The absolute most horrifying job I've ever held - Sales Associate Vans Employee Review

1.0
Aug 19, 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

There's no positives working in an unhealthy environment. If you're planning to apply or work here, please look for much better opportunities where you will be treated with decent respect.

Cons

I was belittled and embarrassed daily, either before opening and/or during store hours, literally in front of customers. Many of my coworkers, and I myself, couldn't handle the emotional abuse where we were almost pushed to tears. No matter how much we surpassed our daily sale goals or how spectacular our UPT was, management always found a magical way to degrade your skills and make you feel inferior. Management itself is the biggest joke, basically high school all over again. We had no choice but to keep our schedules open, also known as open calls, where we weren't able to plan anything because we never knew if they were going to need us or not. Tallk about inconsiderate. The pay? Another huge joke. We were basically paid so little to be a walking Vans-pedia. The hours? Only 4 hours EACH day. They'll only offer you more hours if someone called. That itself, speaks volumes. If I had known about a 12 hour week split up into 3 days, 4 hours each day, I would've rejected immediately. I wasted more money on public transportation than acutslly earn a livable wage. You can't even pay ONE BILL with these hours. I reported my former manager to the district manager for all the unprofessional things we trailed through and treatment we had daily from him. Unsurprisingly, no respond or action yet. Never will I support Vans or even recommend anyone to work for 4 hours a day. Not everyone has the privilege of living on Miami Beach or even have their own car.

Explore other reviews about Vans

5.0
Jul 14, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great job to work at

Cons

Other than talking to people, there are no cons

4.0
Jul 20, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Depending on District/Store great culture. Awesome discounts and bonus incentives for full time management. Relatively lenient on being able to use your discretion with difficult customers, "What Would Van Doren Do?" - basically make the customer happy reasonably. Great position to learn retail and people management in - applied itself to any career field later on.

Cons

Job Security (retail and working in malls in today's landscape can be tough depending on location). Corporate can be corporate sometimes, DMs or RMs pushing unreasonable and ridiculous selling behaviors sometimes.

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