I am a former Zales Manager and I wish to warn the public about this company before they grow any bigger and stronger.
I have been in Retail Management for many years (over 10) and have managed many different kinds of stores. Zales was my first and last venture into jewelry
In an effort to make this an easy read let me format it in two list.
Top 5 examples of how Zales and Zale Corp. Screws its customers.
(Many of these things are in direct violation of the companies written rules, but are however thought to associates from corp. Management.)
5. RETURN POLICY Customers are told they can bring back any item for a full refund with no trouble. FACT IS: Associates are trained to prevent all returns and many times tricks are used (no cash for return, or no manager) to prevent returns.
4. SALES PHILOSOPHY Customers are told customer satisfaction is number one. And that the Zales name guarantees it. FACT IS: Zales is all about the dollar. All Corporate Management cares about is the bottom line and as a manager you are told to do anything it takes to make the numbers. Telling lies or bending the truth is understood as common practice in the company.
3. CREDIT The best way to pay for their purchase is the Zales Card. FACT IS: The Zales Card has one of the highest interest rates you will ever see (over 21%). The credit promotions are very had to comply with and often result in interest or fees.
2. CREDIT FRAUD Customers are told your information is safe with this company is the Corp Line. FACT IS: All associate have access to almost all of your information. Credit Applications are kept in store and are often used by dishonest associates to commit fraud and identity theft. (I saw this on at least four occasions in one year with the company.)
1. QUALITY All of the diamonds are of exceptional quality and Zales only has the best. FACT IS: Zales buys diamonds in bulk and more often than not sells treated and improved diamonds with no information that this is what you are buying. Zales uses 2nd rate gem labs and will never let its merchandise be rated my top labs such as GIA. They have a Colorless Flawless collection that is proven to be rated lower by almost every gem lab in the country. Except of course the one they use to grade this special collection. All diamonds are the smallest they can be legally to be marked at their size. Like a one carat may be 5 points shy of being a full carat.
Top 5 examples of how Zales and Zale Corp. Screws its employees.
(Many of these things are in direct violation of the companies written rules, but are however thought to associates from corp. Management.)
5. LOW PAY Zales has the lowest pay rate in the industry and often hires people who have no jewelry experience in an effort to pay as little as possible.
4. HOSTAL ENVIRONMENT Sexual harassment is rampant in the district I worked in. I experienced a hostile workplace every day as I am a minority, and despite my reports of the offences the people committing them were just transferred or slapped on the hand.
3. OPPRESSIVE AND MANIPULATIVE As a manager I was schooled regularly in how to interact with my associates to make them feel like they could not leave for something better and how to make them loyal to Zale Corp.
2. Non-Payment (Associates) Associates are often required to work through their lunch and breaks and are never paid for this time. Associates more often than not are underpaid every week by a few hours, as they are paid only for the hours scheduled and not hours worked, if you are late leaving for any reason including a sale you will not be paid for it.
1. MANAGEMENT In California the managers have no assistants. This is due to a class action law suit again Zales on behalf of its former Asst. Managers and Managers. The result is most managers are being paid for 48 hours a week. I personally worked almost 70 to 78 hours a week. I was never paid for or recognized for this time as it was just considered part of my JOB as a Manager. The workload for managers in this company is more than unfair most of them have no life outside of the company and if fact many have went on stress leave, or had to leave retail as a result of the pressure.
The above is why I left this company. I could no longer look myself in the mirror everyday while cheating customers, and manipulating employees. I would rather make less and live with myself in pride.
0 comments