Associate managers get the short end of the stick - Associate Manager Buffalo Exchange Employee Review

3.0
Jun 14, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good benefits: insurance, profit-based bonuses, 401k, employee discount, the longer you work there the faster you accrue PTO. Lots of training is provided and there is opportunity for growth for people who can plaster a smile on their face 24/7. Very clear cut expectations and policies, open book management and many employees get engaged in understanding business financials and how they can contribute and benefit.

Cons

Hard work life balance as an associate manager, with how often managers are shifted from store to store you can easily get stuck having weekdays as your days off for years on end, despite there being a supposed system to rotate days off every 6 months. Some store managers don't step up and do the work that sometimes should be expected of a salaried employee. Associate managers are hourly and the company is crazy about no one getting overtime, but it isn't for the sake of not overworking people. Sometimes you're forced to clock out for 3 hours in the middle of the day and then continue your work day, so get paid for 8 hours but really be consumed by work for 11. Gray area of expectations of managers being friends with employees, and most employees and many managers just concerned with partying together and forming cliques.

Explore other reviews about Buffalo Exchange

5.0
Jan 19, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

awesome training, amazing staff! lots of opportunities to grow and learn from helpful and informative staff

Cons

no cons! highly recommend this location to work at!

1.0
Jun 5, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

you learn a lot about clothes

Cons

literally the worst job i can possibly imagine. you’re expected to be on top of register, buying in clothes, customers stealing, dressing room, talking to the customers on the floor, counting in and out the money, etc 100% all of the time. they expect you to overextend yourself the entire shift. i have never had to be on top of so many things in my life. i have more responsibilities than the MANAGERS at my last job do for far less pay. and we are in downtown portland so we get a lot of theft and have to deescalate mental health crises constantly. every employee i’ve talked to has agreed with me that they’ve never felt like a bad employee before working here. i pride myself on being smart and helpful and quickly learning the rules of any environment im in but i’ve never felt more stupid in my life. there is literally no time to take a breath in the entire 8hr shift

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