I miss the old Crate - Department Manager Crate and Barrel Employee Review

4.0
14 Mar 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

C&B used to have such a family feel. They had amazing management that trained the staff and inspired growth. Then... They sold out. I heard that things have been much better once the owner stepped back to take charge and make sure that the culture wasn't totally lost. Sad thing is that they lost so many amazing members of management along the way. Management companies turn the focus away from the customer and onto the $ not realizing that the most money comes through customer relationships. They must want to come back to a trusted authority. Not just to salespeople whom push items down their throats.

Cons

Management company ruined the culture that was a lifestyle in a matter if months. What took more than 50 years to build was ruined. It's much harder to earn back trust once lost.

Explore other reviews about Crate and Barrel

1.0
29 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The only saving grace is the people I've worked with . Other than that I'd leave a negative star if I could.

Cons

The CEO Janet Hayes has taken away additional employee discounts . At a certain time of the year we used to get an additional 15% off on top of our regular discounts. GONE! If an in store customer would like to have an item that ships directly from the vendor we offer free shipping . If an employee would like to do the same not only do we have to pay for shipping but our discounts can no longer be applied . How low can you go? What a great way to motivate the employees and show us all that we are just numbers and you could care less about us . This company doesn't care about it's workers and I wouldn't tell someone I don't like to work there. Every location is experiencing high turnover as management is typically incompetent and focuses on all the wrong things. Training is laughable and most designers are thrown to the wolves with high expectations after a few videos . You can not make as much as advertised so don't waste your time. Most don't stick around more than 3-6 months . You have to have open availability and they don't care if you go to church or need family time . There will be no work life balance . Constant updates are always required . What are you selling ? What are your future sales ? How many cards have you opened or how many emails can you capture? How many in home visits have you made ? Speaking of which did you know they send women to in home visits by themselves without vetting clients in the store first ? Another huge potential lawsuit on the horizon.

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