 Re: Ask a Gymboree manager
Great questions. I had a conference call on this yesterday, so I can answer most. My tech packet with the legal details will arrive tomorrow, so I will ammend anything requiring it then. Here we go...
1) No, the Company does not tell managers to lie; however the Company LOVES to change things at the last minute. Sometimes after the last minute. For instance, the extra 20% off was supposed to end last Sunday night and stores were instructed to take down all of the marketing then. Sure enough Monday morning we had an email saying to put it all back up for another week. So if a manager had told you, for instance, that Sunday was the last day and you came in Monday and found it was not, it isn't necessarily because the manager is lying. It's because Gymboree turns on a dime. Experienced managers have learned to just say "I'm not sure" instead.
BRB is another great example. We'll plan it for a certain week, but based on how inventory levels are at stores, that can literally get changed the same day. Last year we were supposed to start it on a Thursday and I got a call at 3pm the Wed of the week earlier saying they were downloading it in my system now, go ahead and put out the signs. A lot of stores had some upset customers who were told BRB wouldn't start till the following week.
That's why many managers are tight-lipped. Not because we don't love you, but because we get put in these very damned-if-we-tell, damned-if-we-don't situations. On the other hand, I'm sure there are a couple bad apples out there. We have 590 Gymboree stores, after all (we opened three more last week!).
2) PAP online. I think so, but I'm not 100% sure if that's this time or next we're starting that. I will check and get back to you.
3) Gymbucks are straight up dollar-driven in the register system. As soon as it hits $50 (after discounts and sans merch credits), it issues them.
4) Like all prize amounts, the 50% ones are distributed randomly among all the cards manufactured, which are distributed randomly to all stores. This is actually done at the coupon printer's level to help ensure there is no impropriety on Gymboree's part. There is no guarantee any particular store will get any of a particular prize.
5) My understanding is PAP can only be used during the event.
A hidden gem: On my conference call yesterday it was announced that customers who sign up for the email list on Gymboree.com (lower right-hand corner), we will email you a PAP code on the first day of the event. That's .com (which is separate from us at retail), so I don't have more details, but sounds like a cool thing to do.
Last edited by missgymbo; 05-29-2008 at 04:07:06 PM..
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