Influencers & VCA

[allanrvj]

Wow, I thought this was supposed to be a community where we shared our experience with VCA, both good and bad. Monica was very friendly while she answered our questions, she took the issue to social media yes but that’s a very Gen z thing to do. It’s not like she was unreasonable, it’s clear she’s new to VCA and this was a terrible first experience. There’s no need to be snarky and rude here

you are conflating regular community members sharing genuine experiences and an influencer who took their grievance to TikTok (with millions of views, attention, and a platform that shapes public opinion), and then created an account here to somehow share her side of the story

Monica is not just another member sharing her story. in reality, she is someone with influence, reach, and a different set of motivations: attention, brand-building, even monetization.

influencers operate in a different ecosystem. even if they’re “nice” and “friendly,” their content is public-facing, viral-capable, and often performative. the emotional impact on them might be real, but the social dynamics are different than someone venting quietly here on PF

 

[waterlily112]

It’s really a shame that the VCA manager gaslighted her. Monica successfully tarnished the brand - no pun intended. I did enjoy reading the comments on VCA’s Instagram account. VCA is doing some major damage control by deleting comments - good luck with that one bec they keep pouring in. lol. Her followers are quite vicious. Power of the influencer.

The SM definitely dropped the ball in handling the after sale service, but I doubt Monica has done anything that would tarnish the brand since people who commented on her videos have never purchased from the brand anyway, and most likely won't. Regular clients tend to have very different experience and perspective from hers. She got the attention and views she wanted, life goes on. Maybe she'll try Chanel 25 bag next and tag Jennie Kim for engagement.

 

[JLO1]

I was open to her side of things up until she took the bracelet to the jeweler to test if its real gold. at that moment I realized that this is all for show.

Let us not forget she also changed her STORY - on the tarnish and how long she owned the jewelry.

 

[Serpentine2806]

Tbh there is a consistent pattern on TPF of folks generally siding with their favorite brands over disgruntled consumers. Reality is we all must remember two things can exist at once -- brands can drop the ball sometimes and still be awesome overall, and consumers can be overreacting (or influencers wanting attention) but still have some validity to their complaints. It's not black or white IMO.

I hear you - but it’s a bit rich to call for balance when her supporters were flooding VCA’s Instagram with wild claims about fakes and all sorts of dramatic nonsense. If that’s the 'validity' we’re talking about, I might need a cup of tea and a lie down! 😁

P.S. The fact is, she wasn’t sold fake gold or a faulty bracelet - it deteriorated while in her care. I understand she was upset (I would’ve been too), and perhaps her SA didn’t bend over backwards the way she expected (we don’t always get what we want), but instead of handling it privately like most people here would, she chose to turn it into a spectacle.

Then again, in her line of work, living with your knickers inside out is practically part of the job description!
In the end, it’s all a storm in a teacup – and one that conveniently benefits Monica.
Maybe it’s better for everyone - her and the brand - if she sticks to the jewellery inspired by VCA instead.😅

 

[chanellover333]

I hear you - but it’s a bit rich to call for balance when her supporters were flooding VCA’s Instagram with wild claims about fakes and all sorts of dramatic nonsense. If that’s the 'validity' we’re talking about, I might need a cup of tea and a lie down! 😁

P.S. The fact is, she wasn’t sold fake gold or a faulty bracelet - it deteriorated while in her care. I understand she was upset (I would’ve been too), and perhaps her SA didn’t bend over backwards the way she expected (we don’t always get what we want), but instead of handling it privately like most people here would, she chose to turn it into a spectacle.

Then again, in her line of work, living with your knickers inside out is practically part of the job description!
In the end, it’s all a storm in a teacup – and one that conveniently benefits Monica.
Maybe it’s better for everyone - her and the brand - if she sticks to the jewellery inspired by VCA instead.😅

Let's not forget the fake rumors were started (or at least propelled by) by a somewhat credible VCA collector influencer and self proclaimed expert in jewelry consulting 🤣

 

[EpiFanatic]

I hear you - but it’s a bit rich to call for balance when her supporters were flooding VCA’s Instagram with wild claims about fakes and all sorts of dramatic nonsense. If that’s the 'validity' we’re talking about, I might need a cup of tea and a lie down! 😁

P.S. The fact is, she wasn’t sold fake gold or a faulty bracelet - it deteriorated while in her care. I understand she was upset (I would’ve been too), and perhaps her SA didn’t bend over backwards the way she expected (we don’t always get what we want), but instead of handling it privately like most people here would, she chose to turn it into a spectacle.

Then again, in her line of work, living with your knickers inside out is practically part of the job description!
In the end, it’s all a storm in a teacup – and one that conveniently benefits Monica.
Maybe it’s better for everyone - her and the brand - if she sticks to the jewellery inspired by VCA instead.😅

Not a very relevant comment but your turn of phrase… knickers inside out. I’m DYING. And I’m stealing it. So effective. Learn new stuff every day!

 

[Serpentine2806]

Let's not forget the fake rumors were started (or at least propelled by) by a somewhat credible VCA collector influencer and self proclaimed expert in jewelry consulting 🤣

Don’t even get me started.... The so-called 'expert' can’t tell when to stop inflating her lips, let alone her opinions. Says a lot about the quality of her judgement - both in jewellery and elsewhere😆

 

[Sleepytini]

I also dont like how in the comments on her most recent video people were sharing the full name of the sales associate and her linkedin. That left a bad taste in my mouth. I feel like Monica should delete those comments. That SA was in the wrong but she doesn't deserve THOUSANDS of people attacking her.

 

[littty]

I also dont like how in the comments on her most recent video people were sharing the full name of the sales associate and her linkedin. That left a bad taste in my mouth. I feel like Monica should delete those comments. That SA was in the wrong but she doesn't deserve THOUSANDS of people attacking her.

Agreed the SA does not deserve this.

 

[EpiFanatic]

I also dont like how in the comments on her most recent video people were sharing the full name of the sales associate and her linkedin. That left a bad taste in my mouth. I feel like Monica should delete those comments. That SA was in the wrong but she doesn't deserve THOUSANDS of people attacking her.

Wow. That is not good. Regardless of whether this treatment is warranted, it is also the reality of today’s social media centered culture. Everyone must adjust their behavior accordingly if they do not want to bear the potential repercussions.

 

[Serpentine2806]

I also dont like how in the comments on her most recent video people were sharing the full name of the sales associate and her linkedin. That left a bad taste in my mouth. I feel like Monica should delete those comments. That SA was in the wrong but she doesn't deserve THOUSANDS of people attacking her.

The poor SA should be suing her for breach of privacy and reputational damage. Monica might be riding the wave now, but a proper legal case could see her losing credibility & hit her wallet too.

 

[cap4life]

Monica is not just another member sharing her story. in reality, she is someone with influence, reach, and a different set of motivations: attention, brand-building, even monetization.

You hit the nail on the head here. I don’t doubt the less than ideal service. Even so, good influencers will use any occasion (and will often make up occasions) to drive views. In an attention economy, even painful experiences can be leveraged for monetization.

That’s what Monica did and it worked out big time. In one week, she gained:
1. New followers
2. A reputation for being an “avenger of the common people against big bad luxury brand”
3. An active ride or die audience she can leverage for future beauty brand deals (she’s a beauty influencer)
4. And of course her $6k refund

Strategically, it’s brilliant. However, it cost a relationship with VCA and likely any Richemont brand. Guaranteed she’s now on a watchout list.

One potential risk is that brands avoid influencers with controversy like the plague. If advertisers see her as an influencer that could incite riot against their brand, they either won’t approach or will lowball their offers to her.

 

[daisygrl]

What Monica "forgot" to mention is that she intentionally ignored VCA (not many know this) when they tried to reach out to her well before this blew out into the proportions it did. Monica ignored the attempts in pursuits of the drama. She fed into the victimization rather than being solution-focused. Now, when you go to VCA instagram page, it is flooded with "VCA does not use real gold, it tarnishes, fake jewelry." When none of this is true. Furthermore, Monica gets her views by putting layers and layers of products on her face, which could have caused the tarnishing. To close my rant, things could have been handled very differently from both sides (Monica and the manager) but I tend to believe that is not what Monica wanted. Dramatization brings more $$$.

Anyway, I just put a deposit on hammered Alhambra YG earrings.

 

[panicthepancake]

What Monica "forgot" to mention is that she intentionally ignored VCA (not many know this) when they tried to reach out to her well before this blew out into the proportions it did. Monica ignored the attempts in pursuits of the drama

How do you know this?

 

[Antigone]

How do you know this?

Same question. Also how did she intentionally ignore VCA - how did VCA reach out to her?