Williams-Sonoma Reviews

Pros

Hip, fun, and friendly environment.

Cons

Not easy to move up, compensation could be better.

Pros

40% discount in store only, smells good, free candy, clean bathrooms.
40% discount in store only, smells good, free candy, clean bathrooms.

Cons

Difficult return policy ENRAGES some older people. Repetitive Christmas music. No commission!
Difficult return policy ENRAGES some older people. Repetitive Christmas music. No commission!

Advice to Senior Management

Pay more attention to the quality of the good sold here. At such high mark-ups, something that doesn't work well shouldnt be in the store.

Pros

Good and improving product line-interesting, expanding, reasonably good quality, good prices
Good discount program
Very divers team in the store (good) that generally works well together
Some managers are very professional

Cons

Inventory is out of control. Takes way too long to determine whether or not a product is available and/or when it will be available from various locations
Completing a customer order can be a nightmare and takes way too long if there are multiple items from multiple locations with more than one part to an item, e.g., a hanging light and a cord set.
Sales associates are expected to develop relationships with customers (good) but not given email so they can keep customers current on product availability.
Grossly inadequate access to computer based information: systems are slow, very limited number of terminals, data is not well organized (hard to find).
There is no mechanism for suggestions. If a local manager does not consider something important, it will not be passed on. Store personnel have a lot of good ideas but no way to express them.
Many innovations from corporate are not well thought through, e.g., fabric swatches with no way to keep them organized
Some managers have just put in their time and are knowledgeable about product but not about how to manage people

Advice to Senior Management

Upgrade the technology, get a handle on inventory, open communication from employees in the stores.

Pros

Product is good and discount was good. Most employees are with this company because of the product. Visual merchandising is fantastic. Stores look amazing!

Cons

Inconsistencies in policies. Customer service means giving the customer whatever they want, no matter how ludicrous. Employees must endure horrible treatment by customers with no help from management.

Advice to Senior Management

Better communication at store level. Listen to employees. Suggestions to improve morale and work environment were met with defensive attitude by senior management. Definately not "a people first" company!!

Pros

amazing benefits. 40% discount, which is the highest I have ever had in a retail job. the medical benefits are excellent as well and at an affordable rate. The best part is talking about food and sharing you passion for cooking with customers and the rest of the staff. If you love to cook this is a great place.

Cons

The coordinator is a shift supervisor position. Tanning is too brief and incomplete. No breaks other then your 30 minute lunch on a nine or ten hour shift. Lack of respect from management and no feed back for a job well done. Inconsistent directions and expectations, too many times I have been told to do things one way than later the same day I get in trouble for doing it they way the asked.
The company Photoshops the pictures that are used to set up new fixtures, it is nearly impossible to set them up the way the company dictates, this give you the ability to be creative, if your creativity is exactly the same as managements.

Advice to Senior Management

When training new employees be sure that the training material is complete and in proper working order. Show the same respect to supervisors that you show to other staff. Consistency.

Pros

They have a good brand name recognition. Products are mostly of good quality and customers love them. Really, the customers are the only satisfying part of this job.

Cons

Weekly hours are kept just below the 30 hours, and therefore all associates are considered part-time. This way we are not eligible for any benefit whatsoever. Salaries are kept low and in my store there is visible sign of favoritism. The general manager has an arrogant attitude - you either like it or leave.

Advice to Senior Management

The unemployment rate is high and people will endure the worst conditions to keep their jobs, but just keep in mind that we are humans and the way some of us are treated is dehumanizing.

Pros

It is in a great location, great benefits

Cons

The internal technology in the company is behind

Pros

west elm (part of Williams-Sonoma) is overall a good company to work for. The staff is well educated in the products and procedures of the store and most are enthusiastic employees. The work environment was pleasant , and they offer a great employee discount at all related brands.

Cons

I worked as a sales associate at a west elm furniture store for just over a year. Having a design background, I approached my store's General Manager and District Manager several times about applying to corporate design positions. They informed me to keep applying through the corporate website, but there was no internal application process.

Advice to Senior Management

More career advancement. I felt that Williams-Sonoma did not even consider it's retail staff as part of the company. Many of my former co-workers (myself included) had design backgrounds and/or held higher degrees in industrial, interior or architectural design. I would suggest that Williams-Sonoma (and west elm) consider internal candidates for design positions. We have the experience and insider knowledge of the brand and products that would have benefited the company.

Pros

Great discount - 40%
Autonomy to run yoiur department

Cons

Very antiquated systems, the company is very technology challenged
Management is very reluctant to try anything new
Baind-aid problem solving approach as opposed to finding the root cause and fixing
Lack of leadership in operations
No sense of urgency amongst associates becasue management allows them to do as they please
Reactive vs. being proactive

Advice to Senior Management

Create an atmosphere of a sense of urgency with associates
Give Operations Managers the tools and resources to run their departments more efficiently
Develop a good on boardign process so new managers can hit the ground running
Bring yoru systems into the 21st century.

Pros

They have great products, great visual experiences, great & creative people

Cons

No concept of work-life balance. The head of HR doesn't think it's abnormal for anyone to do their job within a 40-hour work week, even if they are hourly. That's a clear sign that the resource issue to get the job done starts from the top. It's an extremely top-heavy company. There aren't enough lower end people to do the work that the top-end people want done. There also isn't any career development assistance. In interviews they will tell you the opposite of everything above, they may believe that, but in practice it doesn't happen.