How many times have you exchanged something?

[GlamarousBarbie]

I practice selective hearing, so would have simply ignored all the words after “model” and said thank you
But, perhaps it’s bc I have an entire family who regularly triggers me with passive aggressive snark, so the snark of strangers simply rolls off lol . I don’t buy from SAs who I dislike simply bc I have to trust the SA to help me pick out what looks best, and for that, an SA has to know my taste and what is already in my closet or jewelry box. JMO

ETA: I used to be so indecisive that DH would never take me to look at apartments until he narrowed them down to the top three. Twenty years ago I insisted on buying the first apt we saw bc of the fireplace and the staircase, but the kitchen, bathrooms, and ground floor were a disaster. I think real estate helped cure the indecision, as it’s a bit harder to unwind.

I find it hard to trust an SA, my current one seems so sale hungry and I can’t trust his opinion. He went from hating WG on me to loving it because I purchased a more expensive WG piece, which is a red flag to me. Maybe I’m overthinking, though.

I would have done the same with the apt because of FOMO and somehow manage to convince myself it was a good deal haha. But honestly, so far I feel that the only pieces I truly like are pieces with no colored stones and are unique, e.g. guilloiche and perlee. I hated onyx (fingerprint magnet), chalcedony (made my skin tone look dull) and mother of pearl (sold by the kilos). Definitely a lot of learning lessons in the world of fine jewelry.

 

[Julie’s Purse Closet]

Never have I exchanged VCA items.….These purchases are well planned and thought out.

1000%

 

[GlamarousBarbie]

I appreciate everyone’s opinions and advice. I think from now on, VCA is going to be a special occasion brand for myself, e.g. Christmas and birthdays. I feel like I’d be happier with my purchases then. I was buying a new VCA piece every two weeks at one point and it kind of ruined it for me and killed the exclusive feeling and led to major indecisiveness. Therefore I’m off to ban island!

 

[A bottle of Red]

That is true, 5 returns is a little excessive and I definitely won’t be making the mistake now I know exactly what I want. I have an issue of overthinking my purchases, I don’t know why I do it but I do. I’m keeping my guiloche pieces, but I feel pressured to keep my necklace now even though it’s causing me such issues to the point that I don’t even wear it. It’s literally just in my closet in the box…

Honestly I would return a necklace that is causing issues if you still can.
Im not so anti return because
I do buy clothing online almost exclusively and end up returning a lot but since that's not designer or jewelry maybe it's different.

 

[A bottle of Red]

Also sometimes it's hard to know what you really like until you live with something for a bit .

 

[GlamarousBarbie]

Honestly I would return a necklace that is causing issues if you still can.
Im not so anti return because
I do buy clothing online almost exclusively and end up returning a lot but since that's not designer or jewelry maybe it's different.

I’m not anti-return either, especially in this economy! I feel that I shouldn’t feel pressured by an SA to keep something to be on good terms with an SA, when in reality I really don’t care. I don’t want any holiday pendants or any relationship with an SA, I just want to go in and buy something, and if I don’t like it I’ll return it, just like with any other store.

 

[A bottle of Red]

I’m not anti-return either, especially in this economy! I feel that I shouldn’t feel pressured by an SA to keep something to be on good terms with an SA, when in reality I really don’t care. I don’t want any holiday pendants or any relationship with an SA, I just want to go in and buy something, and if I don’t like it I’ll return it, just like with any other store.

I would like to do that too but unfortunately it seems like it's an issue with some places to do that.
I think some brands have a better online return policy than in store so maybe buying online is a better choice for you?

 

[GlamarousBarbie]

Also sometimes it's hard to know what you really like until you live with something for a bit .

I agree! Especially my guilloiche pieces, I LOVE my bracelet and 20 motif and wouldn’t return those, but if someone told me that they get so dirty and infiltrated with dust which kills off the shine, I wouldn’t have gotten the 20 motif. I feel that people shouldn’t feel pressured to keep something which they’re ultimately not happy with, which is why I decided to have no connection with SA’s.

 

[GlamarousBarbie]

I would like to do that too but unfortunately it seems like it's an issue with some places to do that.
I think some brands have a better online return policy than in store so maybe buying online is a better choice for you?

That’s what I plan to do from now on, I really wish I got my pendant online cause it’s never sold out online. I realized the ‘buy now think later’ thing isn’t applicable in stores and VCA is too good for a ‘peasant minded individual’ like me.

In my opinion, you should definitely do as you please. It could ruin some SA relationships but at the end of the day, it’s your hard earned money and you deserve to be treated the best! Thank you for your lovely responses, they definitely put my anxiety at ease.

 

[kelsenia]

I agree! Especially my guilloiche pieces, I LOVE my bracelet and 20 motif and wouldn’t return those, but if someone told me that they get so dirty and infiltrated with dust which kills off the shine, I wouldn’t have gotten the 20 motif. I feel that people shouldn’t feel pressured to keep something which they’re ultimately not happy with, which is why I decided to have no connection with SA’s.

to be honest, a good SA shouldn’t ever pressure you….

 

[september1985]

op, what was the timeframe of the five returns? being stuck with something you don't like is awful, especially at these prices. if you still have the option to return, I would do so immediately.

I had a similar experience with my last purchase, a magic pendant. I called the store to see if they had chalcedony so that I can try it on. of course they only had one and it had just came in, so I decided to purchase over the phone. I loved the color but found the magic size to look huge and a bit odd for me to style. I’m glad that I kept it and never gave up on it, because I now absolutely love that piece.

since then, I’ve decided to regroup and further consider my wishlist and how it would pair with what I currently have.

rant: *VCA kind of lines it up to have habitual returns since they (at least in Miami) barely have items to try on in store. I’ve 100% bought items that I’ve never seen or touched beforehand*

 

[GlamarousBarbie]

op, what was the timeframe of the five returns? being stuck with something you don't like is awful, especially at these prices. if you still have the option to return, I would do so immediately.

I had a similar experience with my last purchase, a magic pendant. I called the store to see if they had chalcedony so that I can try it on. of course they only had one and it had just came in, so I decided to purchase over the phone. I loved the color but found the magic size to look huge and a bit odd for me to style. I’m glad that I kept it and never gave up on it, because I now absolutely love that piece.

since then, I’ve decided to regroup and further consider my wishlist and how it would pair with what I currently have.

rant: *VCA kind of lines it up to have habitual returns since they (at least in Miami) barely have items to try on in store. I’ve 100% bought items that I’ve never seen or touched beforehand*

I honestly don’t remember the time frames. But I feel that they shouldn’t even have a return policy at this point. If I knew from the start that you can get blacklisted for returning items, I wouldn’t have purchased items and thought about it later, because my purchases were usually made due to a lack of time so I would purchase then think about it later.

I’m definitely going to return it, I had a lot of anxiety about it and was almost going to keep it. But I refuse to let an SA pressure me into keeping it out of the fear of a ‘manager talking to you about it’.

 

[chiaoapple]

A couple of other ways of looking at the “manager will be talking to you about it” thing:
1. The manager may be concerned that the SA is pressuring you into impulse buys (such as egging you on to buy something even when you seem indecisive about it) and would like to understand your perspective
2. The SA is annoyed with your repeated returns and is trying to make you stop by essentially saying ”the adults are mad at you“ (a horrible tactic IMO)

Even if the case is that the manager is upset by your returns and wants to give you “a talking to”, your SA should not have told you that the managers are talking behind your back, etc. He should have inquired about why you are making repeated returns and adjust his sales approach. For instance, he should offer to hold something for you while you mull it over for a few days. Maybe you can even offer to pay a partial deposit to give yourself some time to reflect.

Also, given that you have spent a good amount of money with the boutique in a relatively short time and are young, they should see you as a great potential long-time client, and really work hard to maintain the relationship rather than being rude. You in turn should respect the time and effort of the SA — from your post it seems that the SA has essentially spent at least 4x the normal amount of time on a single transaction. And like many others have said, good to reconsider your purchase habits Buying luxury items should be a fun and joyful experience. Don’t let it stress you out!

 

[GlamarousBarbie]

A couple of other ways of looking at the “manager will be talking to you about it” thing:
1. The manager may be concerned that the SA is pressuring you into impulse buys (such as egging you on to buy something even when you seem indecisive about it) and would like to understand your perspective
2. The SA is annoyed with your repeated returns and is trying to make you stop by essentially saying ”the adults are mad at you“ (a horrible tactic IMO)

Even if the case is that the manager is upset by your returns and wants to give you “a talking to”, your SA should not have told you that the managers are talking behind your back, etc. He should have inquired about why you are making repeated returns and adjust his sales approach. For instance, he should offer to hold something for you while you mull it over for a few days. Maybe you can even offer to pay a partial deposit to give yourself some time to reflect.

Also, given that you have spent a good amount of money with the boutique in a relatively short time and are young, they should see you as a great potential long-time client, and really work hard to maintain the relationship rather than being rude. You in turn should respect the time and effort of the SA — from your post it seems that the SA has essentially spent at least 4x the normal amount of time on a single transaction. And like many others have said, good to reconsider your purchase habits Buying luxury items should be a fun and joyful experience. Don’t let it stress you out!

I thought exactly that! I thought it was a scare tactic because I’m 23, almost like a teacher getting the principle to talk to you kinda threat. I’ve had people tell me at LV “if you have the money in your bank account, why not get it?” Or “why don’t we see if the card swipes” at Dior. Absolute insanity in these luxury stores!

I do feel that maybe it’s a waste of time for him, but also that I end up spending way more money in the end. And, with most of these pieces, I didn’t even see him but it was put under his name… I know they talk badly about me behind my back, my fiancé agrees too, and they pretty much confirmed it when I sent that text message to the other SA who left her card in the folder they give. It’s so embarrassing for them to be grown adults with a high school mentality.

 

[missie1]

I honestly don’t remember the time frames. But I feel that they shouldn’t even have a return policy at this point. If I knew from the start that you can get blacklisted for returning items, I wouldn’t have purchased items and thought about it later, because my purchases were usually made due to a lack of time so I would purchase then think about it later.

I’m definitely going to return it, I had a lot of anxiety about it and was almost going to keep it. But I refuse to let an SA pressure me into keeping it out of the fear of a ‘manager talking to you about it’.

Rule to remember when playing in VCA ….patience is key. It often takes time to get the items that you want. Waiting 3-6 months for a piece is nothing. Sometimes it can take a year or more depending on the piece. Trying on items and adding to the wishlist is part of the fun of it all for many of us. Then you think about it and get item once you’re sure it works. I would recommend taking pics of yourself with the item and then thinking long and hard about it.