I'd like to hear from associates who worked in jewelry dept. when they had the kind of counter that had the island in the center and now have the remodeled counter (Costco style).
They recently transferred a bunch of items to other stores from the stores that were getting the remodeled counter. So, it's coming to ALL clubs, just a matter of when. They are doing it a little bit at a time. It has already occurred in many clubs, so that's who I'd like to hear from.
Was your position eliminated? If so, were you offered the choice of a different position or a severance package?
The new counter is an UN-staffed position (just like Costco - pull a pull tag and take it up front), correct?
If you still work in the club, how is the Costco style counter working out? Who helps the members? Who processes the jewelry that comes in to put it in the display cases? Who takes care of the special orders that come in? The ring sizings that come back? Who does price changes, transfers, RTV's, claims items, sending items out for repair? Who does the audits? Etc, etc The job will still need to be done.
Has your store had the Coscto style counter through the Christmas season last year? If so, how does that work?? There are constantly members all day who want to look, try things on, ask questions, buy items etc. At Christmas we need 2 or 3 people scheduled most days from Black Friday through Christmas. I don't see how an unstaffed counter can work when the clubs are so understaffed on the front end and the floor.