Are the stock issues frustrating anyone else?

[opensesame]

I noticed a stock change/behavior change probably within the past 8 months of shopping at the same store. I am by no means a VIP client or one who makes regular purchases, but a year ago I was able to order most anything/put down a deposit for almost any items. About 4 months ago, my SA told me now getting any non-pave magic sized jewelry was like "playing the birkin or kelly game". This frustrated me more than having no sell-able stock in store.

I am on waitlist for magic hammered earrings (no guarantee that I would get them). Does this mean I should buy something more from the SA?

 

[sunglassjunkie]

I am on waitlist for magic hammered earrings (no guarantee that I would get them). Does this mean I should buy something more from the SA?

Did you put a deposit down? I am honestly not sure how SAs decide who gets what at what time, but it was implied to me that yes the larger the purchase history the higher the priority. Also though, right place right time. Someone passed on a hammered RG 5 motif bracelet and it was offered to me on the spot.

 

[GlamarousBarbie]

I noticed a stock change/behavior change probably within the past 8 months of shopping at the same store. I am by no means a VIP client or one who makes regular purchases, but a year ago I was able to order most anything/put down a deposit for almost any items. About 4 months ago, my SA told me now getting any non-pave magic sized jewelry was like "playing the birkin or kelly game". This frustrated me more than having no sell-able stock in store.

It’s obvious that they lie about the magic stock, I believed them for a while but one time I called my nearest store and asked about a 6 motif magic necklace and they said they didn’t have it in stock, so I went in later that day and they had one. It was an ugly color (carnelian and tigers eye) but they shouldn’t lie

 

[GlamarousBarbie]

I am on waitlist for magic hammered earrings (no guarantee that I would get them). Does this mean I should buy something more from the SA?

Never go on a waitlist. You will get prioritized last or forgotten about. I questioned them about that and they said that bigger spenders with that SA do get prioritized. Best thing to do is calling daily or placing an order.

 

[TT6SPD]

We did a random visit to the store and SA assured us whatever we want she can get in a very short time. SA said supply arriving is definitely much more than last year.

 

[sassification]

We did a random visit to the store and SA assured us whatever we want she can get in a very short time. SA said supply arriving is definitely much more than last year.

Wow which country are you in, if i may ask?

 

[chiaoapple]

Never go on a waitlist. You will get prioritized last or forgotten about. I questioned them about that and they said that bigger spenders with that SA do get prioritized. Best thing to do is calling daily or placing an order.

I actually heard the opposite in terms of big spenders getting priority. It seems the stated policy is that it goes by sequence of who ordered the piece first, your spend does not matter (spend matters in terms of getting offered “special“ pieces like the rock crystal, pietersite, etc.).

I think the main difference is our information may be how the SAs are choosing to handle their clients. I have observed that the boutique I shop at hews very closely to VCA HQ policy and does not go ”rogue”, whereas some other SAs may try to leverage the stock issues to their advantage. Hence you hear more and more people commenting on how VCA is becoming like Hermes in a bad way.

My own take is that VCA is very bad at managing their supply chain / production efficiency, and some SAs are taking the opportunity to play games

 

[GlamarousBarbie]

I actually heard the opposite in terms of big spenders getting priority. It seems the stated policy is that it goes by sequence of who ordered the piece first, your spend does not matter (spend matters in terms of getting offered “special“ pieces like the rock crystal, pietersite, etc.).

I think the main difference is our information may be how the SAs are choosing to handle their clients. I have observed that the boutique I shop at hews very closely to VCA HQ policy and does not go ”rogue”, whereas some other SAs may try to leverage the stock issues to their advantage. Hence you hear more and more people commenting on how VCA is becoming like Hermes in a bad way.

My own take is that VCA is very bad at managing their supply chain / production efficiency, and some SAs are taking the opportunity to play games

I agree, I don’t think it’s VCA themselves but rather the greed of the SAs. VCA is a jewelry company, I think they want anyone to own their pieces because jewelry is a lifelong item and shouldn’t be competitive. But these SAs are pushing a different route and are prioritizing specific customers because they’d rather cater to a higher and more frequent spender as it keeps them coming back, and continues the SAs commission

 

[DeryaHm]

Never go on a waitlist. You will get prioritized last or forgotten about. I questioned them about that and they said that bigger spenders with that SA do get prioritized. Best thing to do is calling daily or placing an order.

I have been offered things by my SA that he says there is a waitlist for but he can offer to me first because of my spend. I dislike this. It is fair to offer loyal and regular customers first or to make strategic offers to retain customers. But almost always these are things I am not interested that don’t work in my collection at all so he is trying to create fomo and push me to make a decision without thinking too much.

I hope the people who said stock issues will resolve are correct because as a longtime Van Cleef client I find these tactics alienating and they won’t work on anyone if stock is less limited. I always say no but he keeps trying so I guess they work enough with others to risk alienating.

 

[GlamarousBarbie]

I have been offered things by my SA that he says there is a waitlist for but he can offer to me first because of my spend. I dislike this. It is fair to offer loyal and regular customers first or to make strategic offers to retain customers. But almost always these are things I am not interested that don’t work in my collection at all so he is trying to create fomo and push me to make a decision without thinking too much.

I hope the people who said stock issues will resolve are correct because as a longtime Van Cleef client I find these tactics alienating and they won’t work on anyone if stock is less limited. I always say no but he keeps trying so I guess they work enough with others to risk alienating.

I’ve had the same thing happen, an SA creates FOMO with a piece and hyped it up so I took it home. I showed my husband and he thought it looked disgusting, so I exchanged it and the SA was annoyed. That’s why I don’t shop with specific SAs anymore and just call random boutiques to deliver it to me.

Alienating “lower spenders” is gross. I was never offered the holiday pendant, probably because I haven’t spent 100k+.

 

[DeryaHm]

I’ve had the same thing happen, an SA creates FOMO with a piece and hyped it up so I took it home. I showed my husband and he thought it looked disgusting, so I exchanged it and the SA was annoyed. That’s why I don’t shop with specific SAs anymore and just call random boutiques to deliver it to me.

Alienating “lower spenders” is gross. I was never offered the holiday pendant, probably because I haven’t spent 100k+.

I spend over 100k/year most years for some time. I works with the same SA the whole time. They should know my taste and not try to trick me with fomo. But no

I have never seen a disgusting piece of VCA. I say no when they pressure about things I don’t want, I just feel like they are trying to pressure me to buy random pieces not helping to locate the things I really want. I also feel a little confused that I have never had a SO approved. On the SO thread people mention 85k or 100k spend. I do that yearly and am not asking for anything very unusual or stones I know are reserved for VIPs. It makes me feel like either I am actually a low spender or maybe they just realized I’m a big sucker and that is why they keep with this fomo stock nonsense

 

[sleepydoc.]

I spend over 100k/year most years for some time. I works with the same SA the whole time. They should know my taste and not try to trick me with fomo. But no

I have never seen a disgusting piece of VCA. I say no when they pressure about things I don’t want, I just feel like they are trying to pressure me to buy random pieces not helping to locate the things I really want. I also feel a little confused that I have never had a SO approved. On the SO thread people mention 85k or 100k spend. I do that yearly and am not asking for anything very unusual or stones I know are reserved for VIPs. It makes me feel like either I am actually a low spender or maybe they just realized I’m a big sucker and that is why they keep with this fomo stock nonsense

I am by no means knowledgeable about SOs but I am curious what would happen if you very directly asked when you can expect an SO approval given your yearly annual spend. Seems bonkers to me.

 

[GlamarousBarbie]

I spend over 100k/year most years for some time. I works with the same SA the whole time. They should know my taste and not try to trick me with fomo. But no

I have never seen a disgusting piece of VCA. I say no when they pressure about things I don’t want, I just feel like they are trying to pressure me to buy random pieces not helping to locate the things I really want. I also feel a little confused that I have never had a SO approved. On the SO thread people mention 85k or 100k spend. I do that yearly and am not asking for anything very unusual or stones I know are reserved for VIPs. It makes me feel like either I am actually a low spender or maybe they just realized I’m a big sucker and that is why they keep with this fomo stock nonsense

I was told the spending threshold is 85k, but I’ve realized it’s not. 85k is just the minimum of even submitting a SO, after that you don’t know if you’re going to get approved. SAs will get greedy, they are desperate for commission. You are definitely a high spender and they should treat you with more respect!

I got FOMO’d into the ladybug necklace They definitely knew it was my first purchase from that, because that piece is never sold out and is not even nice. Now i completely ignore their opinions and buy what i like.

 

[DeryaHm]

I am by no means knowledgeable about SOs but I am curious what would happen if you very directly asked when you can expect an SO approval given your yearly annual spend. Seems bonkers to me.

I think it is my fault. I am not direct in my comments and requests. I prefer to say things like “a 10 motif with this gold color or stone would be so nice” not “can I order it like that”. The times I made a specific request my SA has laughed and said they will not do a composition like that or said he asked Paris and received no reply. I think you are right that I should be more direct. It is complicated because I am originally not from the country where I live and shop and do not shop in my first language, so I can easily get shy or also seem like a person who can be manipulated. Thank you for the good suggestion

 

[Allisonfaye]

Yes the whole communication style makes you lose your trust. Most of my years shopping with Van Cleef there was no wish list. If I wanted something not in stock, I paid some or all along with the order and the piece arrived when it was ready. Then it took longer after shortages started, but it came. A while ago I started hearing about the wish list and the concept that certain pieces cannot be ordered. At that same time I started to receive more urgent calls from SA because surprise a item from wish list is suddenly available and also many others in the store have it on their list and can I decide right then or it wil go to someone else.

Of course it is a fake emergency. I can wait. And so I usually say no but they keep doing the same tactic. But I start to wonder if I am being manipulated. Actually maybe this supposed to be had to find piece is really hard to sell? It makes me
feel an element of tricking that I didn’t feel before and I also hear it from others here who are told items are very rare that really are not. In the last few months I remember posts about this about an Alhambra wrist watch that was maybe in stock on line and an Alhambra watch necklace one poster said an SA had told them was rare and they needed to make a quick decision about and on the same thread someone said no it’s not rare it has been in my store in the UK for months. So there is a loss of trust. I am not in a rush on pieces and won’t be pressured into buying but it makes the whole experience feel less pleasant and I will be taking a break.

I am older and not active on social media. I have been a loyal client with a regular high yearly spend. Other things I spend this level on the service provider knows me and understands and takes time to know what will work and how I can be persuaded and my preferences or priorities. Yes, I have told my SA that I do not care if something is hard to find, I will patiently wait years if I want it or pass if I do not. He keeps doing this approach. Writing this makes me see it is time for a break and maybe a change

I agree with the rush thing. I can't tell you how many times a SA has tried to make me think I just happen to be lucky enough to be there when that rare item is there...not just talking about VCA....I experience it with Chanel. I have only bought a couple of VCA and the experience has been fine.