Should I Be On More??? (I think so!)

Kintarō Hattori

Hey Guys and Girls,

Just wondering if you think I should be on more money. I believe I should be, and I have an evaluation coming up soon, so would be good to know what the situation is.

I'm an Assistant Manager in an Electronic's Store in town. The company I work for have several other branches, and run the franchise for several other electronics stores. I work mainly in the computer section of the shop and liase with the counter manager there. I'll serve customers, direct the salesmen what to do, help them deal with akward customers etc.

The main part of my job though is that I'm responsible for purchasing about 70% of the computer stock for 4 branches including our own. It's up to me what I buy, where we buy it from and how much we charge for it. Basically the onus is on me to pick the right stock and make sure it gets sold. While I have to deal with the normal managerial duties I also get tons of enquieries from the sales staff as to what we're getting in, special orders etc. I have to keep an eye on the stock in other branches and make sure it's selling, keep them informed of what's new etc, and if it's not selling, taking it back from them.
It's also up to me to try and develop business with our suppliers and generally look after the best interests of the company.
On top of this I'm responsible for 50% of our website. Putting up new products, taking old ones down, generally making sure it's ship shape etc. I also have to answer emails from customers etc.

At the moment I'm based in our main store, but it looks like in a few months I could be moving out of there and into a purchasing position in our offices.

That's the core of what I do, and I take home slightly over €400pw. What do you think, should I be earning more or am I being fairly paid?

Wishbone Ash

It seems very low to me eo980 when you consider that the minimum wagers would be legally entitled to approx €300 and that's with little or no responsibility.

Mr Magnolia

Does seem low to me, but I'm not in that sector tbh.

Just my 2 cents so..

homeOwner

eo980 wrote:

Just wondering if you think I should be on more money. I believe I should be, and I have an evaluation coming up soon, so would be good to know what the situation is.

I'm an Assistant Manager in an Electronic's Store in town. The company I work for have several other branches, and run the franchise for several other electronics stores. I work mainly in the computer section of the shop and liase with the counter manager there. I'll serve customers, direct the salesmen what to do, help them deal with akward customers etc.

The main part of my job though is that I'm responsible for purchasing about 70% of the computer stock for 4 branches including our own. It's up to me what I buy, where we buy it from and how much we charge for it. Basically the onus is on me to pick the right stock and make sure it gets sold. While I have to deal with the normal managerial duties I also get tons of enquieries from the sales staff as to what we're getting in, special orders etc. I have to keep an eye on the stock in other branches and make sure it's selling, keep them informed of what's new etc, and if it's not selling, taking it back from them.
It's also up to me to try and develop business with our suppliers and generally look after the best interests of the company.
On top of this I'm responsible for 50% of our website. Putting up new products, taking old ones down, generally making sure it's ship shape etc. I also have to answer emails from customers etc.

I guess the main question is, could they get someone else in to do this next week for the same money as they pay you. How long have you been there?
If you had no experience and walked into the job and within 6 months are doing all that you are doing now, chances are they can get someone else in to replace you if you ask for more money.

If you have been there for years and the responsibility you have is an accumulation of all that you have learned over the years and you can't be replaced easily, then yes you are being underpaid and I would ask for more money, even as much as 5-10K more.

eo980 wrote:

At the moment I'm based in our main store, but it looks like in a few months I could be moving out of there and into a purchasing position in our offices.

If this happens are they going to pay you more, it will be a different position so maybe more pay?? It sounds like a promotion to me. Have you asked about that? Bring it up at your pay review....ask for more money then they might say well a promotion is on the cards for you anyway etc.....

Kintarō Hattori

I've been in the job for 4 years and started out as a salesman on the counter. I've accumulated my position and responsibility over the years. To an ordinary person my moving to a different building and role would seem like a promotion, but I know they won't offer any money. I most certainly will insist on more money for a different role and one that has more responsibility again, but I know they'll do what they can to avoid paying more.

There was a situation a few years ago where they hired some new sales staff on the counter. It turned out that these guys were being paid more than the people who had been there for 4-5 years, and they were even being paid more than the assistant managers. We brought this up with them and they said it was an error and shouldn't have happened, and that we would all be paid the same rate. A few months later we ended up on the same rate, but they never back paid the difference.

FlutterinBantam

Sounds low to me.... how much per hr.?

Sound to me like you are in the dilemna of having built up a skill and not sure whether to use it of lose it as they say.

How well do you get on with your employers could also be a factor...are you treated as one of the team or just a cog in the wheel to be used and taken for granted???

I would suggest from yr post the latter is probably the case and if so wouldn't hold out much hope of a synpathetic hearing.... keep on truckin

Kintarō Hattori

I get on very well with my employers. Problem is though that they will be very friendly with you, going to the pub, invited round to the house etc, but money is always going to be low I think. They prefer to give you responsibility and 'prestige' I think to avoid having to pay more.
I am thinking about leaving, looking for a new job when I come back from holidays.

rick_fantastic

i did this type of job when i was 18/19 and waiting to start college. it was with a well known diy vendor. i had worked there while in school and was offered a trainee manager position which i declined for a supervisor position instead. mind now this was 5 years ago. at that time i was on 420 a week. the lads that took the trainee manager job were on the same money as me but i got paid overtime and didnt have to work weekends.

the problem with going into retail management without any qualifications they can treat you like **** and pay u f.a.

a friend of mine is working in a purchaser for a well known company and shes on around 35k a year.

DOLEMAN

Are you officially the assistant manager or some kind of "team leader" title?

Kintarō Hattori

No I'm officially the assistant manager.

Civilian_Target

How long has it been since your last raise or pay review?

chump

Are you prepared to walk if they don't increase your wage.
You should be, but that's beside the point. If you aren't, and you enjoy the cosy family there, and don't want to rock the boat - don't push it.
If you're ambitous and enjoy new experiences and more responsibility ask to have a meeting with you manager and tell him you want more money because you do X Y and Z.

s10

and student basic is 400 after tax,for the internships.
i believe the company is making a nice profit off u (are u chinese with bad english or something)<- im not messing, that to me is a bit low.just like my comment.
YES U SHOULD BE ON MORE, but like the man said u should be prepared to walk , ask for a day off during the evaluation tell them its for an interview lol,

ps. don't take me seriously on that.

Kintarō Hattori

It's been about a year or more since the last review.

Chump, once I come back from holidays I'll be looking around. I do enjoy the cosiness here, but that doesn't pay my bills or help me get a mortage, so I will be pushing hard for a pay increase.......... I just can't see it happening. They are very scabby when it comes to money.

oulu

You need to state Gross pay not take home,as people have different moneys coming out ie pension,vhi etc, what is the Manager on. Remember golden rule never leave a job unless you have one to walk into, and also "they" say it is easier to get a job while in employment who ever they are never figured out who they where,

Kintarō Hattori

Hmnn Gross Pay is about €460pw, so still not fantastic. I'm not so foolish thankfully as to leave before I get something else!

Miguel_Sanchez

That seems low for the amount of responsibility you have. You don't have to threaten to leave if you don't get a payrise - most people don't respond well to threats. But you should put forward your case as to why you feel you're entitled to an increase.

chump

Seems you are earning just short of 24k a year (gross)...

Highest paid job I can see is
http://www.jobs.ie/ApplyForJob.aspx?Id=279061

ANd here might give a good example of the range of salaries available...

http://www.jobs.ie/ApplyForJob.aspx?Id=280640

ps. ^^^ looks to have very suitable jobs for someone in your position

Kintarō Hattori

Thanks Chump - that second lot of jobs is fairly eye opening. It does seem like I am falling way short with what I'm earning at the moment. Will take my holidays, come back and see how the review goes if I get mine anytime soon.

Supercell

I would say for an entry leval non skilled managerial role (ie Mc Donalds burger flipper manager), you would be about right on the money.

However I don't see how any spotty nosed teenager could walk off the street and do your job by a long shot (which many could do in Mc Donalds i'd wager).

Therefore your role is skilled and therefore should attact a premium, I'd print out the linky chump posted and show it to your boss and say your not happy with your current rate of pay at next review, but be flexable, its unlikely that they are going to give a huge pay increase on the spot just because of that, be realistic and negotiate what kind of pay you should be on now and how you would realistically expect it to grow in the future.

Just be careful, never leave a job unless its on your own accord, no matter how mad you are with the boss, unemployment sucks balls!!!

The Doktor

Was in a similar position to urself a few years ago. Started a job, and before I knew it had a lot of responsibility. I was earning crap wages. After 3 years, I needed a rise of £20 to be able to afford to get a car. So I went to the boss and got a lot of himing and hawing, and he offered me £10 extra. Sayin they couldnt afford an extra 10 a week (even though the made millions in profit). So That gave me the balls to get over the cosiness of the whole place and get out and get a different job. Straight away, I quadrupled my wages and got a company car.
I find companies are unlikely to increase wages by such a large ammount in one go. Other staff find out, and they all want it etc.
I reckon the only way to get a large increase is to change jobs.

vandermeyde

€28 to €33k is a fair range of what assistant store-managers are getting...given you're experience you'd be looking for €30k in my book. thats a big jump from what you're on and I don't see it happening.

I'd imagine you'd be lucky to get to €26.5k even with a good review.

In this case, to earn market rates, you'll probably have to go to market, as they say.

Skyclad

I've found that any boss who hmm's and haw's too much over an employee pay raise is in general quite poor. For a reasonably sized profitable company, the difference between paying a competent manager an extra 3-4k should be negligable, and a person who is not aware of market rates is destined to lose his quality employees to those who are.

The only reason to think deeply about what he is paying you is if he is posturing for position, trying to make the point that your continued contribution *might* be worth 2k to him, but definately wouldn't be worth, for example, 4k. If your contribution is worth less than the price of 2 decent tvs a *year*, it might be worth finding someone else to work for.

Before going into any review, you should really know how much extra value you bring to the company over and above someone else on the floor, and from the sounds of it you have a significant number of additional responsibilities, each of which are of value to the company.

You also mentioned a change in role from part floor manager to wholly purchasing, based in a different location. This brings a different set of responsibilities, and with it should result in a significant raise as well as a different title. Know what you are worth and while not being too aggressive, check to see if they are aware what other people with similar responsibilities are earning. One strategy might be to aim for a 3k raise now and make it clear that you would expect a second significant raise if you were to change your role within the company.

At the end of the day though, it sounds like you do need to consider alternatives to get a fair return on your work. It can be a difficult thing to make the decision to move especially if you are happy with all other aspects of the job, but it is equally important that you dont limit what you are realistically worth just because you are settled at your current location.

Dave

Sleepy

Research market rate for your position (though I think vandermeyde has given you a good idea of what you should be on). Bring this up in your review in a "I don't want to be putting you over a barrel, but I have looked at the job market and for a similar position in other companies I'd be earning 30 - 34k". Set the bar as high as you reasonably can and let him make you an offer. Try haggle him up to meeting you at least half way between your highest figure and what he's offering.

Combine this by showing them what a good job you're doing in terms of how well stock-turnover is going since you've taken responsibility for that area etc. Remember, a boss isn't going to give you a significant raise if you don't show them how valuable you are to them. Highlight your strengths in terms of the tangible results you've had since your last review.

DublinEvents

I think you need to ask yourself: how much am I benefiting my company? How much do you know your work? Are you so good at it that you can do it effortlessly? Have you been responsible for the company earning some good profits? Try to come up with things you have done for your company that show how much valuable you are to them. Make a list and then show them the list and try to negotiate a higher salary. It might just work. But keep in mind that employers don’t generally like employees asking for higher salary so be prepared for things to get ugly.