John Lewis - when did this start?!

pops5588

bod1467 wrote: »

Do you have power of attorney over your grandmother's financial affairs? If not then you will not be able to do anything - at least not without her first formally granting permission for you to do so.

(Just saying. They'll likely cite data protection rules stop you taking control of this, so you need to be prepared for it. Forewarned is forearmed, and all that).

Oh yes of course, I've done a couple of things for her in the past and she has been able to give permission for them to deal with me instead.

Fella

Thomas_the_tank_engine wrote: »

There does seem to be a culture change going on. Its not the old John Lewis we used to know and love. They seem to want to screw every last penny out of their customers. Got to pay for their large bonuses somehow I guess.

A bonus is part of someone's remuneration package, no different than regular salary. The trend in the UK to hate anyone who gets one is deeply depressing.

I hope the JL staff get huge bonuses & enjoy spending them, JL is easily the best store I have to deal with.

Thomas_the_tank_engine

I don't begrudge the John Lewis staff a bonus but 15% seems a bit excessive in my opinion when most people getting 2%-3% wage increases if they're lucky. Basing staff bonuses on company profit can be dangerous as we've seen with the banks. People get greedy and do things to increase company profit that aren't necessarily good for the customer. Pushing credit cards to 80 year old ladies being a good example.

Fella

On the contrary a decent bonus incentivises people to do their job well whereas a 2-3% bonus would likely have no effect whatsoever & would therefore be a pretty pointless bonus.

We live in a free country, anyone unhappy with their payrise can apply for a job elsewhere, including at John Lewis.

Lokolo

Thomas_the_tank_engine wrote: »

I don't begrudge the John Lewis staff a bonus but 15% seems a bit excessive in my opinion when most people getting 2%-3% wage increases if they're lucky. Basing staff bonuses on company profit can be dangerous as we've seen with the banks. People get greedy and do things to increase company profit that aren't necessarily good for the customer. Pushing credit cards to 80 year old ladies being a good example.

The JL partnership bonus has been going on for 10+ years, so its hardly something new.

pops5588

Thomas_the_tank_engine wrote: »

I don't begrudge the John Lewis staff a bonus but 15% seems a bit excessive in my opinion when most people getting 2%-3% wage increases if they're lucky. Basing staff bonuses on company profit can be dangerous as we've seen with the banks. People get greedy and do things to increase company profit that aren't necessarily good for the customer. Pushing credit cards to 80 year old ladies being a good example.

I've never had an issue before with John Lewis or any bonuses their staff may or may not receive. I am all for whatever keeps the high street thriving. But I agree that this may be a motivation for what happened to my grandmother, and I cannot support these heavy sales tactics, especially when it is targeted towards those who come across as being older and/or vulnerable.

Thomas_the_tank_engine

Fella wrote: »

On the contrary a decent bonus incentivises people to do their job well whereas a 2-3% bonus would likely have no effect whatsoever & would therefore be a pretty pointless bonus.

We live in a free country, anyone unhappy with their payrise can apply for a job elsewhere, including at John Lewis.

I think you'll find that there are a heck of people in this country who having experienced pay cuts or pay freezes during the last few years that would love the chance to earn a bonus of "only" 2-3%. I agree that anyone not happy can apply for a job else where but that's easier said than done when there are over 2.5 million unemployed.

StuC75

But that's 'only' If the person goes on to run up a debt on a credit card.. So what if they refused to let her open an account based purely on age - there would be an uproar.. At the end of the Day the OP's relative obligingly gave her details to setup the account.

What is the angle of this supposed story?

Thomas_the_tank_engine wrote: »

I don't begrudge the John Lewis staff a bonus but 15% seems a bit excessive in my opinion when most people getting 2%-3% wage increases if they're lucky. Basing staff bonuses on company profit can be dangerous as we've seen with the banks. People get greedy and do things to increase company profit that aren't necessarily good for the customer. Pushing credit cards to 80 year old ladies being a good example.

R_P_W

Thomas_the_tank_engine wrote: »

I don't begrudge the John Lewis staff a bonus but 15% seems a bit excessive in my opinion when most people getting 2%-3% wage increases if they're lucky. Basing staff bonuses on company profit can be dangerous as we've seen with the banks. People get greedy and do things to increase company profit that aren't necessarily good for the customer. Pushing credit cards to 80 year old ladies being a good example.

Well a bonus and wage increase are different things entirely. So not sure why you have made a link between them?

Why would anyone care what someone else gets as a bonus? Any privately owned company should be able to pay whatever they want without people being bitter and jealous.

pops5588

StuC75 wrote: »

What is the angle of this supposed story?

Is it always necessary to have an "angle"?

I posted predominantly out of surprise that John Lewis were adopting pressure sales tactics as I had never come across it before in there. Other posters have sought to reassure that they don't think this is the case and thus i can only deduce it is the only the odd sales assistant that is behaving badly.