Zales just lost one customer

[Anima]

Five months ago, Rose Camilleri was a superstar at the Zales outlet at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets.

In November, the diminutive grandmother with an Italian accent was flown to Dallas, home of Zales' headquarters, where she was honored with a 1-carat diamond necklace for making $1 million in sales last year.

"This is not only the first time that Woodbury has EVER had a million dollar producer," raved a Zales manager in an e-mail, "but is the FIRST time for the Northeast region as well!!! ... Congratulations on your UNBELIEVABLE accomplishment that you worked so hard to achieve!!! ... I love and appreciate you SOOOOOOOO much and I can't wait to get to your store to give you a BIG hug!!!"

But in early March, Camilleri developed bronchitis and went for a chest X-ray and an MRI. Her doctor discovered an aortic aneurysm, a weakness in the wall of the aorta, which, without prompt treatment, might rupture and cause quick death.

Camilleri told Zales she would need surgery as soon as possible.

"I told my manager I can't get upset because it could explode any minute," she said. "I typed up a letter asking for time off and guidance from human resources."

One week later, on March 14, she was asked to attend a meeting with a new regional manager.

"He said, 'You're terminated,'" Camilleri recalled. "I tried to keep myself very calm because I knew something could happen to me. I said, 'You're joking — you've never been in my store.' He said, 'It's the best thing.'"

Contacted by the Record, Zales would not comment. Charles Camilleri called Zales' human resources, explaining it was a life-or-death matter, and he simply needed a fax from Zales to start the COBRA process. He was floored by the employee's response.

"She said, "Well, if the surgery was rescheduled, then it's probably not a life-or-death situation," Charles Camilleri recalled. "I absolutely was blown away

Once again, the Record contacted Zales' corporate office, stressing that Rose Camilleri's condition could be fatal.

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090409/BIZ/904090314

 

[maxiep]

I've never shopped at Zales. Now, I never will.

 

[maxiep]

Here is a list of Jewelry and Accessories stores at that mall. If I were one of them and I wanted some free and good PR, I'd hire this woman in a New York Minute

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/store_listing.asp?id=7

 

[mook]

Here is a list of Jewelry and Accessories stores at that mall. If I were one of them and I wanted some free and good PR, I'd hire this woman in a New York Minute

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/store_listing.asp?id=7

Just yesterday I saw a tv commercial for some trial lawyer--I can't remember the class action law suit they were peddling. The clincher was though that Erin Brockovich came on and endorsed it. I immediately thought, "That's one smart fuckin' sheister."

Anyway, it's sad that in our country companies have to make employment decisions like this. For every high-profile example like this, there are probably 10,000 other people similarly getting fucked over who aren't even noticed.

 

[hasoos]

I don't even understand why people think Diamonds are something that has to be had in our society today anyhow. There is this whole urban myth that diamonds are part of marriage, when in fact, all that has happened is the diamond companies have sold that message to the people, when it is not true. Diamond companies artificially inflate the value of diamonds by keeping them off the street, and incite violence in 3rd world countries that are diamond rich by paying warlords for them. Warlords who use slaves to bring the product to market.

Hell if anything, they should probably be outlawed.

 

[Mamba]

Fuck Zales.

Helzberg > Zales.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Well, here's one side of the story.

As someone who has unfortunately been involved with dozens of such media lynchings I can state that every single one was 100% untrue. However, the business are prohibited from responding.

Don't get me wrong, all of this may be true, but I'm old enough to know there's two sides to every story- especially when the media is involved.

 

[MARIS61]

Well, here's one side of the story.

As someone who has unfortunately been involved with dozens of such media lynchings I can state that every single one was 100% untrue. However, the business are prohibited from responding.

Prohibited? Hardly.

They don't live on a message board, so Freedom of Speech is still their right.

They choose not to respond as their lawers have advised them that lying could get them in trouble, and the truth has already been reported.

If it were untrue, they would immediately sue for libel.

 

[mook]

Well, here's one side of the story.

As someone who has unfortunately been involved with dozens of such media lynchings I can state that every single one was 100% untrue. However, the business are prohibited from responding.

Don't get me wrong, all of this may be true, but I'm old enough to know there's two sides to every story- especially when the media is involved.

I'd find a new PR agency if they told me I was "prohibited from responding."

I took some PR classes back in college in the mid-90's, and a key point they drove home was that you don't remain silent. Americans equate silence with guilt. It's a natural instinct to clam up when accused, whether you are an individual or a business, but the truth is you need to present your side of the story with intelligence and a single voice.

The smart strategy here for Zales is to apologize for the oversight, say some throwaway crap that they were just misinterpreted, and pay for the old lady's health care. Then a month from now jack up everybody's premium to pay for it.