I have read every single report and rebuttal good and bad about Dillard's and now that I am not working there anymore, and furthermore, am non-rehirable, I am ready to add my story.
I have done sales jobs all of my life, from door-to-door to Life insurance to cars, and Dillards was definetly a crazy experience to add to the list.
When I first got the job and made it through the interview I was in the mindset of "This is somewhat of a professional sales job." Of course I knew it was retail, but I thought it was a GOOD retail sales job. I mean come on, it's Dillards! I figured making my goals would be easy because I wouldnt have to go market anything. Customers would come to me.
What I didnt realize even through training was how hard it would be to keep up. Don't get me wrong, though I was good. I made top ten at least once a week, usually more. I exceeded my sales goals, and nearly made my raise goal, but never did.
My ASM was at first perceived as a complete jerk, mean as heck to everyone, but I eventually realized that wasnt the case. Dillards gives them even higher expectations that the salespeople. The thing is that the higher management from the Ops Manager up, are two faced. One day you are their hero, and the next, you're garbage. I know that it is technically possible to merchandise your area, and do markdowns and sell also, but it is alot tougher when everyone is cutthroat. I am a nice guy. I don't stab people in the back or lie, but Dillard's silently demands that kind of performance. Employment is a revolving door, and though they do warn you that this job is not for everyone, there is no way to know completely how it is until you are knee deep in crap on the sales floor. A friend you may make there will turn out to be a backstabbing rival the next minute. No one wants a paycut. Hell, we all usually spent half our checks on lunch in the food court or new clothes there anyway. I don't suppose that is Dillard's fault though. The real deal is this. They don't care, and they don't have to care, about our individual situations. Of course that is how corporate America is, and this treatment isnt uncommon in today's workplace, but that doesnt make it any more acceptable.
Something interesting to look at is this. See things through the perspective of the Dillards..
Low health insurance costs. People either decline coverage due to high premiums or don't last long enough to use it.
Their system is designed to their advantage. Very few people will get raises, but many people will get pay cuts. Some will stay the same if lucky.
If their sales go down and they have a bad quarter for sales, they can make up some losses for the next quarter in the pay cuts.
There is more, but I dont have the time or the space to list everything. I just know that obviously, life is not fair. Work isnt fair. Corporations are heartless and greedy. Dillards is a very good example in this. And their customer service left ALOT to be desired. Even other sales people, myself included would pretend not to see or walk away from people who obviously had returns. The way they have our sales goals and paycuts set up, it leaves us least concerned about customer service UNLESS that means that we make some money off of it.
Dillards is an in between job. The few that make a career at it. Well congratulations, you must be somthing else to do that. It takes a lucky, motivated, resilient person to make it there. As for the rest of us it will help to keep in mind that you will find something else, hopefully something better. To any reading this who are currently employed at Dillards as I was when I read these reports, just try and make your goals, and remember it is what it is. An inbetween job, that you are pretty much guaranteed six months of employment at as long as you keep your nose somehwat clean. Just take that time to work on your resumes!
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