Experiences can vary - ASM- Assistant Store Manager Vans Employee Review

2.0
19 Apr 2021
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Relaxed dress code, good discount, possible to have a fun work environment. Depending on your SM, DM, it can be very valuable resume building experience. However, that is generally not the case.

Cons

ASM is easily the worst position in the store. 90-95% of the responsibility of a SM but only about half the pay, while entry-level associates will get 3/4 your pay and have no added responsibility. Brutal retail scheduling, not as bad as big box store hours but still bad. Unless you have a great SM (you probably won’t) that knows how to schedule and hire. The illusion of upward mobility. Corporate talks a big game and has training plans on paper, but they will fall short of meeting the terms of your employment agreement. That goes for raises and for promotion opportunity. Outside talent gets paid more than homegrown. Corporate will issue changes without considering the effect on operations. They are functionally retarded when it comes to actually implementing their ideas in a real store.

Explore other reviews about Vans

5.0
6 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Everyone was so nice and the job was very fun! I miss it every day.

Cons

Sometimes I didn't like the shoe designs.

3.0
22 Apr 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The environment is absolutely amazing with my coworkers and they are always supportive. Any issues that arise are met with a high level of humanity - on the base level of the people I work with, because I haven't really delt with corporate. It genuinely feels nice to work here when you have a team like mine. The culture of skating is absolutely amazing to learn about at VANs and be a part of as well. I like the history behind some of the shoes, but that's probably just because I'm a history nerd.

Cons

Part time doesn't get many hours or enough pay to survive off of. However, you can't become full time unless you get a higher position. Sadly, they are incredibly hard to get, due to the fact people seem to stay with VANs if they get that promotion, just because it seems to be great to work here once you have that higher position. As well as the usual shift is 4 hours, and sometimes you only get one shift a week. It's just incredibly hard to stay here when it can't even give you enough money on your paychecks to get a small amount of groceries that'll last one person two weeks.

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