Moscow Jewelry Factory: feedback from customers and employees

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

In 2020, the Moscow Jewelry Factory will celebrate its centenary of activity. The opening of the enterprise took place in 1920, then the enterprise was called an artel, where hereditary jewelers worked. The MUZ never changed the scope of its activities, only the war years the production facilities required re-equipment for the production of defense products. Today the company is an industry leader and trendsetter in jewelry fashion. The company produces jewelry made of precious metals and natural stones in classic and innovative designs.

A Brief History

The founders of the artel "Moscow Jewelers" in 1920 were people from the workshops of C. Faberge, I. Khlebnikov, P. Ovchinnikov and other famous jewelry houses. For many years, the community of professionals has produced popular filigree products, decorated with grain, enamel. In the early 60s, artels of private traders were gradually reorganized into state enterprises, and this is how the Moscowjewelry factory, and for the masters the time of glory has come. Buyers began to pay more attention to the authorship of products.

Until the 50s, mass production of filigree jewelry with ornamental and semi-precious stones was launched. The metal in the compositions was silver or brass, most of the commodity items were occupied by bijouterie. With the beginning of the war, the factory produces products for the front, almost all the workers went to the front.

After the war, the MUZ revived the traditions of jewelry making and created amazing jewelry from Ustyug silver. The assortment was replenished with brooches, earrings made of filigree with malachite, they began to produce dishes made of crystal with silver trim. In addition to malachite, jasper, opal, lapis lazuli, chalcedony, agate and other jewelry minerals were used in the works.

In 1971, on the street. Nagatinskaya built a new production complex of the Moscow Jewelry Plant. The move began in 1974, and the enterprise was operating at full capacity three years later. Modern equipment was installed in the workshops and workplaces, equipped with the best tools. The company has focused on the production of jewelry made of gold and silver with inserts of precious and semi-precious stones, the production of dishes, nickel-plated and chrome-plated watch bracelets has been launched, and orders are being fulfilled according to official requests from the government. By the 40th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, in 1985, the Moscow Jewelry Factory completed an order for the assembly and partial finishing of the Orders of the Patriotic War of two degrees.

In the early 90s onthe factory produces only gold jewelry without inlay with stones. In parallel with mass production, active work is underway to develop new directions, design models with emeralds, diamonds, sapphires. During this period, a global reorganization takes place. In the design bureau, several artists work on the creation of exclusive jewelry, some of the artists are focused on modeling products for mass production.

By 1991, many processes at the plant were automated. MUZ is the only enterprise in the country that deals with gilding, chrome plating, silver plating, anodizing dishes and cupronickel rims for dishes. In the same period, the MUZ became part of the Ruiz international holding, which united all chains of diamond processing from mining and cutting to creating jewelry and selling it in its own chain of stores.

In 2006, a jewelry production complex was launched in Perm, built specifically for the Moscow State University, and in 2009 a new type of trade was established - the sale of certified diamonds in a retail network. In 2014, the production of MJUZ received the international quality certificate ISO 9001:2008. Today, the plant is a powerful, rapidly developing enterprise. The retail network in Russia is represented in 90 regions of the country, the number of stores exceeds 300 sites.

Products

The Moscow Jewelry Factory produces a range of products with more than 15 thousand items of jewelry made of gold and silver, andnamely:

• Rings (wedding, with stones, men's, women's).
• Earrings (including with precious stones).
• Bracelets (men's, women's).
• Pendants (gold, silver, precious and semi-precious stones).
• Necklace (gold, silver, natural stones).
• Chains (men's, women's).
• Hairpins and brooches.
• Piercing jewelry.
• Pectoral crosses.
• Clips and cufflinks.
• Jewellery sets in several collections.
• Jewelry frames (rings, earrings, pendants).
• Certified diamonds.
• Exclusive items.

One of the innovations that pleased many consumers is the diamonds of the Moscow Jewelry Factory. Customer reviews say that such a purchase is an excellent investment of free funds. Investing in precious stones is also good because there is a choice of cutting, shape, size, there are no restrictions on further use. In addition, MUZ offers molded settings for the purchased stone, as well as the opportunity to make an individual order and receive a piece of family jewelry.

Trade network

Marketplaces of the Moscow Jewelry Factory can be found in all corners of Russia, in the near and far abroad. There are more than 300 stores in total, and the network is constantly expanding. Points of sale are located in accessible places with high consumer traffic, have a single branded design and a widemass production range.

Besides relatively small stores, the MUZ invites customers to jewelry centers. These stores are distinguished by large areas (from 1200 m2) and a wide range of jewelry from mass to exclusive models (more than 20 thousand items). The company constantly holds promotions, presentations and closely monitors the wishes of customers. On average, product items find their buyer for 3-9 months, which indicates high-quality marketing and communication with consumers.

Why choose MUZ

Many generations of buyers consider the Moscow Jewelry Factory a reliable enterprise. Reviews of regular customers tell about the repeated purchases of jewelry in the chain of the MJZ in different cities of Russia. Most buyers are confident in the quality of products, which is confirmed by many years of wearing rings, earrings, chains. Some consumers, in order to dismiss all doubts or, conversely, confirm their suspicions about the quality of the purchased jewelry, turned to independent experts.

There is not a single indication of deception of buyers, all the quality characteristics indicated in the passport, on the tag and on the guarantee of the goods exactly match the expert assessment. A vivid confirmation of this is the reviews about the products of the Moscow Jewelry Factory, left by customers a few years after the purchase of the jewelry. They say that for many years of intensive wearing of a piece of jewelry, it has not changed its appearance, the gold has not tarnished, no spots have appeared on it, the stones have notdropped and also do not change their characteristics.

Consumers left many positive arguments in favor of the Moscow Jewelry Plant. Reviews from jewelry lovers claim that throughout history, the company has had ups, but never had catastrophic falls. Products changed depending on economic conditions, but even during periods of recession and difficulties, the company's management never went to deceive customers, trying to sell goods with false promises. Many believe that the best traditions of quality and respect for work have been preserved at the plant.

What makes gold items good

For many customers, jewelry produced by the Moscow Jewelry Factory has become a favorite. Reviews of gold products with positive reviews tell about a balanced price-quality ratio and a huge selection of models in any chain store. Consumers also like the opportunity to choose jewelry according to their tastes - the factory offers both classic and modern jewelry designs.

Reviews about the gold jewelry of the Moscow Jewelry Plant with approving comments tell about the conformity of the sample, confirmed by third-party expert assessments of the purity of the metal used in the product. It is noted that the jewelry is made very carefully, there are no sharp edges, the stones are firmly held in the mounts. Today, white gold is in great demand. Products from this type of metal in the shops of the Moscow Youth Museum are presented in a wide range ofrange from modest, everyday pieces to collectible, exclusive pieces of art.

Marriages and engagements are held quite often, these ceremonies are accompanied by the obligatory presence of rings, and they are sent to the shops of the Moscow Jewelry Factory. Engagement rings received generally good reviews from consumers. There are no complaints about the characteristics and quality of the metal, but there are complaints about a narrow assortment.

Rings inlaid with stones, a huge number are offered. They are made of white or yellow gold, in a combination of metals, stones, interesting shapes and different thicknesses. But there are very few simple forms devoid of inlay with precious stones, and they are all very similar to each other. Shoppers felt the selection of classic engagement rings was limited.

When gold is not a joy

Moscow Jewelry Factory received customer reviews about the quality of gold jewelry with complaints for not always good finishes, poor fastening of stones in jewelry, sale of earrings and bracelets with defective clasps. Customers shared their opinion that the quality of jewelry is gradually declining.

One of the comments says that the customer decided to purchase another piece of jewelry for the existing ring. The ring was bought a few years ago, but the classic design of the jewelry made it possible to count on the possibility of choosing a harmonious pair in the form of earrings. Comparing the quality of modern products and her jewelry, she cameto the disappointing conclusion that with a huge selection of models, the quality has suffered greatly. Carelessness in the processing of small details, weak fastenings between parts of jewelry and much more are noticeable.

Many consumers choose jewelry made of stones and gold. The Moscow Jewelry Factory received moderate reviews about the quality of the metal itself. There are practically no claims to metal in products. It was not noticed that the decoration changed color or became stained. All consumer claims come down to a drop in quality in small details, but they make the product wearable, beautiful and desirable. It is unlikely that you will like stones falling out, pendants missing, or cracks in rings at the sample site.

Many buyers might have put up with an unpleasant experience if the after-sales service was up to par. Unfortunately, these services turned out to be a weak link in the holding's work. Some clients agreed to repair their favorite jewelry without undue persuasion and persuasion, but after receiving the product back and putting it on only a few times after resuscitation, the situation returned to normal - the lock weakened or a stone fell out. But repeated repairs are already a clear sign of marriage, it was especially annoying that the subsequent repairs were already carried out at the expense of the consumer. Almost no one was able to return the product to the store and get a refund.

Quality and beauty

Moscow Jewelry Factory has received positive reviews about the quality of jewelry from many buyers. They claim thathave been using MUZ jewelry for several years and during this time they have not undergone any negative changes. Even thin chains do not break with constant wear, they withstand moisture, accidental jerks or weighty pendants well.

The Moscow Jewelry Factory got flattering reviews for gold items. The opinion of buyers who have experienced earrings, brooches, bracelets and rings in extreme conditions and constant use is that the factory quality is beyond praise and fully justifies all promises. Customers believe that they paid a high, but adequate price for their jewelry.

Thanks to successful purchases over the past years, many prefer MUZ stores to other jewelry manufacturers. Sometimes there is confusion about the manufacturer's address. On many tags, the country of manufacture of the goods is not Russia, although the production facilities are located in Moscow and Perm. This is due to the fact that the holding is a developer of mines in different countries, and it is much easier and cheaper to organize the processing of stones, the manufacture of jewelry directly at the place of their extraction. Quality control and the entire production cycle are Russian.

Pro quality is negative

Both white and traditional gold are in demand among buyers. The Moscow Jewelry Factory received reviews of jewelry made from this metal with unflattering reviews for service and after-sales service. Some consumers, having made a pleasant purchase or received a precious gift, were very disappointed. Some told thatafter trying on the earrings for the first time, it turned out that the clasp on one of them did not snap into place. In this situation, most buyers considered it a smart move to return the purchase to the store. As it turned out, the management of the company and each outlet separately have a different opinion on this matter.

According to the victims, after lengthy proceedings, the jewelry was accepted by the sellers for examination or an alternative option was offered - the repair of the product. Few people liked this approach to solving the problem, especially since in a conflict situation the sellers lost their politeness and restraint when communicating. Some consumers agreed to the examination, but still received a refusal to reimburse the amount spent.

Cases when a buyer lost a stone due to an ill-fitting frame and went to the store with complaints, were resolved according to the same algorithm of actions on the part of the seller. Particularly disappointing was that part of consumers who lost a precious diamond, sapphire, emerald - the cost of the entire product upon return was assessed as scrap, which entailed large material losses and partly made up a bad image for the Moscow Jewelry Plant.

Customer feedback on quality in such cases is sharply negative. And they certainly could have been avoided if the control service did not let such items through or the sellers more actively insisted that the buyer at the counter carefully check all the details of the jewelry before paying for them at the checkout.

To the store for a holiday

Buyers in bulkleft reviews about stores. The Moscow Jewelry Factory has three hundred trading floors in many cities and several countries. Consumers believe that the design of stores reflects the direction of the business. All jewelry can be examined first through the counter, and for close acquaintance and substantive examination or fitting, sellers put the option they like on the counter.

The buyer has access to mirrors, the opportunity to put on the jewelry they like, see the fastening of stones, clasps, the brand of the factory, read the certificate, read the warranty conditions, product passport. In most cases, sellers give detailed advice on any issue of interest, which adds to the popularity of the Moscow Jewelry Factory. Customer reviews tell about the friendliness of the staff, the desire of sellers to provide all possible assistance in finding the best purchase.

Regular customers enjoy discounts and participate in discount programs. Opening opportunities allow you to make more expensive purchases and always be aware of new arrivals. Some of the buyers, leaving a description of their impressions, personally noted the sellers who gave professional comprehensive advice, managed to find a common language with the client and provide the products that fully satisfied the consumer's desire.

It is not always possible for the buyer to receive full service, such situations reflect negative reviews about stores. The Moscow Jewelry Factory pays a lot of attention to the training of consultants, each retail outlet of the network bearspersonal responsibility for personnel. Some customers expressed dissatisfaction with some stores where sellers did not pay due attention or preferred to remain silent about the shortcomings of jewelry at the time of purchase.

Consumers, whose problems remained unresolved, spoke negatively about the MUZ network and the production itself. For the most part, such stories relate to complaints about the quality of jewelry, breakdowns, and the lack of response to complaints received by the Moscow Jewelry Factory. Quality reviews are emotional and full of bitterness. The purchase of jewelry, in addition to the financial component, has a considerable spiritual impulse, jewelry is most often purchased on some memorable occasion, presented to a loved one, and a breakdown causes enormous moral damage.

Working at the MUZ is positive

Moscow Jewelry Factory received positive feedback from employees for timely pay. Store employees report that delays in wages can be 1-2 days and no more. Employment is carried out in accordance with all the norms of the Labor Code. I also liked that there are no other payments “in an envelope”, accruals are also transparent, the necessary taxes are paid, which is important for seniority and financial stability.

Many noted that the interviews are held at a high level and quite professionally. Promises at the stage of hiring are very tempting, but practice is at odds with the declared prospects thatMoscow Jewelry Factory. Feedback from head office staff is scarce. They talk about good working conditions, an excellent social package, "white" wages, pleasant bonuses and the employer's compliance with the basic provisions of the Labor Code.

What makes employees unhappy

Reviews of employees about the Moscow Jewelry Plant company with a negative assessment tell about different difficulties in each individual store. Employees claim that in pursuit of cost optimization, the seller at retail outlets is forced to do a huge amount of work - to deal with declarations, online trading, receiving and returning goods, inventory, fulfilling the plan for selling and receiving gold from the population. When applying for a job, no one was told that they would have to face work that was not part of the seller's duties.

When applying for a job, a salary is offered, a certain percentage of payment from personal sales and bonuses for the quality performance of their duties. In fact, at the place of business, it becomes clear that bonuses are paid only at the request of the store director, who is interested in his own level of income. All money saved counts as the store manager's bonus.

Also, the employer promises a certain work schedule. In fact, salespeople have to go to the place of work much more often, the refusal of an employee threatens with instant dismissal. In some stores, according to former employees, an atmosphere of unconstructive competition has been created, with many complaining about gossip, intolerance and dismissive attitude on the part of the authorities. Also, many felt that well-founded claims of buyers regarding product quality should be satisfied, but in practice one has to conflict, otherwise the employee will be fined.

Moscow Jewelry Factory employee reviews (Moscow) in 2017 received even more negative than in the past period. Many felt that the consolidation of the business and the pursuit of mass production reduces the quality, which has an extremely negative effect on the work of the entire retail network. The number of claims from buyers is constantly growing, but no one is taking steps towards improving the quality control of manufactured jewelry and eliminating problems. It is believed that the fault for all the mistakes lies with the sellers, who failed to convince the client that the breakage of the jewelry occurred after the purchase, or that the lost stone is not a reason for complaint.

Moscow Experimental

Buyers quite often confuse the two production complexes MJUZ and MEYuZ (Moscow Experimental Jewelry Factory Yuvelirprom). Both companies operate in the same industry, offer customers precious metal products with precious stones, and have been doing so for almost an equal number of years.

Moscow Experimental Jewelry Factory received few, but favorable reviews from consumers. Buyers noted that due to the small number of stores, the purchased jewelry pleases the eye with original design and lack of repetition. The main specialization of the company is the production of jewelry withdiamonds, all lines of jewelry are often discounted, which helps the consumer to purchase more pieces and create sets according to their aesthetic ideas.

The MEYuZ employees have the same problems as the employees of the Moscow Jewelry Factory. Work, feedback on working conditions, wages in both companies have general trends in the industry. Employees complain about the unprofessionalism of middle management, trying to find some way to solve problems, most often fail and quit.

What is the result

MUS receives regular feedback from consumers who love to write reviews. The Moscow Jewelry Factory received more negative reviews about its products in 2017. The number of satisfied customers has decreased, and there are more and more words about the loss of former trust in the brand.

Summarizing all the claims, we can say that customers have no complaints about the quality of stones, gold, silver and never have. All negative reviews are written about the quality of products, details, metal finishing and stone fixing. Also, a lot of negative things have been written about communication between store staff and customers, which is related to the company's internal policy.