my son worked for a locally based super-megaplex theatre chain in Az. worked for minumum wage, expected to constantly upsell in the concession, to the point that theatre goers were angry with him, but if he didn't upsell the concessions, he received demerits, to top it off, when he was scheduled for a shipping/recieving/stocking shift, if the trucks were late, they made the kids clock out and wait for the truck and then clock in.
all this hard work, and the kids really do work hard, for minimum wage and they(theatre chain) give the kids 2 conditional passes for the theatre every month. as a result, they have a very high turnover rate.
why work for that when you can go to in/out burger and get 8.50 hr. instead of the 5.15 hr.?
what bugged me most and I encouraged my son to quit, was the demerits for the kids if they didn't upsell enough. the movie patron could have already spent 30 bucks for the family to get in, and then another 20 or so at concession and the kids were ordered to look at what had been ordered and suggest something else, like nachos or pizza. Patrons were angry at him, where the anger should fall on the management.
But he was in showbiz!
I hate peopel trying to sell me stuff I don't want, but is it that biga deal to ask the customer if teye want nachos or a pizza? Just asking.
I truly am shocked to hear this. My mother sold tickets at a small town movie during most of my childhood. I got to go to the movies AS OFTEN AS I WANTED FOR FREE. At age 14 I started working there in the concession stand and made minimum wage; but, had a blast. On Disney shows it was very hard work. The rest of the time is was easy and lots of fun. I was even able to do my homework there. It was the coolest job ever for a teenager. (I met my future husband there while he was an usher. Sometimes workplace romances are a good thing. LOL!)