order picker

retail sales associate

retail supervisor

assistant store manager

stocking associate

buy buy BABY

I was hired on to be part of the opening crew in the Aurora store. We were told it was temporary with option to hire PT when the store opened. I should have seen the warning signs when the orientation when an hour over schedule. The store did not start receiving its stock until a day after it was sceduled to so management immediately started pushing us to make up for it from the first day. The first day was a complete joke. They had no idea where half the people were, so workgroups were expected to do more, faster with less. Prior to my time with buy buy Baby I had worked in a children's retail store and in a busy airport where I observed a lot of the products we were processing first hand, which nobody else in my group had. To pass the time I would share my observations of the products and what I liked about them after using them myself on my child. This was a no-no. The lead assigned to our group immediately got an attitude and became belligerent. We were instructed to practice our greeting with the staff members when they would walk by, which after having the same staff member walk by our table literally every couple minutes, became tiresome and distracting for some of the people at the table which effected their attention to detail. It became obvious to me that the amount of time you spent greeting and making small talk with the staff was the only thing they cared about, and those that didn't do it every single time because they were trying to process the never ending line of pallets, were punished with another day on the pallets while the others got to spend time in other departments. Needless to say I became very good at receiving and processing freight, averaging 8-10 pallets a day myself. I received constant complements from the department leads they assigned to handle the receiving tables, and was told I was their best worker and they would definitely be recommending me to be kept on. I kept up the intensity while many of my coworkers settled into cliques and shirked their responsibilities. At one point during the processing we had a large shipment of strictly clothes. While we were working to get them ready for the floor, the store manager took the opportunity to give her opinions on two brand in particular. One she raved about because it was organic and pricy, the other she repeatedly called cheap and tacky. I have purchased both brands and made the observation to my workgroup that the pricier brand was actually not very good quality, and the cheaper brand (which actually isn't cheap from a price standpoint) was great quality that held up really well. I also noted you can't really make comments like those made by the manager because that reflects your attitude about those who buy the product and you can't look down on the people who are buying your product. Obviously this didn't go over well with the management team and I steadily noticed more and more of the receiving crew being pulled for other assignments, while we were hounded about processing more quickly. I enjoyed processing the merchandise and was very good at it, so I didn't mind being continuously assigned to receiving until the day before the soft opening of the store. I was continuously assured by the 2 leads they had assigned to my steadily smaller group, that I was getting picked up and sometime during this shift I would be getting my official uniform. Somewhere around pallet 14 I was pulled aside by the manager in front of my work group and taken to the office and dismissed from the job without explanation of why I was not suitable. I was working both a full time job elsewhere and the required full time schedule to get the store stocked at buy buy Baby and outperforming my counterparts by leaps and bounds. Needless to say I did not appreciate not being picked up as an associate, especially after being assured by several of the leads that I would be, and after seeing those that were kept on, feel that hardwork was not the quality they were looking for. Maybe a store without predominately female management would be a better fit or prove to be more satisfactory, but this particular location was just too catty and rewarded those who feel inline with that.

A typical day with this company includes a morning huddle, followed by tasks to keep you busy (if you are lucky). For most this means moving about on the sales floor and assisting customers. For anyone working the Front End, this means standing for 6-9 hours a day on concrete (with minimal movement besides handing purchases to customers). Front End employees MUST wait for any employee to cover their department, before being allowed a bathroom or drink break. Most of the time Front End employees wait several hours before finally getting to relieve themselves. While most employees can sit at different intervals of their shifts (Furniture department and Basics department), Front End and Strollers are not allowed to. This leads to pains from the feet and up the back. Management actually laughs when asked if a counter height stool could be brought in. Strollers department never has coverage when the store is busy. Furniture department has long periods with no coverage and the Furniture Manager has blatant disregard for other employee's abilities, positions, and tasks, and spends more time gossiping with friends (even when being called for help) or disrupting other departments, than doing their job. Upper management has very obvious favoritism issues. Many times this affects all of the departments in terms of what tasks get done and the pulling of hours from other department employees. New employee complaints are not addressed and original employees are used as buffers for addressing said issues. Acknowledgment of superior and excellent work is rare and nonexistent. Many co-workers need their hand held still and complain when employees in management positions, give them tasks to do. Often the duties of one Department Lead, are equal to three or four employees. Their is no work/life balance and should you take off of work for family or personal issues, they will address these with a write-up. While the fact that this is a business is obvious, the obvious decision to punish those employees who work the hardest and complain the least is a sad fact of this store. Management and associates alike, will pass the blame and blow smoke in order to save their own skin. This has led to a major depression amongst employees and has allowed for backstabbing and distrust to run rampant. New employees have been hired in order to keep part-time employees at lower hours, and put extreme amounts of pressure on full-time employees. Even with hours being cut, management will keep employees well over the 10:00 pm and 10:30 pm closing times (not to mention the 11:00 pm closing times during the holidays...for a baby store).
The most enjoyable part of this job (besides leaving for the day) is helping the rare kind customer who truly appreciates what you do.

I generally enjoy customer service and retail work, but at all the companies I have worked at, I felt very drained and unappreciated. At Buy Buy Baby, that is far from the case. I fell head over heels in love with my job there.

I was a floor associate at the Stafford, TX (just outside of Houston) location. My managers are friendly, personable, fun to be around, and so creative and engaging. The environment was a completely corrective experience for me out of any job that I have ever worked at (and I've done dozens of different types/industries). The feeling that one gets when meditating and it was a great meditation, is the feeling I got when I went to work every single day. I felt appreciated, wanted, needed, acknowledged. I learned new tools and skills every shift and grew as an individual there.

At the same time, I was paid well for my job. The starting rate is $11/hour, and during the Covid-19 lockdown, I was paid $13/hour. That is nearly double the Federal and state of Texas minimum wage!! During the lockdown, corporate sent every employee letters that showed them resources that they were bankrolling, for things like mental health services online. During a mandatory quarantine because an employee tested positive for Covid-19, they paid all part time workers 40 hours worth for two weeks. They treated us right. And in Texas, it's completely legal for an employer to fire an employee on the spot for any given reason. But for the employees that need extra support, they don't get fired; they get educated. The store and the company is absolutely incredible and inspiring.

For the people that don't like working here, I've found it's because their hearts are not in retail. I love retail and customer service, so it's perfect for me. It also requires employees to actually work, not sit around talking to our buddies. In my personal experience, the people that don't do well at this job or don't like it, are the people that take it for granted and are lazy workers. For me, the hardest part of the job was when people didn't do their work and only pretended to when the manager was looking.

I trust my managers completely and have formed with two of them some very deep, personal relationships, that are vulnerable and I am blessed to have. The only reason why I left was because I had to move to Canada - and I am still working in the industry! I'm not a fan of Texan culture, and I don't care for the climate, but the only thing that would have made me stay in Texas was my job. 100%. I fell in love with the Stafford Buy Buy Baby. (And my favorite strollers are the Graco Modes Lite Travel System Platinum, and the Doona!!)

Your typical day is walking into the store to find your store manager or other management sitting at the registry desk telling you to get on a ladder and top stock the heavy product they don't want to do. Not every store is the same; most managers actually work, but not at this location. I've learned a lot being a manager there... But I've also learned that when in doubt I could run the store because the store manager was so lazy. Don't expect to move up in the company; I was promised a position and worked my butt off for a year for it and was told I didn't deserve it even though I was the only manager in the building doing anything. The part time associates were great, this just definitely isn't a job if you want to move forward or advance. The hardest part of this job is having to do all the work yourself. I've never hated a job so much that I ended up getting sick over it and having health issues because I was the only one doing anything in the store. I don't even remember enjoying any part of the job I was so busy dealing with issues because the store manager didn't want to. You'll have to move furniture around and more than likely get travel systems, car seats, and strollers down off high shelves that can range anywhere from 20-100+ pounds. This isn't the job for someone who is highly motivated and wants to advance, this is a job for someone who needs a part time job just to make a little money, like college students and maybe, maybe retired adults. I've never worked so hard at a job and in the end got insulted by the store manager because she was too proud to admit she can't run a store. You get told upon hiring that there are plenty of chances to move up in the company.... But as I was waiting for my promotion other people were getting hired into manager positions. Every position they say you can only work up towards was getting filled by random people applying. Completely unfair and absolutely worst experience I have ever had. Other managers in my same position were getting paid three times the amount I was and I never got the money I should have been making. Don't waste your time if you're looking for a permanent position, but this place is great to learn how to deal with immature and sneaky people.

So when I first started working here I thought it was the best thing ever, well structured, everyone had clearly defined roles, and "training" was a big component of their strategy. A few days in many associates told me how shady the store manager was, how she doesn't accommodate people's availability or rto and how the only people who get any recognition were the "leads". I didn't believe it because she was all kind and passionate about her work. Then it all unfolded. The morning starts out with a huddle where everyone acts fake and pretends everything is all well. We go over important stuff, but mostly what associates are doing wrong and what managers are doing right to increases sales and deter theft. any round of applause or thank you goes to the leads, her three minions. She then ends with the question, "is there any feedback". my favorite. Being new I didn't know that that was a booby trap, soon after I found out that no one gives feedback because when they do they are reprimanded for it. All of the associates are extremely knowledgeable and insanely polite to customers yet there's always a negative remark about something being done incorrectly, ALWAYS, DAILY so many rules SAFETY, CLOSE THE LATTER BEFORE YOU WALK AWAY, STOP TALKING TO CUSTOMERS IMMEDIATELY WHEN CALLED TO REGISTER, CALL OUT ON YOUR WALKY "OMW" WHEN CALLED TO REGISTER, DO NOT WRITE NOTES ON THE COUPON REGISTER FORMS THOSE COST .20/unit, crazy! No managers follow any of these! Also, these leads and their manager are constantly racially profiling both customers and employees. Anyone who doesn't look, behave, speak, dress suburban gets followed, and scrutinized, don't forget the code in this predominantly white store for possible theft is "gloria lopez." This lady is crazy, I couldn't last another day GOOD LUCK! O and no tattos, facial piercings, or colored hair, no individuality, and on holidays no holiday spirit because IT'S UNSAFE said the crazy lady!

As in all retail jobs, there are good days and bad. Overall, I love coming into work. My co-workers are very nice and respectful and usually willing to help wherever necessary. There have been cases of co-workers who just want to put in their hours, leave and collect a pay check. It's disappointing and frustrating to me when they don't go the extra mile to do a task correctly and completely.  It makes it harder on the rest of us. These employees come and go and, thankfully, few.  I've worked here for some time and have learned a lot about the needs of our customers and how to handle those needs in a way that makes them happy. In-store management is very flexible with my needs concerning scheduling. 
Some of the problems with working here come mostly from the corporate end. We don't have enough of our everyday equipment. Computers are outdated and messed up,  handheld devices freeze often, battery chargers are in short supply, desk chairs need to be replaced. We all work together to allay any problems caused by these issues, but it sure would be helpful to have them addressed. Bathroom fixtures are pitiful. Pricing is terribly inconsistent and we are in need of a better system for placement of merchandise and storing excess for easy access. If anyone in corporate ever worked in an actual store, they seem to have forgotten what it's like.
Another issue, which is plaguing a lot of industries today, is a lack of people on staff for each shift. With so little staff, many of whom don't receive enough training, it is very difficult to accommodate all our customers needs as well as keep a presence on the floor to help curtail theft. It is also difficult to complete important tasks we are assigned when we are constantly being pulled away for other things. It may sound like I'm unhappy with my job, but I'm actually not. My managers and co-workers are what make this a great job. In spite of some shortcomings, I love my job.


When I was hired, Buy Buy Baby had just been bought out by Bed Bath & Beyond (listed as one of the top 10 worst companies to work for). I was hopeful that they would keep their integrity, their value of employees, and the great pay that people deserve with the knowledge they have been trained with. It wasn't long before I realized it would all change. Hours got cut so there were never enough people to assist all the customers. And while you helped customers, you had better get all your stocking done in that day as well as clean the store as if it was a grand opening each night. I worked diligently, many weeks of 50-60 hours being put in and that was just to make a dent in my workload. I managed the most heavily freighted department in the store (basics) yet had the fewest employees. Instead, they held those positions for furniture and strollers, and all those extra employees in those departments stood around and did nothing most of the days. We were rarely offered help and it was expected to get the job done, no matter what. And when you did get it done, and it was spectacular and you were proud of yourself, never were you given a pat on the back. Instead you were told of what you could have done, should have done, tear it down and do it again. We all need to hear we're doing a good job sometimes! After being reprimanded, on paper and into my personal file, from not accomplishing my goals (while putting in 50-60 hours weeks) I knew it was time to go. Other department managers did nothing and they preyed on the few of us that were hard workers. It was unfair and I suggest not ever getting a job with them unless you want to work in strollers or furniture.
One Plus was working with the kids and parents. I absolutely loved that part of my job which is what kept me there for so long.

The general atmosphere at Buy Buy Baby is good because most of the customers are there shopping for a happy event like a baby shower, or they're pregnant, new parents or grandparents. And, of course, there are lots of babies...and a lot of estrogen.This company has a policy where management " trolls " the floor continually watching all of the employees.They hover around rearranging shelves while listening and watching everything you do. The purpose of this is to observe and offer constructive ways for an employee to better do their job but in fact, it's really creepy. When you need to use the restroom, you must announce it over the walkie so management and all fellow employees know you are off the selling floor. At the end of the day, employees are required to do recovery in their department which means restocking everything they sold in their department so if you're afraid of heights and getting on a ladder, rethink employment here. Employees who close, are required to clean urinals,toilets mirrors and counter tops and mop both bathrooms and/or other various cleaning duties through out the entire store at the end of their shift.The people who haven't quit after the first week are minimally trained and can barely help anyone in any other department.The employee turn over is constant and I see no reason to move up in the company because it seems like the managers are under constant pressure to make their projected numbers and detail their daily productivity. Employees get the same 20% as everyone else on the planet with the only perk being you get 20% at Bed, Bath, & Beyond, their parent company (again, who doesn't), as well as their other acquisitions.Although you will "huddle' and be reminded of sales goals, credit card goals and registry goals on a daily basis like most retail environments, there is no commission, reward or incentives for your efforts. I think this is a great first job because the bar is so low, any job will be better.

In many ways, it could be a joy to work for them. Yet , it seems that the store managers do not want to keep older employees. They, SM and some ASMs, try to push going part time to full timers that have been with the company for more then 5 years.
Due to the slowing of the economy , staffing is at a all time low. In dept. where you need time to explain the products, like furniture , strollers , mattress, the staffing is 1 person most of the day, even on weekends when there is way to many people asking for help for 1 person to handle. Then when someone complains about not being taken care of, or rushed, the SM all ways slaps the 1salesperson on the wrist. Or even fire them because a person claimed that they where rude, or snappy. This is not fair to the shoppers or the staff.
Ok , it's retail , but out of a upper store management , 1 SM, 3ASMs, just 2 of them treat there people right. 1 of them is all the time in hot water with corp. because he's a good guy. This too is not fair.
I love most of the people shopping at this store, really nice, a happy time in their lives, but there is a 15% that need to be told to treat people like the golden rule states, do onto others...
But again , it's retail.
Half the co workers of today will be gone in 6 months, so it doesn't pay to make friends. They seem to hire young kids, me I'm past 60. So all most everyone is a kid to me.
Me, I plan on staying there as long as I can. So it's not good, but there is a lot worse. Hopefully, the turn over in SM's keeps its tract record, and the SM now will move on / out. I have seen many managers come and go in my many years with the co.

I work in RTW with 1 other part time and a manager. We have free gift wrap with no one holding that position so they take the only 2 people in that department and make them go up all the time. Out of a 7 hour work day I can spend up to 4-5 hours at gift wrap, yet I am still expected to work out freight and recover the department. I know it is wrong when I am loaded with work and am called to gift wrap and walk by 3-4 people sitting around talking and I also know it is wrong when cooperate is there and I am told not to go. There is also a lot of favoritism from upper management who manage based on their personal feelings for you and not on the merit of your work. I have seen decent workers get fired just because management had an excuse and I have seen lazy people get away with things I have never seen employees get away with. There is a lot of focus on negativity and gossip from the management. We as employees catch private conversations and I have seen managment make their employees feel small and unworthy just because they have bad personal feelings towards them. I have liked the learning experience and the training classes we receive for product knowledge. I like the social skills you can develop if given the chance and I LOVE interacting with the babies and young children. I feel a certain kinship for most of my fellow employees that work hard because they endure the same hardships I and others do. The store has so much potential to become a great work enviroment but a lot of management changes or re training needs to be addressed.

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