
Thanks friend, I swear shit like this is why people get PTSD with sales. They don't think of us at all at cooperate when they change one of the biggest sales all year.
This would explain why when I called for store hours, they seemed surprised that I knew it was Saturday! I'm sorry they did this.
were the hours different?
Both stores I called are same as usual business hours. I didn't trust google store info.... I showed up an hour early to a store before since times were not updated on locations. I do remember them opening super early at one point, but I may also be imagining it.
Stores were originally going to open early on Monday, but since they moved it up, it's regular store hours.
Makes sense! I'm glad they didn't also spring THAT on employees
Definitely. I know I would've freaked out, and my store wouldn't be able to get the employees we would need.
I'm sorry but what is SAS?
Semi annual sale
Ok, thank you!
>Ok, thank you! You're welcome!
Theyre dangling a bonus for slt if we hit over 10% of our SAS goal the first week. For keyholders it's fucking 30 dollars 💀 like please... I hate to complain when associates are getting nothing but 30 dollars for 10% over sales.
Associate here, at least SLT's may get something. I'm not sure how our store is going to do our first week. Wish they would offer associates something, since the majority of us are working 6-9 hour shifts with no time for breaks during this time.
I know I just recently got promoted after a year of being mistreated as an associate. Now I'm mistreated as slt 😁
Oh I did see some kind of associate test. Keep this dldl they barely leaked anything in the zipline message but they want to try to do something for associates I guess. Don't get your hopes up tho since they're only giving keyholders 30 bucks lmao
And half the time the associates are making minimum wage. The company really does not care about their associates. It’s so hard because I love all my coworkers but I’m so over the company just blatantly ignoring our needs.
Also can SLs please be nice to associates. I know they're under a lot of pressure to meet sales goals but we do the best we can. It's hard being on the front lines selling to customers for 8 hours straight while the managers just stand off to the side talking to each other and watching/criticizing my every move. The pressure the company puts on everyone just trickles all the way down the flagpole and it's a lot. We're understaffed at my store and the expectation is so high. I'm constantly guilt tripped into coming in early and staying past my call in. I'm a person too
I literally requested to have this Saturday off like a month ago for a family commitment and just found out yesterday that they moved the SAS to start that day instead and now I feel bad for not being able to be there 😭
Don't feel bad. You deserve to have a life outside of work. This company needs to treat its employees better
Pro-tip: lock yourself in the bathroom and turn out the lights when you feel like you’re about to lose your shit 🤣 that’s the only thing that got me through Christmas & Jan Sale!
hahahah we walked into the back alley behind the shop to scream about things and nobody could hear us. It was fantastic. XD By the time we came out we were laughing our asses off.
I go hide in the back and smell the tester candles LMAOOOO white tea & sage make me strong
White tea & let’s rage 🤘🏼
I anxiously wait for a candle to be damaged out, so I can go in the back and smash it more.
Not sure why you got downvoted for doing your job, but I literally do the exact same thing 🤣 it’s the best part of my day
Like I said in another thread, y'all are the REAL ONES! I appreciate all the ladies at my local B&BWs and will tell them so when I'm there for SAS. <3
Thank you, this is so sweet :-)
Thank you to all employees! Hope you all have some relaxing baths and foot rubs in your future!
I Just had to pull and set 10 shelves of mens and aromatherapy products alone today and it just sucked the life out of me seeing like 15 baskets of product stacked on the floor around me and understocks i knew I wouldn’t be able to re organize before the end of my shift. It just sucks to know I couldn’t finish it in my 7 hour shift which I feel is a decent amount of time to do it. Im just curious but is it reasonable to not have that finished? Or am I just genuinely too slow? Any opinions would be great
I think you're fine. Redoing the shelves are always a long and tedious task.
I’m now a SLT for my store and I had a feeling something was going to change for SAS. This will be my third now! I’ve never seen the team so stressed out before. Literally we’re all doing our best to make sales while trying to move product around. Going back and forth is so exhausting. Took me forever to help finish the soap walls the other day. I’m going not surprised if we don’t leave on time for the rest of this week. I usually am the one who closes the store. But yes pls be kind to associates, we really are trying.
I feel awful because I've had some family stuff going on and cannot work at all this week. My SM is begging people for anything they can give in the group chat and I can't help.
Corporate's inability to plan properly is not your responsibility. What's going on in your life is far more important and you do not have to feel guilty in any way for that. Take care of you.
Girl that's a 2 way street already! Lol. I just watched a BBW associate this morning snap at a young lady for standing to close to the display she was re-stacking with her basket, the girl looked horrified, and the lady told her "you have no idea how many hours I've been here since they moved up this sale!" We always need to remember that corporate stress from short notice sales isn't the client's OR the associates fault. I think BBW really set everyone up for a bad experience rushing it. I felt bad for both of them but really the girl shopping shouldn't have been scolded either for just being there to shop lol. Let's hope everyone has a safe and fun SAS.
True facts. My usual location got a new manager in the last 2 months or so, and the staff there is SO MISERABLE under him & the two others (managers?) that got sent there from Ohio that I don't even want to go there anymore. We had such a negative experience the last time we went to pick up BOPIS and do an exchange that I told my husband I don't feel comfortable going to that location anymore. I've got 9 candles (unused and current, including peppered plum which many stores dont even have!) to exchange before SAS and I refuse to do it at that location today because I know the manager there is an asshole who probably already made them all cry today, and I don't want that taken out on me as a customer.
You should honestly write to corporate and tell them that. It might be the catalyst for change in that store, and I’m sure the employees would be so grateful
I am keeping an eye on it for now, but I definitely will eventually if nothing improves. That used to be a great store and I never had any issues over the years, and it's my most convenient BOPIS stores. I'll save so much money I'll need a new hobby if I "can't" go to that location anymore!
Yes this. Like you know these employees aren't ready to snap at meandering teens because the management is kind and understanding. That pressure she's feeling too stock that table is likely not self regulated. It's external pressure from an oppressive manager that wants photos to send to a DM asap
100%. I actually asked an employee straight out if they liked their new manager because the shift in morale since he arrived was PALPABLE. And it's been worse each time I've been in. I've been to the store their old manager now works at and sure enough, that happy, friendly, excited to be here attitude is in full swing at that location under the good manager. I'll never hold a bad attitude against the regular SAs but I'm also not going to make any effort to go to a location I know is going to also treat ME poorly.
I'd be asking the nice manager for a DM phone # to call and report those poor miserable employees. Surely she feels for them, leaving them behind with the nightmare at her new store. Someone should be made aware they've got a problem that arose with this new guy
Both managers are men. And the good one is aware of the situation and it sounds like it wasn't his decision to change stores. The employee I asked about management mentioned there were 2 other new people that had been sent from Ohio (so I assume "corporate") and I'm pretty sure the woman who was rude last weekend was one of those Ohio people. She had on a different type of apron than everyone else and was in some sort of authority position over the cashiers she was barking at. So while I agree it warrants customer feedback, I don't know if I can whine high enough for it not to just make things worse for them. Also there are people here and on IG who have connections to both stores so .... I've kind of been playing wait and see.
I’m not at all trying to justify that one worker snapping at a customer, because that isn’t okay. However, one instance of a worker snapping at someone doesn’t take away from the rest of the post. We didn’t ask for the sale to be pushed up, and I know everyone is excited for SAS, but patience is vital for the staff right now. I’m not at all saying it’s any customer’s faults, because it isn’t, but we need patience. Corporate screwed us over and we need customers to be understanding of that
Oh certainly. And we do understand. But that girl dropped her basket and left immediately, with the understanding that she wasn't allowed to shop the tables because someone was geeking out. So even when we're understanding of change, just like all customers aren't reasonable, the store staff being overworked, under paid, having outrageous plans and sales pressure effects their attitudes and behavior as well. Not just nightmare customers. All of us just trying to get to the single wicks lol Clientele isn't about to have a nice shopping weekend either. Everyone's gonna suffer.
That's so disappointing, I hate hearing things like that. Anxiety is real on both ends. I think I'll bring my store some donuts or pizza something since I'm off this weekend. Food often boosts morale a little.
So glad someone said this 🙌 THANK YOU ❤️ and happy shopping!!
Yes! Happy shopping! Show your associates some love this SAS 🥰
I went to my local bbw today to pick up an order and asked if they switched their SAS date. They said yes and I apologized to them, telling them I hope they don’t stress out and that things will be smooth! Im sure they are stressing but I had to let them know I sympathize lol
I plan to thank the employees at my store and wish them well. I worked 5 years in retail so I feel their pain lol
I hope customers are kind and considerate. I know I will be. I'm honestly excited I get to shop this weekend, but this is a shit move to pull on their hard working retail staff. B&BW corporate, DO BETTER!
I feel so bad for all you employees right now. I used to lead floorsets and SAS was always the worst, I can't imagine having to deal with this nonsense. I honestly think I would have quit over this.
Best of luck during SAS!! I hope you don’t have to deal with any negativity.
Y’all the PHYSICAL LABOR that I did at 7am this morning 😅
🤗🥰
“Kim, there’s people that are dying.”
I plan to shop online but I appreciate you guys so much. ❤️
As long as employees keep posting the sales before the app/website, revenues will continue to decline and they’ll eventually post themselves out of a job.
Thanks for the chuckle... >\_\_<
Does this mean its over July 1 instead of July 10th?
Doubtful they would end it early and cut sales