Old-school management is hurting the company - Sales Engineer Sweetwater Employee Review

2.0
Aug 16, 2013
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

On the outside, Sweetwater looks like a great company to work for. Most the employees are enjoyable to work with as are most of the clients/customers.

Cons

The biggest flaw with this company is the patronizing micromanagement. This company is quickly becoming behind the times and their high employee turnover is evidence. Sweetwater touts progression in it's publicity and "green" building, but the way they treat staff and their inflexibility is anything BUT progressive. Rigid schedule, inflexible hours, lack of vacation time, horrible benefits, micromanagement, etc. They treat sales staff as if we are "lucky" to be working there and are completely disrespectful of our time. Work-life balance is not encouraged in any way.

Explore other reviews about Sweetwater

5.0
Jun 10, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The job requires a versatile mindset. It is not just one job, it is multiple jobs. For me I like switching it up and staying on my feet. This job is not only customer facing but also warehouse. So it is the best of both worlds.

Cons

Sometimes you are required to lift heavier boxes but you usually get help if needed.

4.0
Jun 5, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

If sales and music are your drives, Sweetwater is as good as it gets. Management in my experience has been very supportive and development-oriented, creating a positive culture around the company. They have a fantastic training program (albeit intense) that trains on both products and sales methods, so even if you're lacking experience in a given category there's plenty of coaching and training to get you ready for the role. Over time, the position can also be quite lucrative which compliments Fort Wayne's low cost of living well. They also offer relocation assistance since all positions are on-site, and a great benefits package. I've been fortunate to become great friends with many of my coworkers and honestly some days don't even feel like work. Ultimately, with this job you get what you put in, and making a solid living to geek out over music gear all day is a pretty sweet gig.

Cons

The job is very demanding - it's a fully commission sales job that revolves around constant customer outreach via call, text, and email. This means starting out is tough financially, and days are usually long. Try to have a savings cushion before you start, especially if you're moving from another city/state. You also work nights, holidays, and rotate through weekend shifts which won't be new for those who have worked retail before, but it's still a tough adjustment. Starting out I struggled from a social aspect as well. Fort Wayne is a cool city, but it's no LA, NY, or Chicago. Long hours at work make going out and making friends or getting involved in community groups/organizations difficult.

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