It's quite obvious something is wrong with your business when you go through more than 120 employees in under a year. The true issue with this business begins and ends with the owner's wife. Now I know they say, "there are crazy people in every job you have". This woman though, is actually clinically insane.
There is a drastic difference in both locations, Woody's and CSWS, from when she is not in the store to when she is. When she's out, and even better when she’s out of town, the store is great. The employees smile and enjoy each other. The laid back nature of the job can be taken advantage of and in the long run we're more productive. Without having to look over our shoulder and wait for her to find something to scold us over in front of our customer, we're more willing and confident in discussing products with our customers. We can joke, chat, and get to know our customer a little to help us make suggestions to create a better experience for both parties. But when she's in, her favorite thing to do is bring an employee down in front of a customer as if to show off her authority.
Rather than be happy with the productivity, she has to find an issue to scold at least one employee over so she may threaten them with their job. Its as if she's fueled by our anxiety. If she's not scolding you, she'll put up a front and act as sweet as can be. It's a mind game that builds you up to believe that maybe you've moved up in the business and gained her respect, only to later hear through the grapevine that after speaking with you she immediately turned to a manager and either complained about you or requested your termination.
Just like the store's appearance and decor, the website and social media presence is an outdated joke. I saw an employee come in who had a background in design who was assigned to bring their computer in and revamp the store's social media. So they brought their computer into work to do just that, only to get yelled at for having a computer in the store. It's just pointless mind games that appear so petty and childish, but after an extended period they really cause some physical and emotional trauma.
They also have a very odd obsession with the cameras. Almost every single day I would get a call questioning something I was doing in the store because I was being watched on the cameras. Not while she was in the office, but while she sat at home...and watched the store cameras. Some "questionable activity" I was responsible for was stepping outside to check the trash, not being in view of the camera for too long (because I was cleaning the bathroom), stealing from the coolers at Woody's (because I took a free bottle of water that were brought in for free as free water for the employees, and holding the money from the register for too long (because it was my first time counting the drawer so I did it twice to avoid mistake).
I personally had reached my limit on multiple occasions. But each time I was told I would get a promotion and a raise. Seeing as I really needed this job it was enough to keep me on. The promotion and raise never came. Eventually in one incident I questioned them about the raise and I was questioned back about where the idea of a raise had come from. That no one had promised me anything and it was something that had to be earned. By this time I had assistant manager responsibilities, without the official title, and was still making the same $9 an hour I did on my first day. They trusted me with responsibility, but I did not deserve to be compensated for them. There were also multiple occasions where I was forced to work overtime hours, due to holidays and being short staffed. No matter how many overtime hours I worked, my pay was cut off at 40 hours. When I questioned this I was simply given no reply.
The one thing I could not make myself part of was the illegal activity. While at Woody's for a period I discovered she is absolutely notorious for stealing sample cigars and forcing her employees to sell them in the shop. She treats all of her customers and employees like thieves while she is well known for being a thief herself. Not a single Woody's customer is allowed into the humidor without being followed and watched by an employee. This is a very demeaning rule and is responsible for a massive loss in business from regulars. She has stolen items from employees on many occasions as well and claimed they were confiscated due to breaking store rules.
The store could be great. Some of their prices are low and they really have built a quality selection of wines, spirits, brews, and cigars. But the hostile work environment is painfully felt by all the employees, as well as the customers we consider regulars. Any genuine attempt at improvement is shot down and accused of something terrible. I left once I noticed the physical effects from the stress and anxiety. I do not wish harm on anyone nor do I want to promote any other local wine and spirits store. I just simply want the truth to be available and will personally never support this location ever again.
Cool Springs Wines & Spirits Reviews
It's quite obvious something is wrong with your business when you go through more than 120 employees in under a year. The true issue with this business begins and ends with the owner's wife. Now I know they say, "there are crazy people in every job you have". This woman though, is actually clinically insane.
There is a drastic difference in both locations, Woody's and CSWS, from when she is not in the store to when she is. When she's out, and even better when she’s out of town, the store is great. The employees smile and enjoy each other. The laid back nature of the job can be taken advantage of and in the long run we're more productive. Without having to look over our shoulder and wait for her to find something to scold us over in front of our customer, we're more willing and confident in discussing products with our customers. We can joke, chat, and get to know our customer a little to help us make suggestions to create a better experience for both parties. But when she's in, her favorite thing to do is bring an employee down in front of a customer as if to show off her authority.
Rather than be happy with the productivity, she has to find an issue to scold at least one employee over so she may threaten them with their job. Its as if she's fueled by our anxiety. If she's not scolding you, she'll put up a front and act as sweet as can be. It's a mind game that builds you up to believe that maybe you've moved up in the business and gained her respect, only to later hear through the grapevine that after speaking with you she immediately turned to a manager and either complained about you or requested your termination.
Just like the store's appearance and decor, the website and social media presence is an outdated joke. I saw an employee come in who had a background in design who was assigned to bring their computer in and revamp the store's social media. So they brought their computer into work to do just that, only to get yelled at for having a computer in the store. It's just pointless mind games that appear so petty and childish, but after an extended period they really cause some physical and emotional trauma.
They also have a very odd obsession with the cameras. Almost every single day I would get a call questioning something I was doing in the store because I was being watched on the cameras. Not while she was in the office, but while she sat at home...and watched the store cameras. Some "questionable activity" I was responsible for was stepping outside to check the trash, not being in view of the camera for too long (because I was cleaning the bathroom), stealing from the coolers at Woody's (because I took a free bottle of water that were brought in for free as free water for the employees, and holding the money from the register for too long (because it was my first time counting the drawer so I did it twice to avoid mistake).
I personally had reached my limit on multiple occasions. But each time I was told I would get a promotion and a raise. Seeing as I really needed this job it was enough to keep me on. The promotion and raise never came. Eventually in one incident I questioned them about the raise and I was questioned back about where the idea of a raise had come from. That no one had promised me anything and it was something that had to be earned. By this time I had assistant manager responsibilities, without the official title, and was still making the same $9 an hour I did on my first day. They trusted me with responsibility, but I did not deserve to be compensated for them. There were also multiple occasions where I was forced to work overtime hours, due to holidays and being short staffed. No matter how many overtime hours I worked, my pay was cut off at 40 hours. When I questioned this I was simply given no reply.
The one thing I could not make myself part of was the illegal activity. While at Woody's for a period I discovered she is absolutely notorious for stealing sample cigars and forcing her employees to sell them in the shop. She treats all of her customers and employees like thieves while she is well known for being a thief herself. Not a single Woody's customer is allowed into the humidor without being followed and watched by an employee. This is a very demeaning rule and is responsible for a massive loss in business from regulars. She has stolen items from employees on many occasions as well and claimed they were confiscated due to breaking store rules.
The store could be great. Some of their prices are low and they really have built a quality selection of wines, spirits, brews, and cigars. But the hostile work environment is painfully felt by all the employees, as well as the customers we consider regulars. Any genuine attempt at improvement is shot down and accused of something terrible. I left once I noticed the physical effects from the stress and anxiety. I do not wish harm on anyone nor do I want to promote any other local wine and spirits store. I just simply want the truth to be available and will personally never support this location ever again.