Looking to come back

Henry-

What DI did you work at? I too worked at a DI store and left in April of 05 and we are now planning on returning.

I'm near the point where I have to make a decision as to whether to stay or not. I really do not want to go but I am concerned about family as well. I think that the same thing is going to happend to me. I think it might be a strong possibility that I might regret it after I get back to my better paying job in the states and the other stuff that I do not miss as much any more, and all the stuff I do not miss at all. What type of work are you looking for.

Hi Melody.

I thought that since Buster is happy here and your mom was one of the lucky folks on the kidney transplant list that perhaps you'd decide to stay on STX. I know it's hard to make ends meet on a teacher's income, even stateside and certainly more so on island, but you're very much needed here. Were you able to find that financial planner and did s/he have anything positive to say? Would it be medically reasonable for your mother to live here, at least part of each year, and would she have any interest in doing so? It would be nice if you could find a way to stay. I only know you through your posts but I suspect that if you return to the states you'd find the extra income to be a dissatisfying trade-off for your quality of life on STX. Of course, family trumps everything! I hope your decision making process is painless and that whatever you decide feels right, both now and later.

Hello,
In regards to your question, I worked in Store #1 And #10.
Not enough money at the time,trying to support a large home state side, and trying to live there also (should have gotten rid of the extra baggage state side prior, (live and learn)

To Melody,
Don't do as I did and rush into leaving, If not sure on what to do,Don't do anything,The answer will come when the time is right

Hope to see ya soon.
Henry

Hi, Henry/BriB!

I am curious about your employment with DI. Am hoping to re-locate in October '06 and will be looking for a seasonal job with one of the (hopefully) larger jewelry stores on STT. I have a very strong sales background (although it's been a few years, and it's not in jewelry!) and am fairly knowledgeable about gems, watches, gold, etc. Did DI require that you have a lot of prior experience? GIA certification? Were you hired once on-island or before you arrived? Would you mind giving me a general idea of the salary (PM me if you'd like)? I know DI has their headquarters here in NYC and am wondering if I should just contact them prior to heading to STT. Any other pointers?

I'm also in my 40s and have just been "outsourced" after 22 years at my corporate job in NYC. Thinking it's just the excuse I needed to make this move, which I've been pondering for quite some time. Plan to stay for the season - or longer, if I'm lucky and things work out job/housing-wise.

Thanks in advance for any light that you can shed.

Hello AnnNYPisces,
D.I. is the largest Jewelry Retailer in The Islands period. Good company to work for, fellow employees are all pretty close and will help you get settled on the Island, When I was there they had Temp housing avalable.

I got hired prior to arriving, Get in touch with Karen in H.R. in St. Thomas. She's a really neat person, and will steer you in the right direction, and will answer any and all questions you may have.

GO FOR IT, TRY A SEASON,YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!!!

HENRY

Wow, thanks Henry - just the encouragement I need right now! Any idea at which location I might find Karen? Last name?
That's my plan - to try STT for a season and see how things work out. Kind of a "working" PMV, if you will...although I've visited there many times. I'll be keeping everything that I own State-side, so am aware this venture may wind up costing me $$ in the long run, even if I'm fortunate enough to find some kind of work. But I'm determined and I thank you for the information!
Cheers!

Hi AnnNYpisces-

DI is a good company to work for. It seems like they are always looking to hire people. Just get in touch with Karen, like Henry said, her last name is Johnson-you can get the 1800# off their website. In terms of money-for me it was $400/week plus commission. That structure was 1%-7%-the more you discount the item the less you will get. It also varied for watches and loose stones. I worked in the main store-it was fun. Some of my coworkers were cool and others were not-you will get that at any job though. Al ot of us were in the same boat-new to the island. If you show an interest and determiation to work for them they will most likely hire you. All in all good people. The bottom line is that doing it is possible, if you prepare and are ready for anything. Good luck.

Ditto, BriB...thanks for the info! I will track down Karen after the holidays. I'll be honing my saleswoman skills shortly, as it sounds like I'll have to hope for some hefty commissions! Was the $400.00/week unlimited hours, or did you work a 40-50 hour week for that wage? Any opportunity for OT? Do you think it best I mention that I only want seasonal work (would plan to return to NY April/May)? My gut tells me to be up front about that - perhaps they'd be grateful to not have to pay me during the "down" season. Sorry for so many questions, but to work for DI would be a dream for me, and I'd hate to screw it up!

As far as good and bad apples at work, believe me after 22 years in the entertainment industry, I'm used to that! But water seeks its' own level, and as I'm a pretty easy-going, friendly person (and modest, too!), I'm sure that surly co-workers won't gravitate towards me, nor I towards them.

Thanks again for any info provided!

AnnNYpisces-

I worked the normal 40hr/wk with getting 2 days off. Those days were not always the weekend. As far as OT goes-not to my knowledge, but I would ask that question. But if you're moving to an island you will want to have some time to enjoy what it has to offer. The seasonal work thing-DI has such a huge turnover of employees that I am sure they have heard everything. So do what feels right to you. I am pretty confident that from the way you talk about wanting to work for them you shouldn't have a problem. Best of luck and if you have any other questions please don't hesitate to ask. When are you planning your move?

Thanks again for the response, BriB! I figured that weekend and/or holiday work would be part of the deal, and have no problem with that. Just thinking that at $400.00/week (gross pay, I assume?) I could use some OT. Did you need to supplement your income, or did your killer saleswoman skills reap great commissions? Sounds like I'd better pack some tuna fish and peanut butter! One of the attractions to me of DI particularly is the volume of customers they get - I know, I was one of them, LOL! A big help, since it sounds like commissions are key.

Planning on moving end Sept./beginning Oct. (end of hurricanes, beginning of heavy tourists). Timing sound right to you?

Thank you, thank you - you're a doll!

Thanks dntw8up -- I appreciate your wise words they will definitely go on my pro list on my refridgerator. I have not really sat down with a financial planner yet. I've talked to a couple of people that have some insight in the field who have given me some advise. I'm hoping that my decision will cause me to be less stressed out about this matter. I know I did not come here to be stressed. I also would like to say that I really like my teaching assignment. I think the students are wonderful CHALLENGING -- but still wonderful. I really have not begun to do some of the things that I would like to do with them. I talked with my mother she says once she completes all of her follow-up appointments she would come and visit. We will see. She is not real big on flying. At this moment most of me is going to stay, I just have one foot and one eye in the other direction. The final hour for me to make up my mind is that when I have to sign a contract for next school year. Oh! I almost forgot Buster is doing fine.

AnnNYpisces-

The "salary" was enough for me. I was lucky enough to work in the watch and designer jewelry store-they number all their stores-that is #9. Commission is higher in that store and the pieces in there are not found in every other store-so consequently people would be drawn to the inventory in there. Then I was transferred-a so called promotion to the main store-#4-which got the most volume-most looose stones, etc. So my commission was pretty good. But I was on the island with my boyfriend, now he is my husband, so we had 2 incomes. If I were you-I would try and request to get in one of those stores, if requesting is an option. The commission is a month behind too. So what you sell in June you will not see the money til the end of July. I think you will be fine-you can always pick up a few shifts at a restaurant if you need extra money. I hope your not making the trip w/o some extra money already in your pockets to get started on?

Your timing sounds just about right-that is when we are considering moving back too.

BriB - LOL..."salary" (in quotes), indeed! That's what I figured. I will certainly ask about store #s 9 and 4...both of them are my lucky numbers, that's kinda weird (an omen perhaps?!). Congrats on the upgrade from B/F to husband. I plan to work like crazy over the next few months and savesavesave, so that I have a windfall when I arrive. I will also be collecting a nice severance package from my job, so I should be OK financially ("should" being the operative word!). I would love to buy you and your husband a "thanks for the information" drink if our timing jives - email anytime: Annnypisces@aol.com.
Thanks again!

AnnNYpisces-

Sounds good! Best of luck on your move-if you have any other questions, just ask!