I made a stupid mistake - online shop, what to do

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A

arwen

O.G.
Sep 2, 2006
174
149
#1
Hi all,

I have been lurking in the VCA forum for a while, not owning any yet.

I am thinking of getting a 5 motif Alhambra bracelet as first purchase. My preference would be either a RG hammered bracelet or the YG Guilloche. As they are hard to get, I am also considering the onyx or agate one.
I have no boutique nearby, next and only one (I am living in Germany) is about 3-4 hrs away by train.

So I have been checking the e-boutique stock for weeks now and my mind somehow set on the blue agate bracelet.

It appeared Friday evening and I did what I often do: put it in the basket. I was already registered and wanted to check out the terms for a bank money transfer.
It said go to transfer and I thought I would see details and terms. But no......after clicking this I had generated an order.

At first I was like whaaat noooooooo....what do I do, it was 10:30 p.m. and obviously all closed.
I read the invoice and it stated if no payment is received after 7 days, the order will be cancelled automatically.
So I calmed down and decided to sleep over it and phone/email customer service the next day to cancel it as no need to make them wait 7 days.

Since then I could not make up my mind....I am so torn between cancelling or going forward and finalizing the order.

My pros to finalize it are:
I want it and why not get it now with rumors of an upcoming price increase.
It saves me time and money, as store is quite far away and no guarantee they have it in stock when I go there

Cons:
I didn't plan to get it now (do have the money saved but still)
Is it really worth it and am I willing to spend that much on an item unseen?
I would prefer to pick it up in person and also be able to compare and try other bracelets.
Maybe they have Guilloche or hammered one available when I visit the store
I am anxious something goes wrong with the e-boutique, will they ship it, what if it gets lost?
I know there are terms and VCA is not any shady store but still I have never ordered something so expensive online and bank transfer offers no buyer protection.

So there are moments I am certain to cancel and reliefed at that thought but then I have second thoughts, am picturing myself with the bracelet...then again I think better wait until I can go to a store......but then I am concerned that my relationship with VCA will be flawed/ruined if I cancel my very 1st order.

I am so torn and all because of my foolish error.....it's first world problems and can be solved, but still...

What do you suggest? Thanks for any input, maybe anyone has even experience with cancelling orders or the German e-boutique?
 
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#3
Agree with @lill_canele; in those circumstances, I think it's best to cancel the order. Your list of "cons" is far longer than your list of "pros". The bracelet is not either of your first choices, although that's not necessarily a problem because often a subsequent choice item can be the right one, especially if it is on your wish list anyway (even if for a later date). They are obviously costly pieces of jewellery so it's best to perhaps set aside a day to try each of them on.....a nice day out indulging yourself, why not! The bracelets will always be available, or could be ordered in, I imagine, and you want to feel excited about the purchase.

With regard to your question about is it really worth it, that depends on you! I have no fine jewellery but if I was fortunate enough to be able to purchase something, it would have to be exactly right! That means it's a treat to you, and an investment in yourself i.e. your well-being.

Others will chime in about if it would reflect on your relationship with VCA but I don't see why it should. They do provide the seven day's grace so that means that they are aware that mistakes happen. Also, if you proceeded with the purchase and then decided against it, surely it can be returned for a refund under distance selling laws?

You made a mistake but that's all it is; nothing deliberate, and we all make errors so you're not alone!
 
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#7
Not to be an enabler, but I don't think the cons vastly outweight the pros. Yes, the way it's written in original post, list appears longer but I believe this is what it boils down to, making it about equal as far as true number of pros and cons:

Cons:
- wasn't ready/planning to purchase this item now
- unsure item is worth the price
- unable to view/try on other options
- anxiety about lost order/lack of protection when paying via wire

Pros:
- if want it anyway, can avoid price increase
- have money saved for it even though wasn't planning to purchase now
- saves time and money traveling to store
- no concern about availability

Only you can really make this decision and like others said if you feel regret/remorse/stress instead of excitement, then it's probably not the right time. Knowing me, I would probably try to justify the purchase by saying maybe accidental purchase means it was meant to be lol. You sound more reasonable and I do think wise to make a day trip at some point to try all the pieces you're considering, or think on it for a few more days (since have 7 days to cancel) and see if the idea of this piece grows on you and whether you can't stop thinking about it or if still feeling stress about it. I find the blue stunning personally but think about how much you'll wear and love it bc not as neutral as other pieces, though people who have it love it (another pro and con so list still equal in my mind). Good luck and let us know what you decide!
 
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#10
Agree with @lill_canele , cancel and wait until you are ready. Or even better, make a trip to a boutique (Paris will be worth it) to explore and try different creations. Make it a beautiful memory, perhaps with a beautiful first VCA purchase which will be even more special if you buy it in Paris 🥰 .
 
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#11
Most online boutiques allow returns for refunds. If yours does, why not have it arrive and see what you think, and in the meantime go to a boutique to try to see your other options?
 
#13
Thank you all so much, your thoughts and points have really helped me with my decision.

The thought that this mistake was supposed to happen has also crossed my mind.

But as many have said, this stressed me out quite a bit and after realizing that my stress over it outweighed my positive feelings I emailed VCA and asked them to cancel my order and I've been relieved ever since.

I am very picky about stones and have a specific blue color in mind, so I better try to see and select this in the store.

I will make a nice trip to a store, Paris would be amazing.
We are also traveling to Switzerland soon and I just checked and there is a store in the city we'll visit. Prices are also significantly lower than here (which surprises me) so it might be worth the wait.
 
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#14
Sorry you were stressed about it. I was going to say that you should keep it because when you see it, I am certain all your worries will go out the window because the blue agate is such a beautiful piece. That color will win you over. But since you cancelled it, you can look forward to an in person appointment.
 
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