OT: Dillard's Rant

So that's why they're always pushing me to sign up for a credit card I neither need nor want! I have exactly TWO credit cards, and that is enough, particularly since I almost always use cash anyway.

And what a horrible way to treat one's employees! Have any of them talked to an attorney who handles employment law issues?

I went in last week to purchase one small item, and the girl tried so hard to have me sign up for the darned card. Now I know why!

I have to admit, when I worked with H&R Block, we were pushed to sell the various "warranty" products. I very rarely did, and the only time I encouraged it was when it was a particularly tricky situation, which could be interpreted in more than one way. I had enough faith in my knowledge, and skill, to feel that people shouldn't have to pay another $30 for "Peace of Mind". In fact I deterred as many youngsters and low-income folk as I could from purchasing the Rapid Refund program. Told them that with a little patience, and another three or four weeks, they would have all that extra money just for themselves.

Management was NOT happy about it, but I always got upgraded each year.

Gillian

we were pushed to sell

Reminds me of the time we went to buy a refrigerator and the clerk was pushing for the warranty. So she offers it at price A, then says, but I can give it to you at employee price B. We still say no. She says well, wait a second. Goes off for a minute comes back and says "I just talked to my manager. I can give you the employee discount, Price C."

My dh and I cracked up and asked which was the real employee price, said no thanks and almost didn't buy the product from them!

Linda

Most of the employees are young or work there as a second job. I doubt if ANY of them have enough $$$ to even *think* about consulting a lawyer. I am going to go to the Dillard's web site and send them a nasty-gram about this. Fortunately for my DSis, her immediate boss is a nice woman -- it's the store manager who is such an a**&($@ ! My DSis can't get promoted because her Sunday church services aren't over until 11:30am. On Sunday, she wouldn't be to work before 12noon at the earliest and part of a promotion would mean taking a turn being to work by 11:30am in order to "open up". Dillard's WILL NOT make any sort of accommodation for her because they say if they do it for one, they would have to do it for all. She's looking into going to a different church on the Sunday she would have to open up but the only ones with an early enough service are quite some distance away AND it is a non-English service (some Spanish, others Korean). I DO wish I could win the lottery :-)))! CiaoMeow >^;;^<

I believe it is violation of federal law backed up by some court cases to base employment decisions upon religion. As to seeing an attorney, check around a wee bit. Most lawyers do not charge a fee for an initial consultation, and this could be the sort of thing without a fee -- a percentage for the lawyer but only if the case is won. You could also call the US Department of Labor -- I think they might be interested in this, too!

Dillard's or who-ever are like so many others these days. They make more money on credit card interest that they do selling the actual merchandise. There are some credit cards with rates over 30% plus late penalty charges and we all thought *Big Al* was a heavy weight. LOL

Interesting. About a year ago, dh and I were in Dillard's and I was buying shoes. I produced my "old" credit card - less than 15 yesars old, because that's how long we have lived here - and the saleswoman told me it was no good and I had to have a new one. She shoved a form under my nose and ordered me to fill it in and sign it. Well, I looked it over, and saw that this was not Dillard's, it was actually Citicorp. I have a strong aversion to that bank, so I refused. She pushed and pushed and pushed, and I would have walked out, but I wanted those particular shoes. Boy, was she annoyed when I pulled actual cash out of my wallet and paid for them that way! Mind you, dh, who is a very law-abiding soul, never dreams of "questioning authority" wanted me to quietly sign up and not make a scene. So, just to prove a point, we went over to the men's dept., where he also needed some stuff, and I handed over the very same card. The assistant there looked at it, punched the numbers in by hand, wrapped up the merchandise and thanked us. 'Nuff said.

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans.

I agree entirely that it is annoying to be pushed to sign up for credit cards, extended warranties, loyalty cards etc etc in stores. But spare a thought for the employee who is trying to sell you these things; many stores set targets or percentages that sales staff must meet. If a probationery employee doesn't make the quota, they may not be made permanent. People who sell more may get more shifts, which since most retail workers are part time, matters a lot. It's not our fault--we have to do it, although there is no excuse for being rude, pushy, or misleading.

Dawne

I've been asked by nearly every store I shop in, and I shop a lot, to get their credit card. So far an emphatic no thank you has put a stop to the request.

It does sound as though Tia Mary's sister has a legitimate gripe when it comes to the Sunday boot camp situation and I probably would go higher up in management to see that it is either changed to another day or time, or done away with completely.

Lucille

So did my son. Whereabouts? and where are you now?

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans

Sorry, honey, I get the same song and dance in Target, Kohl's, Sears Essentials (aka K-Mart), Marshall's and the gas station.

Asking your employees to schill yet another credit card as a condition of employment is WRONG. Especially since these "store brand" cards have higher than average interest rates and higher late fees.

Cheryl

Forcing employees to do something like this is wrong. TM was pointing out her sister's problems, not complaining about the Dillards card itself.

Linda