- Report: #73386
Complaint Review: Dillards
| Dillards
Little Rock, rkansas U.S.A. |
|
Dillards Inc. Inappropriate working conditions, selling used clothing, ripoff merchandise Nationwide Arkansas
*UPDATE EX-employee responds: still horrible?!!
*UPDATE EX-employee responds: Every word is true about this horrible place
*UPDATE Employee: Shane at Dillards
*UPDATE Employee: The comments made are based on bad work experiences.
*UPDATE Employee: its all true
*UPDATE EX-employee responds: There is a different side to Dillards
*UPDATE EX-employee responds: Was a manager agree with others
*UPDATE EX-employee responds: Dillards is rotten to the core.
*UPDATE EX-employee responds: Depends on the store
*UPDATE EX-employee responds: Depends on the store
*UPDATE EX-employee responds: Depends on the store
*UPDATE EX-employee responds: Depends on the store
*UPDATE EX-employee responds: Dillards Policies
*UPDATE Employee: florida rebuttal is not accurate...management was forever cracking the whip
*UPDATE Employee: Not Exactly... this report is overly exaggerated
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They treat their employees horribly with unaffordable health insurance, attendance policies designed by Adolf Hitler, the job description is a catch-all and the sales quota that must be maintained is worse than commission.
Almost all employees hourly paid in the store in which I worked could not afford the coverage, plus the policies were crap. The cost is almost as bad as Cobra.
e sales associates must stock massive amounts of merchandise and do 1980's technology data imput on cash registers and price mark down guns.
The correct clothing attire for the volume of clothes entering the store which the sales clerks put away, should dictate casual attire.
Unfortunately the attire is formal only suit and tie and dresses for ladies. The job description for most of the employees is do it all, they forgot to tell you that in orientation. Training is about one day if you are lucky. In order to do a mark down every item must be scanned and tagged one at a time, if the tag for reduction is missed the cash register from the 1980's doesnot notice and the item would result in a customer overcharge. The clerk would then be UNABLE to remove the one incorrect item and all the items would need to be scanned again.
Meanwhile the customer waits. As for the claims of used smelly clothes with lipstick, bodily odors or other issues being sold as new that is a definite. I challenge you all, go test this one for yourself. Look around you will find this to be true.
Yes people do change their mind, buy the wrong item, hate a gift, but unlike other major high end department stores, this happens way to many times at said store to be coincidental. This has been the case at every store of this chain that I have visited so far in four states in the West.
Customer service is stressed by management however the fact of the matter is the opposite.Cash registers start with very very low amounts usually $100.00, that's right one hundred which includes the coins.
Many customers wait for a very long procedure for the clerk to go get change. The return policy is a mess. For this test purchase the same dollar amount of clothing at all of the major department stores in your own area, then with a receipt try to return the items 31 days later unworn. Better yet leave tags attached and try without receipt a few days later. You will quickly learn which of the major stores take care of the customer.
Manager approval is required for just about everything so the customer gets the runaround.
Clerks who do not sell enough and are forced to do the back breaking work of constantly cleaning up and stocking new clothing will not make the sales quota, pay cut time begins. It is 10% every time you do not make it. Seasoned customers will notice there are about a 90% turnover rate of new employees (new employees almost always not screened for drug use etc.) and then there are the sharks and the few excellent employees to scared to leave for new jobs.
New employees come and go faster than the wind, retail has very high turn over, this company sets new records.
Commissioned sales people are to be found in shoes and in mens tailored areas, if you want an excellent employee willing to put up with it all that is where you should go. You get what you pay for in life, this isn't always the best value place if service counts. Smart employers learned years ago to take care of the employees since they smile or frown upon guests, and yes it is noticeable.
Save a hard working employee today, help them find a new job in retail for someone besides this company.
G
A, Colorado
U.S.A.
This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 11/28/2003 11:54 PM and is a permanent record located here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/Dillards/Little-Rock-rkansas/Dillards-Inc-Inappropriate-working-conditions-selling-used-clothing-ripoff-merchandise-73386. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year.
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Search Tips#1 UPDATE EX-employee responds
still horrible?!!
AUTHOR: Anonymous - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Friday, August 03, 2007
#2 UPDATE EX-employee responds
Every word is true about this horrible place
AUTHOR: Betsi - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Sunday, July 01, 2007
Luckily I didn't need their crappy benefits, but I saw the premiums and COBRA would be much cheaper. Due to the daily markdowns bringing the merchandise to 75% off, some of the customers were as confused as I was. Was this Dillards or K-Mart? Yeah, you'll make their ridiculous SPH on a $2 sale. The only saving grace for me was that the managers were so stupid that you could basically do what you wanted and they never noticed. Dillards operates on management by intimidation and is consistently noted as one of the worse-run companies in America. I just have a feeling their books may be a little cooked - no company can survive running like this. This place is a joke.
#3 UPDATE Employee
Shane at Dillards
AUTHOR: Sandy - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Thursday, September 22, 2005
#4 UPDATE Employee
The comments made are based on bad work experiences.
AUTHOR: Shane - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, September 17, 2005
#6 UPDATE EX-employee responds
There is a different side to Dillards
AUTHOR: Deborah - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Sunday, November 21, 2004
All changed.
As a manager to confront an associate that worked their heart out and tell them that they were losing monies because their sales did not make the cut was very demoralizing.
To tell an associate they were terminated because they were out of town more than 4 days for a funeral was demoralizing.
Alex once said the hardest job with Dillards was the area manager and he was right-it became the hardest job emotionally I have ever worked.
Retail is stocking, markdowns, floor moves, customer service, credit, recovery, preparing for visits etc. There is not a company out there that doesn't expect that from you- as a sales person or an area manager. How the company treats you is the difference.
An associate should not be evaluated on sales alone because they do so much more than that. I am in contact with current Dillards associates that I have known for years and the requirements for meeting sales goals have been reduced to 3 months. Associates that have been with the compant for 10 years are terminated-the associates fault or the area managers for not working with them- who knows.
I left Dillards for personal reasons that are between myself and Dillards. I loved my time with them and have lots of memories and good friends. I now work for a competitor that belives in the associates-the reviews are based on the following: sales, customer service ratings based on mystery shoppers, credit, and attendance. Associates are given the long rope and if they want to hang thenselves that is their decision not the companies and they will be termed.
Every company has disgruntled employees that see the picture in their light. There is always a whole picture.
#7 UPDATE EX-employee responds
Was a manager agree with others
AUTHOR: A - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Tuesday, August 24, 2004
#8 UPDATE EX-employee responds
Dillards is rotten to the core.
AUTHOR: Travis - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Monday, August 02, 2004
#9 UPDATE EX-employee responds
Depends on the store
AUTHOR: James - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Sunday, August 01, 2004
Perhaps G just worked at a bad store.
now for me to complain about the complaints.
1- since sales people are in charge of area returns, if your area was reselling smelly merchandise thats your fault for taking it back.
2- Ironic that someone would say "As a working ADULT" then complain about the tardy system. Yes getting a "tardy" sounds childish, but as a working ADULT you shouldn't be coming in late to begin with. Plus if it's something out of your control you can always just talk to a manager about it. The only tardy i ever had was because of a flat tire, the next day i showed my manager the receipt for the new tire and she excused the tardy.
My stores biggest problem was managers playing favorites. one employee could get away with something that another would get fired for. That is essentially why i quit in the end, but i don't blame the company for that. I would go back to work for them if i could. unfortunantly i got so mad that i walked out so now i'm "non-rehirable"
#10 UPDATE EX-employee responds
Depends on the store
AUTHOR: James - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Sunday, August 01, 2004
Perhaps G just worked at a bad store.
now for me to complain about the complaints.
1- since sales people are in charge of area returns, if your area was reselling smelly merchandise thats your fault for taking it back.
2- Ironic that someone would say "As a working ADULT" then complain about the tardy system. Yes getting a "tardy" sounds childish, but as a working ADULT you shouldn't be coming in late to begin with. Plus if it's something out of your control you can always just talk to a manager about it. The only tardy i ever had was because of a flat tire, the next day i showed my manager the receipt for the new tire and she excused the tardy.
My stores biggest problem was managers playing favorites. one employee could get away with something that another would get fired for. That is essentially why i quit in the end, but i don't blame the company for that. I would go back to work for them if i could. unfortunantly i got so mad that i walked out so now i'm "non-rehirable"
#11 UPDATE EX-employee responds
Depends on the store
AUTHOR: James - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Sunday, August 01, 2004
Perhaps G just worked at a bad store.
now for me to complain about the complaints.
1- since sales people are in charge of area returns, if your area was reselling smelly merchandise thats your fault for taking it back.
2- Ironic that someone would say "As a working ADULT" then complain about the tardy system. Yes getting a "tardy" sounds childish, but as a working ADULT you shouldn't be coming in late to begin with. Plus if it's something out of your control you can always just talk to a manager about it. The only tardy i ever had was because of a flat tire, the next day i showed my manager the receipt for the new tire and she excused the tardy.
My stores biggest problem was managers playing favorites. one employee could get away with something that another would get fired for. That is essentially why i quit in the end, but i don't blame the company for that. I would go back to work for them if i could. unfortunantly i got so mad that i walked out so now i'm "non-rehirable"
#12 UPDATE EX-employee responds
Depends on the store
AUTHOR: James - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Sunday, August 01, 2004
Perhaps G just worked at a bad store.
now for me to complain about the complaints.
1- since sales people are in charge of area returns, if your area was reselling smelly merchandise thats your fault for taking it back.
2- Ironic that someone would say "As a working ADULT" then complain about the tardy system. Yes getting a "tardy" sounds childish, but as a working ADULT you shouldn't be coming in late to begin with. Plus if it's something out of your control you can always just talk to a manager about it. The only tardy i ever had was because of a flat tire, the next day i showed my manager the receipt for the new tire and she excused the tardy.
My stores biggest problem was managers playing favorites. one employee could get away with something that another would get fired for. That is essentially why i quit in the end, but i don't blame the company for that. I would go back to work for them if i could. unfortunantly i got so mad that i walked out so now i'm "non-rehirable"
#13 UPDATE EX-employee responds
Dillards Policies
AUTHOR: Kamrul - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Tuesday, July 13, 2004
Dillard's initial review is within 90 days. You were judged only on your sales-per-hour (SPH). You received a 10% raise, stayed at the same level, or received a 10% pay cut. At your six month review they could even possibly fire you for not meeting your SPH.
However, Dillard's also has a policy of meeting at least 67% of your area SPH. This was never mentioned during orientation but just before your review they make you sign a document saying that you were informed. A month later I was released.
When I was called in to the office to sign the 67% rule document, I was told that I wasn't meeting it. But I was at 85% of my personal SPH. This didn't make sense so I talked to the Operations Manager about it. He said he couldn't do anything about it because the rule was the rule.
Figuring that there was probably no way that I'd be able to increase my SPH before my next review, I submitted my resignation. The management then asked me to stay on and convinced me to review my decision. A month later I got fired.
I'll admit that I wasn't the best sales person in the store. I made 80% of my sales goals as I was told to do during my orientation. But I worked hard on the floor and my area manager recognized this. He'd always complain about the other associates being incompetent and delegated a lot of tasks to me. Though I was a part-time associate, I was put in charge of visuals in the men's department. I also helped draw up the planograms for the inventory. At closing time, the manager would often ask me to lock the doors and politely push customers out of the store. I didn't mind doing all this simply because my opinion was that I was doing my part.
My area manager was surprised at the decision. He always complemented me on meeting at least 80% of my goals during our monthly progress reviews. Even he tried to talk to upper management about the quirk in my statistics but they didn't care.
Dillard's is probably the worst company to work for in regard to their policies. They haven't adjusted with the times, both technologically or in modern management practices. Ultimately, the company will lose out to friendlier competition, and I can't wait till the day that happens.
Right before I left (and I say I left because I did submit a resignation letter) we learned that they had a new CEO who was supposed to turn things around for the company. I guess the inbred Dillard's family finally realized that their last names don't mean success anymore.
#14 UPDATE Employee
florida rebuttal is not accurate...management was forever cracking the whip
AUTHOR: Robert - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Wednesday, June 30, 2004
At the store I was at, management was forever cracking the whip expecting you to do something,and Im sorry but its just a dept.store and there's not THAT much that needs to be done.If I had a thousand dollars for every time the Mens Denim was rearranged, I could have retired!!!
I knew several people who got pay cuts because they were forver being recruited into moving fixtures! Putting away loads of stock every day is hard work especially when no one else does a lot.
Trust me,when you see them wheel five three tier carts,seven Z bars and a flat bed of boxes for your area alone,that's backbreaking work.
Second,the attendance policies are nothing short of stupid. What some people fail to mention is that you get 8 tardies and 3 absences for a year and if you take one, you have to wait three months or so before it drops off.
If you have a doctors note they will exuse it and not count it against you. Excuse me,but as a working ADULT I should be able to leave or call in to work if it is something that I need to do.
I shouldn't have to waste money sitting in a doctors office for something like a 24 hour bug or cold.Also tardies are for school kids not adults!!If you went over 8 tardies and 3 three absences you were fired-supposedly.
The Dillards I was at made a joke out of the whole thing by playing favorites and letting some rack up tardies and absences,while others got the boot.Very fair way to run things I would say!!!!!!
Third the insurance through them was very high. Unless you make 18 dollars an hour in cosmetics it sounds cheap. For those of us making 8.75 or so, taking fifty dollars out of a 240.00 dollar a week check is a lot!!!!
As for the smelly returned clothes being resold as new,given the devious nature of this company it would not surprise me one bit if some stores did that. This is a very nasty company to work for,made worse by incompetant, Gestapo like managers.
Some people in my area would get physically ill when they saw our dept. manager coming down the aisle,and this is no joke!!!!!!! Group complaints and meetings with store manager were done more than once,but he didnt care!!!!My experience with Dillards started out as a decent job but ended up a nightmare.
It is shameful and reprehensible that a dept.store of all places should be this way.Anyone who does not enjoy being treated like garbage,beaten down and going home angry,etc.etc. should avoid this company at all costs!!!!!!!!!
#15 UPDATE Employee
Not Exactly... this report is overly exaggerated
AUTHOR: N - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Tuesday, June 08, 2004
1. Previously Worn Clothing - Clothing that has been worn is not returnable. Sometimes, some things do slip through the cracks, but anything with damage, that is dirty, or smells is taken off the sales floor. It is then either tossed or donated to charity, depending on the item and the manager.
2. Unaffordable insurance - the insurande is quite expensive, but it is not unaffordable. In fact, after about six months, it is nearly free. The company takes up most of the cost at that point.
3. Attendance policies - The attendance policy is easy to deal with...they allow for four unexcused absences (w/o a drs. note) in any six month period. Eight tardies in any six month period. Any over the excess results in termination. While it may sound harsh to some, without a straighforward attendance policy such as this, some employees will completely abuse it.
4. Stock work/80's technology - yes, we do stock work. The dock people bring the new merchandise to the appropriate dept., and the salesperson puts it out. Big deal! As far as technology, Dillard's has improved greatly w/ the POP label system, the yellow tag that is placed on each item sold. It is basically a receipt, tells us when it was sold, for how much, and how it was paid for. We still do use scan guns for amrkdowns, but it is fairly easy to spot an item which missed it (unless your store is hopelessly disorganized.) Also, if in doubt, any employee can check a price via the computer, and if they don't know how, a quick phone call will do the trick as well.
5. Not making the quota - Yes, Dillard's has a quota system in place, yes, your pay will be cut if you don't maintain a minimum dollar of sales. However, in the two stores I've worked in, the quotas are attainable...so long as the associate is helping customers, and not just standing there. BTW, I have never heard of nor witnessed a sales associate being forced to do backbreaking labor because they wern't making their quota.
In all, this report is overly exaggerated.

