How’d You Get This Job?
TSG reader 4DRUMZ speaks again.
What’s up with people working in athletic shoe stores who don’t know jack about kicks??? Seriously, 80% of the cats that work at my local mall shops don’t know jack unless corporate makes them read it out of some monthly newsletter.
Read Blog: Really? Really? How’d You Get This Job?
Category: Blogs
@4Drumz, dude i couldn’t agree with you more. half the time whether i go or call about a release, they’re like “i don’t know what that is” and it pisses me off every time. it’s like how you gonna work in a shoe store and not know what the hell i’m talkin about. so aggravating. nice piece man.
WERD MA TRU STORI..DIS IS DISAPPOINTING..SMH
this is very true..i dn’t even ask them questions any more..i just come here..
Hah…this is some true shyt…^^^^^
agree
Ha this right here made me laugh. I work at Finishline and feel like I know what’s up when customers ask (thanks TSG).. but it’s the customers most of the time that think they know everything and come in with some wack info that I know is completely false. I just laugh at em and go along with it. For real though most employees at shoe retailers don’t know anything.
This is why I never depend on any of them for help….
No kidding. Ive asked about a shoe thats coming out the next day and they look at me like I’m crazy.
haha so true, i always like confusing them with questions about upcoming releases, but once and a while i find some one that knows a litle
thats awsome my post time was 4/20 ^^^^^^^^
They don’t care because it’s a 10-20 hr/week job where you get paid close to minimum wage. The cats who know about sneakers own their own sneaker shops. It’s like going to Blockbuster and asking the kid behind the counter what he should rent, it’s the same scenario.
OMG TY FOR MAKING THIS POST, I’ll give you an example of what one of the workers said… “Can we even return retros?” these workers are idiots..
1) PURP – learn how to spell. I can’t even read that comment. Sound somewhat educated please. Do you actually try to spell like that? I mean it must take concerted effort
2) This is so true. I HATE calling FL, Champs, etc. because I know I am going to get the same answer every time: “Uhh, the what release? What date is it supposed to come out? Umm, let me ask my manager, hold on.” The best is when you give them the nick name of a shoe and they are like “Space Jams?”…like dude, have you been sleeping under a damn rock for 20 years? It doesn’t even matter, because when they give you an answer it is STILL NEVER THE CORRECT ANSWER. Since when have customers had to educate employees of companies????
The referee on the left gotta mean Al B. Sure uni-brow. Shiet, I can’t tell whether he’s happy or mad @ the world. LOL!
HA HA HA HA LoL @ SC… that’s classic!
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Thanks G-Roc… btw, I’m not sure if there’s any copyright on that picture… it just killed me when I found it!?!? That’s exactly what my FL workers looked like back in the early 90′s when I’d walk in to get my weekly nubuck buzz!!!
^^^^ LMAO AT lilbusta
I SAID THAT TO MYSELF IN MY HEAD WHEN I READ HIS COMMENT
AS FOR THE PICTURE… LOL ITS LOOK LIKE IT WAS SOME 1993 SHIT
I find my self thinkin this all the time.. But i cant even get a job there and I know what im talking about. They are abolutly rediculus.
^I was about to say that is a classic Foot Locker pic, looks like the Foot Locker Outlet we used to have in MD (MD/DC heads remember that joint on Univesity Blvd in Langley Park by UMD). I have to agrre with most folks, I dont even bother asking about dates. If I am in there I know what I want and Im out. Now if its a boutique store then you better be on ya isht…
I read the blog and also all the comments and honestly I think everyone is right in there frustration but Inertia said it right…mostly there are kids working in the mall (pt1)..they make like $7 dollars an hour (pt2)…work for them is just something you do in between going to school and getting drunk..or sleeping all day..and getting drunk…The real dudes that are sneaker heads or that actually know anything about anything..work 1 day a week just for the discount..real talk…Besides, the days of walking into a sneaker store for advise are pretty much over..thats what the NET is for…Once upon a time you HAD to politic with the dudes at the spot..now you got TSG…so why hire knowledgable people when your average consumer knows exactly what they want…only availabilty and price seperates stores…
my take on thisis… if it’s a pretty female and she don’t know sh!t about sh!t still give her the job, because I already know what I want and why I just want some one cute to sell it to me!
oH..And just cause everyone is cooled as shit in and know about the latest drops in (insert you local “cool” sneaker boutique name here)…dont me ish to me…I love going to malls where there employees dont know anything..it just increases your chances of snatching something crazy for a great price or with no problems…When the animals control the yard it makes it hard for the rest of us….Speaking as a NYC native trust me…up and down 34th street these dudes no everything..and thats why new releases are impossible to get unless you “take care of” the right people..BS..
@Carter – There’s a really nice girl at my local FL… she’s UP on her game with the kicks… but her boyfriend wears a size 15 so if you’re ever in Lakewood, NY… just be nice to her! LoL Seriously, she’s one of the 20% who is on-point there!
Man you dont no how long ive been tryna get a shoe job!
^ Oh, nice as in… like, she’s really nice to talk too and stuff. If you’re on the community… you know I’m good to go with my lady
Oh yeah, FinishLine in Lakewood, NY… not the “locker”! Man, I hate not proof-reading!
Look at both sides of the story.. MOST ppl working at a typical shoe store (FTL, FL, FA etc), its their JOB.. Thats it.. A means to an end.. They dont give a shit bout the shoes, they just trying take less calls, less questions as possible; and watching the clock…. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN “PRIVATE SNEAKER BOUTIQUES” or STORES OF THIS NATURE. THATS WHERE YOU GET YOUR “CUSTOMER SERVICE” that a “SNEAKERHEAD” would expect. MOST OF THESE SPOTS HIRE KNOWLEDGEABLE EMPLOYEES OR THE MANAGEMENT(USUALLY SNEAKERHEADS) RUN THE STORE AND THEY ARE WHAT YOU NEED IN THIS SHOE GAME…
and you need http://www.theshoegame.com — The answer to ALL your questions!
I tried to work at all the shoe stores, they would never hire me. Not sure why they are reluctant to hire sneakerheads.
As annoying as it is… everyone’s got to make a living. Half the people working there hate their jobs anyway. It’s only the boutiques that generally have people who love “The Game” or maybe the odd head in footlocker if you’re lucky enough to get served by him.
When I’m asking certain people about releases I can see it in their eyes they don’t know, care and think I’m a cunt. That’s highstreet customer service for you tbh
LMAO, its true, dudes at footlockers, champs, finishline dont know sh**. Anyone else think these guys on the pic look fresh?? Lmao, walk into your local Footlocker and they all look the same. All have line-ups and fades, SMH.
I REALLY HATE IT, ESPECIALLY WHEN GIRLS WORK THERE AND HAVE NO CLUE. SHOE SPOTS ARE FOR 17-21 YEAR OLD PEOPLE. THEY DON’T PAY SPIT.
MAN You guys need to come to my store. any release for nikes, air jordans, and even a little knowledge on adidas to help my customers out. people that come in can’t get enough of my footwear. ladies I also got them and give them what they need too.
Come shop @ NTSF and we’ll keep you on top of your game.
o I work at DTLR off memorial drive best believe me and my niggas know everything!
lol..nice! This is why it is good to know someone at these retail stores. Like peeps said above, “it’s just a job for some”. My boy hooks it up for me at Champs in Bellevue, WA. Find someone that knows there shyt and just stick with them. What up Pea! I’ll be back man…
In my opinion it’s very simple. They hire most of them on low average income and get more out of it. Why because they give the customers the wrong info and most of us fall for it. I am sure i was victimized by their lies before but not anymore. Shit i don’t trust no one. I buy stuff and keep my receipt. Period. Sometime even when they know the truth, they are force to lie to the customers by making stupid shit look mysterious lol.. Well they don’t fool me, why because i got my receipt. Lol if they lie to me, i just return the damn thing…. Hahaha scruuu all this corporations.
the best part is most of these fools actually think they are cool..i mean look at those guys..i bet they fight over chix when they come in thinkin they gonna get some digits. hahaha..im on my a$$ laughin at these clowns…but so true your better off findin the info yourself nowadays and just find the hot spot to go to that alwasy has the best kix..i got mine..City Gear fa sho
Damn yo I say that to myself EVERY TIME I walk into a shoe store. Sometimes I’m an a**hole and confuse the employees, just cus I’m hatin -_-. But when I see one of the employees on point with their sneaker knowledge, I’m proud of him/her as if I’m his/her dad lol .
haha i always laugh when that happens. one time i told the guy to give me his uniform nd name tag cause he didnt kno anything. i corrected a lady saturday bout the release date on oreo 6s saturday nd she didnt like it much.
Man I feel the same way especially in the smaller states (Idaho) like the one i live in people are pretty much clueless about sneakers and sneaker releases I always know way more about the shoes they’re trying to sell me. I’ve applied for a job at finishline but i guess i dont have enough retail experience to work there sad because i’d be schooling everybody and the customers if i worked there.
My name is brandon this is what i do i been doing this for 6 years strong so that how im living ya mean! i been into shoes since my first pair of reebok pumps back in the day {bowen homes stand up) my momma kick my azzzz for throwing them shoes on the telephone line pole.
peep this i did it again just to get another pair
thanks,
mom dukes
damn right i thought it was only me that noticed that, im from st.louis n 98% of these employees are idiots i tell u, its like they are elementary kids trying 2 take pre calc. or chemistry
Lol this is true to a certain extent. At my mall the finishline employees don’t know sh** about drops I said, hey you guys getting the foamposites ?they said, foamposite who? I just laugh. I actually run a sneaker shop and the majority of my employees have great knowledge on sneakers not only Nike and Jordan but many other brands as well. As for the bloggers saying people who work at sneaker shops don’t get paid do your research first because I’m not rich but I’m living comfortable with a satisfying job. I’m a sneakerhead and I RUN my shop.
the worst part they dont even kno half the stuff on the self or if u ask em a question…it a sad thing they should give all us kickz heads their job.if u selling anything in life u should kno what u selling point blank.
Not only do they not know what there talkin bout when you go to apply at the job and tell them your a sneakerhead they be shifty like you gonna try and robb em are somthin an i just be standing there like im trynna work so i can get these air griffy’s with out a big ass mo fo line out side. cant live with cant live with out em lol.
Great post. And your right..a large percent of them are idiots. Thank god we have access to release dates or we’d get NOTHING done.
I Thought I was the only one thinking about that
They never know anything. and I try to throw them bread cause I know they not getting paid, to get me the shoes early or for the low and they act real corporate like they cant do that ( learn the angles at your job)cause minimum wage after taxes aint worth it. HUSTLE.
I’ve been buying more shoes from a local chain called Expressions, and they ALWAYS know what I’m talking about, when I ask about a new release. They do at Footaction as well, so the problem isn’t everywhere. I called CHAMPS once, and the girl who answered the phone didn’t know what I was talking about, when I asked her about the Space Jams. That’s pretty much my only negative experience like this.
I was a store manager at Champs Sports for 5years. I myself am a sneaker head. Out of the 5 years I’ve only hired 2 sneakerheads the others were just people who bought shoes killed them and bought another pair. To be honest most kids when you interview them say “I like shoes” when asked why do you want to work here. Its only because the people who apply are not sneakerheads that why they know jack shit about kicks. I always made sure my staff was well informed about any sneaker coming up in the weeks to come but some people are just dumb and cant remember their names without lookin at their name tags
This is an award winning subject posted in TSG. It really is a good one!