Bon-Ton Stores Reviews

Pros

Working for Bon-Ton is great since I've always had the freedom to express my ideas. There's been no repercussions with suggesting new ways to do things, and it's easy to talk to upper management about your ideas. People are treated fairly and respectfully, and we are actually trusted, unlike other companies who micro manage their staff. Special events keep spirits up, and we're told we're always appreciated.

Cons

Low pay and it's been slow, at least for me, to advance. The company is conservative (a plus), but when it comes to advancing, that doesn't help your paycheck and title.

Advice to Senior Management

It seems as though the recruiters might be a little biased on whether you have a degree, if you can get a certain job done. I've seen lesser qualified candidates interview rather than someone older or someone who's very competent for that kind of work, but missing that degree. And if you need money to go back to school just to prove you can handle that job, it's unfair. Also, pay needs to be re-evaluated, between various types of writers and between similar competing companies within the area. There's a big discrepancy.

Pros

The customers and other associates are very friendly. They were the highlight of my job. They also provide a great employee discount on merchandise.

Cons

Heavy workload. I would be scheduled as the only person in my department often. Was required to maintain fitting rooms, run registers, change signs, work on markdowns, and provide excellent customer service, often all at the same time. The times I needed a manager to come the most I would call and get no answer or they would take a ridiculously long amount of time to come. When you need help, most of the department supervisors act as if its beneath them to get on a register to help.

Advice to Senior Management

Focus on taking care of your associates who work their hardest as much as you focus on "Taking care of the customer."

Pros

I love the customers. My relationships with my customers is what keeps me motivated.

Cons

I would love my job if I could but management prevents this. They belittle everything thing. I am a good, well trained sales person but if we have a bad sales day it is my fault. The managment plays favorites and even let their favorite emloyees take home fragrances and other merchandise without paying for them. I love the customers but this company is about to loose another good employee.

Advice to Senior Management

Refocus goals, better employee comunication to upper management.

Pros

Ability to solve issues within the stores

Cons

micromanaged staff and company is broke.

Advice to Senior Management

Quit trying to be Macy's and update stores.

Pros

Benefits were great. (discount especially)
Schedule was great.
Associates were great too.
Company invested in updates, and work on streamlining information/workload

Cons

-Store was understaffed from both a management and sales staff perspective.
-One associate cannot physically do markdowns, set sales, place new product, recover and provide adequate customer service while maintain fitting rooms to customer expectations
-Fixtures are heavy, very difficult to move and labor service was not provided.

Advice to Senior Management

Happy Managers=Happy Associates. Happy Associates=Happy Customers. Take care of your Managers, take care of your associates and they will take care of your customers.

Pros

- the discount
-flexible time off
-friends made
management tries to work around second jobs, if you are a student, or have small children.

Cons

Just when you think managment can't possibly cut any more staffing, they do. I'ts impossible to do eveything your self. If you are scheduled more than seven days in a row management doesnt care. They refuse to take responsibility for the error and blame it on the computer that does the scheduling. Managers don't look over the schedule before they put it out on the floor.

Advice to Senior Management

I think every store manager should work on the floor one day a week for at least a three hour shift just to see what associtates deal with on a daily basis.

Pros

There is little to no supervision when on the sales floor so you aren't constantly hounded by the managers, which is nice.

Cons

The management team is very rude and uppity, obviously for no reason. The managers also have no follow through with employees, make empty promises, and are constantly talking down to the employees. They also threaten you with your credit performance, they want you at 75% of your year goal within 5 months, thats obnoxious especially when they only schedule their associates between 3 and 10 hours a week, it really isn't worth it.

Advice to Senior Management

I think some workshops would help a lot of the management teams because I think most of them did not attend college and were promoted within so they lack people skills and the education to back up their management styles.

Pros

If managers who were maniacs weren't there it wasn't that bad. The other employees were nice and the house weren't long.

Cons

The managers were blatantly mean and acted like middle school children. They had a high turnover and knew they acted terribly but don't think it's important to change there ways.

Advice to Senior Management

Stop being terrible. Don't act like your employees never do any work if you ever catch them standing somewhere for 2 seconds. Maybe they needed a breather.

Pros

store atmosphere feels like one big happy family. discount is a plus, add on a coupon and you are good to go.

Cons

drama! there can be drama from the top to the bottom. it seems like there is little room for promotions unless you work and work, and almost hate your life until you get a break, then you do it all over again.

Pros

For the most part the employees are fun to work with and the managers are fun.

Cons

The pay is not great and the time off is not great either.

Advice to Senior Management

Better training and chances to advance would be helpful.