Negatives-
Bloody fingertips from gripping boards.
Pulling out stickers for the hundredth time for the 8 year kid that comes in to buy two stickers at a time.
Answering the question " why are these so expensive? Why are these any better than the ones at Taget/WalMart/Amazon...? At least once a day.
Keeping the shop rats in line from either spilling Coke on the shirts or trying to steal shoes.
Working Saturdays and dealing with the " I used to skate " older guys or the internet research everything 30 year old skate nerd that won't shut up while you are trying to sell the hot milf and her kid a new complete.
Shit pay. No benefits.
It's either extremely boring middle of the day downtime or extremely busy 5 boards need setting up right now while 4 people are waiting at the register and you have to piss.
Having to stay behind the counter when the crew heads out to skate.
Positives=
Nothing smells as good as that new board smell.
I swear it was one of my favorite things in the world to open the shop and smell that smell.
Advance info on most products. Sometimes free product to weartest.
The 8 year old buying stickers thinks you're cool.
The hot milf keeps looking at your crotch.
Plenty of time to get over your hangover/ usually later opening hours.
Kids occasionally get really stoked on buying their first serious setup. I loved that.
It's basically like any other retail job but usually a little more mellow. It's good exposure to the business side of the industry and a good way to make contacts. It can also jade you completely to skateboarding if you let it...