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

jenniewb

That used to be part of my job! I was relieved when I was able to get my job moved to supervise the stockroom and didn't have to see customers/get them to sign up.

Seriously, its the head over-seeing managers that force the issue, they come and moan about how useless we/the staff are for not signing up for enough cards. There was no reward system in that job, just an upset manager and angry area-manager. Not good environment to work in, especially not for £5.72 per hour.(minimum wage back then)

I would do my spcheel about the card- if promted by customers or if a customer was starting to suggest they had the money...but not till next week, could we hold something for them.... by getting a card, they could pay it off next week, problem solved (we were not allowed to hold stuff) but I would almost make them PROMISE to pay it off in full AS SOON AS the bill came in, and explained that the top they saw really was not really worth it if they were going to pay 30% extra for it.

PrinceGaz

Yes, in that situation I would promote the store-card with its 30% or whatever APR.

Before the customer left the checkout though, I'd advise them not to use the card in future as if they don't pay back the full amount owed on it each month, it would be like paying the full price again for everything they buy on it after three years (whether that is exactly correct doesn't matter). I'd also apologise for selling it in the first place but say I had no choice if I wanted to keep my job (which I know sounds a bit too much like WWII German soldiers saying "they were only following orders").

I wouldn't go to sleep at night happy about adding a 30% storecard to customer's wallets, but I'd hope they'd heed my advice and never use it for its (expensive) credit facility. And know that those who can least afford it will use it for that credit at that interest rate. At least I'd have warned them.

A_fiend_for_life

StephSmith687 wrote: »

I would just explain that you can take advantage of the great discount you normaly get when taking one of these things out then pay it off at the month then cut it up.

That way you get the sale and they get a discount on their purchases and everyone wins.:D

Except the store - lesson learned. I think a mass of applications, one off purchases, clear the bill and a mass of 'standard letter' to explain might emphasize the point. In fact there should maybe be a standard letter for complaining to company head offices for this.

eleanormccloy

Yes I would and have done in the past, but usually choose old people who are well heeled to approach, not young people with kids etc

Mumsie

I WOULD NOT! I'd tell them where to stick their job and go home shouting from the rooftops. It's obscene, it's immoral to con people into something that can cause such misery in their lives.

However (in the real world) I would probably keep my job, but make sure that anyone wanting a card understood how the high interest charges work if they took on such a card. I would politely try and make people aware, especially youngsters) exactly how the system works - and THEN it would be up to the person concerned.

This sort of advice on financial matters should be on the curriculum, constantly talked about at home and every young person should be aware of how APR rates/credit cards/store cards work.

It's up to us all to talk about these, with our friends and families.

affordmylife

i left the job for this very reason.

i do not agree with promoting debt.

vikir99

Yes, I do it everyday, have been told the company are not in a position to carry the 'dead weight' of those who cannot sell them, I find it very hard to sell something I don't believe in & people often come in asking if they get 'discount or something' for having the card, they clearly have no idea what it is all about.
We get nothing in our shop for doing it, just a happy manager & the chance to be the best in the area or on target :mad:
I do it because its my day job, I work part time I go home.
I try to explain exactly what the customer is getting themselves into so my conscience is clear(ish):o

BobbinAlong

I thankfully wouldn't be in this position but theoretically I expect I'd do the job. It reminds me of being a Saturday girl in BHS in the seventies - the day I got stuck on the Brut counter, sales plummeted - horrible stuff!

kwmlondon

I could only sell such a card if it had benefits that could outweigh the costs e.g. does it earn bonus points? I would explain that the interest rate was high, but that can be avoided by paying it off in full each month and that by setting up a direct debit you can avoid any unreasonable fees. My take on it would be that if I had no option other than to do this job then I'd have no choice, but I'd made damn sure I was being straight with the people I sold it to. Mind you, if the card was really bad news I don't think I could actually sell it to people as I could not lie.

KimYeovil

Why not? If people are greedy enough to want to stuff their bags and pay 30% interest then that is their choice. If they seemed to have learning difficulties I might refrain but if they are low-life chav with labels on the outside I would not hesitate. What business is it of mine?