Retail merchandising can provide flexible, steady work

   Retail merchandising is a good way to gain experience, earn money, and work a flexible schedule.

   If you're reading help wanted ads, a merchandising position will also occasionally be called an "area representative" or a "sales representative."Merchandising is basically maintaining a product in specific stores in a specific area.

   The job requirements may include putting new product on store shelves, removing discontinued product, ordering new product, maintaining current displays, doing resets, inventories and more - or less.

   Merchandising jobs can be long-term store services that will last indefinitely or short-term projects that last for a specified period of time.

   For some positions, merchandisers are employees of the company, while other positions are independent contractor positions. An independent contractor is self-employed and received a 1099 form for their taxes at the end of the year (a 1099 is only provided if the independent contractor made more than $600 from the company during the course of the year).

   Most often, merchandisers are paid on a monthly schedule and are paid a flat rate. A few companies pay on a different schedule or pay hourly. Some jobs include mileage pay.

   Some jobs have the option to pay by PayPal, some will direct deposit into your checking account while others will mail a paper check.I personally have worked a variety of merchandising jobs. Some of them long-term, some of them short. Some as an employee, some as an independent contractor.

   One job I worked was servicing books for a book distribution company at stores in my area. This job was a few hours per week with set days (Monday, Tuesday, and Friday) and flexible hours (work had to be completed between the hours of 6 a.m. And 5 p.m.). For this job I was an employee and taxes were taken out of my check. I was paid every two weeks for exact hours reported. I worked this job for a few months until the schedule no longer worked for my family.

   Another merchandising position I held was monthly magazine servicing of pet magazines in area farm and feed stores. This was done at a specific time each month and I was paid a flat fee which was calculated based upon expected hours driving, in-store time and mileage. For this job I was paid monthly by a check sent through the mail and I was an independent contractor. I worked this job for three years until I decided the excessive driving was too much (I drove a total of about 250 miles each time I did store services).

   I most recently worked as an independent contractor for a greeting card company servicing two local stores. For this position I was paid monthly via paper check and my pay was based upon a combination of flat rate and commission sales. I was required to service my stores a specified number of times per week - any days or times were fine.

   One smaller merchandising job I worked was servicing digital cameras at a specific store. One time per month I went to this store. I used a printed worksheet to check inventory levels of this specific brand of camera. I was in this store approximately 30 minutes each time and I combined this job with another job that I did monthly in the same town. I was considered an employee for this company and received a paper check in the mail once per month.

   These were all ongoing, long-term merchandising positions. I have also done other short-term projects such as cosmetics resets and inventories and clothing display sets. Most short-term projects (such as product setups or resets) require a time commitment of between two and eight hours. The pay is usually hourly, but is always good (usually $10-12 per hour).

   In addition, my husband also worked in the merchandising field. He serviced grass seed products, plants, mylar balloons, chewing gum displays and many others - both long-term employee positions and short-term projects.

   If you know where to look, merchandising can be a good source of income for someone who is looking for flexible scheduling.

   Merchandising is best for people who are able to work with little or no supervision. If you feel that you need someone "in charge" to be with you and tell you what to do, then merchandising may not be for you. It does require a great deal of personal problem-solving and troubleshooting. Because getting assistance requires a phone call or an email and may not be immediately returned or followed-up on, you need to be able to basically figure out a lot of things for yourself - within the parameters of the company's requirements