Consumerist
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Posts Tagged “
Management
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readers
Wal-Mart Holds Your Credit Card and ID Hostage When You Complain
When reader Steve went to Wal-Mart to buy Rock Star for his daughter, he reluctantly presented the cashier with a state issued ID containing just his picture, name and signature. Steve's job is to consult with law enforcement about identity theft, so he's more careful than the average bear. For one thing, he only likes to show his state issued-ID. The cashier, however, refused to accept it as a valid ID, and tense negotiations ensued. When Steve said he'd call corporate about their ID checking policy, the cashier refused to hand back Steve's credit card or ID until Steve spoke to an in store CSM. That's right, after he complained, the cashier held his credit card hostage. Check out the gory details, inside.More »
checking id
Retail Management: "We Have To Check ID Or We Get Screwed By Credit Card Companies"
Scott, a member of management for a retail chain, wants to share the other side of the checking-ID debate:Your website continually runs stories about how merchants aren't allowed to ask for ID during a credit transaction. I work on the management team at a nationwide retailer, and credit card fraud occasionally hits our location. Every so often, we are hit with something called a 'retrieval request' from one of the big 4 credit authorization companies (Discover, AMEX, MC, Visa). This means we have 48 hours to provide a legible signed receipt, and video evidence of my staff checking a photo ID to verify the cardholder.More »
customer service
Steak 'N Shake Manager Denies Drive-Thru Service To Deaf Mother
A Steak 'N Shake manager refused to serve Karen Putz, a deaf mother of three, after she asked to place her order at the drive-thru window as allowed by the Americans with Disabilities Act. The manager claimed it was "policy" to force Karen to order like any other customer:"You'll have to drive around again so I can take your order through the speaker," the guy said.More »
tender letdown
CompUSA Refuses To Accept Cash
A CompUSA cashier summoned her manager and a security guard when Bud tried to pay for his purchases with cash. The promise of 40% discounts drew Bud to the Boisie, Idaho store, but he settled for a 10% discount on an iMac and several accessories.I start counting out hundred dollar bills and the clerk goes nuts! "Sir, we don't accept cash for this kind of purchase! You must use a credit card!" she says at the top of her lungs. (I see her also hit a button on the phone at the same time.)More »
video
American Airlines Ex-CEO Bob Crandall Shares His Crazy Cost-Saving Strategy
Former American Airlines CEO Bob Crandall fired a guard dog at a Caribbean outpost to keep costs down. Just look at the self-satisfied gleam in Crandall's eye. This is no mere cocktail party story, but a defining act of corporate leadership for his grandkids to cherish. More »
careers
Experience A Retail Manager's Morning
As part of USA Today's series on retail management, the newspaper shadows a Toys R Us manager for an hour on a Saturday morning during the holiday season. It's a good opportunity to see the world of retail from the other side, including clueless customers, magically shifting inventory, and interruptions galore. Here's just the first nine minutes:More »
careers
Retail Industry Suffering From Shortage Of Managers
The retail industry needs more managers, reports USA Today—people entering the workforce don't usually consider retail a viable career path: "Students find banking, technology and other fields more promising because there's more 'growth potential, a better work/life balance and a clear career path.'" The average salary for a retail manager in the U.S. isn't too shabby—almost $84,000—but that comes with strange hours, thankless tasks, and an odd mixture of job requirements that combines being responsible for a store's success and mentoring youths, while at the same time not being able to decide what to stock or how the store's brand is managed nationally, and having to deal with employees who often have little incentive to perform well.More »
lost wallet
Friendly Gap Cashier Pockets Lost Wallet
Alenaya traced her lost wallet to a recently visited Gap and pieced together a disturbing story:Seemingly, walked away from register and wallet fell out of pocket. Kind customer behind me gives to cashier, who sticks it on the side of the register and does not log or tell manager my wallet fell.More »
retail
How To Train A Retail Manager
USA Today has a quiz supplied by the National Retail Federation based on materials they use in their retail management and certification courses. [And if you're one of those people obsessed with taking quizzes, stop reading here until you've taken it.] It's an interesting but somewhat obvious set of questions, all centered on hammering home the concept that being a retail manager means focusing on display, loss prevention, and customer service—but not on "long-term planning" of the type of merchandise that will be sent to your store. More »
personal finance
Don't Wait Too Long To Get Help With Money Problems
Too many people wait until they hit rock bottom before seeking help from credit counseling agencies, says a New York credit counseling service. The consequence is that consumers end up limiting "the options available to them without having to make major, and often very difficult lifestyle changes. If they wait too long, debt repayment plans become unaffordable—leaving them more vulnerable to losing assets or having to file bankruptcy."So how do you know when it's time to ask for help? If your monthly payments are exceeding your monthly income, it's probably a good time. To find an agency, check out wikiHow's How To entry, and use this list provided by Bankrate to ensure the agency will be able to provide the services you need. More »
corporations
Chiquita Restructures, Cuts 160 Management Positions
Militia-funding banana company Chiquita has announced a big restructuring plan that will eliminate 160 management jobs, including 21% of the top three tiers of management, for a savings of $60-80 million dollars in 2008. The company says it will use the savings to pay down debt. It doesn't mention, however, that last month it was fined $25 million for financially supporting both left- and right-wing paramilitary groups in Colombia from 1997 to 2004. More »
financial advice
4 Strategies To Help You Live Debt Free
"Americans collectively spent more than we earned after taxes for the past two years in a row," says SmartMoney in their latest cover story, "Live Debt-Free". Their point: we spend a lot of time thinking about how to save and how to invest, but not enough time working out a healthy debt strategy that doesn't eat away at our happiness, not to mention our retirement savings. They offer four different strategies for reducing your debt to little or nothing, so that you can apply your income to more worthwhile activities than fighting off your liability monster. More »
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