Barnes & Noble Reviews

Pros

being around books and culture, learning about current trends in literature, friendships with the other employees, engaging conversations, suggesting media to the public, good hours for me, many different roles and positions to try within the company.

Cons

some rude customers, but you get that everywhere. Some upperlevel managment issues, favoritism at play, but again, you get that everywhere.

Pros

Customers were by far the best reason to work at Barnes & Noble, they are so loyal you get to know them, and know their names.

Cons

Poor communication on all "importantt/new" initiatives, usually on the day of launch, and an hour later than communicated, leaving you scrambling to train your team and answering customers questions.
Low salary, and bonus is rarely paid.
Rarely see your DM, and never see your Regional manager or support team.
Ask a question, or for help, and you don't get an answer, but you will see it on your review in the comments section as an opportunity.
Need a new labor management system, the current system allocates 150 hours less per week than the minimum requirements, when you are trending over your revenue budget,

Advice to Senior Management

Go out and see your stores, ask questions, understand Nook, was a game changer. The business has changed significantly since when most of your DM's were store managers, just because they were the right person for the role prior to Nook and other electronic initiatives, unfortunately doesn't mean they are the right person now.

Pros

Good benefits. Friendly staff. Interesting interaction with customers.

Cons

Can get repetitive and unchallenging.

Advice to Senior Management

More flex time.

Pros

Good place to meet people. Flexible schedule.

Cons

Low compensation for non management positions.

Pros

good health insurance nothing else. at one point devoted to books and writers. not so much anymore.

Cons

pay horrific and capped at a very low level. embarrassing to have to inform my employees that their salary will be frozen forever--at $12.50 hour in nyc! but they must still perform all the tasks BN has decided are important--memberships, emails, nooks, warranties for your nook. everything but books. sad to say but B&N will probably go the way of Borders, even sadder, will deserve to do so.

Advice to Senior Management

make believe it's a bookstore and not a sales portal for memberships--who thinks up these things?

Pros

Great hourly staff
Very experienced staff
Friendly staff

Cons

Manager of store had favorite employees
Manager of store unapproachable

Advice to Senior Management

Actually listen to what the staff has to say, not what you want to hear.

Pros

You work with Books and the people are great.

Cons

Digital books are killing the business and the company is reacting to it by getting rid of its tenured employees.

Advice to Senior Management

Value the people that built your business.

Pros

Fun environment, great co workers, ever changing environment.

Cons

Stressfull, management sucks, pay is horrible for what they expect of you, just not worth the hassle.

Advice to Senior Management

Learn to communicate better! You need to speak to your employees with respect and not talk down to them. Were not stupid. Find a way to pay more or you will continue to have a lot of change over with your staff.

Pros

Flexible schedule, decent discount, Interesting people to work with

Cons

Pay scale, Senior Management's disregard for suggestions to increase sales, Lack of hours given to full time employees

Advice to Senior Management

Listen to your employees, they can help guide you to a bigger and better tomorrow.

Pros

- The environment is laid back
- Management is pretty understanding when it comes to scheduling
- Everyone gets along and there is little drama between coworkers
- The job itself is pretty easy, and you get a good combination of mental and physical stimulation
- Most of the managers are genuinely interested in the employee's well being
- Employees are intelligent and competent

Cons

- Beyond a lead or head cashier position, there is a little room for advancement within company
- Scheduling can be inconsistent at times due to sales determining how many hours are given out
- There is no reward for being a hard working employee and no punishment for being a lazy employee
- As a whole the company is becoming more sales driven, and less understanding of the employee
- The company's recent obsession with the nook has caused closing to become less efficient, and has made customers who are against the ereader concept to feel isolated
- There is not enough communication on a one to one level about how you are doing your job
- The pay is stagnant and nowhere near enough to live on

Advice to Senior Management

The focus of the company needs to be on customer service, not nook. Nook will unfortunately be the ultimate downfall of the company. Also, rechange the member program. The fee should not be $25, that is absurd. Lower the fee to $15 or so dollars. The member program also should not have to have a credit card number. That has been such a turn off for many potential cardholders.