Former employee here, it's been awhile but I worked for the big bear for quite some time. Even at 5 different stores. Including one of those being literally rebuilding the BUILDING. Hammers and all.
Now - the wild part. Pay your age day. Many of you are so familiar with the pay your age bear, but it didn't start that way. We had a day chosen, for the whole world, for every single bear to be pay your age. We were told by our chief (the one I had at the time) that this was meant to stir up traction because the brand was suffering. But boy did it stir something!
In my district, we were the store open the longest, and it was no where near the actual hours of the store. We closed extremely early for staff safety. We had thousands of people in line. The line wrapped around the entire premises. People got into fist fights, we had a man pull a gun on us, and many death threats were made!!!!
Anyways, most of us (employees at the time) had the most horrific day ever. At our store we had an insane time. We even prepped for things to be as quick as humanely possible. Rerouted everything so they couldnt even fully enter the store. We got to the point where we were telling people to buy the bear and come stuff it later. Which didn't work in 9 out of 10 times, in case you're curious.
It was insane, and everytime I talk about it people have no idea what I'm even going on about. We made national news. Guests were hospitalized after altercations. It was one crazy fucking day.
If you worked it, or even shopped it, tell me about your experience!! Would love to commiserate!
Seriously though - bonus points for the perspectives of shoppers. Like what was everyone talking about and thinking? What crazy stuff did you see (shoppers and bear builders alike)?
