customer service representative

inside sales representative

warehouse worker

warehouse associate

saw operator

Metal Supermarkets

With all due respect to the CEO and everyone who contributed to this business, my experience working here was disappointing in several ways.

A typical day began by opening the store and immediately jumping into cutting materials—often alone—because others frequently showed up late or not at all. Much of the training was self-directed due to the lack of a structured onboarding process. Unfortunately, learning things on your own often meant getting them wrong, and attempts to ask questions or follow up for clarification were rarely met with support. The company handbook is outdated (last revised in 2002), and there is no clear outline or guidance for daily responsibilities or expectations.

While I genuinely enjoyed aspects of the job, the lack of understanding of the sales process and how different departments impact the customer experience was frustrating. Leadership seemed to believe that simply calling customers back was a strategy to boost sales, even with margins over 50%—a view that overlooks the deeper issues affecting client retention and satisfaction.

The hardest part of the job was managing the front end while the back end staff were often disengaged, spending time on their phones rather than contributing. Despite repeated requests for help or collaboration, support was minimal at best.

Overall, it was a poor experience that could have been greatly improved with better communication, updated resources, and genuine team accountability.

So much like Samuel & Son we sold metal but a much smaller scale. We would get quote requests for most of the day from various jobs shops all over the greater Rochester area. Many of those would turn into orders. Sometimes I did not have the product in stock but I was capable of giving a good quote because I had gotten a quote from higher up the food chain and could have the product the next day. What I learned is that it is important to lead by example. If I did not get my hands dirty sometimes the ware house lads would think less of me. I had to go out their and be part of the team. The same went for the sales reps. I needed to help them more at times too. Be a good leader and work harder than employees. It shows them you are part of the team. I had not complaints with my regional manager. Our work culture for my Branch was If you got your work done it was okay to have a little fun as you did it as long as you were doing it safely. The hardest part for me was leaning to run the plate saw. It was a little scary at first, but I got the hang of if after awhile. The best part of the job was closing the deal. Your customer was looking for something they could not find and at the best price as well. It was not always easy but you found the material out there, worked over the supplier for the best cost you could get and quote it your customer. They would see you as the guy that always comes through and send you the purchase order!

● Work-life balance
Work is mon-fri if you like a set schedule

● Pay & benefits
Don't expect any kind of pay raise after you start.

● Job security and advancement
Zero room for advancement

● Management
Supervisor was a good guy but did not work well under pressure.

● Overall
I have worked for big corporations before and know what to expect as far as employee treatment but I did not expect the same from the family owned Metal Supermarkets location in Salt Lake City. I feel like the owner only cared about the money numbers and not the actual work that went into the jobs. Safety was a constant issue as the tiny warehouse was packed full of so much metal material that we had to literally climb over it just to get to things. We had to complete large orders with minimal shop staff and zero space to stage the completed orders. The workload increased during the Covid-19 pandemic no doubt to take advantage of the fact that they deemed the place "essential" and work was more difficult to find. Covid-19 standards were also taken very lightly by the owners. We had facemasks in the shop with enough room to social distance but the front office was different as the salesman were allowed to wear their masks around the neck standing and working shoulder to shoulder and not social distancing.
Pros:
- Paid holidays
- Consistant work schedule
Cons:
- Unsafe work environment 
- Covid-19 standards not taken seriously 
- Health and dental benefits are terrible 
- You are just a money making number 
- Low pay,  high workload

Working at Metal supermarkets is not bad whatsoever. You learn quite a lot just as a CSR, it’s like your running your own business at your desk essentially. My only issue with this place is the franchisee is just cheap in my opinion. In todays world they are starting you off at 16/hr coming from a temp agency. Ok cool I’ve planned on sticking it out under the presumption I would be getting paid my desired wage after the temp contract is up. I’ve learned that I’m only to expect to get a .50¢ raise which is redundant. I work my butt off and it’s not like I’m just at the desk all day. I’m in the warehouse too helping customers find the metal that they are looking for and outsourcing and everything. Again running your own business in a sense. 16/hr is not even a livable wage I was just sticking it out. Don’t get me wrong love the environment and everything but doing all that work for little pay is crazy. If your just looking for something and maybe retiring then yes good fit but if you are to the point where you are really trying to set yourself up, do not sell yourself short. I know my worth and work ethic. I wouldn’t discourage anyone from working here im just putting out there what to expect as far as pay -at least through a franchisee.

I completely enjoyed working at Metal Supermarkets in New Orleans. The owner and management are working with you side by side.  If you enjoy a fast paced but enjoyable work experience, I say come work here.  You will learn sales experience, customer service and some fabrication skills.  
My fellow employees all got along.  You learn something new about metal every day. You are always researching to help find your customers material.  

The hardest part working here is learning the operating system but with time you learn to navigate it with ease.  They offer hands on training but there is an online learning platform that you may go to at any time. It has links with instructional videos.  You always have access to training at the office or at home.
I enjoyed just the environment, my coworkers, and the customer base. You will see so many interesting things you can do with metal. Whether its art, manufacturing, home repairs or large construction. There is always a new project.  

This is a company that wants to see you prosper and it does care about it's employees. You are given all the tools for success needed, and you aren't expected to do anything you are not comfortable doing. That said, this job is not always easy, it presents you with new, unique challenges on a daily basis, some requiring you to think on your feet, and other times it can be physically demanding, but nothing comes without recognition and reward.

It's very safety focused. They want you to do a good job, take your time, and get back home at the end of the days work in one piece. The training process is fairly long and comprehensive, teaching you able different aspects of how the company operates. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
Other team members on the floor. 
Was part time, hours were flexible. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Horrible management. No leadership. Zero planning and organization. Family owned and nothing but drama within the company. Zero transparency. Zero direction from management. Pay is awful. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Toxic work environment. Supposedly "family", anything but. No integrity from management. Can't sit down, can't laugh, bathroom breaks are monitored. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Everyday is hectic because there is zero planning or organization even though it is same operation every day.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The pay for sure. And the fact there is no weekends worked and we get holidays off. Not much else to this company. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The employees and managers. They would treat me different because I was a female but yet our boss is female. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
It's sub par. It started out good and than once I started getting comfortable it became well I was the only woman besides the store owner that worked there they all acted funny towards me. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Boring. Slow. I get talked down to when I need help with something. Training is not effective..

What is the best part of working at the company?
The best part of the job is the hours and schedule.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The most stressful part of the job is certain management

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The environment is relaxed, but the culture from most management is horrible

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Helping customers over the phone and in person is the bulk of the job.

The office people are lazy and unorganized. They constantly screw up their paperwork then we have to try to figure out what to do and it wastes our time. One guy in the office likes to run his mouth and try to start fights with you but he’s the owners best friend so he gets away with it. The owner isnt ever there because he’s always out playing golf or some excuse to take care of his dog. 

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Customer service representative 4 salaries reported	$21.00 per hour
Inside sales representative 16 salaries reported	$19.00 per hour
Warehouse worker 6 salaries reported	$19.42 per hour
Warehouse associate 13 salaries reported	$17.04 per hour
Saw operator 1 salary reported	$18.00 per hour

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