Job Responsibilities
As a Member Services Clerk, my job is to issure refunds for
merchandise returns for customers and to sell and renew
memberships to customers, which BJ's calls "club members". BJ's
is a membership club, which means customers pay a fee to join
the club in order to theoretically pay lower prices on items
than the general public would. I am also responsible for
answering the phone for the club and directing calls to other
departments and I give out high-end "lock up" items, like
jewelry and electronics once members have paid for them.
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Job Requirements
You need a high school diploma or equivalency and basic math
skills. You have to pass a simple math test and have some
computer skills (familiarity with Windows, operating a mouse,
etc.) Typing helps, but isn't required. The cash register is
easy to operate, but you must be accurate in your ability to
handle money.
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Uppers
The best parts of my job are getting to interact with people, especially when
you know you've made someone's day. I like that I am always on the go,
constantly doing something different. You could be doing a return for one
customer, then answering the phone and going out on the sales floor to locate an
item, and then selling a new member a membership.
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Downers
Dealing with difficult and/or rude customers; trying to help
customers who don't speak English; trying to honor "The Customer
is Always Right" policy, especially when you know they're wrong;
being pressed to sell memberships to people who don't want or
can't afford them.
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Lifestyle
Full time hours are usually 5 7.5 hour shifts per week with a 1/2 hour unpaid
lunch and 2 paid 15 minute breaks. Part time hours vary, but BJ's is very good
for the most part about accomodating other job schedules, school classes, etc.
This job requires you to be available nights and weekends, and extended hours at
Christmas. Regular club hours are 9 a.m.- 10 p.m. Mon-Fri, 8:30 a.m.-10 p.m. on
Saturdays and 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays. Openers start 15 minutes before
club opening and closers are usually scheduled 1/2 hour after closing. Member
Services clerks are the last ones to turn in their cash drawers at night, in case
a cashier makes a mistake we have to correct.
Dress code is very causal, usually jeans or khakis and a nice top. Loafers or
sneakers are the best choice for footwear, since the floor is concrete. No open
toed shoes are allowed, due to the forklifts on the sales floor.
Right before the holidays there is a company-wide employee shopping night, where
the club is open only to employees and their invited guests. Managers run
registers, a buffet-style dinner is served and prizes are raffled off.
Occasionally, managers hold an employee appreciation day, where they barbeque
burgers and hotdogs or bring in pizza or subs for all employees to eat on their
lunch break. Most Friday mornings there is a staff meeting where bakery goodies
are served.
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Compensation
I began in another position (Merchandise Demonstrator) at BJ's 8
years ago at $5.25/hr. I presently earn $9.59/hr. I get about
90 hours/yr of paid vacation time, and 40 hrs/yr of paid sick
time, both of which increase yearly. I got a pin for my first
year anniversary and a pen for my 5 year anniversary. Full-tiem
employees (over 30 hrs/week) can recieve health and dental
insurance (currently CDPHP and Delta Dental, respectively).
There is also paid time off for jury duty and family bereavement.
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Advice to Jobseekers
Few people are hired full-time, but the more flexible you are
with your availability, the more hours per week you will be
scheduled. Even if someday they decide to do away with selling
memberships, there will always be a need for a person to handle
customer refunds.
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