A week of changes

I started my new job and everything went smoothly. Other than filing some shoes away in the wrong places I think my bosses think I will work out. In the stock room Mary Jane's are together
or strapped shoes, Dansko and Sanita clogs are together, other slip ons go in another area. Black dress shoes are next to black tie shoes while browns are in another area. Seasonal items are close to the door and will soon change out. Brooks and new balance are in the back hall and mens shoes are upstairs. All this will change when the new items come in each season so don't fall in love with that location. It was not unexpected that I miss filed a few even though that is the worst thing you can do in a shoe store, other than make a client mad, which I have not had the opportunity to do yet.

We had a call yesterday, another employee took the call. The woman at the other end was in pain and searching for a shoe that would work for her. She was trying to get an idea of what we had and virtually get fitted over the phone. It is a little difficult to fit someone over the phone. When the call ended, the woman called back to complain about our service. The clerk had been as helpful as she could, but there was no way we could have fit that desperate woman over the phone no matter how hard we tried. I would say that was our most difficult client so far and she didn't even come into the store. But it gives you a little idea of the pain and frustration our clients are in before we even see them. The letters of thank you plaster a board in the back from customers that finally found hope and comfort with good shoes by coming to us.

We can spend over an hour on one customer. But then some shoes cost $200 to $300 dollars. We have to get it right. I am learning a tone about cushion and cork soles, firm support and "last" shape, which is the bottom shape of the shoe and the beginning spot when making a shoe.

My first week and part time job is turning into a lot of days. Monday Tuesday and Saturday now add Fridays. Fill in for other employee on Wednesday and Sunday is a trade show. I think I will only do these long weeks occasionally. I am in training and want to absorb as much as I can in the first few weeks.

I tried changing out my manager's shoes as a practice. I Brought the wrong size, too small. I did figure it out, but I need to build up my confidence and skill in this area. You have to get the size right when selling shoes. I want to bring in my boys and have them try shoes. For family there is a 30% discount. We don't get commission, but we get great discounts. cost plus $10 shipping if it is for employees. Some manufacturers give 25% on top of that. They want you to wear their product. So I bought my first pair of shoes for work. Romikas retail for $130. I got mine for $51.87. Only $5 shipping cost from the manufacturer. Boots come in two weeks.

Even if this job doesn't last in the long run, I will have some very gorgeous shoes and comfortable shoes as compensation. But I see this job as working for me for a while. Gordon, the owner is 72. He likes to fuss with the store . He comes in 10 to 2 four days a week. Otherwise its all women like me, with teens at home or headed off to college. We are down to four staff. They need to hire again but they are waiting to finish training me. I think in a couple months they will add someone else. I hope so because none of the existing staff wants to work full time and now there is no give in system. Everyone is working a lot more hours than they intended, until I am trained and another new employee is hired to give some relief to the schedule.