Pros
Hmmm... Maybe the discount? Some, but by no means all of my colleagues were relatively amicable and approachable. The others were strangely hostile and spiteful, without discernible cause.
Cons
For brevity and therefore comprehension, I'll try to keep it short and sharp as possible. In no particular order. - I've never encountered such irrational and disproportionate hatred from customers, and prompted by comparatively petty issues. Before this position, I had previously spent several years in a direct customer service role, but I have never experienced anything like this. If a customer's request for a gift receipt was drowned out by the noise of the frontline, do you then deserve to be subject to public humiliation, vile innuendos and outbursts, and personal attacks and insults? One of my fellow colleagues burst into tears. What self-respecting person puts up with this kind of treatment, for a part-time, temporary, nearly minimum wage position? How can middle-aged people act like this and think it's okay? Good Lord... - The returns policy is far too generous. I'd estimate that about every third transaction involved a return. Where previously there was a dedicated desk for this, now it's up to the frontline associates to sort it all out. Some customers were obviously playing it, returning formal, sequinned dresses worth hundreds, for a full refund, nearly a month later. And then, upon closer inspection, some damage is noted, and a reduction is called for. This is not the way to make money. And returning intimate underwear and lingerie, to be put back on the shelves immediately? Revolting, unhygienic and potentially a health issue. - Some of the processes just defied common sense and practical implementation. Tiny slots for store receipt copies in the cash drawer, so that they spill out all over the floor. No formal process for reservation of unpaid/pre-paid items, causing confusion. A small amount of space available at the tills, for some pretty big and/or numerous items. Till processes that make it absurdly difficult to correct very basic mistakes. - Training is practically non-existent; you are expected to learn the job whilst doing the job, which isn't a great idea when it comes to operating tills, handling transactions and serving customers during a particularly busy period. Small mistakes can be quite problematic to sort out. Instead of the pointless, cheesy induction videos about 'company values' and so forth, more time should be spent 'inducting' you into the actual work you will be doing. Too many times, I had to rely on the word of someone on how to do thus and so, only to be told the opposite by someone else. Considering how any little mistake is treated with utmost seriousness, and even contempt, by sternly-faced staff and customers, you'd think that they might establish things more thoroughly. You get the picture.