MCBAIN CAMERA

If management were replaced by people with a concrete business plan to ensure staff receive deserved raises and pay, this job could have been more tolerable. The commission on sales is minimal, leaving employees stuck at $15 an hour regardless of their tenure. London Drugs acquiring McBain hasn't brought any significant improvements. Management is full of "big ideas" but reacts negatively when staff express disagreement. There are no Christmas parties due to "lack of funds" and no raises for the same reason. The only enjoyable aspect of the job is the coworkers. However, McBain retains long-term staff who have engaged in sharassment or inappropriate behaviour (handled poorly by management every time )The company would rather see good, knowledgeable, and dedicated employees leave than offer competitive wages to retain them. It's very disheartening and shows a lack of concern for retaining long-term staff.

The job itself was very straightforward, most days helping customers, answering questions, and talking with coworkers in downtime. The coworkers were the best part of the job, everyone was super friendly and great to get along with.

Unfortunately the wage was super low, and i was told there was never a hope of getting any wage increases. Even with commission, it's just not enough to live on. It's frustrating that senior management makes such an insane amount, and can't pass any of it onto other employees.

I never felt like management ever truly cared about employees. Concerns were never addressed; promises were made, people would be talked to, but nothing ever happened. Especially if it was a manager causing the trouble, the general manager never did enough to fix the issue. Based purely on management alone, I would not recommend working at McBain Camera.

If you like scraping the bottom of the barrel every week and pinching pennies like it’s the Great Depression, this job is for you! Zero wage increases in 5+ years despite record-breaking profits and a near 30% raise in inflation.
Wanna be talked to about lofty plans for expensive new store locations and amenities while being paid the bare minimum? How about constantly proving affirmation to a General Manager that only got the job because he undervalues himself and his staff? Want your wages to be held hostage by an accountant that makes 5x what anyone else does in the company, yet still only shows up to work twice a month?

This is the job for you! What are you waiting for???

Typical retail sales, albeit with slimmer margins and less juicy employee discounts. Has (had?) the potential to be a really successful company, but a focus on internal cost cutting has cascaded into poor choices in all corners of the company.

Most of the rank and file staff are nice, and the best part of the company. Anyone who's taken first year business school will clock this place as a perfect case study on how not to run a business.

Accepting almost any position here means being locked in at min wage forever with no raises, and at most an average $1-$2/hr of commission if you're on the floor. Benefits surprisingly not bad.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Employee discounts and getting to learn about new products in a hands-on setting.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Constant scheduling issues, short-staffing. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The people are nice, feels like a family (both good and bad). Very gossipy work environment 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Put out displays, daily cleaning duties, attend to customers, cleaning, restocking, reorganizing.

A typical day at work would be tidying and re arranging products until customers would come in, then it would entail helping customers with their needs and concerns which could be anything from passport photos to problems with their camera, to buying new equipment. I learned about customer service, stocking and organizing shelves, and keeping myself busy when there is no work to do.

I worked at the Lethbridge store and love the job and my co-workers, I would go back in a heartbeat if they paid even halfway decent. The owner is a bit clueless but we hardly dealt with him.

Good place to work. Easy going atmosphere although the company is now under new ownership. Never felt pressured. Good working hours. Friendly staff and many long term staff.

poorly ran company on a store level. management is too young and inexperienced, all while having a certain arrogance. 
Upper management seemed to have their priorities straight though

excellent work environment - great co workers - good bosses - nice delivery vehicle - good pay - early off days - weekends off - very easy going  people -

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