retail sales associate

Coast Guard Exchange

Started working at the exchange near me after my family transfered out. I had worked at a previous exchange that the only down side was hours. Although they paid very well and was a relaxing job. This new one though is anything but. Unorganized, horrible management, breathing down your back, retail rules from way to long ago, stressful, lack of communication, no consideration for employees, does NOT pay enough and just overall bad experience. I'm currently trying to find else where to work. As this just is far too much for what I pays. Management on floor have been rude and disrespectful with one not apologizing even when proven she was wrong. Phones are strictly not permitted even on one's self. How is this acceptable in this day in age when with children, daycare, family emergency etc. Are things that happen and one needs there celluar devices. Asking for 2 days off meant they wanted me to work 9 days straight. As well as the store having the month November and December COMPLETELY blocked off from requesting even 2 days off...well of course for management 😒. Management being from a specific culture/country gave other employees with that same country leeway on so much. Bathroom usage we're being counted until I had to let them know of a embarrassing medical condition that left me mortified and feeling like a child getting in trouble by ones teacher for needing the rest room. Overall such a strict environment for what the job actually entails, horrible management, not enough days off for rest and recover, awful communication, stuck in the Stone age on rules and regulations, and the work experience I have had in my 10 + years of working in retail.

I started here before the grand opening to set up the store (2009) and worked here until 2013 so a total of 4 years.  I started off in a different department and got transferred to being a cashier.  I did not like it at all.  The manager in that department only gives special privileges to the Filipino employees at work.  She was constantly buying them stuff, hanging out with them outside of work, and giving them time off.  She had her days where she would walk past you and not speak at all and other days where she acted like she was your best friend.  Sometimes the work schedule would change and she would NOT notify you.  When you would stand up for yourself, her solution was to write you up and tell you "you have a bad attitude."

The other managers and department leads did not care either.  They KNEW they were in the wrong but never acknowleged it or apologized.  It was drama central in that store (think high school but much worse and these are grown adults).  The only positive side was that it was close to my house, they worked with my schedule if I ever needed a day off, family emergencies, and I still keep in touch with a couple people that were great friends to me.  Other than that, this is not a place to have a future at and the pay is so low for all that you have to do and put up with.

Overall a decent job, but honestly not worth the pay for the things you put up with. Feels like management is super hypocritical in certain aspects and also breathing down your neck 25/8, whether it be for stepping out of your section (even if you're there for a valid reason or only a few feet away from your own), talking to coworkers, SEEING cell phones even if you aren't on it, bathroom breaks, everything. People are constantly getting written up for absurd reasons. I never had gotten written up, but heard from almost all of my coworkers the ridiculous stories. People talk in that place, INCLUDING management, and that is why I stayed in my lane. It's like there's always some sort of issue. There is absolutely favoritism and in the workplace. Very strict and very slow paced during the week. And the cashiers are a whole other story, the poor things have to put up with 10 times worse especially from management.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The flexibility of the position, hours, and benefits! It's a fabulous company in which to grow!  

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Big order days and keeping things stocked. It is not stressful, just can be very busy busy busy! We also manage 2 other mini mart locations so keeping those areas stocked is essential.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Environment is laid back and easy going.  Co-workers have been amazing and its just a fun, easy environment.  Best part is giving back to the USCG!

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Since we are a small CGX at the NASA facility, we attend to all customer needs, running registers, stocking inventory, Keeping the CGX clean and presentable and exemplifying extraordinary customer service to our USCG men and women, veterans and their families as well as all the great men and women of MAF!

To be honest I wish I can work with CGX again as its' co workers are well rounded team players, the pay is good, the work place feels great, the company is both reasonable and flexible with the work hours/days, treats well both of its' workers and customers like if they were home and despite there's a lot tasks to do it feels very satisfying and everyone works well in teamwork, even the supervisors work directly with other workers. Plus during the pandemic, they took exceptional measures to protect its' workers and customers and the CGX took it seriously which is great (after all health is first).

The management and coworkers at my location were great.  They genuinely cared and advocated for their people. They worked with schedules and did their best to work with the skeleton team  because corporate kept pulling authorization to hire more despite being one of the top profiting stores.

Corporate has a track record of not listening to their store managers and had massive bloat and ineffective purchasing practices that would push unwanted/unneeded products to stores. In effect, it would hurt stores profitability while they punished the profitable stores by refusing to hire anyone past "intermediate" status which meant 0 benefits. 

Coast Guard Exchange is a store that serve our Military personnel. From our sales we give a percentage to MWR for their activities and recreation. I have learned and grow in this company for 4 years. I thank them for all that I have become and all that they have done for me. I can not say anything negative about my co worker because we all are like a family. The hardest part of my job is taking drastic decisions when it comes to give letter of reprimend to my employees. The most enjoyable part is that we are always happy and making sure that our customers leave with what they were looking for and with a smile on their face.

A typical day at work, I would stock all the items. If the cash register was empty then I would multitask, I'd be on the cash register when customers were ready to pay, when I'd finish I'd go back to stocking if I had anything left or do teamwork with another employee. I learned how to manage to be in a fast paced workplace. The management was organized. The workplace culture was undeniably stressful but worth being in. The hardest part of the job was the fact it was my first experience. The most enjoyable part was that working there also meant supporting and servicing those in the Coast Guard.

I highly enjoyed working for CGX. Every day was busy, fun, and fast paced. There was always something to do. I learned a lot in customer service the short time I was there. The managers were very knowledgeable and helpful in any situation. Every employee I worked with was friendly, including the supervisors. It was a great team to work with. I always ended my shift in a positive mood. Satisfying customers' needs was the most important thing, and I feel like I accomplished this every day.

Coast Guard Exchange is a great place to work for people looking for a first job because the environment is friendly and easy to work in. The only problem was the drama between a lot of the employees. Almost every employee had drama with someone, and it grew to be very obnoxious and immature. Management also likes to play favorites with people, and that is absolutely wrong. I had an okay time working there, but the drama drove me away. It's not worth the time or money.

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