Pros
I worked at Earthbound Trading Company twice. First from about 2006-2009 when I was in high school, and second in 2012 after I moved back. When I first worked there I absolutely loved it. Staff was great and excited to be there. Our manager wanted us to succeed and was kind, helpful, and knowledgeable. Sales goals were manageable, and the company constantly ran contests to sell certain items. (Our store won a hermit crab contest and every employee won a free bike!) It was a fun environment to work and the products were fun to learn about and up-sell because they were interesting and different. Even when higher ups visited, it was nerve-wracking, but not terrifying because they were strict but nice and offered pointers to improve.
Cons
Not the same when I returned in 2012. Sales goals were hard to meet (though not always impossible). Although we may have only managed because employees helped each other and if one person met their sales goal, they would ring purchases up under another employee to help boost their sales. Or if another employee helped with a purchase the person at the register would make sure they got the sale, so we still worked together. I can't imagine trying to make those goals without help. I was working a little over 40 hours a week and I still couldn't make enough money to live off of, even living with a room mate. Management was...rough. Honestly was trying their best, but hired outside and had to be taught by other employees, and maybe wasn't best management material. There was no sense of loyalty or excitement to be with a great company like there was before. Huge disappointment from the first time I worked there. I don't know what happened to upper management those years I was gone, but the company has greatly strayed from the fun company I worked with before.
