Pros

The employee book checkout program is great! I really miss having the opportunity to read so much--for free! The camaraderie between employees--at least at my store--was always one of the best things going. Management seemed to be good at hiring people who meshed well, most of the time, with the rest of the staff.

Cons

Corporate really doesn't seem to care how hard their demands weigh on the people who actually work in the stores, staff and management alike. Often they would notify of us an impending visit, which set off sprees of organizing and cleaning, only to cancel at the last minute, time and time again.

Customers would get angry on a fairly regular basis when pressed to join the discount program, or sign up for a magazine they didn't want. When the Magazines for Millionaires program was first tested at our location, our Area Coordinator said, "We will never tell you that you have to get more magazines." And a year later, when the program went companywide for all Millionaire's Club members, and then even further to all customers, it was just another quota we were hounded to meet.

The management at this particular store has, from what I understand, gotten a bit better in the months since I left the company, but it's wise to keep in mind that the management can make or break this job, and having someone running the store who is simply not good at it doesn't do any favors for anyone, up the ladder or down it.

Advice to Senior Management

With the economy in the state that it's in (and the company's stock has indeed tanked), books and coffee are a luxury for most people, and you just aren't going to get them to buy as many books as before, let alone extra discount cards that cost money at the outset. Fewer people are buying enough to make the cards worth it. Your employees detest the Magazines for Millionaires program and hate feeling like they're scamming customers they honestly like by trying to force it upon them on every visit. Does it make sense to anger the loyal customers who can still afford to shop in your store instead of on Amazon or at Half-Price books, or might just go to the library next time?