I was recently asked by my manager & store manager if I would be interested in becoming a Fragrance Associate. The Fragrance manager in my store has always been impressed with my work & customer service they said. Currently, I am a mattress specialist & my manager & the store manager have told me I would get more commission in Fragrances than mattresses. I told them I would think about it & get back to them with an answer within a few days & they understand. I’m thinking about taking them up on their offer. What are your thoughts on moving from mattresses to fragrances & has any one who was a mattress specialist move to fragrances. I’m looking for opinions on this.
11 replies (most recent on top)
@ng thanks for your honest response my friend. I am really going to take everything you said into consideration when I make my decision.
So they're going to bump you to manage a completely different area, one with zero experience at, and you think that's setting you up for success?
g2+ gave you a thoughtful and honest response. I agree. Working in cosmetics/fragrance is a very different animal than big-ticket. I've been with the company for more than two decades on the selling floor, but NOT in a commissioned department. Any time I wanted more money for all the hard work I was putting in, I was told I could go to jewelry or cosmetics, both commissioned areas. Both times I chose to remain where I was. The reason? I didn't want to work in an environment that was cut-throat, and yes, catty.
I frequently witnessed employees "stealing" (their words, not mine) clients from their counters and then ragging on them to other workers and sometimes management.
New workers to these areas are at a disadvantage right from the start, with no established client list and less product knowledge. You will be "competing" for every sale. You will also be responsible for making, what are sometimes, impossible goals, and making those "annoying" phone calls, that customers seem to "love" to update them on sales, promotions and new products. While business will be better in fragrance in the fourth quarter and valentine's day, mother's day and again around father's day, the rest of the year be prepared to stand around.
Also, you mentioned in a previous post about wanting to go into management. Unless you aim to manage a Sephora or similar beauty company, working in a Macy's fragrance department is NOT a career path to your stated goal.
I don't mean to offend anyone who works in cosmetics with the "catty" comment, obviously not everyone behaves like this. It is only a multi-year observation in my store.
As a suggestion, visit a nearby Macy's that is not yours and spend some time, both observing and speaking with employees that currently hold those positions. Ask them what they really like and dislike about their jobs.
Again, good luck in whatever you decide.
Thanks for all your thoughts everyone. I can understand what people think regarding these posts, believe me. Let me shed some light on this & I didn’t appreciate the writer who called this a shill. I have been with this company for a very long time & they have been talking to me about moving on & higher positions & it doesn’t mean I’m going to take those positions, I just wanted opinions from associates who are in those positions, or any associate for that matter & what they think about it. I appreciate everyone’s thoughts in the two posts that I placed on this & will take this all into careful consideration when they talk to me about this again.
If youre not aggressive or catty...stay where you are. You get a better commission in mattresses. If it aint broke...
The better question is, since this is your 2nd post, why is your store losing Sales Associates and Managers is pivotal areas? Are they being promoted, or are they leaving? You come across as a high performance sales associate. Do you want your talent to work for YOU? Or for the company to abuse it? Because they will, to save their as--s because they cant keep talent.
Imo: Mattresses is a cushy area with no drama. You work with clients that are ready to spend and arent cheap. And less coworker drama to deal with. I e broken up many arguments and a few fights amongst the Fragrance Divas. Stay there where you are. Or pursue a role in the Furniture Gallery. Cos/Frag isnt a step up.
this post sounds fishy. last week the post was about being a selling captain, same format, sounds like the same writer, almost like a shill.
something is a bit "off" with these posts.........
Fragrances is so much fun! Know the top 5 fragrances and how to present them with confidence and have fun doing it and you’ll make a ton of money. As a CXM I always say I want to be a PT fragrance associate when I retire.
Its definitely a little more cut throat than mattresses that's for sure. You'll earn more but you have to compete with other associates in that area.
If you feel comfortable with the product I think it’s a good move. The thing with mattresses is they can’t take the product same day but can in beauty in general. If you’re confident selling fragrances or think you can learn it be confident it would probably be a good move
@a1 thanks, don’t worry I won’t be.
more money in toxic fragrances but don't be one of them annoying sales people who spray it on you as you walk by