Movie Gallery Reviews

Pros

Getting free rentals and being able to view them before they went out on the floor, and my manager was really good to work with me when I needed days off. Other than that...nothing.

Cons

I think they need to stop spending so much money on signs and things like that and possibly give the employees a needed raise or even perhaps more hrs and lets face it...or it would be nice to have an extra person in the store and be able to take a break. This company wasnt like this when I first was hired. There was always at least 2 people in the store on friday and saturday nights. but now there is one...and god help if you need to go to the bathroom. Maybe if you are lucky you will get time to grab a bite of something. I am appauled at the fact they spend so much money in printing their signs that not really anyone notices. its SELL SELL SELL...PP PP PP. It doesnt matter if the 10 out 12 you wait on have it. or maybe you have only sold 3 this week...or maybe no customers at all...maybe the ones that have came in already have it....You are still expected to sell it...or else get written up. I think this will be MG's downfall because someone decided that we had to get a CC or get 3 months cash in advance...apparently they have never dealt with the public to know how everyday people are. Alot of people will not do this..and neither would I after getting quiet a few calls about cards being charged that werent supposed to be. And now they tell us we have to give a gift card instead of a refund to the card. Thats Absurb. I had a good manager probably one of the best I have seen. But I know the DM was breathing down his neck...God help should he not get his bonus. Nevermind the poor souls that are in there taking the heat for minimun wage while he gets his new TV or trip. But at this rate, he wont get many more bonuses. I feel like its a matter of time until MG is out of Business esp with as many stores closing that there are.

Advice to Senior Management

Stop spending so much money on signs and things in that order that only get left for a short period of time. And if you would Stop requiring a CC and PP would sell alot better. I know a store where they are not asking for a CC. The Mgr has bought a prepaid card in her name from walmart and uses it. and its selling like crazy. This is Unfair to those of us that are trying to sell it the correct way. its sad that there are people getting terminated for not selling it the right way. I have for the first time tonight sat down and looked at all the bad reports online about MG and the complaints that people have. if something isnt changed soon this company will go under.
  Have you all checked Family Video prices lately? Their Core collection as you call it...is 1.00 and kids movies are free.

Pros

This was a great place to work before Movie Gallery bought (and tried to become) Hollywood Video! The environment is fun and always changing. The company was full of great leaders, which was obvious all the way down to the sales associates at the store level. If you love movies and games, this was the place to work.

Cons

Since the buyout and upper management changes, the company now finds it necessary to demean and threaten the store level employees into doing their jobs. When you turn the environment into a place that you don't want to be in, and when you are afraid you are going to lose your job over things you have no control over on a daily basis (like forcing people to sign up for monthly plans using their credit or debit cards in today's economy for the purpose of entertainment) it makes you not care as much about your current job and begin to look for a new place to work. This is not a productive environment, nor is it a fun place to work anymore. Try hiring "salespeople" on a part time, minimum wage basis and see what you get. Look for people who love movies and games and love to have fun when they come to work, and then make it a pleasant experience, and your sales will continue to grow because your staff will care.

Advice to Senior Management

While it is necessary to continue to grow as a company, you cannot expect 10% or more of small town folks to give up a portion of their monthly salaries for the purpose of renting movies in today's economy. The new programs are fantastic for those who can afford them, and for those who cannot, you should offer a month to month cash option if you want the program to grow and thrive. Once the cash option customers see how great the program is, they will continue with it.

You should also look into how your district management team is treating your store level employees and management for some insight on why your managers don't seem to be motivated to sell the program - they are afraid for their jobs each and every day even when they, and their staffs, are doing their jobs precisely as they are being told to do. Threats and fear do not work when you want compliance, hard work, and loyalty. You could also consider giving your store managers more tools to work with like reports on their store performances, rather than waiting for their district managers to communicate this information to them (which is typically either late or not at all - and rarely in a constructive manner).

And, lastly, please don't tell your management to "own their stores" when they are not even allowed to run their stores in a manner that is most profitible for not only themselves, but for the company as a whole. Stop with the weekly (and sometimes daily) changes in plans and programs and work on perfecting what you already have that is good. This alone will make Movie Gallery a great place to work - again.

Pros

- My manager is amazing. She listens to us and attempts to help us. She is pretty fair about giving us days off.

- Free rentals are my favorite perk. We are allowed free rentals of movies the week prior to street date and also permitted to rent anything that has been on the shelves for at least 30 days.

- If you need insurance, the package is affordable.

Cons

- Lack of hours. As previously mentioned, a lot of stores are only allowed to have one person per shift. Plus MG/ HV has stated what hours they feel as if the manager should work which leaves us with the little 3 hour shifts which are hardly worth working.

- Lack of break time. In my store, we're supposed to lock the door in order to use the restroom. Well, if I have a steady trickle of customer's that isn't possible. And I'm sure if I was able to lock the door and somebody complained about not being able to get in I would be in trouble. I'm not a person that likes to take lunch breaks...but not being able to take restroom breaks is a little bit ridiculous.

- Powerplay. We are now being punished if we are unable to sell Powerplay to customers. I could understand if the program was run differently...but forcing customers to use a credit card or pay three months up front actually hurts my efforts. My hours were actually cut for the next two weeks due to my inability to force customers to give me their credit cards. I'm presently looking for another job as I know it won't get any better. I'm expected to sell Powerplay in order to get my hours back? How can I sell Powerplay if I'm not there? It's also not fair because I can spend the time to talk a customer up. Something as simple as their forgetting their credit card prevents them from buying. The next time they come in prepared to buy the package somebody else gets the credit for it because they happen to be lucky enough to be working.

Also, customers are getting upset because Powerplay permits other customers to keep items for as long as they like. This causes the item to not be available for the next person, sometimes for a month or two, and they in turn yell at me.

Advice to Senior Management

-Rethink Powerplay. We did really well at the start of the program due to the month by month option. Maybe that could be your last resort? I had a lot of parents and grandparents that were allowing children to purchase Powerplay but of course these children don't have credit/ debit cards and wouldn't be able to use them since they're not the primary account holder.

Don't threaten us with our jobs. That only makes us NOT want to work for you more.

Pros

Good Insurance is the only decent benefit.

Cons

Hostile working environment. Threats everyday and profanity being used by District Managers to store managers. Name calling such as "white trash". Company continues to violate policies, but nothing is done to correct this. District Managers are not checked on by upper management and break more policies than employees.

Advice to Senior Management

Get a life! The world does not revolve around Movie Gallery!

Pros

The business is fun with regard to movie rental. Company has good benefits and free rental of new release movies.

Cons

Overall business in on the down swing. Too many options to rent a movie in today's environment. Sales tactics too aggressive for customers.

Advice to Senior Management

Quit firing long-term video store people. Change sales tactics which are too aggressive for the customers. Terminate power play which discounts too much to regular members and drives down the company's revenue.

Pros

If you are looking for something part time and you love movies and games.. its great. For a little while.

Cons

This company is headed downhill and fast. I had been working in a store for over 7 years, managing for 2, when my district manager came in and told me my store was shutting down and the previous day was my last day of business. I got no notice and when I asked about my 40+ hours of vacation time I was originally ignored by my former boss then told that it will not be paid out. Not only has this company completely failed me, but also all the customers I had in my area. The customers were told to take their movies to a store which is 20 miles away and all the memberships would be transferred as well as the "Powerplay" on those accounts. If they chose not to go to that store they can call a customer service line that puts them on hold for over 30 minutes. This is ridiculous and as far as I'm concerned this is just waiting to file bankruptcy again and close all doors for good.

Advice to Senior Management

Take care of you customers and your employees. It's ridiculous that you think that minimum wage employees are going to do the kind of stuff you ask them to do.

Pros

One of the best reasons to work at Movie Gallery is the Employee priviliges in regards to products and rentals. Free rentals, and discounts on purchases.

Cons

If you are working part time, hours are never consistent. One week it can be 38 and the next week its 9.

Advice to Senior Management

I would get especially irratated at how easy it was that someone could steal from us. The protective lock on the rentals didn't deter them easily. Make it where all movies are located where only employees can access, and have displays of movies out for public.

Pros

3 Free rentals at a time. Easy job. Generally get to talk to cool customers and the occasional hot soccer mom. Simple dress code- khaki colored pants and red or white polo and tennis shoes.

Cons

Low pay... everyone starts at minimum wage, even managers generally start at salary minimum wage, which is 23,600. Bad communication between upper and lower management that often results in Store Managers and CSA's having unrealistic demands placed on them. Uneducated management also often does things like threatens to replace people who need to take time off, makes people work off the clock, and doesn't take care of customer information- its not hard to dive in a dumpster behind a movie gallery and find name, addr, DOB, and phone numbers for customers. Also... nepotism, gossip, and drama are frequent within stores.

Advice to Senior Management

The higher ups at Movie Gallery have always had a good vision- keep costs low and don't take risks and make it a fun place for people to shop and work. However, uneducated Managers, District Managers and occasionally Regional Managers distort that vision by putting their own spin on things. Paying a bit more for good management would be a plus. Also, trying to find good people to promote from within the company would be beneficial... as many district and regional managers are hired from outside the company and have little knowledge of policies and procedures and try to run things like they were run at previous companies, which rarely carries over. Recognition of the minimum wagers would be nice, as all contest benefits go to store managers.

Pros

Free Rentals , used to be good management , and District Managers Even that has gone out the Window.

Cons

All Was fine and dandy till they cam out with the new powerplay program. To Me is a great program but are not right for some customers but we are asked to push push push powerplay. The customer doesnt want it but we are required to force them. Otherwise be written up, Hours cut, Or Terminated. I know Two Very good managers that used to be managers but are now srcsa because powerplay could not be sold in their stores. It is not at all secure and the pay is definately not worth it.

Advice to Senior Management

Talk to your employees get to know them, Respect them, Make it enjoyable to work in your store.

Pros

-Free rentals
-holiday bonus was coupon for percent off toward merchandise purchased at Movie Gallery- only certain merchandise though.
-flexible schedule

Cons

-very few raises
-management was always cutting hours to the bone
-I worked in a store in a crime-filled neighborhood. Store hours cut so much that sometimes only 1 person could close store..not safe.
-too many promotions. They wanted us to keep the customer standing there while we detailed all of the different promotions and the customers just wanted to pay and leave before their hair turned gray.

Advice to Senior Management

Listen to employee and customer feedback. Put a little more money in the stores- we always needed more copies of new releases. It's a moot point now-all of the locations in this area have closed.