MONEY MORAL DILEMMA. Would you flog hideous store cards to keep a job?

Archaeopteryx

Well now, is it in the contract of employment that selling these cards forms part of your duties, or is it sprung on you once you've started work?

If in the contract then I wouldn't take the job. If it's sprung on you after work commenced I would refuse to do it - 'it's not in my job description' - the ethics of the manager purposely directing them toward the vulnerable is despicable (I know it's not just a hypothetical scenario, it happens) and under these circumstances I would refuse, plain and simple.

I don't know but if I were sacked for refusing I may have a claim for unfair dismissal? However I still wouldn't do it, and would find something (anything) else to do to put food on the table.

seriouslystressed_2

lizzybailey wrote: »

ok so i sell these store cards i have to it's my job, if i dont then i get pulled up, taken into the office, asked why etc etc. however if i do sell them do i get loads of commission ? NO do i get anything ? NO ! people have this false idea that we all work on commission and get paid lots for it unfortunately this is not the case. store cards are fine IF you can play them. by that i mean getting the introductory discount and paying the bill off in full, keeping the card for the exclusive card holders days and again paying it off in full. i know there are some slimy sales people out there but we aren't all like that most of us are just trying to keep our heads down and get on with the job, under immense pressure from management and companies. so yes i am selling store cards and have done so for 8 years now. it pays the bills and help keeps me in a job in these difficult times.

It's true, the staff are expected to 'sell' them but get nothing in return. I used to tell people about them then the choice was theirs. I never asked any one who I felt wouldn't understand what they were getting into (eg: drunk, foriegn or very old). Needless to say I didn't do very well.

alevicki

Archaeopteryx wrote: »

Well now, is it in the contract of employment that selling these cards forms part of your duties, or is it sprung on you once you've started work?

If in the contract then I wouldn't take the job. If it's sprung on you after work commenced I would refuse to do it - 'it's not in my job description' - the ethics of the manager purposely directing them toward the vulnerable is despicable (I know it's not just a hypothetical scenario, it happens) and under these circumstances I would refuse, plain and simple.

I don't know but if I were sacked for refusing I may have a claim for unfair dismissal? However I still wouldn't do it, and would find something (anything) else to do to put food on the table.

Finally! Me too. No way.

I got into trouble with store cards similar to others in this thread and I don't wish that on anyone else.

Rather than do it but do it badly or make sure you tell people the pitfalls, refusing to be a part of it is the much preferred approach.

You would certainly have a claim for unfair dismissal if your retail job selling clothes meant you had to sell financial products too, which is what this is.

roxalana

I used to have to do this when I worked in retail.

I used to get 25p for getting someone to take a special catalogue (that was free to the cutsomer), £2 for getting them to sign up to the store card and 25p for selling an extended warranty.

This was quite a lot considering I earnt £14 a day!

However, I felt quite uncomfortable doing the cards and warranties (especially as I wasn't even old enough to have the card myself and never had any training!) but always thoroughly explained everything to the customers (even if there was a queue - it was always bizarre as a 16 yr old explaining to a middle aged lady how interest works!).

I also tried to help out when people came in to pay their bill - one lady didn't realise that she was building up more debt by just paying the minimum payment - she thought that was the amount you had to pay to clear it :O

marvic_2

I would but I would'nt be happy about it

jacksgrandma

Absolutely, categorically no way! I got myself into quite a bit of debt via store cards and credit cards over the years and have finally dragged myself out of the mire!

When my daughter turned 18 she was bombarded with letters from credit card companies and I kept saying to her that she didn't need to get a card. She had an excellent credit history and then moved out of home to live with boyfriend got credit/store cards and built up huge debts, took out a loan to pay off debts ... yes, you've guessed it and built up more debt. She's now back home and slowly paying it all off.

These cards are very hard for people on restricted incomes to resist ... I think it is immoral to sell something you yourself know to be harmful to many people even if they should take some responsibility. As human beings we all have moral responsibilities ...

coddie

Yes i would sell but this time round(i have worked in retail and have had to do this before) i would be much wiser due to this website and would encourage the paying off straight away and cutting up the card as soon as it came through.That way the customer gets the initial bonus you get a card sale and also encourage the continuation of your employment.:j Be honest with the customer as long as the boss is not around.

coddie

alevicki wrote: »

Finally! Me too. No way.

I got into trouble with store cards similar to others in this thread and I don't wish that on anyone else.

Rather than do it but do it badly or make sure you tell people the pitfalls, refusing to be a part of it is the much preferred approach.

You would certainly have a claim for unfair dismissal if your retail job selling clothes meant you had to sell financial products too, which is what this is.

unfortunately it is often in the small print of your contract that you have to promote the store card.

A.Jones

Yet the manager asks you to try and flog hideous 30% APR store cards to customers with every purchase.

Maybe the store should get some nicer looking ones, rather than hideous ones.

purplegaily

My husband gets paid £25 for each card recommendation he makes - whether the person get saccepted for credit or not.

He's asked the whole family to fill in the forms - I got rejected even with a good credit rating (too many unused credit cards lying around), and he got paid. The family have duely received and destroyed the cards.

I'd do exactly the same thing to secure the role, and then lose the ability to perform in that part of my job!!