"Gifts" from Cartier SAs
- Thread starter cateb
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. The SA was amazing and it was such a lovely experience, especially for my daughter b/c it was her first Cartier purchase.
A little of each. Its at their discretion, but generally if you have an SA you regularly use as you purchase more the gifts become nicer. Your friend can go in and ask for a travel pouch. They always have those in the back. They often give them to you when a watch comes back from service.
I received these from the Service Advisor when I picked up my Tank after having it engraved. My daughter was with me that time so she gave her crayons and an activity book. 
The only “gifts” I have ever received from the Melbourne Cartier boutique were a cleaning kit, a pouch and a catalogue when purchasing in store (these were not given every time though).
These days I tend to buy online and then request the cleaning kit and pouch later via email. It’s kinda sad that these aren’t automatically included with every purchase (at a minimum, please include a travel pouch).
I guess that’s the difference between buying in store and online. I don’t have a dedicated SA at Cartier as I don’t constantly purchase their jewellery pieces.
I’ve now started buying VCA pieces and I do have a dedicated SA who is so wonderful to me. I can’t wait to buy more from her in the future. She makes every purchase special. It might just be something simple like including a coffee table book, Alhambra postcards, VCA catalogues, a handwritten thank you card or providing a pouch and cleaning cloth when I ask for it (without making a fuss) but it means a lot to me
Yes, absolutely. Cannot understand this, either. Had the impression it's only with Cartier's questionable operations in Amsterdam but it seems to be the case worldwide.
sometimes I think smaller jewellers are better ,Lasts week I bought a messika necklace online ,it was reduced considerably but they included chocolates and a small bottle of champagne with my order and it was the first time I shopped with them .
I think Cartier in Australia is really stingy unless maybe if you are an influencer...
1. First purchase - Love ring with 3 diamond - got nothing but that box. No cleaning kit or pouch. But the worst thing was they gave me a used ring, it was scratched up so bad. I had to speak to 3 different SAs with one accusing me that I had scratched it even though it was less than 24 hours when I was back at the store. They didn’t have a new ring in my size and had to wait 6 weeks. I still remember the final SA when giving my new ring saying to his colleague “oh the last ring wasn’t perrrfect.” I was so pissed but didn’t say anything - relieved that I got a new ring. How ironic... this is what I should have received 6 weeks ago.
2 second purchase was a JUC - got the box, and a pouch (without a cushion... probably some used one lying around somewhere)
3 last purchase Love with 4 diamonds - got the box, pouch with cushion and again no cleaning kit. I finally asked for one and she says we have run out. I will mail it to you... we shall see but not holding my breath.
I don’t expect champagne, chocolates, candles etc just want the usual travel pouch and cleaning kit.... and even that is a hard ask at the Sydney store and they keep on sending me emails to do a survey on customer service.
1. First purchase - Love ring with 3 diamond - got nothing but that box. No cleaning kit or pouch. But the worst thing was they gave me a used ring, it was scratched up so bad. I had to speak to 3 different SAs with one accusing me that I had scratched it even though it was less than 24 hours when I was back at the store. They didn’t have a new ring in my size and had to wait 6 weeks. I still remember the final SA when giving my new ring saying to his colleague “oh the last ring wasn’t perrrfect.” I was so pissed but didn’t say anything - relieved that I got a new ring. How ironic... this is what I should have received 6 weeks ago.
2 second purchase was a JUC - got the box, and a pouch (without a cushion... probably some used one lying around somewhere)
3 last purchase Love with 4 diamonds - got the box, pouch with cushion and again no cleaning kit. I finally asked for one and she says we have run out. I will mail it to you... we shall see but not holding my breath.
I don’t expect champagne, chocolates, candles etc just want the usual travel pouch and cleaning kit.... and even that is a hard ask at the Sydney store and they keep on sending me emails to do a survey on customer service.
That is really terrible service hun - especially for your first purchase!
If it happened to me, that would have put me off buying from the Sydney boutique - did that happen recently?
When buying luxury, I would expect a brand new piece to be given, not one that was used/the display piece. If they didn’t have any stock on hand, I would be more than happy to pay first and wait for a new piece to arrive.
With Cartier, that has actually been the case for all my in store purchases (eg. when I bought my LOVE bracelet in 2011 and bought my partner’s JUC ring & two JUC bracelets (his and mine) in 2014). Once online ordering became available in Australia, I started buying online instead.
I have ordered online about six times in total (from 2018 - 2020) (partner’s & my LOVE ring, my Trinity ring, my JUC ring & my LOVE wedding band) and every experience has been identical. You don’t get the travel pouch and cleaning kit but you get the shopping bag, item beautifully wrapped, authenticity card etc - and each item is brand new, as far as I can tell. Each time, the item has been shipped from Singapore and delivered by FedEx fairly quickly. Even when I had to initiate a return due to buying the wrong size, the service was excellent (just called Customer Service) and the item was collected the following day.
I hope you are honest in your surveys on customer service because they need to be aware that the service is lacking when purchasing in store. I’ve contacted them via email a few times to request a travel pouch and a cleaning kit and they have come through so I think you should email them for those items or talk to someone via chat on their website. The only thing with ordering online is that they email you the receipt in PDF format so when you get your item, you only get a packing slip style document. I have asked them to send me a hard copy in the past (which they did) but when I bought my last two items in August 2020 (JUC ring & LOVE wedding band), the CS person said they couldn’t do that and could only send me a digital copy (which I already had) so I let that go.
I would recommend you purchase your Cartier pieces online going forward since there are no real benefits buying from the Sydney store in person, based on your past experiences.
For me personally, I don’t really care about the extras (chocolates, champagne, candles) - they are nice and always appreciated but not expected... I haven’t received any from Cartier so far
The only things I would like are a brand new piece, a travel pouch and a cleaning kit.
As I tend to do a tonne of research online before purchasing any luxury goods, I don’t really require much in-person service so buying online suits me fine.
With my two VCA items, they were bought via phone or text message/email (payment was made online) and delivered by courier as this was during lockdown in Melbourne and I couldn’t physically visit a store. My SA has reached out and invited me to visit the boutique a few times (for high tea) - she also sent me a handwritten Christmas card. I am truly grateful for her kindness. Now that I have ticked off a majority of the items on my Cartier wishlist, it’s VCA all the way
I still love Cartier though!
Sorry for the essay!
Thanks for your response!That is really terrible service hun - especially for your first purchase!
If it happened to me, that would have put me off buying from the Sydney boutique - did that happen recently?
When buying luxury, I would expect a brand new piece to be given, not one that was used/the display piece. If they didn’t have any stock on hand, I would be more than happy to pay first and wait for a new piece to arrive.
With Cartier, that has actually been the case for all my in store purchases (eg. when I bought my LOVE bracelet in 2011 and bought my partner’s JUC ring & two JUC bracelets (his and mine) in 2014). Once online ordering became available in Australia, I started buying online instead.
I have ordered online about six times in total (from 2018 - 2020) (partner’s & my LOVE ring, my Trinity ring, my JUC ring & my LOVE wedding band) and every experience has been identical. You don’t get the travel pouch and cleaning kit but you get the shopping bag, item beautifully wrapped, authenticity card etc - and each item is brand new, as far as I can tell. Each time, the item has been shipped from Singapore and delivered by FedEx fairly quickly. Even when I had to initiate a return due to buying the wrong size, the service was excellent (just called Customer Service) and the item was collected the following day.
I hope you are honest in your surveys on customer service because they need to be aware that the service is lacking when purchasing in store. I’ve contacted them via email a few times to request a travel pouch and a cleaning kit and they have come through so I think you should email them for those items or talk to someone via chat on their website. The only thing with ordering online is that they email you the receipt in PDF format so when you get your item, you only get a packing slip style document. I have asked them to send me a hard copy in the past (which they did) but when I bought my last two items in August 2020 (JUC ring & LOVE wedding band), the CS person said they couldn’t do that and could only send me a digital copy (which I already had) so I let that go.
I would recommend you purchase your Cartier pieces online going forward since there are no real benefits buying from the Sydney store in person, based on your past experiences.
For me personally, I don’t really care about the extras (chocolates, champagne, candles) - they are nice and always appreciated but not expected... I haven’t received any from Cartier so far
The only things I would like are a brand new piece, a travel pouch and a cleaning kit.
As I tend to do a tonne of research online before purchasing any luxury goods, I don’t really require much in-person service so buying online suits me fine.
With my two VCA items, they were bought via phone or text message/email (payment was made online) and delivered by courier as this was during lockdown in Melbourne and I couldn’t physically visit a store. My SA has reached out and invited me to visit the boutique a few times (for high tea) - she also sent me a handwritten Christmas card. I am truly grateful for her kindness. Now that I have ticked off a majority of the items on my Cartier wishlist, it’s VCA all the way
I still love Cartier though!
Sorry for the essay!
The first purchase was actually bought by my husband by himself and obviously they didn’t have a new piece in my size (if it was me, I would have checked it thoroughly but my husband does not know to check items). The following day we went to the store together and it was really uncomfortable especially when they were so reluctant to give me an exchange. Obviously, no refunds in Cartier Australia as well.
I am the same as you - I don’t expect extras but obviously it would be a nice surprise if given. Like you - all I expect is a new piece, pouch and cleaning kit as these seem to be given as standard items and I would like that without me having to ask for them.
I haven’t tried online shopping yet (unsure of exactly what I want and sizing issues) but maybe that is the way to go.
I have bought prices from VCA and it is so different... the service is out of this world. I bought a 10 motif necklace and my SA sends me the biggest bouquet of flowers to my office the next day as a thank you. Of course I got the travel pouch and usual stuff without uttering a word. She gives my son crayons and colouring book while I try on items. Anyway, maybe we should focus on VCA haha
Your husband is so sweet! I can only imagine how uncomfortable it would have been coming back the next day to request an exchange - but for an SA to accuse you of scratching the item? That is so rude! I would have made a complaint to the boutique manager (and I’m not usually the type to make a fuss).
If the service is subpar, you can always go to the boutique, try on the items, work out your sizing, say you will think about it and then go home and order online... just giving you options
Your VCA SA sounds amazing! I only bought my first VCA piece in September 2020 (second piece in October 2020, now on ban island) but noticed I started getting random VCA things in the mail (catalogues & a coffee table book) and I really love it! I only have eyes for VCA now
And with the cleaning cloth and pouch from VCA, I’ve seen some YT videos where people say requesting those items is extremely difficult. So I was actually shocked when I asked for them to be included and my SA was super chill about it and said “sure, no worries”. Maybe it just depends on the SA?
I think it may be an Australian service issue. I used to live there and the service in luxury boutiques, restaurants etc is sub-par compared to Asia, Middle East and Europe. They don’t take pride in good service (like Asia / Middle East) and unlike the European SAs, the Australian SAs don’t have an affinity to the European heritage of the brands.