Cartier in Honolulu.

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mtkarenp

mtkarenp

Member
May 3, 2016
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#1
We are going to Oahu in a few weeks and I want to purchase a Love bracelet.

We live in Montana so no sales tax. I’ve ordered on line once before and it was great but I’ve never tried on a Love bracelet before. Should I take my chances and just order? With my luck I’ll get to Hawai’i and they won’t have my size. Also I doubt I’d get the jewelry cleaner and travel pouch on line. (First world problems, I know)

An in store experience would also be nice. I can’t luxury shop much. I’m an RN and we work our asses off with a business we own. I sold a bunch of LV items I wasn’t using on Fashionphile to justify buying this piece although my hubby told me not to. I’m in a declutter mode so it felt great. It’s also our 36th anniversary (married when we were 18). I just want the small size since I have very small wrists but I may decide on one with diamonds after I saw it in person.

Should I save the $2-300 on tax and order and hope it goes well or wait to try one on? This big of a purchase the little I save on tax could mean nothing.
 
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#2
I would purchase in Hawaii! I love shopping in Hawaii and find that having a “story” behind a purchase makes a trip all the more memorable. I’ve also heard of horror stories of purchases made online. Secondly, you don’t want to deal with package theft (not sure if they require signature, etc.)
 
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#3
Good point on the story behind the purchase. I am a very emotional person so things like that are important.

I’ve heard horror stories on how long returns and exchanges take and I would hate to settle on something that isn’t exactly what I want. This is a purchase I can only justify making every few years.

I’ll make an appointment for Honolulu. If anyone has a good SA, let me know.
 
#9
Oh, congrats on such a huge anniversary!

I think you have a lot of choices here.

ORDERING ONLINE:
I don't think you should be put off to online ordering. I have ordered many times from their online site or called their 800 number to place an order and have never had a horror story to tell. Both my Love bracelets were ordered online and delivered to my home (one during Covid). You just need to make sure you follow the tracking, and I always choose the box where it states something along the lines of "when packaged delivered". If you choose to order online, you can send them an email after to request the cleaning kit and travel pouch, and they will send it.

IN-PERSON:
On the other hand, if you would like the full experience and would like to try on multiple items or see them in person, then I would go in-person. You can call that store in advance to make sure they have the items you think you may like to purchase (size, gold color, etc.) I have done this with a ring in the past as I don't live in a city with a boutique either. To me the full experience is not that big of a deal unless they give you some special gifts/freebies apart from the champagne and chocolates (I've only been given some table books 1/3 of my in-person purchases). However, I am more into the idea of getting an item in a special place/city. That to me has a lot of sentimental value.

Either way, I think the biggest horror story is not being fitted for the Love bracelet correctly. I would suggest you do your proper research prior to whichever option you choose if you haven't done so already. My experience is that the SA likes to fit the bracelet tight. However, in using the Cartier fit sizer, I prefer the bracelet looser.

You can also do both: Go to the Cartier in Honolulu and if it feels right, then purchase in-person. If it doesn't and you need more time to decide and think, you can go home and order on-line with the knowledge that you have gained from your experience and still save on tax!

My last food for thought is I have a small wrist too and got the small Love first but actually wished I just got the classic, which I now have also. I don't even wear my small now, and it's in my safe. You may want to consider the classic - it's more bang for the buck than the small with diamonds and much better as a standalone! However, being an RN, I understand you might want the flexibility of removing your bracelet.

Good Luck and congrats again!
 
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#10
Chaton, SO many great tips, thank you!!! When you ordered your bracelet on line had you already tried one on in store??

I'm teetering between the choices. If I do the regular it will be without diamonds. If I do the small, I may consider diamonds but I'm sure they are very small and may not be worth it. I could put that money elsewhere.

You're lucky, it sounds like you have some great Cartier pieces. I just have the trinity ring (hubby got it for me since we have three daughters) and also the trinity bracelet on a silk cord. I have literally worn that bracelet every day for almost 5 years. I am impressed with both pieces so it's time to bite the bullet and get the Love bracelet.
 
#11
Hello - I am glad to be able to help! I did actually try it in store once when I visited Miami. I tried on both 15 and 16, but the SA was not much help so I did not purchase it at that time even though the sales tax there is less than my own state.

I went home and printed off the Cartier wrist sizer and placed it at the 15 and 16 cm mark (even the 800 number SA told me size 15). My husband and I both decided that 15 was too tight (this would have been a tight fit) as it only left about 1 cm difference as I have about 14 -14.25 wrist bone (depending on if I'm measuring or my husband!). I went with size 16 (a loose fit = anything greater than 1.5 cm), and it's perfect. I also did a lot of research on sizing online and reading this forum, and most people with my wrist size go with 16 - this forum is very helpful.

Most people on this forum also stated the small needs a companion, and they are not wrong! I soon figured this out after owning the small for 1 year. I really think you will enjoy it so much that you will want the classic which if I could do it all over again, I would have gotten the classic, which is what I initially looked at to begin with but when we went to get it online, we decided to get the small - go figure! I am no longer a fan of the small. I just don't think they are worth it. The classic size is PERFECT for everyone, even petite people like myself - you get used to it and the size is not too thin and not too thick. Trust me - go for the classic (if work permitting) or even the cuff if you need the flexibility of removing it - they are better standalone bracelets in my opinion.

You are right - diamonds on the small are not really worth it especially if you want this for your "forever" piece. Yes, it seems like a hefty price to pay, but you will LOVE it, and it's a great investment (much better than any purse or item of clothing in the long run) and will bring you lots of joy and happiness to look at everyday!

Have a great vacation, and let me know if I can be of any further help!
 
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#13
For Cartier when you bought a piece you have to look forward and not back on how much you paid. It's waaaay to much anyway but that shoult not ruin the feeling of gratefulness when looking at it.
 
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#15
I would work with Kevin at Ala Moana Cartier. He is great! PM me for his number if you would like it!! ❤️.

Kevin typically needs a week or so to make sure he has your size in stock. You could always trying there and then buy through Honolulu / have it shipped to your house in Montana and I think you wouldn't have to pay tax but I could be wrong. The tax in Hawaii is 4.5% still I believe.

There used to be another Cartier on Oahu but that one closed, I bought a piece there a few years ago that I love. The memory is nice and fun to have!

Good luck!
 
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