Teavana's Traumatizing & Treachous Tactics
Posted: Dec 11th, '10, 02:20
Yet, another Working with Teavana horror story. I only worked there for a bout 8 days but, I saw more then enough to be utterly disgusted by their management. Okay. So I've had worse employer experiences and it wasn't all bad. I did learn about a tea pots and did have some genuinely fond moments of being there. I also have another unrelated job and Teavana was a seasonal part time job. So it wasn't like I truly needed that job but, it was nice to have and considering that my city is at an all time low for employment. I felt happy to be accepted by them.
I will also say that while I am nowhere near a saint and I can't say that my experience is without bias or completely accurate but, I will post it and answer your questions objectively as possible. Lastly, It was at least partially my fault for getting fired and I don't have quite enough evidence/money/time/desire to sue them or pursue them for anything more then what they owe me.
So I guess I'll start from the beginning; I walked into the Teavana store and found myself teaching the manager about teas. I bought some as well. I mentioned that I need a part time job.
I was thrilled when I was accepted for an interview.
I was told to come back to the store and have my paper work filled out.
I arrived early so as to ensure that I got the paper work done. I even brought my own pen. When I got there though the manager had just left for a doctors appointment. She was pregnant or something. They gave me a free cup of tea. I got the Copper Knot Hongcha. They also gave me the training manual. I got so much of it done too. I still have the book. I only have like one or two chapters left in it.
The sales tactics were quite practical if not insidious. The whole "Top-Down Selling" where you start the customers off with the most expensive crap first and then inch your way to ensure you get their money. Don't get me wrong, it is a business after all and they need to make money to survive but, if they were honestly a good company they wouldn't need to be THAT pushy would they? Wouldn't great merchandise sell it self? I always thought. They did have a "script" to follow and I was told that I could add my own personality to it. I just had to learn that script I practiced their selling points everyday. More on that later.
My first day of the job. Went pretty successfully. I talked a couple who were only looking to spend around $40 into buying well over $400 I sold them an entire cast iron set with all those fancy little accessories.
The husband said "All I wanted was two ounces of green tea with a spoon and now we have $400 worth of stuff" The wife didn't seem to mind. She was happy. At first I honestly felt like I had educated her on the world of tea. My team mates were happy for me. It felt like a promising start. I completely forgot to take my lunch break and any break for that matter. They forgot to remind me. I didn't mind because we were busy and I was excited to be there. The clean up process was long. Our sink water was foggy. Our Fetco's were never cleaned properly. Not enough to make you sick but, enough to demand lots of room for improvement.
I didn't want to stand around. I was happy to work and learn the process of cleaning. It took a long time to clean that small place. It seemed like I spent more time cleaning then anything else.
That was day one.
I will continue posting when I have more time. I will answer any questions and I promise to finish my story for you good folks out there.
I will also say that while I am nowhere near a saint and I can't say that my experience is without bias or completely accurate but, I will post it and answer your questions objectively as possible. Lastly, It was at least partially my fault for getting fired and I don't have quite enough evidence/money/time/desire to sue them or pursue them for anything more then what they owe me.
So I guess I'll start from the beginning; I walked into the Teavana store and found myself teaching the manager about teas. I bought some as well. I mentioned that I need a part time job.
I was thrilled when I was accepted for an interview.
I was told to come back to the store and have my paper work filled out.
I arrived early so as to ensure that I got the paper work done. I even brought my own pen. When I got there though the manager had just left for a doctors appointment. She was pregnant or something. They gave me a free cup of tea. I got the Copper Knot Hongcha. They also gave me the training manual. I got so much of it done too. I still have the book. I only have like one or two chapters left in it.
The sales tactics were quite practical if not insidious. The whole "Top-Down Selling" where you start the customers off with the most expensive crap first and then inch your way to ensure you get their money. Don't get me wrong, it is a business after all and they need to make money to survive but, if they were honestly a good company they wouldn't need to be THAT pushy would they? Wouldn't great merchandise sell it self? I always thought. They did have a "script" to follow and I was told that I could add my own personality to it. I just had to learn that script I practiced their selling points everyday. More on that later.
My first day of the job. Went pretty successfully. I talked a couple who were only looking to spend around $40 into buying well over $400 I sold them an entire cast iron set with all those fancy little accessories.
The husband said "All I wanted was two ounces of green tea with a spoon and now we have $400 worth of stuff" The wife didn't seem to mind. She was happy. At first I honestly felt like I had educated her on the world of tea. My team mates were happy for me. It felt like a promising start. I completely forgot to take my lunch break and any break for that matter. They forgot to remind me. I didn't mind because we were busy and I was excited to be there. The clean up process was long. Our sink water was foggy. Our Fetco's were never cleaned properly. Not enough to make you sick but, enough to demand lots of room for improvement.
I didn't want to stand around. I was happy to work and learn the process of cleaning. It took a long time to clean that small place. It seemed like I spent more time cleaning then anything else.
That was day one.
I will continue posting when I have more time. I will answer any questions and I promise to finish my story for you good folks out there.