can you make a living at Radio shack (employees, college degree, jobs)

[sberdrow]

my son is getting a job at radio shack, but he is getting married, and I don't know if he can make a living as a sales person there. If you are a real good sales person can you make a living working at a busy Radio shack? What is the pay like? Would appreciate the help.

[NJ Chutzpah]

they pay minimum wage, but you make commission, and you do get good sales experience, which can help him get more lucrative sales jobs later

they also have one of the best management training programs which will definitely come in handy in the future if he ever wants to run his own business

But he better be living in a cheap hood, and his store better be in a great location

I have worked there one college summer, and was a good experience

[pushkinswife]

Have you talked to your son about his career plans? This might be short term or a platform into another job. Also, is his future wife going to be working? Her income should be factored into the equation as well. He could very well go from salesperson to asst mgr or something. I firmly believe that you can go from crumbs to bricks if you put your mind to it.

[sberdrow]

So if he is in a really good store, what kind of commission can he expect?

[NYSD1995]

It is a retail job, expect very little. I don't know how anyone makes a living at retail anymore.

[micrguy]

Unfortunately the days of professional retail employees are just about over. There was a time that you could make $60-$80,000 in retail sales selling electronics at places like Sears, Circuit City and many other places.

Retail used to be a place that as long as you were willing to work long hours, stand on your feet all day and hustle you did not need a college degree to make as much if not more than most college graduates. One of my friends told me that he used to make over $35,000 as a retail manager back in the mid-80's, pretty good for a 20 year old with no college. Last time this friend checked in with his old company couple of years ago, the managers were still only making $35,000 which today is nothing to write home about.

[STT Resident]

Are you asking the question because you're planning on supplementing his income if you don't think it's enough? Just curious!

[sirron]

If he were working at my local Radio Shack, I would personally contribute to a sizeable chunk of his commish. Hubby says I spend waaaaay too much there.

[sberdrow]

Originally Posted by STT Resident

Are you asking the question because you're planning on supplementing his income if you don't think it's enough? Just curious!

no, my son is going to work there

[SmerkyGrl]

if you are goign to do sales, go corporate. At least the commission plans are much cushier. I'm in sales and I make at least 45k a year. I doubt that's attainable with retail.