Zales Rocks!!!

[jewelfreak]

I had my first "real" day at my new job, today - the first day was pretty much just filling out paperwork and touring the store. I love it! It is such a nice, friendly atmoshphere and much cleaner than the restaurant biz - and I mean the store PLUS the fact that I stay clean!!! LOL
Our first customer of the day walked in, and I sold them a diamond cross pendant right off the bat - it took all of three minutes!!!!! It was for an eight year old 's first communion. They looked at a different one first, and then a channel set one, and I told them that since it was for a little girl, the channel setting would give them some piece of mind with its durability and the stones being protected, and WHAMMO - first sale all by myself. YEA!!!!
We sold some other stuff, too, but those were more of a "team" effort, but still - a successful day. The only bummer is that the manager said that on average, there is only about ten sales a day. I was hoping for much higher volume and some serious wheeling and dealing! Oh well, I'll just have to take all my sales building and customer attracting techniques I've cultivated in the restaurant biz and use them to build some sales!! I don't care if I have to don a giant diamond ring costume and stand outside the store enticing people to come in with my "fat sparkle"!!! LOL
Just thought I had to share my joy with you guys!

[jewelfreak]

Oh yeah, found another cool link, lots of info here in a easy to navigate format, and no, you really don't have to buy a subscription to use the site. LOVE it!!!
SPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMwww.enchantedlearning.com/jewel/glossary/index.shtml

[francesca]

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I don't care if I have to don a giant diamond ring costume and stand outside the store enticing people to come in with my "fat sparkle"!!! LOL
Just thought I had to share my joy with you guys!
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LOL!!! Sounds like they're lucky to have you, jewel!!

Hope it turns into a happy, successful time for you.

Another link! Love 'em! Thanks.

[jewelfreak]

No prob! Glad you are enjoying the links! Thanks for your kind wishes, Francesca!

[bookchick]

good for you!

since we all have to work (darn it!) loving what you do makes it easier

congratulations on a successful first day!

bookie

[mystylady]

So happy you've got a "rockin" job Jewel! It must be like being in Heaven, surrounded by all of those Gems and Diamonds!
I'd be in 7th Heaven! lol

[jewelfreak]

It is great! My mom and I went down to Beechwood mall yesterday, which is a really upscale mall about 25 minutes from where I live. Talk about awesome shopping! Anyway, we stopped into the Zale's there, and they had a WAY better selection then my store. Lots more unique pieces, and gemstone pieces, which my store has very few of. But it makes sense, because at a more upscale place, you have to have a different kind of selection. I'm gonna try and sell my butt off, so I can get transferred there, to a higher volume store with neater stuff.

[mystylady]

If I could work in a Jewelry store I'd feel like Garfield surrounded by 100 trays of Lasagne!

[beekeeper]

Congrats on the new job JF! Hope you continue to love it!!! :-)

[Garnet333]

Oh Jewel, I am so glad you are loving your new job. This is great news. Good for you!!!!!! Keep us posted on that possible transfer :)

[Linda Lou]

Jewelfreak,
I worked for Zales and their sister company Gordon's years ago. As long as you make little projects for yourself in the down times, you'll be fine. I used to love checking in all the new pieces! The employee discount didn't hurt, either.

[mystylady]

Ooohhh the Employee Discount! Very nice! I forgot about that part!
Do you find the prices overly inflated, compared to what we're used to seeing on JTV? Retail can be hell.

[Garnet333]

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Linda Lou:
Jewelfreak,
I worked for Zales and their sister company Gordon's years ago. As long as you make little projects for yourself in the down times, you'll be fine. I used to love checking in all the new pieces! The employee discount didn't hurt, either.
www.tvtalkshows.com/board/showpost.php?p=1496776
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OMG I forgot about the Employee Discount. That's worth getting up and going to work everyday :)

[beekeeper]

I have a girlfriend who used to work for Samuels (mall store here in the Denver area, not sure if it's nation wide). She loved the job, but found it difficult to make her sales goals, and was constantly worried about people returning things. Commission based salaries are always this way I guess ...

It's so weird, there were 4 other jewelry stores in the same mall ... how do you choose?!?

She was also robbed once ... kinda scary!

[mystylady]

Yeow! Scary indeed! Hope they caught the jerk.

[jewelfreak]

Do you find the prices overly inflated, compared to what we're used to seeing on JTV? Retail can be hell.
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Actually, I think for a retail, their prices are about as fair as I've seen, and generally much better quality then the other chain stores. The nice part is that we get 30% off, and that is above and beyond the sale or clearance prices - so good deal. Plus, we have layaway, so that will enable me to buy some upscale pieces without having to max out the credit card and pay interest on them.
As for the sales goals, Obviously I haven't been there long, but I sold an item to my very first customer my first day, plus today, I more than DOUBLED my sales plan for the day today. On top of that, the other sales lady that was working today sold NOTHING - not to be cruel, but she is clueless.
The only bummer for me is that the manager hired me in at a much higher hourly rate than usual because of all of my management experience, so in turn, my sales goals are much higher. Selling jewelry is no problem, its getting the credit apps and selling service plans that is hard, and there are quotas for that, too. But no biggie, I can do it!!!
Yeah, there are tons of jewelry stores in our mall. Zales is at one corner, and there are three other jewelry stores at each of the other three corners, all owned by the same company even though they have different names - Rojer's, Kay and JB Robinson, plus Osterman's which is down the way, which makes four - and they all sell the exact SAME stuff. It's bogus. But I will hand it to them - they are smart - If there are eight jewelry stores in the mall, and you own four, simple math says you will get 50% of the sales in the whole mall, whereas you have one store, you are only getting 1/8 of the sales. It doesn't matter to them which store you buy from, cuz it all lands in the same, greedy pocket.

[mystylady]

Jewelfreak:
Yeah, there are tons of jewelry stores in our mall. Zales is at one corner, and there are three other jewelry stores at each of the other three corners, all owned by the same company even though they have different names - Rojer's, Kay and JB Robinson, plus Osterman's which is down the way, which makes four - and they all sell the exact SAME stuff. It's bogus. But I will hand it to them - they are smart - If there are eight jewelry stores in the mall, and you own four, simple math says you will get 50% of the sales in the whole mall, whereas you have one store, you are only getting 1/8 of the sales. It doesn't matter to them which store you buy from, cuz it all lands in the same, greedy pocket.

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I didn't know that. huhhh. Very interesting. And I agree... very smart. I say if you can do it, go for it. Wonder who the brains behind THAT operation is? That guy sitting on the solid gold sofa, maybe? lol an uncomfy status symbol!
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Jewelfreak:
Selling jewelry is no problem, its getting the credit apps and selling service plans that is hard, and there are quotas for that, too. But no biggie, I can do it!!!
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That's the Spirit!!! Nice!

[beekeeper]

I didn't know they were all the same company ... interesting.

Wouldn't it be better to have one, maybe two stores that sell A LOT, instead of 4 (or more) stores that all do ok, but each has it's own high mall rent and overhead.

I hope you do well JF ... what a job, surrounded by diamonds all day ... sigh ... :-)

[mystylady]

Bee, could you imagine it... diamonds to your left; diamonds to your right... Oh! Why it's a RUBY! And a Sapphire!
The mind just reels...

[beekeeper]

Does sound like a nice way to spend the day. OH YEAH, and make money while I'm doing it ... NICE!

I'd love to sell wedding sets ... I find it so interesting to see how peoples styles and tastes differ from one another. Of course, price pays a big part in this decision ...

Sounds like a song Mysty ... diamonds to my left, diamonds to my right ... hehe!

[mystylady]

"...and UP with those arms, Ladies! Stretch! GRAB THOSE GEMSTONES!..."
Sounds like a workout video!

[beekeeper]

MYSTY! You are practically using the "E" word ... (exercise) ... KNOCK IT OFF! ;-)

[mystylady]

I lost my head there for a second! What was I THINKING!
;-)

[jewelfreak]

Wouldn't it be better to have one, maybe two stores that sell A LOT, instead of 4 (or more) stores that all do ok, but each has it's own high mall rent and overhead.
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I would have thought so, too, until I thought about it another way. It's a ratio thing. If there are 8 stores in the mall, and they own four, there is a HUGE chance people will be going in to one of their stores. They justify the overhead by knowing they are getting the vast majority of the sales. I mean, most people don't go into a specific jewelry store, they just randomly pick one. So by having so many, it just insures the fact they will probably end up in one of yours. If they weren't profiting by this system, they wouldn't do it. Also, sometimes these stores aren't originally all owned by the same company. A lot of jewelry stores are bought out by another company who may already have a store in the mall. And if they all continue to be profitable, there is no reason to shut them down.
Oh my god, you guys!!! On Thursday night, I sold 4,100 in 4 hours!!!! I have already DOUBLED my sales quota for the whole month, in my first week! One of the company executive bigwigs called me today to congratulate me and tell me how impressed they were!! And my manager has been raving about me too. She even fired a lady who hadn't been doing so hot so I could have her hours. Not that I'm happy someone lost her job (she was going to get fired anyway, my manager told me, just maybe not so soon) but I think that is a good sign for me. I see management oppritunities and a move to a high volume store VERY soon. I am so glad I had the courage to make the career switch. It seems like this is what I was made to do!

[mystylady]

Well look at you go! You gots what it takes girlygirl! Nicely Done!
I'd LOVE to work in a Jewelry store! I'd wear my pay home every Friday! lol
Keep up the good work! Think of us "stuck in crap job" guys and be happy happy happy! In fact, I'd be doing the happy dance all over the place if I were you... but maybe not while I was AT work.. try and contain yourself at least until you get out into the parking lot!

[francesca]

Jewel, it sounds like life is good! Great to read.

Bee mentioned a jewelry store robbery. I'm sorry if it's a downer to talk about, but promise us, please, if you ever get a freak in your store . . . . no heroics!! Let them take it right down to the bare walls if they want, concern yourself ONLY with staying out of harm's way; preferably off the premises. Too many nuts out there in the world today. Thankfully the hustle and bustle surrounding a store in a mall probably makes it less of a target than a stand alone building.

Here's hoping you continue to be happy in the job. :' )

[beekeeper]

Absolutely! Totally agree with Francesca ... no heroics!

I always worried about my friend coming and going each day. She typically opened and/or closed every day. After the robbery, her husband took to chaperoning her (such a good idea). Especially at night when she had the bank bags ...

Could you imagine ... how ballsy one would have to be to rob a MALL jewelry store! All the people wandering around ... so many witnesses. Unfortunately, the guy that robbed my friend was never caught. :-(

[jewelfreak]

Yeah, a robbery would suck, but don't worry y'all, I'm no hero! It's NOT my jewelry box - that would be another story. Actually, we have a pretty good setup for opening and closing as far as safety goes, and we have code words to use to tip off our coworkers if we think something is going down. Plus our mall has security in droves - I don't think fifteen minutes pass without me seeing one.
As far as stealing, we have to worry more about people pulling switches than anything else, like swapping a cubic zirconia ring for a real one.
It sucks cuz we had a thousand dollaar bracelet dissapear the other day. It makes me worry because eventhough I would never steal and I know everyone there trusts me, me and another girl are both new, and it looks bad for us. Not that anyone has accused me, they are actually thinking it was the other girl, but still it makes me uncomfortable. I don't really think any of the workers stole it though, you'd have to be stupid to try since we have five cameras on us at all times, but you never know. I suppose it could have been an employee who had been ther a long time htugh, thinking it was the perfect oppritunity, with new people to pin it on. Anyway, some higher up is gonna come and audit the store and watch the tapes and stuff.
I feel bad, cuz my manager may get in trouble. When I started, it was close to Mother's day, so we were busy and there was no time to get me Diamond certified - which means I can show items from the solitaire cases. Since her and I were sometimes the only two working, she had to let me go in the cases out of nessecity. I hope she doesn't get in too much trouble.

[mystylady]

Dang! Where was the bracelet? How could someone just take it? With 5 cameras there's a good chance that whoever stole it was videotaped in the act. I sure hope so!
Sounds to me like you should watch your back, in any case.
Sucky situation, no matter which way you look at it.

[jewelfreak]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it will show up on tape. I don't truly believe any of the workers would have done it, but certainly someone is neglegent if someone stole it during a sales presentation, like having too many pieces out to keep track of or working out of an unlocked case - big no-no's.
I don't have anything to worry about though - it dissapeared on a day I wasn't there. And nobody could have stolen it during a sales presentation, because I only showed it once, and the guy didn't like it, so it immediately went back in the case.
If anyone DID take it, it was the other new girl - she is getting fired tomorrow for some other irresponsible behavior, and so is another girl who has been there since Christmas for similar offenses.
It was in a showcase on a bracelet roll with two others, toward the back of the case (by the doors) where it is possible someone reached in and grabbed it while the associate wasn't looking. The new girl had already gotten in trouble for letting customers hold merchandise, with the case unlocked WHILE she bent down to get things out of the understock drawer - prime target for a grabber. What baffles me is the one that was taken was the smaller carat weight version, there was a larger right next to it. Who knows. If it was a grab and go, I guess you don't have time to be choosey. It wouldn't surprise me if theives stake out the place looking for new employees who don't have all of the safety practices down yet.

[mystylady]

Call me naive, but I didn't think something like that could happen in a MALL! They situate the jewelry stores more in the center, away from any easy exits, right? A person must be out of their mind to try the grab 'n go and then have to walk (fast) through half a mall... very balsy and how do they sleep at night???
Sounds like you're gonna be working by yourself with all the folks getting the can!
I've heard of people who go into jewelry stores with a simulant Diamond and do the ol switcharoo... they can do it with such practiced slight of hand that you can hardly see it even if you're looking at the switch on tape, knowing it's going to happen! Like a magician. Scary for the salesperson who's gotta take the rap...
Keep both eyes wide open! Usually the ones you think you can trust the most are the sneakiest!

What's the deal with Brazillian Garnet? Is it a Garnet that we already know, like Rhodolite, only with a fancy name?
I've been hearing about it and seeing it in the retail chains. The woman that helped me with the replacement clasp on the Gold chain I mentioned a while back was wearing a huge honker Cushion cut / Diamond ring that I thought was Tourmaline but she said it was Brazillian Garnet.
I think it was Kay's Jewelers. "Every Kiss Begins With Kay"...
It was stunning!

[jewelfreak]

I think I may know which ring you were talking about - my Mom was looking at it, and I THINK she said Brazilian Garnet, but this was a few months ago. I think it is just a fancy name for Rhodolite.

Actual, our store is situated at the corner of a short cooridor of the mall, VERY close to an exit, as well as Rodger's who is right across from us on the other corner. Our stores our prime locations for a grab n' go.
Yeah, as far as the switcheroo, any high end diamonds have to be louped before we hand them to the customer, and when they give them back to make sure we are getting the right stone. It can be hard, though, because if you are louping a really nice diamond, it can be hard to spot the flaw that will help you identify it as the same one when you get it back. And you can hardly stand there for five minutes while the customer is waiting trying to find it. But I'm sure just the idea that we are doing it is enough to deter some thieves - they don't know that we didn't actually see any identifying characteristics.