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I agree. The part that kills me is they could have easily absorbed the cost of replacing her bracelet (let’s be honest, it would have been a write off for them anyway) instead of all of the back and forth. I get the influencer was a bit much with the whining on social media but she’s got a following and was clearly annoyed. She was prob very excited about the bracelet and had very high expectations.
Exactly! I don’t blame her because hell if I got a large following and a brand did that to me I would have probably did the same thing. However, it never had to go this far. I expect excellence from these houses and every customer should have gotten a great treatment from them no matter who you are. It could happen to all of us and also them saying they don’t have a warranty at all on their jewelry is a little insane to me.
Thank you for chiming in. As an owner of a small business I am very interested in your thoughts. It’s a sign of your care and commitment to your customer that you want them to be happy. And I’m sure you would never try to gaslight your customers into making them believe that they’re blind. But here’s the thing. Jewelry does tarnish. And you don’t know what a customer has exposed her jewlery to if she has not taken it off in two months. Just because something is expensive doesn’t mean that you can abuse it. If I buy a Picasso and hang it where the sun hits it all day and where little kids can put dirty fingers on it, can I go get a refund if it fades or gets damaged? I find it hard to be realistic about saying that just because a piece of jewelry is expensive it should be wear proof. In fact some of the most expensive jewelry is extremely delicate. How do you as a business owner feel when people bring back pieces that are expensive and should be treated with care and based on its condition you know that it has not been? Do you just suck it up, eat the loss and let them return it just to keep them happy even if it’s not fair to you? As a small business owner it must be harder. Do you have to eat a lot of losses from unreasonable customers? There is a right and wrong here isn’t there? How can she prove that she DIDN’T do something to damage it? She wore it 24/7 for two months. I ask this sincerely. Is it fair that a company is responsible for what they do not know just because their products are expensive? Did the company provide a written warranty upon sale? In fact VCA does just the opposite. They tell you their pieces are delicate right on the website. Based on reality and facts, what is the right and fair outcome and why?
Interesting take, however I would argue that well mixed materials wouldn’t look like that after only 6 months even if you drench yourself with oil, lotion or perfume. Also the fact that many people don’t have that issue with their VCA pieces strengthen my assumption that it was clear also to the SA’s something is wrong. We are not talking about the precious stone pieces. But what really bothers me is the point where they sent it in to polish. She picked it up and it was still the same. The manager gaslighting her and telling her it’s only the reflection of your finger? Come on. And asked her if she was wearing body lotion that day. As if it tarnishes that fast again. I think it’s clear that the metals weren’t mixed well. Like I said many people don’t experience this issue and I don’t think a lot of people particularly baby their solid gold pieces. That speaks for the brand, so I would never accept a customer walking around with a piece of jewelry from my brand that’s not up to par with company standards. Something was clearly off and yes I would have at least exchanged it as a small business.
IMO an employee of the government is free to send their salary they earned anyway they choose. What’s frowned upon is someone receiving government perks/ assistance who then showcases what some perceive to be a lavish lifestyle. These are two very different things. Also the implications that a certain career prohibits one from being able to afford and wear certain items is absurd. Individuals prioritize what’s important to display on SM accordingly. It’s not flexing when it’s your lifestyle.
The website and aftercare clearly state to avoid certain things. It’s an individuals choice to heed that however when issues arise accountability of not following the rules should be acknowledged. Many individuals here have acknowledged issues with certain items and how VCA handled it. Often times they pay the repair replacement fee and move one. The intent to share the experience is not to bash VCA but to raise awareness that a piece might be tad bit more delicate and showcases wear and tear differently. Do we keep buying? ….absolutely because true jewelry enthusiasts understand that things happen and let’s be honest VCA always has something else to acquire.
damage like that appearing in the center area of the middle motif only, is not consistent with tarnish/patina. a well mixed metal can corrode when exposed to certain chemicals like bleach, acetone, or maybe even burned by the side of a hot pot while cooking. we were not with her 24/7 for those two months that she wore it.
That’s completely fine and as I stated I wanted to start a van cleef collection this is just my opinion as an outside viewer.
That is all true. Big company. They make lots of money. And if that’s the only consideration I totally agree with you. But I also consider reasonableness regardless of size of company, a small independent brand and a large conglomerate. I’m not talking about big tobacco that used to market to children. But VCA explicitly says their products are delicate and provides written instructions for care. I’m more talking about the issue of personal responsibility and self awareness. If she had said, “It could have been me. Maybe I exposed my piece to some chemical, but I was hoping even if I did this would not happen.” Taking that approach is more reasonable. Maybe if she sat down and thought about where was she, what was she doing, where did she put her hands, and then come back and say “I did not expose it to any chemicals.” I would understand her position more.
That manager gaslighting was next level. Regardless of whatever was not VCA’s fault that gaslighting overshadows reasonableness. That manager’s behavior was indefensible. I think that is very admirable of you to exchange it. And I do understand why you would. Being a small business is hard. And you need to build and maintain your business and brand. But if people keep damaging things and return them, that would risk your viability. In other countries, Asian countries, HK and Japan, they don’t allow exchanges. That is the law and the culture. Buyers be careful and know what you’re buying. Wrong size, damaged goods, whatever. It’s yours when you leave the store. I can understand that rule too to be honest.
I’m part of the VCA fb group and at least 3 different people had this tarnishing issue. They were all different pieces including a guilloche bracelet, hammered bracelet and perlee clover bracelet. They all had their pieces repaired at VCA for $200. It seems it’s an issue with the metal itself but I’m not sure.
So interesting! Thank you for sharing. I would not be surprised if my RG has gotten darker too. But I will check it next week and come back with comparison photos. I bought mine in 2017. And in the early years it was worn a lot 24/7 by mom, who does everything, clean household chores. She does not cook and does not do anything with her nails so no exposure to acetone, and those chemicals. But cleaning chemicals yes. Maybe I’ll take this over to the tarnishing thread.
