Reasonable to ask for a raise?

**phantom** · 10-22-2012, 12:52 PM

How good of an employee have you been in the two weeks you've been there? Have you hit some impressive sales goals or been recognized for putting in some exceptionally good work? If you've been a good employee and your employer knows it, I think you have a decent chance of getting a raise. But, if there are lots of other college kids around all competing for jobs, that will definitely work against you. No matter how much money an employer is making, they're not going to pay more than they have to for an employee. So, if there are lots of other equally skilled people around, you don't have much chance of getting a raise. But, if you've proven yourself to be an exceptional employee, you do have a chance of them valuing you more than some other kid off the street and trying to keep you by offering a raise.

I wonder though, if you really wanted more than minimum wage, why didn't you ask for it before taking the job? If I were your employer, I think I would be wondering what had changed between when I hired you and you agreed to one rate and now.

**siggy_freud** · 10-22-2012, 03:05 PM

Best policy is to know what you're worth, and be able to convey it going into the job. I think in your case, you need to be able to defend you're worth it, because the first thing a business like that will think is how many other people your age are looking for work.

Asking for a raise this soon may give them the impression that you're going to hold them hostage for more money at regular intervals.

If you really believe you're worth it, look for another job that pays more, and use that as leverage. Tell them you did a poor job of communicating your needs when you took the position, and that you know you're worth more and are looking to pursue other opportunities that reward your time on a level you're comfortable with. Convey that you believe you still have much more to offer Express, and that you'd like to stay on board and hope you and them can find some middle ground.

Chances are though, after two weeks, you haven't done enough to show them you're worth it. Raises can be tough, which is why I always try and negotiate my starting salary to be where I'd actually like to be in a few years time.

But again, you have to KNOW you're worth it, be able to communicate that, and back it up with evidence. Just recently I asked for a raise, and company policy (government) said I'm limited to 5%. I know I'm worth WAY more than that, and politely refused. Now we're working on 20%, but again, I came from a powerful bargaining positions in which they can't really afford to lose me.

The bottom line question for Express is "what is going to cost us less/make us more?" Show them how $3.00 (or whatever) more an hour actually makes them money, and what money they stand to lose by losing you as an employee.

**snafu** · 10-22-2012, 06:13 PM

Sorry but you took the job knowing the starting salary. What extra value do you give your employer that other staff don't? Are you generating significantly more dollar value sales than others? Your employer does not set pay because you *need* it. It is not based on income or profit as they pay you even when you haven't generated sufficient sales to pay their operational expenses. Some employers pay a bonus as a form of profit sharing.

Perhaps you'd be happier as a server in a restaurant where tips reflect sales and level of service but remember you will be sharing in the tip-out for hostess, kitchen & support staff like bus,dishwasher and sometimes even management.

**red92s** · 10-22-2012, 07:31 PM

Couple of things:

- Express is pretty far from "high end retail", and I'd expect the pay scale reflects that. Minimum wage, or maybe slightly higher, sounds about right for a floor associate in retail sales environment.

-Hard to make a case for deserving more based on what the store rakes in, or it's district ranking, as you've only been there 2 weeks. Just because the store is doing well, does not mean you deserve a raise after your first pay cycle.

-In my experience, most sales associates in those types of stores don't really directly make or break sales figures. They fold stuff, find stuff in sizes in the back, help people with changing rooms, and ring people out, and that is largely the extent of it. You don't as much "sell" someone a fitted lime green dress shirt, as they come in and just buy one.

-I guess my point is, it's a cheap, expendable clothing company, and they probably compensate their employees accordingly. The line of people looking for entry level retail jobs is a long one. But, it never hurts to ask. If they say no, don't get to bent out of shape about it. It's a beer money job, not a career.

**Wino** · 10-23-2012, 12:51 AM

Management's Perspective

No. It is not reasonable to ask for a raise after only two weeks.

As a manager, if a new hire came to me for a raise after two weeks and said, "You're making so much money you can afford to pay me more," I'd reply with, "I'm making enough money not to need your services. Please collect your paycheck and any personal items as you leave. You are being let go in accordance with your probationary terms."

Since you're asking for a raise based on good business, I have a few questions:

If the store lease rate goes up, are you going to take a pay cut?
If the clothing supplier prices go up, are you going to take a pay cut?
If business drops off, are you going to take a pay cut?

You don't need to answer. I know the answer to all of them. Besides, I fired you in the second paragraph.

**BuckyBadger** · 10-23-2012, 04:12 AM

You work at a mid (ish) range national clothing store chain. You fold stuff. You hang stuff. You stock stuff. You help people get a different size shirt while they're in the fitting room. You run a register.

I think asking for a raise after 2 weeks is a pretty good way to get yourself fired. For the most part, nothing a sales associate does at a place like that actually makes the store money. There are literally a thousand kids who could do your job just as well as you do and would be happy with the pay.

The time to negotiate pay is before you accept the job (in which case you probably wouldn't have been offered the job, but that's beside the point) not two weeks after you've started.

**red92s** · 10-23-2012, 06:27 AM

Originally posted by Wino View Post

Since you're asking for a raise based on good business, I have a few questions:

If the store lease rate goes up, are you going to take a pay cut?
If the clothing supplier prices go up, are you going to take a pay cut?
If business drops off, are you going to take a pay cut?

You don't need to answer. I know the answer to all of them. Besides, I fired you in the second paragraph.

Very well put.

**bjl584** · 10-23-2012, 06:55 AM

Originally posted by xayasouk View Post

Hi guys,

I just started working at a new job part time near the college I am attending. Being a typical college kid I am broke (in my mind at least, monthly spending = what I have left in my account as of now). I started working at Express, a high end retail store. The store generates lots of revenue daily because their clothing tend to be $50+.(make close to 25k on Saturdays alone) Also the store I am working at is the #1 store in the District. I find it hard to believe that a store like mine, is not able to pay more than the min. wage $7.25. Would it be reasonable for me to ask for a higher pay, even though I just started 2 weeks ago?

Information (factors)
1. Worked in retail for 9 months at %7.25/hr (worked from start date to the day my store was shut down)
2. Detasseled at $15/hr for the summer
3. Put open pay on application.

~I don't know if these should effect what I should get paid or not though.

It sounds like you may not know how a business operates. There is a lot more to the equation than a simple perception that your store does well in sales. Have you considered the costs that are needed to keep the store operational? Taxes, insurance, inventory carrying costs, leases, utilities, payroll, etc. If you want to earn more there, then I suggest that you prove to management that you are worth more to them than your current pay rate. That means completed assigned tasks, not calling off, not coming in late, not screwing around on your I-phone when you should be stocking shelves, being honest and polite to each and every customer, and volunteering to work extra hours or come in on your day off. Management will notice that you have a good work ethic. Then you can justifiably ask for more money. But you have to prove yourself first. And that takes longer than two weeks.

**siggy_freud** · 10-23-2012, 08:40 AM

Originally posted by bjl584 View Post

It sounds like you may not know how a business operates. There is a lot more to the equation than a simple perception that your store does well in sales. Have you considered the costs that are needed to keep the store operational? Taxes, insurance, inventory carrying costs, leases, utilities, payroll, etc. If you want to earn more there, then I suggest that you prove to management that you are worth more to them than your current pay rate. That means completed assigned tasks, not calling off, not coming in late, not screwing around on your I-phone when you should be stocking shelves, being honest and polite to each and every customer, and volunteering to work extra hours or come in on your day off. Management will notice that you have a good work ethic. Then you can justifiably ask for more money. But you have to prove yourself first. And that takes longer than two weeks.

Agreed. Unless you can unequivocally show that they make more money with you at a higher rate than without you, chalk this up to a lesson learned. I can't tell you how many friends I have who enter and start a job without any idea how much they'll be making. Perhaps I value my time more than they do, but that frustrates me to no end. I understand some people are in a situation where they need a job, no matter the pay, but if you're not in that position, you should know what your time is worth. I'll interview for any job so long as I think the pay range fits with what I need, but I make darn sure to work out the pay before work starts. If I was hiring someone and they began working without any idea what they'd be making, I'd either think they are desperate (which happens and is okay) or have no idea of their self-worth (which many new to the professional word lack).

If you're really unhappy with your compensation, start looking for another job.

**xayasouk** · 10-23-2012, 11:59 PM

Actually Express sales associates are much different from your average associate.. We have a set list of rules that we have to follow in order to sell merchandise. Every associate is in fact a sales person. One of the things we focus on daily is our conversion factor, that is how often we can change a persons mind into buying something or buying more. ex: Telling a customer that X color looks greats with the pants that they are getting. And that we have a buy 1 get 1 promo. This weekend I contributed to having a higher conversion rate than other employees at the time. I was recognized for it with a $5 off coupon... But I see what all of you are saying.. If I can prove to them paying me an extra $X.XX more, will increase their productivity that I deserve a raise.

Also, this forum is about learning about money/money management/general advice. No need to be rude. If it's not going help provide information, then there's no need for it.

**bjl584** · 10-24-2012, 03:15 AM

Originally posted by xayasouk View Post

Actually Express sales associates are much different from your average associate.. We have a set list of rules that we have to follow in order to sell merchandise. Every associate is in fact a sales person. One of the things we focus on daily is our conversion factor, that is how often we can change a persons mind into buying something or buying more. ex: Telling a customer that X color looks greats with the pants that they are getting. And that we have a buy 1 get 1 promo. This weekend I contributed to having a higher conversion rate than other employees at the time. I was recognized for it with a $5 off coupon... But I see what all of you are saying.. If I can prove to them paying me an extra $X.XX more, will increase their productivity that I deserve a raise.

Also, this forum is about learning about money/money management/general advice. No need to be rude. If it's not going help provide information, then there's no need for it.

How do you know that Express associates are different from other associates at other clothing stores? How many other retail outlets have you worked for? I'd be inclined to think that every retail store has a list of rules that associates must follow. I'm sure every store has a set of guidelines to follow when selling their merchandise. They probably all have sales goals too. All of them engage in up-selling and in selling complementary items.

And I don't think anyone is being rude to you. People are just telling you what they think and feel about the question that you posed.

Your job at your one store is a microeconomic example of how retail works. The macroeconomics of your business is much larger and more complicated than you know.

But, just keep at it. You will be rewarded in time. You just have to earn it.

**BuckyBadger** · 10-24-2012, 04:10 AM

Originally posted by xayasouk View Post

Actually Express sales associates are much different from your average associate.. We have a set list of rules that we have to follow in order to sell merchandise. Every associate is in fact a sales person. One of the things we focus on daily is our conversion factor, that is how often we can change a persons mind into buying something or buying more. ex: Telling a customer that X color looks greats with the pants that they are getting. And that we have a buy 1 get 1 promo. This weekend I contributed to having a higher conversion rate than other employees at the time. I was recognized for it with a $5 off coupon... But I see what all of you are saying.. If I can prove to them paying me an extra $X.XX more, will increase their productivity that I deserve a raise.

Also, this forum is about learning about money/money management/general advice. No need to be rude. If it's not going help provide information, then there's no need for it.

Not to burst your bubble, but that's how most stores work. My husband worked at Old Navy while in school and it was the exact same thing. He won some sort of contest to see who could sell the most USA Flag tee's.

He didn't get a raise for it.

But he is very good at folding tee shirts.

**Blessed** · 10-24-2012, 05:27 AM

Originally posted by BuckyBadger View Post

Not to burst your bubble, but that's how most stores work. My husband worked at Old Navy while in school and it was the exact same thing. He won some sort of contest to see who could sell the most USA Flag tee's.

He didn't get a raise for it.

But he is very good at folding tee shirts.

I have to agree! I worked at Express and two other retail stores years ago. I hate to sound mean to the OP but the brand makes the sale on it's own. Yes the sales clerks help but the brand is the real selling force. They have spent huge bucks to make it that way. Ralph Lauren and Coach also sell by name and marketing. Yep the sales folks are nice and I can attest they work hard but do not make a company OP. Sales clerks are highly replaceable.

**LuckyRobin** · 10-24-2012, 07:43 AM

I think you would be better off trying to find a way to cut your monthly expenses than by asking for a raise two weeks in to your new job. Are you budgeting your money or just spending everything that comes in? Are you wasting money on eating out and excessive entertainment, or is everything going to bills like electric, water, car insurance, car payment, housing, etc.? Have you tracked your spending for a month to see where everything goes? Being broke isn't always a paycheck problem, it's often a spending problem.

Reasonable to ask for a raise?