bebe stores Reviews

Pros

working there is a pleasure, hourly rates

Cons

long hours, expected of too much

Advice to Senior Management

working there is a pleasure

Pros

good discounts and fun people

Cons

The hours are too long

Pros

Generally clear directive, from their newsletter to the visual aides they provide. They do a good job of passing along information.
Relatively strong training program, including very detailed videos (though sometimes out of date) and corresponding quizzes.
GREAT benefits package that includes a PTO (personal time off) pool, equating to about 5 hours for every 2 weeks worked. This made it very easy to take necessary sick time, vacation time, and personal time.

Cons

The company seems to burn out people in the DM position. This causes stores to feel the burn out their DMs are feeling, causing unnecessary stress.
The commission program is only beneficial to those that work in large cities. They would do better in paying stylists a higher hourly wage, in smaller cities, so they can get better talent in the store or to keep their talent.
The Vice President, Susan Powers, is out of touch.

Advice to Senior Management

Do away with the archaic clientele books that does nothing but annoy the unsuspecting customers who decide to be your "client". It doesn't work in smaller locations. This is an example of how Susan Powers is out of touch.

Pros

The atmosphere is uplifting and fun. We take our work seriously but still have fun and are laid back when the time is right. And since we know we make commission it is even more motivation to help out our clients. And when you have a large sale, it is the MOST rewarding feeling. I definitely recommend working for bebe.

Cons

Some clients can be pretty catty and rude and some make an insane mess of their fitting rooms.

Advice to Senior Management

Study your store and know what you are talking about because the more you know... the more your stylists will listen and respect you.

Pros

Great discount (50% off)
Fun atmosphere and cute clothes
Liked most of the managers
Other stylists were down to earth and friendly
Pay was OK

Cons

-I felt pressured to constantly force people to be my "client" and shop only with me.
-You had to make annoying phone calls to your so called "clients" about upcoming promos and sales. About 85% of the time you left voice-mails, and if someone did answer they barely remembered you.
-I get the concept of add-on sales, but most people don't want to buy their entire outfit at one store, I don't.
-Location wasn't taken into factor. Unrealistic sales goals (sometimes) when only a handful of people were walking through the doors.
-Pressure to buy their clothes.

Advice to Senior Management

-Management needs to lead by example: if the rule is "no cell phones on the floor," then don't keep yours hidden in a drawer behind the cash wrap and use it whenever you want.
-Management went through my personal belongings in back staff room.
-Had tendencies to "talk down" to others.

Pros

Decent pay, professional management, fashion forward, opportunity for growth, competitive commission rates, quality in training, high expectations of management, quality of the brand.

Cons

high expectations of associates and management that are difficult to make, hard to distinguish serious professional relationships with managers and associates, stressful, and lot's of pressure, high paced job, unprofessional demeanor of associates

Advice to Senior Management

Managers need to be stern and have high expectations to meet their own personal goals and the store goals, and the goals of the associates.

Pros

Personal connection opportunities, versatility, understanding yet profit driven

Cons

not very fulfilling, personally. can get boring.

Advice to Senior Management

the management system is well in-tact

Pros

Promotability, The company knows all by name (not a number) and celebrates all successes! The VP's, CEO, Directors, Regionals are all very hands on and get to know every one in each store. The tenure in the company is quite long which proves good people stay at good companies.

Cons

Pressure for performance as with any retail career.

Advice to Senior Management

Leadership is very involved in stores! Would like more IT training for those who are not as savvy.

Pros

the clothing discount is very generous (50% retail, 40% outlet). the environment is pretty cool, and is nowhere near as catty as i thought it would be. everyone gets along well and communication is usually very good between management and sales staff.

Cons

no upward growth, some employees get too competitive with sales, on call shifts, corporate goals can be very unrealistic. typical retail stuff.

Advice to Senior Management

treat your employees better. happier employees = harder working ones.

Pros

Learned a lot. Liked and respected my manager and DM. Great team. Good Pay

Cons

Had to return to school