I've personally gotten lucky with getting notoriously unavailable VCA pieces through Fashionphile. All authentic as I get them serviced through VCA after purchase. You just have to be diligent with checking their website at least once or twice a day. I've never had a problem with the condition stated on their description...if it says "excellent condition", the piece looks unused. You might have to pay slightly above retail price if it's a popular item but in my experience, I've only done it once (2018 Holiday Pendant).
Are the stock issues frustrating anyone else?
- Thread starter GlamarousBarbie
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I like Fashionphile, but the up charge on the guilloche earrings is so much. Usually it’s 5800, and they’re selling it for 7000. I find that insane considering it’s used. I’d pay 6000 for it, with a certificate, but any more than that is just so upcharged.
Yes, I have similarly seen the hammered bracelet there fairly often that so many people are on a waitlist for, but I just wouldn't pay the big markup in principle. Some pieces (ie pave) can be a bit more reasonable on the secondary market, but I tend to just stick to the boutique so that I can purchase that the normal retail price and get the full experience in terms of complimentary resizing and adjustments etc.
Not sure about buying from a second hand market. Unless it's a passing-down piece from a family member, it's better to buy brand new pair at the boutique because of hygienic reasons.
Is there nothing else from your list to choose from? I mean right now, this is the only thing you want from vca?
Ever since the pandemic, stock at VCA has been abysmal and frustrating. Part of it was the pandemic and then the other part was the popularity skyrocketed due to social media. While I still love their pieces, I don’t have the patience to deal with low stock and 100% deposits (LOANS) with no ETA in sight. Since then I’ve chosen Cartier, which always has stock and now thinking about Bulgari. If you are annoyed, consider other brands or go the second hand route.
I highly doubt any preloved jewelry is sold without being cleaned first...especially coming from a reputable company like Fashionphile. Plus you do your own sanitizing after purchase.
I'm OCD I guess. For items that are still in production, I don't see any point in purchasing from a second hand market.
Cleaning and sanitizing can be tricky on gemstone pieces. I highly doubt Fashionphile know how to do it properly. They barely do an okay job on handbags.
I don’t think they clean the handbags (I could be wrong) but the jewelry pieces that I’ve purchased from them were definitely cleaned to point where they look pristine.
All of the stock confusion is making me want to stay away. It’s so odd the way it affects my psychology about pieces and really the whole thing makes me wonder if I’m done. I buy what I like whether I have to wait or not, and don’t really care if a piece is the last one in the country or whatever. I also remember hearing lines like this years ago before there were waits for everything. They didn’t make me want something I wasn’t sure of then and don’t know.
What has started happening is now the supposed exclusivity of some pieces that can’t be ordered etc etc makes me wonder about things i definitely do want, things that have been on my wish list forever, that are available. This is stupid and silly and I recognize that and buy the piece as planned. But I don’t feel thankful to have scored it or whatever. No, instead I feel some kind of reverse fomo like why is this available is this piece not special or not desirable? I see this happening and catch myself thinking it and realize it’s so dumb. But it has really started changing my feeling of buying VCA and made me think it’s time to move on. It’s probably less the specific feeling, which is silly and dumb, and more the icky overall feeling.
What has started happening is now the supposed exclusivity of some pieces that can’t be ordered etc etc makes me wonder about things i definitely do want, things that have been on my wish list forever, that are available. This is stupid and silly and I recognize that and buy the piece as planned. But I don’t feel thankful to have scored it or whatever. No, instead I feel some kind of reverse fomo like why is this available is this piece not special or not desirable? I see this happening and catch myself thinking it and realize it’s so dumb. But it has really started changing my feeling of buying VCA and made me think it’s time to move on. It’s probably less the specific feeling, which is silly and dumb, and more the icky overall feeling.
It looks like the difficult-to-get line works only for those who have no clear idea what they want or what suits them best thus doubting their choices or the value of the pieces from vca. Or it works for those who have everything and want the challenges created by vca or other branded companies.
Anyway, respect is the key. If customers don't feel respected or you personally don't feel respected when shopping at a boutique , it's time to move on. For the time being, it doesn't feel like vca is turning themselves into Hermes.
Anyway, respect is the key. If customers don't feel respected or you personally don't feel respected when shopping at a boutique , it's time to move on. For the time being, it doesn't feel like vca is turning themselves into Hermes.
The only boutiques which actually have nicer employees seem to be in Vegas. Bellagio and Caesars usually have nicer employees who are willing to help and give advice…
I’m sorry you feel this way. I hope you have better experiences. I’ve had great experiences from all the VCA boutiques I’ve been to regardless whether I make a purchase, both domestically, Canada or in Asia. I haven’t been to a VCA in Europe.
Building a collection with VCA takes time and patience. These items are made by hand and that takes time. I remember looking my first piece and it wasnt available. Took months before one appeared and I ordered it over phone sight unseen. Mind you I had never seen irl. Also my preferred metal is RG so I’m always waiting on MTO items so 6 months to a year isn’t a big deal. If your in a rush sadly VCA might not be the brand for you.
I mean, I would be completely fine with 6 months to a year. It's not the waiting - it's the way VCA goes about handling the stock situation that I find problematic. Here's an example - as there is no boutique in my city and Vancouver told me there is no wish list for this item, I call from time to time to check on the perlée d'or bracelet I have been trying to purchase since May 2023. I am always told there is no stock but that I will be placed on a wish list with the SA. I was told each SA has their own customer list and it is fine to be on more than one. This week I called once again. The SA I was speaking with informed me that not only was there no stock (not a surprise), but that I was not on any wish lists for the item (surprise!). She was lovely and placed me on a list, and sent me a confirmation email that I was placed (I did not even know this was a thing). It did leave me feeling a bit perturbed, thinking I had been on a list since May 2023 when in fact, I never was.