How much do they get paid? Enough to shop there?

[Deleted]

I've heard friends working retail saying that they don't make enough money to even shop at the place they work at (same could be true for some people that work at some high ends spa/hotels/etc).

But a couple of weeks ago after the big snow storm I read the following article (my wife made me read it to show me how cheap she was compared to some people): www.dnainfo.com/20101227/greenwich-village-soho/fashionistas-couture-outfits-not-exempt-from-shoveling

and some part of the article that made me just spill my coffee

"she calculated she was wearing more than $3,000 worth of Ralph Lauren clothing, including a pair of $1,500 boots. "

"All told, Brobston's Cucinelli ensemble totaled $6,000 ($900 boots, $500 jeans, $1,000 sweater, $500 shirt, $2,000 vest, $300 hat and $800 scarf)."

I mean :
A) is wearing the clothing from the store a requirement?
B) If so are they getting a huge discount?
C) Or getting paid some serious $$$$ so they can afford those clothes!

[Deleted]

Usually it is a requirement, and yes, they usually get a huge discount... at least as i understand it, although i admit my first hand knowledge from friends working retail is a bit lower end than that... lol... American Eagle, Hollister, etc...

[Deleted]

Although, as i look at your op... it does again add to some ongoing concerns about your wife's ability to rationalize her purchases.... doesn't it ?...

[Deleted]

Jan 11, 2011 10:34:33 GMT -5 oped said:

Although, as i look at your op... it does again add to some ongoing concerns about your wife's ability to rationalize her purchases.... doesn't it ?...

Tell me about it... but it is still a work in progress. She is getting better.

She went with friends to the Woodbuy Commons Premium Outlet the other day and actually came back with nothing. For my wife that is a BIG improvement.

Due to her upbringing she usually thinks name brand or more expensive = better. And that even comes to our groceries, she gets upset when I purchase store brand groceries compared to national brand... to me they taste the same and less expensive. She swears there is a difference.

So baby steps!

[thyme4change]

I'm under the impression that high end boutiques pay better than The Gap. I've only thought that because the service at these places is exquisite, and I can't imagine these people kissing up like that for 10-bucks an hour. But, I do agree that they don't make enough to be wearing $6k worth of clothes.

[Deleted]

I thought the higher end places paid commision as well as hourly compensation? Anyone ever work at one of those places?

[justwhoever]

That stuff isn't even that "cute" and can not see why anyone would pay those prices.

My wedding dress is the most expensive thing I have ever worn and it was under $500.

I'm so thankful I am so simple.

[Deleted]

Jan 11, 2011 10:42:44 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

But, I do agree that they don't make enough to be wearing $6k worth of clothes.

I thought the same, but would also like to know how big of a discount they get.

Because even at 50% off.... 6K worth of clothing still costs 3K and for me that is still alot of money.

[Deleted]

In those high end stores they get paid by commission. Some of those jobs pay big bucks.

[Deleted]

Jan 11, 2011 10:48:39 GMT -5 @justaposter said:

In those high end stores they get paid by commission. Some of those jobs pay big bucks.

That would explain it lol... because wow

[thyme4change]

Cawiau - I agree it is a lot of money, but gals like that would probably buy a $3k outfit anyway. We have a pretty low level employee here who was quite proud of the fact that she spent ridiculous amounts on her clothes and shoes. She said her Dad made her a princess, and that it is what it is. She doesn't care that she can't pay off her credit cards - but she drives around in her Lexus with her Gucci this, and her Coach that.

I find it really funny because I believe she will have a decent career - not ridiculous. She is married to an above average guy - but probably not going to be a mega-millionaire. She is cute, but quite heavy, so she cares enough about her appearance to spend mega-money, but not to eat properly. Sad that all that money spent is overpowered by her below average figure and her just-average job.

[Deleted]

Jan 11, 2011 10:56:47 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

Cawiau - I agree it is a lot of money, but gals like that would probably buy a $3k outfit anyway.

I know that for a fact... you need to meet my wife side of the family and some idiots on my side of the family.

Yes I know quite a few people that feel that appearance is everything and spend a ridiculous amount of money on just that.

[thyme4change]

I actually wish I knew more people who at least thought appearance was something. There are so many gross slobs around here. Come on people - show some self respect!

[Taxman10]

Jan 11, 2011 10:44:27 GMT -5 @justwhoever said:

That stuff isn't even that "cute" and can not see why anyone would pay those prices.

My wedding dress is the most expensive thing I have ever worn and it was under $500.

I'm so thankful I am so simple.

Simple is the way to go!! My $10 wranglers are as good as $100 Polo jeans
Imho :-)

[The J]

The other thing to is that employees can find something they really like, stick it in a back corner somewhere, and wait until it goes to 75% off, before their discount.

[Deleted]

Jan 11, 2011 11:13:37 GMT -5 The J said:

The other thing to is that employees can find something they really like, stick it in a back corner somewhere, and wait until it goes to 75% off, before their discount.

If that is the case than it would make more sense for them to be wearing those clothings.

[zibazinski]

Cawiau, you are joking with us, right? Aren't you the poster with the uber expensive apartment and spending habits?

[Deleted]

Jan 11, 2011 11:24:36 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

Cawiau, you are joking with us, right? Aren't you the poster with the uber expensive apartment and spending habits?

uper expensive apartment: Depend on how you look at it. For my area, no. For me personally... YES
spending habits? NO
Wife spending habits... YES!

[rumples]

Many people who work in high end boutiques or even as a rep of a clothing line in a department store are given a clothing allowance by the company they represent (e.g., Ralph Lauren). People tend to buy that which looks good on someone else.

[zibazinski]

Have you and your wife worked on these issues? The financial disparity? I know you got a paid for wedding and from what you have said, you seem to be married to someone who has a different way of thinking about finances than you do. Have you resolved these issues? I know you put off the house buying/baby making thing.

[Deleted]

Jan 11, 2011 12:14:14 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

Have you and your wife worked on these issues? The financial disparity? I know you got a paid for wedding and from what you have said, you seem to be married to someone who has a different way of thinking about finances than you do. Have you resolved these issues? I know you put off the house buying/baby making thing.

a) No House
b) No Kids (thank god for condoms and birth control pills)
c) We both have different way of spending money, taking it a day at a time
d) We are looking into moving this June, extra money will go towards maxing roth Ira's.

[8 Bit WWBG]

...:::"my wife made me read it to show me how cheap she was compared to some people":::...

We've had this joke before. If DF ever tried to use this logic on me, I would find an article (or simply cite some of her friends) who give their men <more sex, cook more meals, clean for him, earn more money>... That usually sets things straight.

...:::"is wearing the clothing from the store a requirement?":::...

Yes. They are essentially modeling the clothes for the customers. It also implies that they believe in or love the company because they themselves wear the items they are selling.

...:::"If so are they getting a huge discount?":::...

Often times disgustingly large. Maybe they pay $300 for that $900 jacket.

...:::"In those high end stores they get paid by commission. Some of those jobs pay big bucks.":::...

Think about it this way: if you are the type of shopper who is able to drop $1,500 on a pair of boots, you are going to expect a lot better experience. You are paying for image, and exclusivity, and a lot of people competing for your money. The salespeople have to look the part.

Plus, its a documented fact that some of the designer clothing is made in the SAME factories by the SAME workers as a store brand or a "common" brand. It just happens to be stamped with a different logo.

...:::"Simple is the way to go!! My $10 wranglers are as good as $100 Polo jeans ":::...

Exactly! Some brands, you literally pay 10x as much just because the factory has the license to stamp a "Prada" on there.

...:::"The other thing to is that employees can find something they really like, stick it in a back corner somewhere, and wait until it goes to 75% off, before their discount. ":::...

I've heard that too. There is a "special shelf" where people put their names on things they want. Some places also let you use your discount on the sale price instead of the MSRP.

Or maybe they just saved their change in a vase until they had $6k right cawiau?

[Deleted]

Jan 11, 2011 12:30:59 GMT -5 8 Bit WWBG said:

Or maybe they just saved their change in a vase until they had $6k right cawiau?

That would require alot of patience

[kinetickid]

Jan 11, 2011 12:10:11 GMT -5 @rumples said:

Many people who work in high end boutiques or even as a rep of a clothing line in a department store are given a clothing allowance by the company they represent (e.g., Ralph Lauren). People tend to buy that which looks good on someone else.

I can't speak for clothing stores, but jewelry stores will often "lend" jewelry to their salespeople to wear throughout the day, and then it's returned to the store at the end of their shift.

[Tred]

A high school friend of mine works at Max Studio. I went in there with my girlfriend several years ago, and I recall the prices being pretty high....several hundred dollars for a simple dress, for instance. I've just looked at their website and the prices seem much more down-to-earth now, but still a bit high as far as I'm concerned.

At the time, my friend said employees got a 70% discount (only one day a month, I think?) and there were no restrictions on how many items they could buy. So she had all her close friends come in the store on that day every month and stock their wardrobes. It makes sense if the store wants employees to wear the clothes while they work...they're walking advertisements. Her typical conservative work outfit (black on black on black) boots, skirt, shirt, sweater could easily have been several hundred dollars (or more) without a discount.

Whether or not this is typical, I have no idea, but it's a data point

[Deleted]

Jan 11, 2011 13:31:36 GMT -5 Tred said:

At the time, my friend said employees got a 70% discount (only one day a month, I think?)

Ok 70% off sounds like a good discount.
So a $1,200 boots will costs about $360.... still a bit expensive for my taste for just boots but much better than $1,200

[thyme4change]

It is hard to get a decent pair of good looking boots for less than $200 - so getting a great pair of boots for $360 would be a fabulous score!

[8 Bit WWBG]

...:::"So a $1,200 boots will costs about $360.... still a bit expensive for my taste for just boots but much better than $1,200":::...

Plus, the oohs and aahs you get when someone recognizes them as $1,200 boots.

[swamp]

"Plus, the oohs and aahs you get when someone recognizes them as $1,200 boots."

I dunno if I say ooh or aah when I recognize $1,200 boots. I think it's more likely that I think to my self that the person is a idiot for spending that much money on trendy footwear.

[dancinmama]

I like looking nice, but I have never been into high end clothing. I usually shop at Ross and get good quality clothing for a fraction of the cost. I don't pay attention to the labels. I just buy what I like that looks good, fits well, and is reasonably priced. You can look very nice and well put together without having to spend a fortune.

SIDE NOTE: I bought a pair of sandals with heals there. My friend recognized the designer. I had no clue.