I was there in early April, and was able to schedule an appointment online about 3 weeks in advance. Good luck
Anyone shop in Japan recently?
- Thread starter mushietushie
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Hey all, in Osaka right now so just thought I’d share my experience so far. It’s a lengthy one so apologies!
Today I went to 2/3 of the VCA stores here. First I went to the main one in Shinsaibashi. I didn’t have an appointment so I had to queue for about 30 minutes I think but it was fine as the weather was nice. Once inside, I planned on taking some photos to upload but no photos were allowed. This also applied to when trying on stuff which was a bit lame as I wanted a second opinion on one of the pendants.
Here’s a little summary based on what I think will be most popular:
- No 5 motifs except for 1 YG and diamond one. The sales associate had no idea when they were coming in and just said they were sold out throughout Japan and that had been the case for quite a while. If you’re looking for a coloured stone like me, I think we will have to keep waiting for now…..
- Stock as a whole was extremely low - I noticed there were empty display stands in cabinets which I think just highlights how they are selling out of absolutely everything.
- Good news for any butterfly lovers - they had the full Sweet MOP butterfly set so earrings, pendant and bracelet. I ended up getting the earrings today which were on my wish list.
- Vintage pendants were available in Malachite, Onyx and MOP. I picked up one in Malachite.
- Vintage earrings were also available in Onyx and MOP. I think I also saw them in the Sweet size.
- I did see some Alhambra rings too but I overhead one of the SAs saying they had very limited sizes.
Next I went to the store in Takashimaya. This is a small boutique and only one customer was allowed in at a time as I think there was only 1 SA available. I did see more Alhambra rings here and a 20 motif Malachite necklace but other than that nothing different to the Shinsaibashi store. I get the impression that SAs have been told to only deal with the stock in their store if that makes sense - there’s no calling other stores and checking their stocks.
Overall I would say a bit disappointing
but not surprised in the slightest. I’m after either the Malachite or Agate in the 5 motifs and they are sold out pretty much worldwide I believe. The sales associates were nice enough but I can’t help but feel underwhelmed - this was my first time purchasing VCA and I usually have so much fun when going into boutiques and picking out pieces (Cartier is a stand out for me) and this just felt like a regular retail experience. No champagne but water and chocolates were given. Also I’m not sure if this is a new thing but you can now only choose between a box or a travel pouch which I thought was a bit poor?
I’m going to the last store tomorrow so I’ll update if anything is dramatically different. But hope that helps someone!
Today I went to 2/3 of the VCA stores here. First I went to the main one in Shinsaibashi. I didn’t have an appointment so I had to queue for about 30 minutes I think but it was fine as the weather was nice. Once inside, I planned on taking some photos to upload but no photos were allowed. This also applied to when trying on stuff which was a bit lame as I wanted a second opinion on one of the pendants.
Here’s a little summary based on what I think will be most popular:
- No 5 motifs except for 1 YG and diamond one. The sales associate had no idea when they were coming in and just said they were sold out throughout Japan and that had been the case for quite a while. If you’re looking for a coloured stone like me, I think we will have to keep waiting for now…..
- Stock as a whole was extremely low - I noticed there were empty display stands in cabinets which I think just highlights how they are selling out of absolutely everything.
- Good news for any butterfly lovers - they had the full Sweet MOP butterfly set so earrings, pendant and bracelet. I ended up getting the earrings today which were on my wish list.
- Vintage pendants were available in Malachite, Onyx and MOP. I picked up one in Malachite.
- Vintage earrings were also available in Onyx and MOP. I think I also saw them in the Sweet size.
- I did see some Alhambra rings too but I overhead one of the SAs saying they had very limited sizes.
Next I went to the store in Takashimaya. This is a small boutique and only one customer was allowed in at a time as I think there was only 1 SA available. I did see more Alhambra rings here and a 20 motif Malachite necklace but other than that nothing different to the Shinsaibashi store. I get the impression that SAs have been told to only deal with the stock in their store if that makes sense - there’s no calling other stores and checking their stocks.
Overall I would say a bit disappointing
but not surprised in the slightest. I’m after either the Malachite or Agate in the 5 motifs and they are sold out pretty much worldwide I believe. The sales associates were nice enough but I can’t help but feel underwhelmed - this was my first time purchasing VCA and I usually have so much fun when going into boutiques and picking out pieces (Cartier is a stand out for me) and this just felt like a regular retail experience. No champagne but water and chocolates were given. Also I’m not sure if this is a new thing but you can now only choose between a box or a travel pouch which I thought was a bit poor? I’m going to the last store tomorrow so I’ll update if anything is dramatically different. But hope that helps someone!
I'm glad you managed to at least get a couple of pieces on your list! Fingers crossed that you manage to get a 5 motif at the last store tomorrow!Hey all, in Osaka right now so just thought I’d share my experience so far. It’s a lengthy one so apologies!
Today I went to 2/3 of the VCA stores here. First I went to the main one in Shinsaibashi. I didn’t have an appointment so I had to queue for about 30 minutes I think but it was fine as the weather was nice. Once inside, I planned on taking some photos to upload but no photos were allowed. This also applied to when trying on stuff which was a bit lame as I wanted a second opinion on one of the pendants.
Here’s a little summary based on what I think will be most popular:
- No 5 motifs except for 1 YG and diamond one. The sales associate had no idea when they were coming in and just said they were sold out throughout Japan and that had been the case for quite a while. If you’re looking for a coloured stone like me, I think we will have to keep waiting for now…..
- Stock as a whole was extremely low - I noticed there were empty display stands in cabinets which I think just highlights how they are selling out of absolutely everything.
- Good news for any butterfly lovers - they had the full Sweet MOP butterfly set so earrings, pendant and bracelet. I ended up getting the earrings today which were on my wish list.
- Vintage pendants were available in Malachite, Onyx and MOP. I picked up one in Malachite.
- Vintage earrings were also available in Onyx and MOP. I think I also saw them in the Sweet size.
- I did see some Alhambra rings too but I overhead one of the SAs saying they had very limited sizes.
Next I went to the store in Takashimaya. This is a small boutique and only one customer was allowed in at a time as I think there was only 1 SA available. I did see more Alhambra rings here and a 20 motif Malachite necklace but other than that nothing different to the Shinsaibashi store. I get the impression that SAs have been told to only deal with the stock in their store if that makes sense - there’s no calling other stores and checking their stocks.
Overall I would say a bit disappointing
I’m going to the last store tomorrow so I’ll update if anything is dramatically different. But hope that helps someone!
Going to Japan next week, what is the minimum amount you have to spend on one transaction to show on the receipt please
I had similar experience in Tokyo. Tried a few stores but the pieces I was looking for were all OOS. Ginza flagship had one of the items but not in my size. There’s just too many people trying to buy items in Japan coz of the weak yen so it’s a matter of luck if you are still there once new shipments arrive. Hope you have better luck tomorrowHey all, in Osaka right now so just thought I’d share my experience so far. It’s a lengthy one so apologies!
Today I went to 2/3 of the VCA stores here. First I went to the main one in Shinsaibashi. I didn’t have an appointment so I had to queue for about 30 minutes I think but it was fine as the weather was nice. Once inside, I planned on taking some photos to upload but no photos were allowed. This also applied to when trying on stuff which was a bit lame as I wanted a second opinion on one of the pendants.
Here’s a little summary based on what I think will be most popular:
- No 5 motifs except for 1 YG and diamond one. The sales associate had no idea when they were coming in and just said they were sold out throughout Japan and that had been the case for quite a while. If you’re looking for a coloured stone like me, I think we will have to keep waiting for now…..
- Stock as a whole was extremely low - I noticed there were empty display stands in cabinets which I think just highlights how they are selling out of absolutely everything.
- Good news for any butterfly lovers - they had the full Sweet MOP butterfly set so earrings, pendant and bracelet. I ended up getting the earrings today which were on my wish list.
- Vintage pendants were available in Malachite, Onyx and MOP. I picked up one in Malachite.
- Vintage earrings were also available in Onyx and MOP. I think I also saw them in the Sweet size.
- I did see some Alhambra rings too but I overhead one of the SAs saying they had very limited sizes.
Next I went to the store in Takashimaya. This is a small boutique and only one customer was allowed in at a time as I think there was only 1 SA available. I did see more Alhambra rings here and a 20 motif Malachite necklace but other than that nothing different to the Shinsaibashi store. I get the impression that SAs have been told to only deal with the stock in their store if that makes sense - there’s no calling other stores and checking their stocks.
Overall I would say a bit disappointing
I’m going to the last store tomorrow so I’ll update if anything is dramatically different. But hope that helps someone!
JPY 5,000Going to Japan next week, what is the minimum amount you have to spend on one transaction to show on the receipt please
no 5 motif 😭😭 but you’re right, I should be glad I got some of the others.
Yeah
and we’re part of them too, was just really hoping to secure it! I think I also just wanted to get it ASAP because I just have a feeling there’s going to be a substantial price increase soon…
There’s options on the website. The flagship stores run out of sched pretty quickly so best to book early.
You don't have to book it from the Japan website - any of your local VCA websites should have the link to book appointments. You just have to pick Japan from the drop-down menu.
Hey all, just wanted to give the FYI that there’s a scheduled price increase in Japan on some items on June 4th I believe, not sure which items though.