Need some advice

[nicholfamily5]

Hey there! I have to work through a little issue, so I thought I'd enlist the help of my SR friends.

I currently work for Home Depot, part time. I love it, the pay is eh, and lately the hours have been non existant. The past year or so hasn't been so great. However, we have a new store manager that is looking promising, and the people there are trying to get me more hours consistenly. Since the housing market is so poor, it's really affecting the store.

I interviewed for Starbucks last week, and I was offered the job today. The pay would be about the same, if I include the tips. However, the hours would be more consistent, and since they are 24 hours around here, I can work longer shifts.

There's more....My husband has been wanting to branch towards contracting for his field (computer tech) which consistenly pays very well, but we need health insurance. I can GET health insurance through Starbucks, but it isn't quite as good as what we have now. It's perfect for a healthy family, but my DH is a type 1 diabetic, so that complicates things.

Sooooo if you are still with me, what would YOU do? I like the idea of working there, I'd miss the hell out of HD, and I also like the idea of him contracting and still having stable insurance.

ugh. I need to make the choice asap as I have to give my notice at HD, like, tomorrow.

Any one wanna talk me through this? Does anything pop out that I haven't caught? I tend to make rash decisions so I really need outside advice.

THANK YOU!!!!!

~Kristen

[Hedy]

For me, the health insurance would be a biggie. What are the retirement benefits (I know Starbucks has an employee stock plan, I don't know if that's of interest to you), if any, and does that matter to you?
What's your child care situation like? Would either job be better for that?

[m 'n c]

My mom had a family friend who's son worked for Starbucks all through college and the benefits they offered were really nice especially since part timer's would qualify for them within 3-6 months of working there.

I think working there would be fun. I'm sure it could be stressful with the rushes and would get mundane at times but overall I would think it would be a good place to work. With the housing market continuing to go down I'd think layoffs would be coming soon and that would include HD - whether or not it would affect you I don't know but its a possibility.

My brother is in retail (lenscrafters) and the store is not doing too well and thus his hours have been cut and are non-existent as well. The store manager keeps telling him to hang in and things should look up but I don't buy it. He's not looking yet but he may after the holidays.

So all in all I'd jump over to Starbucks in a heartbeat. Coffee junkies always need our fix - good or bad economy.

[coastalgirl]

Originally Posted by m 'n c

My brother is in retail (lenscrafters) and the store is not doing too well and thus his hours have been cut and are non-existent as well. The store manager keeps telling him to hang in and things should look up but I don't buy it. He's not looking yet but he may after the holidays.

So all in all I'd jump over to Starbucks in a heartbeat. Coffee junkies always need our fix - good or bad economy.

I would have to agree. My husband was in retail for 17 years, and was offered early retirement , when they got rid of certain managers last year. His choices were stay, work more, loose your bonus,or take the buyout and start over. People are always going to drink coffee, but in hard times they tend to neglect things such as home improvements. Plus if you're going to get better hours it will all work out!!
Good luck I know how hard these decisions can be!!

[nicholfamily5]

Originally Posted by m 'n c

My mom had a family friend who's son worked for Starbucks all through college and the benefits they offered were really nice especially since part timer's would qualify for them within 3-6 months of working there.

I think working there would be fun. I'm sure it could be stressful with the rushes and would get mundane at times but overall I would think it would be a good place to work. With the housing market continuing to go down I'd think layoffs would be coming soon and that would include HD - whether or not it would affect you I don't know but its a possibility.

My brother is in retail (lenscrafters) and the store is not doing too well and thus his hours have been cut and are non-existent as well. The store manager keeps telling him to hang in and things should look up but I don't buy it. He's not looking yet but he may after the holidays.

So all in all I'd jump over to Starbucks in a heartbeat. Coffee junkies always need our fix - good or bad economy.

That's exactly what I told my friend today. People view their cuppa as their treat and will always make way for it. They do offer a good all around bennie package. Short and long term dis ins. Stock and 401k, vision, dental, and from what I've seen the medical looks pretty good. I won't know for sure for a week or so.
Im sad to leave HD, but at least I know I'll be able to fall back on it. I've made so many good friends there, but I'll make friends anywhere.

Thanks for the replies! Ill let you know how it goes.

[m 'n c]

Well if you accept the job I'll know where to go when I need answers on how different drinks are made.

[bs4free]

Good luck and best wishes for which ever choice you make...

[nicholfamily5]

Ok well I accepted the job!

The clincher came when the store manager told me that even if they run short on hours, I can pick up shifts at surrounding shops, so I will be pretty much garaunteed my hours.

I gave my notice, and i'm so sad! It felt good being told I was such an asset though. At least I know I'll always have a back up.

Thanks for the encouragements!

[Hedy]

Originally Posted by nicholfamily5

Ok well I accepted the job!

The clincher came when the store manager told me that even if they run short on hours, I can pick up shifts at surrounding shops, so I will be pretty much garaunteed my hours.

I gave my notice, and i'm so sad! It felt good being told I was such an asset though. At least I know I'll always have a back up.

Thanks for the encouragements!

Congrats! And that's great about the surrounding shops!

[m 'n c]

Congrats!!!

Now for your first day can you ask them to please bring back the banana mocha frappaccino next summer??