Herman Hiss & Company — Local services in Bay City

Recently I went into Herman and Hiss looking to be sized for a ring I was looking at, I did not know if I was a size 7.5 or 8. I was beyond nervous to go in there in the first place, about a year ago I went into Herman and Hiss looking to buy quite an expensive jewelry item. However I had just gotten off of work and was wearing leggings, I was treated poorly because of this and did not end up purchasing what I needed from them. Now this year December 2022 I knew I would be going there to be sized for a ring so I dressed very nicely and had my makeup all done. Upon walking in I was not greeted and saw a worker standing at the jewelry counter cleaning jewelry, I walked over to that area and he would not look up at me. So I decided to walk around the store to see if I was supposed to go to a different area as I'm not a regular customer there. The whole time multiple employees passed me and didn't say anything, the lady at the Swarvoski counter finally said hi and asked how I was doing. The only people in the store were me, an older couple, and a middle-aged man looking at jewelry. Finally, I walked over to the checkout counter where a woman came out of the back and asked if I had been helped. I told her "no I just have a quick question about getting a ring size" she immediately said "no" I was kind of taken back I didn't know if I needed an appointment or not for something that was going to take a total of 5 minutes and could benefit them in the long run. She followed it up with "we're not going to do that here for you today" she walked a couple of feet over to the ring engraving/cleaning area and said, "but I'll ask. He's just so busy so he's going to tell you no". Still dumbfounded I stood there for a second seeing a man sitting at a desk looking at a ring she told me again "we're just not going to do that for you here today" I replied "actually nevermind I'll just come back when it's better for you or I'll go someplace else" the woman then was offended that I told her nevermind to something she wasn't even willing to do in the first place. She asked if I was sure raising her voice causing the few people in the store to look, I told her "yeah I'll just go someplace else" and started walking out. Which she was not happy about.

I am 23 years old and work in sales at a business in Uptown Bay City. I have had people come in looking homeless and spend over $2,000 on merchandise being owners of large companies, as well as vice versa. I have not once treated those customers any differently based on their appearance, age, or what they were asking. My family owns a business where I also occasionally work where the average person could come in and spend $800-$8,000, and everyone who works there has common decency not to treat anyone differently based on looks. Immediately when I got to my car I looked up to see if anyone else was having this problem when going to Herman and Hiss, my phone was flooded with negative reviews from people with the same issue. One gentleman was ready to spend $5,000 on something and because he had just come from the gym he was treated horribly! Please please please do NOT go to Herman and Hiss, find a different local...

As goldsmiths and jewelers, we’re always eager to visit other fine jewelry stores when we are traveling to new or different areas. While in Michigan last month, we had the pleasure of discovering Herman Hiss & Company in Bay City. Their ads in area publications had hinted at the special quality of this downtown store, obviously an integral part of the community and surrounding area. [Whenever heading out of town, we particularly seek out fellow American Gem Society (AGS) member stores, as membership requires commitment to ethical practices, as well as annual educational updates and re-certification.]

From the moment we stepped inside Herman Hiss & Company’s unique interior, we were amazed. As we look forward to our own store’s 50th anniversary next year, the fourth and fifth generations at Herman Hiss are preparing for their 150th in 2017!! This is noteworthy, to say the least.

When we introduced ourselves, Christine – fifth generation – and husband Nick generously treated us to a tour of their impressive space and behind-the-scenes organization. We heard snippets of HH’s illustrious history from several of the pleasant and attentive staff. Each eagerly shared pride in the store and its part in the community, as well as in their own service as “part of the Hiss family.” While the store itself exudes the feel of fine historical jewelry establishments, many displays of fashion forward collections are packed with choices of fun, affordable jewelry lines.

Having recently celebrated the birth of a grand-baby, I was delighted at the extensive creative, fun selection of baby gifts – from socks to “blankeys” and books – as well as traditional silver and pewter baby cups and spoons. Confession: I left with a full Herman Hiss & Company bag of treats for our newest arrival, her little “big” sister, and two toddler cousins!

Reflecting on our fun and inspiring visit, it seemed only right to take the time to write a peer review of this unique historic, and, increasingly, hard-to-find family jewelry business rooted in, and committed to, one’s community. Each and every person we met, whether employees or family members, went out of his or her way to make us welcome. All were attentive and knowledgeable, as well as dedicated to this extraordinary family jewelry business. That in itself kind of...

I recently got engaged and I LOVE my ring, however it was a little big for my small hands. I took my ring to Herman and Hiss to get resized. Upon walking into the store, I was never once greeted and waited almost 15 minutes until someone finally acted like they have enough attention to give me. I told her I was interested in getting my ring resized and she went and got someone else, and the lady gathered up her ring sizing instruments and rudely told me my ring was a 7 when I told her first that I didn't know what size it was because I did not buy it. Then she looked at it with her glass scope and proceed to RUDLY tell me that my ring was fake, nothing on my ring was real and that since its fake they can't work on it. Place my ring back in its box and slid it across the counter and said "you can try the jeweler down the street." I left in almost tears because I knew my ring was real.

I felt as if I wasn't given the costumer services that I deserved for a few reasons: I'm a young female who was perceived to not have that much money because I walked into their shop with jeans and a jacket. my ring was not bought there. my ring was not a $50.000 ring.

This company will NEVER be recommended by me to ANYONE. I WAS going to be a young LOYAL customer to them, but they have now lost out on my business and anyone who is associated with me.

I did try the jeweler down the street Nelson and Co. and this jeweler was amazing. They took care of me, checked my ring 3 times and did a metal test on it, and my ring is 100% REAL and 14K gold and I got my ring...