| Mississippi Music
The crappiest thing happened to me today. I was working at Mississippi Music at the front desk. As you know, guitars are my speciality and I've been playing 23 years. Many times, there is no one at all working in the guitar room because they are all out making deliveries, etc. So when someone comes in to buy something, the manager or someone else has to help them. I've helped people in the guitar room and made sales. But since I don't technically work in that room, I have to put it in someone else's name and give the commission to someone who isn't even there at the time. I talked to the manager and asked him what it would take to begin working in that room or at least get commission for the sales I do make. I got a pretty vague answer, saying you have to work there longer to begin making commission. I let it go at that. Today, a guy who began working there 2 days before I did (who admits to not knowing much about guitars) was told he would start working with the guitars and making commission next week. I said something to the assistant manager and was told that I couldn't work in that room and that if I was going to quit, at least wait until after the holidays. I spoke with the manager and told him that I was selling things from that room when no one was there (which is very frequent) and feel it's not fair to put the sale under someone else's name who is NOT there. He told me I could work the day out and didn't have to come back. So I questioned him further about why he said you have to be there a while to make commission but someone who just started is moved up to the guitar room and making commission next week. He didn't give me an answer. He again said I could work the day out. I just clocked out and left at the point. I am COMPLETELY baffled. I did a good job, was always the first one there in the morning....I have no idea what happened. The only thing I can figure is that it is an image issue. In the room with the guitars, drums, bass, etc., are males with long hair, tie dye shirts, etc. The more clean cut image is at the front, selling school band instruments, such as horns. I can't remember EVER seeing a female working with the guitars. That is at every Mississippi Music I have gone to. I went to Mississippi Music once in Hattiesburg and was asked if I was "buying something for my boyfriend." When I said no, it for me, they blew me off and helped someone else. When I sat down and started to play, they came over to me, practically begging to sell me a guitar. Is it me or does this seem totally off? I'm not talking about gender discrimination, image discrimination or any of the things I mentioned that I noticed. I'm just wondering what in the world is going on with this place. Does anyone have any ideas?.... because I am totally at a loss. Does anyone know this place well enough to know how they decide who will work with what instruments? I know it is not based on expertise.
Terri | 
