jewelry consultant

sales associate

retail sales associate

jeweler

jewelry associate

Kay Jewelers

I have too much to say. Keep in mind this may be location-specific; however, this is my experience.

Most importantly, management roles need more regulation. Management controls the sales floor and will allocate minuscule tasks to certain employees that are more competent than others so certain employees/management remain at the top in regard to sales. Sometimes this results in new job roles being introduced without proper consultation (aka Sales Associate to Third Key) with no increase in salary, and not even an updated job status in workday. Management will also break policy to keep their store look good and their individual commission levels high. It is known that people slip in warranty, but no one does anything about it. District managers encourage you to quote the final price of the item WITH warranty, which usually does not include ASKING the customer if they actually want it. Meetings with district management often leave store management embarrassed and angry, which sometimes gets directed back towards employees.

To start here, ensure you like to compete and you are ready for what I like to call the initiation stage. During your “initiation stage” you may not even receive a key from management; therefore, your only responsibilities will be to clean and inspect jewelry or receive/take-in repairs, even if your job responsibilities said otherwise upon hire. If you do not comply with management, then you will be met with assertiveness. For example, management taking over your customer interaction or sending another employee over to take over your interaction, taking your sale or splitting your sale even though you could have carried out the interaction on your own, restricting access to the lower ticketed cases such as gemstones, watches, or silver jewelry, and so on. 

Competition between employees usually arises emotionally-charged behaviors that lower productivity and self-confidence, resulting in high employee turnover. This is especially true at my location, as if you consistently do not follow the personally imposed rules of management, you will sever any personal relationship with them. This results in being scheduled less hours until you quit, as they do not like to fire people. You also may be shunned from other employees due to the awkwardness and tension it creates if you speak to the employee that has been outlawed. If you do not participate in gossip about said employee, you may be outlawed yourself.

Personal relationships between management in the workplace results in unfairness. Management roles often know each other for years due to working in the company together. This results in the sharing of sales between them, personal arguments on the job, schedule changes to ensure that they get their 40 hours even if 40 hours was not actually met due to breaks. Overall, there are many instances of favoritism due to personal relationships between management. Sometimes, management also has personal relationships with customers, and they may get a free repair or some other workaround is given to benefit their customer/friend. Personal relationships also get in the way of the hiring process, as management seems to disagree with each other about hiring new people.

Next, commission goals are unreasonable and unfair. Our store is not a high-traffic store; however, everyone must meet $275,000 to achieve basic commission. That means low-traffic, medium-traffic, and high-traffic stores all must reach the same commission goal to obtain extra money. Same with a newly hired employee vs an employee that has been there for 25 years, and good luck selling enough with management breathing down your neck all day. 

HR is not confidential so if you want to report any of this, including bullying and humiliation in front of certain customers (i.e. reiterating to the guest that you are new or something you said is “wrong” even though it may be subjective, etc) then you might as well just quit and let the cycle continue with whoever they bring in next (or get FMLA, like another employee did).

I spent 3 years working for Kay Jewelers. Initially I was hired as a seasonal cash register operator at $7.90 an hour, and they kept me on as a sales team member because I would always make an extra effort to get customers to add warranty options, and I was a generally good employee. I later learned that I should have gotten a raise after being made a sales team member, but my manager never actually did the paperwork so my pay didn't change.  Training during my seasonal period and after my promotion was delegated from the store manager down to the assistant manager and again down to a sales person, I learned the majority of what I knew just by watching, observing, being polite, and calling customer care when I didn't know something.  I'll add at this point that turnover at this company can be surprisingly high, an easy fix if they paid their entry level employees more. After a chain of events that led to the assistant manager and the team member that trained me leaving the company, I was promoted to Assistant Manager after being with the company for 6 months. For this promotion I was given a raise to $13/hr., as well as a monthly bonus in addition to commission. (I should add commission varies between 1/2 a percent and 3 percent on merchandise, and 5 percent on warranties).  The only way you will make any money with this company is if you are at least an Assistant Manager or have a ton of jewelry experience and kill it on the sales floor, and even then your store has to make its goals or you will only get 1/2 a percent of your sales. Around this time we had just gotten a new young district manger who was just great at managing people and encouraging you. He really helped and supported me learning the management role, and again when my store manager went on maternity leave he was definitely a huge support for me. In fact, during my first Christmas season as a full-timer, I was running the whole store and we did 136% of plan!   During this time I also learned about the fabled store manager bonus. For 3 months of work I received an extra $8600. A typical manager of a profitable store receives a yearly bonus ranging from $5000-$50,000 just depending on how big and profitable their store is. Obviously if you want to work for this company long term and also be financially successful you should focus on becoming a manager. It's not the easiest thing in the world though. Kay Jewelers requires you to maintain 6 "standards" while you work there, and you can't be off on any of them when you're wanting a promotion. You have to have your sales plan, repair plan, warranty sales percentage, credit applications, add-on sales, and credit protection plans all over their respective goals to get promoted, get a raise, and basically to not be hounded by management every day of your working life. This is definitely the worst part of working at the company. Managers hate counseling employees on standards, but if we don't then our district managers rip on us over the phone or at manager meetings in the district. Some of the District Managers are total micromanagers who will hound you and appear to be actively trying to ruin your life. ( Like my district manager that we were given before I left). Overall it's a pretty good company to work for, you get a nice discount, decent pay once you're out of the entry-level, and you get to look sharp every day (at least if you're a man, some of the ladies get away with murder as far as the dress code is concerned). If you go into management, you'll make good money but won't have a work-life balance, so you better hire people you can stand to be around a lot. My old manager and several co-workers are still good friends of mine.

A company that truly does not care about it's workers. 

Willing to replace someone when they go on FMLA leave and not caring about the repercussions. The management is always musical chairs. When you ask for help from a district manager or higher they are not willing to help, they tell you to "go look it up and find it yourself".

 I loved my job but unfortunately the management is horrible. In the 3 years I worked there, before being laid off, I had 3 district managers! They all had different ways of functioning and there was never "one way" to do anything. The store managers are constantly bullied by higher ups and are threatened daily that they can lose their job with no hesitation. For the pay you get and the horrible commision of .25%... THAT SHOULD BE CRIMINAL. MOST OF THE EMPLOYEES DO NOT MAKE ABOVE 10$ AN HOUR. You would think this company would give way more incentive and reachable goals... but they do not. If you fall behind, they just let you sink without trying to help. There is no compassion in this company, save your time and go apply for a local jewelry store if you want to work in this industry. It is a very rewarding job when you get to be part of such an emotional part of someone's life. But this company is only in for it for the $$$. 

Worked there for 3 years and never saw the "quarterly raise" they promised at employment sign on. This company just wants you to sell your soul and be worked like a dog. But not to mention, not want to pay out the overtime. Managers get ripped apart if their hourly employees go over. 

Another problem is that they would rather hire an outside hire and train them in a management position rather than internal and train someone who probably already knows way more and it would save more money in the long run. 

Avoid this company at all costs. They preach they are diverse (which they are) and fun, but that the diversity is just about the only good thing about the job. They don't care if they do something illegal like layoff an employee on FMLA but god forbid the employee messes up and needs some help on their monthly goals and they just get rid of them for no reason.

I have had an open complaint with them since February and nothing has been done. DO NOT TRUST THIS COMPANY, SAVE YOUR TIME.

Employee discount is great! Meeting so many people while playing with jewelry and having awesome conversations is great. Shipping/receiving merchandise sucks.Your schedule will always be totally random. For fulltime you may sometimes have only 30 hours but during holidays or if someone quits unexpected you may have to work almost 50 hours/week. If you need a certain day off put it in the system immediately. If you need a weekend prepare to have anyone who asked after you to be mad and to be guilt tripped by your manager and even asked to come in anyways. Even asking months in advance wont guarantee your vacation/day off. You will probably get like 4 full weekends off a year if planned way in advance and they do not fall on special event days or management vacation das. You will have many standards to achieve each month as well as a daily sales goal. If you are not meeting your standards, especially sales and credit goals each month you will be written up or let go. They can and will let you go anytime.Some managers do play favorites. District managers will stress your manager out anytime every single thing is not perfect and in return they will make the store a terrible environment to be in during those times. DM's will be quick to criticize you yet never take anytime to visit your store, meet you or have a normal conversation with you. Special events have ridiculous goals and the promotions change often although the events stay the same making them hard to plan for and if you don't hit your goal you will look terrible to management. Benefits are actually extremely good and for very reasonable/low cost then other employers insurances I have had. Most of the men are incredibly cocky and egotistical. I have been able to get along with all my coworkers but I have seen heated arguments between others. For the most part you have a small team that becomes like family so there may be issues that come up but for the most part you come together and get to know one another well through entertaining conversations when the store isn't busy.

First thing's first.....if you're merely seeking a 'job' at a jewelry store than this might not be a great fit.  I wouldn't recommend this for the lazy, unproductive, or inefficient just looking for a paycheck.  I've read through a lot of these reviews on here and noticed that there's a disappointment in expectations.  Perhaps some have previously worked retail before where sales standards aren't really practiced, but they're use to sitting behind a cash register and taking out the garbage.  This is not what you'll find here.  Sterling has a recruitment and training process in place that efficiently divides and conquers between those who have a slick sales quality about them, and those who just don't care.  Those who don't care typically don't cut it after their first three months and are politely encouraged to find something else.  Then they end up writing a nasty review about it online because they didn't get away with their apathy. 

I've been with the company for over a month so far and I'm having the time of my life....mostly because it fits my personality.  When I work I want more than just a paycheck.  I want growth, success, and a challenge.  I want sales goals that seem impossible so I can feel the rush of satisfaction when I do make it (and I do make it).  If drinking the 'corporate kool aid' of any company will make my paycheck triple the amount of my 'average' counterparts, than hand me the biggest glass.  I define my income by how hard I try to sell.  Yes.....in sales I get a lot more rejection than acceptance, but that paycheck tho.  If you have soft skin and can't handle a few dirty looks....don't even apply.

 With six years of sales management underneath my belt, I'm shining brightly in their management training program.  It's hard work and require a certain amount of boldness to step out of your comfort zone.  It might seem like 'just a jewelry store, but only the self motivated/ambitious survive.  I absolutely love it, but wouldn't recommend it to everybody.

I know this review is not going to be true for every Kay Jewelers store, but in this case it is 100% true. When you first get hired, it is a very fun place to work with good energy. I cannot say the same for the rest of the time. 
1. The Manager was completely manipulative, rude, sneaky and selfish. Treating you with expensive Christmas gifts, free lunches, and a fake smile, in order to make you believe you “owed” her (even though she will never admit it”. She will not train you, answer questions without a smart “sigh” to show she is annoyed that you do not know everything? And the worst part is, she will use phrases like “I could strangle you right now” for a simple mistake, that she, the manager, can fix with no effort. You will work 12 hour shifts, 5 days a week with no remorse, sometimes no breaks, and it is brushed off of her shoulder as she changes your time to make it look like you took one!!!!! Which is taking money out of the pockets of the workers who bust their butts. The worst part is, the second you try to put in your two weeks,  she tries to convince you that you NEED the company, and will not do good at another job. Also, she promises that in 2 years you will be management material “she just knows it” . Simply because she cannot find new people that stay longer than 5 months, so she tries to get you to stay. And it works half the time. Extremely manipulative. The rest of the staff I love, but they have worked under her for years and are just used to how she acts. Which is awful. 

Aside from the manager, you are goaled daily for credit apps, sales, add-ons, repairs, and warranties. Which is exhausting and frankly, all that they care about. Because that is what the CEO looks at. So the whole mission of the company, and everything concerning customers is purely based on money. Not love, happiness, family. Money. 

 I wish everyone in that company the best, but something needs to change badly.

All chain store jewelry retailers (Kay's, Jareds, Helzberg Diamond's, Reed's, Zales, etc) are basically the same to work for and provide the customer with the same negative experience and over-priced, poor quality, cheaply made, mass-produced products.  Kay Jeweler's (owned by Sterling Corp which also own's Jared's) is no exception.  In fact, Kay Jeweler's is probably the most guilty of misleading customers when it comes to price comparison, "sale prices" and how much of a "deal" they are actually allowed to provide the customer.  You are dealing more with a used car lot haggle-based price than a price printed on a sales tag.  It is easy for customers to be taken advantage of.  That is a large part of why I left the company to pursue a completely different type of career. After a day of being forced to lie to customers for a ridiculously small commission in a high-stress, poorly managed work environment, you feel dirty.

The commission structure, which is based on the store's performance as a whole rather than individual performance, prevents motivated, successful people from making any money on their own hard work and encourages the laziest sales associates to be even lazier while riding everyone else's coat tails.  Overall, it is just a terrible company to work for.  Sadly...it is not as bad as Helzberg (unanimously considered the worst of the worst by jewelry sales professionals) or Reed's Jewelers based out of Wilmington, NC.

I cannot personally vouch for Zales, Jared's or any of the others as I have only worked for Kay's, Reed's and Helzberg, but I imagine they are equally as terrible.  Higher end jewelers (Fink's, Tiffany's, etc) and independently owned custom jewelers are the way to go, both as an employee and as a customer.

I joined Kay jewelers with the expectations of the opportunity for advancement, compensation raises, a positive company and fun work environment. After being there for two years, I was wrong. I quickly learned to love my team and we became a family and that was the only reason I stayed for so long. In my time there I got 3 promotions but absolutely no raises. I was quickly promoted to 3rd key which meant I got a store key, alarm codes and safe combinations. A lot of responsibility and trust being given to young newbie who gets minimum wage. I took it with the idea that they were recognizing my great work ethic and what a good associate I was and that a raise wouldn't be far behind. Shortly after, I was asked to be acting assistant manager which meant learn and do everything and assistant manager does without any more pay.I did it to help our store. After that our manager stopped feeling like working so I became acting manager, I did it so our store could stay afloat but all the while I did the job of a manager of the number one jewelry selling company in America at minimum wage. I had asked for raises at every review and though my work ethic and attitude completely kept the store running efficiently my numbers/standards were not 6 of 6 which is all they care about. If I were to be a horrible worker who only cared about selling and being a shark and never did any paperwork, invoices, cleaning or training I would have gotten so many raises. But I would rather be a good worker than the number one sale person who makes customers feel uncomfortable, pressured and later have buyers remorse. In Kay Jewelers mind, they appreciate good workers but they are expendable, mindless droids who care about nothing but the sale is what they really want.

I had a positive experience with Kays initially. The people are great and I have made forever friendships.Great employee discounts.  You can "grow" with the company if you're willing to give your life up. Benefits and vacation time is okay. However, I'd say that is the most that this company has to offer.
The Bad:
Sales Associate
Long retail hours
Minimum wage, the pay alone will unmotivate you. You will get paid more working in fast food. 
Weak commission structure 
No holidays OR weekends off. I have worked there for over a year and have only had one Saturday off and a few Sundays. 
Customers can be really negative and hard to work with, with that said, the company expects you to handle all issues in accordance with policies- which can be challenging. It's frustrating when guests come in and think that you are this high end sales professional with some sort of extravagant background when in reality this is no better than any other retail position. I feel as if alot of people stay here because they like the idea of having a "professional" position. 
You have 6 "quotas" that you need to meet. Hassling people to open up credit cards is one of them. I personally was over that very quicky, as I felt bad asking strangers to give me their S.S.N to help us meet our goal. 
Bottom line,  jewelry is not suppose to be mass produced and cooperate. It's challenging to work for a company that claims to be family oriented helping people "celebrate life and express love" when they pay their employees $9-10 an hour and make you work on Thanksgiving. Sometimes I wonder how the higher ups sleep so well when they pay their talented employees minimum wage.

Working at the Rotterdam location is a challenge. It's a dead mall with little to no traffic. People often question employees if the mall is closing. That alone is buzzkill enough. There is constant completion with Litmans and Piercing Pagoda in the same area, and an average day here is stressful. Prepare to shamelessly beg customers for credit and be hounded by management when you are unable to make your standards. An average day there is doing jewelry inspections and taking credit card payments. The traffic we get is usually for returns or repairs needed to be picked up. The hardest part of this job is getting outside repairs, when everyone is encouraged to sell warranties, chances are the customers don't have to pay for it. The coworkers here are fairly pleasant and will try to help you as much as they can with learning the ropes. There is new management here that will do their best to train you in two weeks. You're going to feel overwhelmed all the time.It can become petty since everyone is working on commission. Don't be surprised if someone takes your sales, or makes you turn it over if they think you don't know what your doing. This is the most stressful job I've ever had. They will also cut your hours if you don't improve which makes it harder to make more sales. Not only will you make less commission, you'll have little money left over from hourly wage. If you don't make 5 0ut 0f 6 standards within 6 months of being hired prepare to get written up and the then fired shortly there after. This is a great job to have seasonally since the only traffic this particular store seems to get consistently is 3 weeks before Christmas.

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