Start here. Get a better job. - Sales Associate Vans Employee Review

2.0
Dec 13, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The discount is higher than most other companies (from what I've heard/seen from friends working in retail) 50% is pretty good (sometimes it sucks because the merch has a high price tag) Generally speaking your co-workers are decent people. The job isn't too difficult once you understand the stock room, and basics of the job.

Cons

For part-time work there are no benefits, except your discount. Hours are hard to come by, you're looking at 4-8 hours a week most of the time. The only two peak seasons are back to school (August - September) and the holiday season (late November-January) the payroll is always very strict, so working over 28 hours (which is considered part time) is very bad. You will be scolded for doing this. Even though every month you have a new floor set, new merchandise coming in, old merchandise going out, new standards to fulfill, all while maintaining stellar customer service and keeping the store at visual standards. Sometimes it is very difficult to take on such a workload on the hours you are given. On top of the shortage of hours, there are about 14 other sales associates in the same boat, competing for hours just like you. I know plenty of other part time sales associates that get paid twice what I do, it's a very hard job to have if you're trying to live off of it. When I first got this job I had to get a second one because the hours were so terrible. There is a very large disconnect between corporate and the stores. If your store does "well" in any aspect of retail (sales, shrink, reviews, etc.) then your store manager is rewarded, and you (as the sales associate) get nothing. It's hard to feel like this company cares about its employees actually pushing the product and selling it. It's very difficult to move up, there's very little flexibility as far as management goes (must be able to pretty much work all the time)

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5.0
Jun 10, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Safe driving practices Delivery and route management GPS and navigation systems Customer service excellence Time management Vehicle inspections Leader ship

Cons

I am still work in USA O do not have full fluency in English yet, but I am actively my skill.

3.0
Apr 22, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The environment is absolutely amazing with my coworkers and they are always supportive. Any issues that arise are met with a high level of humanity - on the base level of the people I work with, because I haven't really delt with corporate. It genuinely feels nice to work here when you have a team like mine. The culture of skating is absolutely amazing to learn about at VANs and be a part of as well. I like the history behind some of the shoes, but that's probably just because I'm a history nerd.

Cons

Part time doesn't get many hours or enough pay to survive off of. However, you can't become full time unless you get a higher position. Sadly, they are incredibly hard to get, due to the fact people seem to stay with VANs if they get that promotion, just because it seems to be great to work here once you have that higher position. As well as the usual shift is 4 hours, and sometimes you only get one shift a week. It's just incredibly hard to stay here when it can't even give you enough money on your paychecks to get a small amount of groceries that'll last one person two weeks.

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