Overall Reviews at Books-A-Million
4.0
Customer Service Representative |
Concord, NC | Jun 16, 2017
enjoyable place to work
Fun place to work with constant interactions with customers. ability to help customers find the book they are looking for either in the store or for home delivery.
Prosemployee book checkout program
Conslow rate of pay
4.0
Loved my management and customers
My managers were amazing and I hated leaving this store. I stayed so long with little pay cause it is family when you join the staff. Corporate does takes its employees concerns into considerations but does the bare minimum to address it, its the managers that make a difference. This job got me through college, and I recommend it to anyone who knows sales and can make sales goals. If not, you will be stressed and constantly reminded you are not succeeding. The discount card is hard to sell, but has to be done sadly.
ProsLoved my coworkers, great management
ConsLittle pay, lots of stress
5.0
Books, Coffee, Fun, Great People and Good Times!
My day consisted of getting there most of the time when it first opened and getting that great cup of Joe Mugs coffee to give that extra sparkle to customers that I would greet. I learned so much about sales and customer service and what it takes to really please and inspire customers. All customers want to be noticed, respected and given proper help just like you or I would when we visit a retail store of some kind. Customer service and satisfaction is #1. Most of my co-workers were pretty pleasant and seeked to assist others if needed. Sometimes the hardest part of my job was to not be able to get that smile from the customer due to a price issue or when black friday hit and I was backed up performing returns and even though I was fast on the register it seemed like I needed to be even faster so that we could move the customers through. My most enjoyable part was at the end of the week when I checked the computer to see how many magazine sales I did. I usually sold about 100 - 125 magazines per week and was able to get the store a reward for the most magazine sales in the district. It was fun! :)
ProsBonuses!!!
ConsShift managers, some were very trying
4.0
Computer reference, benefits, and allowing time frames for teaching and tutoring.
I learned more about computer service.
Most of the management was very pleasant.
Many of the co-workers were very exceptional people. There was a couple co-workers back some time ago that were not very pleasant, but they are not there anymore.
Recently, we have been told that if we do not sell some things related to BAM, our hours would be cut. I do well with this, but I do not like that rule.
Pay is very low as well.
The part of the job that I appreciated the most is the customers, because the vast majority were very polite and pleasant.
4.0
Customer Service Representative |
Joplin, MO | Jul 4, 2013
Very productive workplace with a lot of good times.
A typical day here could include working on the weekly freight delivery: stocking up new books and new merchandise. One may also be responsible for manning a register for their shift while supporting and encouraging sales of potentially helpful discount card programs. Other duties may include nightly or daily recovery of merchandise, reshelving books, and assembling point of purchase displays. If cross-trained, an employee may also be responsible for upkeep and maintaining the cafe--including preparing espresso based drinks, cleaning, etc. Be prepared to work in a very diverse, yet fun, environment. Every coworker could be completely different but can still make the experience worthwhile.
ProsFun and diverse environment
ConsBenefits are primarily for full-time employees (which is a hard to attain status), advancement sometimes seems even harder to attain
4.0
Head of Customer Service |
Mobile, AL | Dec 14, 2019
Great place but nee
The people are great and I love being around all the books. Management is good at working with you but, I wish the pay was better. You do get promotions and pay raises but, they space them out to much.
2.0
Merchandising Specialist |
Joplin, MO | Jul 28, 2017
Membership card driven
A typical day would start by coming in and trying to convince customers spending $8 on a book to then spend $25 on a discount card. Then convincing them to sign up for free magazines that if they didn't cancel would then charge them upwards of $60.
You then spend the rest of your shift trying to put out loads of freight while simultaneously doing customer service and being short handed at the same time.
They recently changed the pay scale for employees by pennies on the dollar, because they were rated the worst company to work for in 2015. Employees, including management that had worked there for years, were denied raises while the CEO of the company got a new jet.
Upper management consistently threatens and harasses employees to push the club card and magazines.
The only good thing about working for this company are your co-workers and the book check out.
ProsGreat co-workers
ConsEverything else
5.0
Great place to work
If you like working around books, you will like this job. It is just like any other retail store in its duties. Work week hours are good if you are part time or full time.
4.0
Fun, outgoing, active workplace
Always a fun place to be. Very interesting products were sold and customers were always friendly. Very relaxed work environment.
4.0
Positive work environment in general. Felt appreciated and respected by both management and coworkers at all times.
Retail setting with a 7-8/hr. shift and an average of 2 managers and an additional 8-10 coworkers per shift.
Responsible for all outside sales, special customer orders, cashiering and returns and for setting up store events.
Coworkers ranged in age from 18-63 and most were college graduates.
Most difficult part of the job was meeting required daily sales quotas although I generally met and exceeded those goals.
Most enjoyable part of the job was being presented with great challenges nearly every day and the feeling of spending the day with "my work family."
ProsBenefits, the opportunity to use my wide range of skills to help meet daily and monthly company goals.
ConsNo Cost of Living or other increases available, additional compensation was for add-on memberships and magazine subscriptions only.
