Influencers & VCA

[nicole0612]

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.

I think it is an issue with non-smooth non-24k gold of any type. I have many brands and every brand shows tarnish more consistent to similar surface texture (?) vs consistent to one brand or another.

 

[chanellover333]

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.

Totally fair perspective. I just wish DOGE and others agreed - LOL! My hubs works in a gov adjacent industry and rule #1 is don't showcase wealth! Especially on social media. Doesn't mix well when most of the country is financially struggling and could only dream of having surplus funds for designer items.

 

[chanellover333]

So I am seeing a TON of videos popping up outside of the luxury community about Mango Monica's video. Not good PR for VCA. I know people say it shouldn't matter because these people are not VCA clients but there's just so many videos from influential folks online with way more followers/pull than luxury influencers. For example, this Youtuber has over 500k followers;

 

[missie1]

Totally fair perspective. I just wish DOGE and others agreed - LOL! My hubs works in a gov adjacent industry and rule #1 is don't showcase wealth! Especially on social media. Doesn't mix well when most of the country is financially struggling and could only dream of having surplus funds for designer items.

It’s always such a balance with SM anyway so I can only imagine the scrutiny placed on certain sectors in this current political climate.

 

[chanellover333]

Okay actually a good video. Apparently now SAs take photos of the piece you are buying? Bc now they are not taking returns back easily.

What do you guys think?

eta she is also saying no warranty unless it's malachite?

 

[allanrvj]

So I am seeing a TON of videos popping up outside of the luxury community about Mango Monica's video. Not good PR for VCA. I know people say it shouldn't matter because these people are not VCA clients but there's just so many videos from influential folks online with way more followers/pull than luxury influencers. For example, this Youtuber has over 500k followers;

the number of followers just looks that way, and the number of videos looks overwhelming, but I promise you, it doesn't really matter. the number of potential first-time buyers at VCA is really really small

the 5-motif Alhambra bracelet--their most popular item--is nearly 5000 euros. that amounts to at least five months of rent for a decent apartment in Barcelona, for example. do you think people with disposable income, who can stomach spending 5000 euros on a single bracelet, make up a significant chunk of the population in any given city? even several cities combined? sure, there may be people who have disposable incomes greater than 5000 euros but they'd probably rather buy several items than one big-ticket item. and even among big-ticket items, a flimsy bracelet is probably not one of them

and on the other hand, those people who are willing to spend 5000 euros on a single Alhambra bracelet, who have been wanting it for quite some time and won't be dissuaded because they've been saving up money to buy it to mark a milestone, do you think they would even watch a couple of dubious influencer videos, especially if they've made up their mind? I don't think so

also, even among people who are into jewelry, not many are into VCA. they say it's just about branding, it's only 18k gold, the stones are cheap, etc etc.

like I said, the pool of potential VCA buyers is very very small and those that are influenced not to buy VCA because of these videos are negligible

 

[waterlily112]

Okay actually a good video. Apparently now SAs take photos of the piece you are buying? Bc now they are not taking returns back easily.

What do you guys think?

eta she is also saying no warranty unless it's malachite?

Not what my SA told me and I was at the boutique recently...maybe tons of photos and no warranty for her and the rest of the influencers?

 

[chanellover333]

the number of followers just looks that way, and the number of videos looks overwhelming, but I promise you, it doesn't really matter. the number of potential first-time buyers at VCA is really really small

the 5-motif Alhambra bracelet--their most popular item--is nearly 5000 euros. that amounts to at least five months of rent for a decent apartment in Barcelona, for example. do you think people with disposable income, who can stomach spending 5000 euros on a single bracelet, make up a significant chunk of the population in any given city? even several cities combined? sure, there may be people who have disposable incomes greater than 5000 euros but they'd probably rather buy several items than one big-ticket item. and even among big-ticket items, a flimsy bracelet is probably not one of them

and on the other hand, those people who are willing to spend 5000 euros on a single Alhambra bracelet, who have been wanting it for quite some time and won't be dissuaded because they've been saving up money to buy it to mark a milestone, do you think they would even watch a couple of dubious influencer videos, especially if they've made up their mind? I don't think so

also, even among people who are into jewelry, not many are into VCA. they say it's just about branding, it's only 18k gold, the stones are cheap, etc etc.

like I said, the pool of potential VCA buyers is very very small and those that are influenced not to buy VCA because of these videos are negligible

This makes sense. But can’t we argue brand perception and future buying potential also holds weight? I don’t think PR and advertising impact is an instant impact thing all the time.

Perhaps followers are very young and maybe not in a point in their life where they can afford VCA. But later down the line when they can, I don’t think a negative perception of the brands quality is going to entice them to buy. It’s also not just the bracelet - it’s the entire brand as a whole (including sweet Alhambra etc). Last I checked 6 million + viewed Monica’s video. That’s a huge audience! Sure, most probably don’t have the disposable income but there’s no way there’s not a handful of folks that are potential buyers.

I mean if you think about it brands will place commercials on random news channel breaks, I see the emirates one all the time. Not many Americans watching the news have money to travel internationally, let alone fly emirates, but the brand still see value in the ad placement because a) some watchers might have the money and b) it creates a positive affiliation with the brand in their head for future reference.

 

[chanellover333]

Not what my SA told me and I was at the boutique recently...maybe tons of photos and no warranty for her and the rest of the influencers?

🤣🤣🤣🤣 that is hilarious!!

 

[EpiFanatic]

Not what my SA told me and I was at the boutique recently...maybe tons of photos and no warranty for her and the rest of the influencers?

I would not be surprised if each boutique knows who are the problem clients.

 

[allanrvj]

This makes sense. But can’t we argue brand perception and future buying potential also holds weight? I don’t think PR and advertising impact is an instant impact thing all the time.

Perhaps followers are very young and maybe not in a point in their life where they can afford VCA. But later down the line when they can, I don’t think a negative perception of the brands quality is going to entice them to buy. It’s also not just the bracelet - it’s the entire brand as a whole (including sweet Alhambra etc). Last I checked 6 million + viewed Monica’s video. That’s a huge audience! Sure, most probably don’t have the disposable income but there’s no way there’s not a handful of folks that are potential buyers.

I mean if you think about it brands will place commercials on random news channel breaks, I see the emirates one all the time. Not many Americans watching the news have money to travel internationally, let alone fly emirates, but the brand still see value in the ad placement because a) some watchers might have the money and b) it creates a positive affiliation with the brand in their head for future reference.

I get what you're saying, and you're right that brand perception and long-term affinity matter: brands absolutely play the long game, like with Emirates ads during news breaks. it’s about planting seeds.

but with ultra-high-end items like VCA, the conversion pool is so small that influencer commentary doesn’t carry the same long-tail impact as it might with sneakers or skincare. most viewers were never going to be buyers--not now, not later, not ever. and the ones who do become buyers? they're usually milestone-driven, sentiment-driven, or have in-person brand experience.

luxury brands have always been polarizing. people have been calling Alhambra overpriced since forever, and VCA still can’t keep stock (and they even closed their special order). look at Oprah and her Hermès moment: framed as racial discrimination, got tons of coverage, but Hermès only became more sought after. these brands don’t chase popularity. they thrive on scarcity and identity.

they’re not trying to convert the masses. they're curating. and that kind of buyer isn’t looking to Youtube or TikTok for approval.

 

[Emily1830]

I’m going to disagree. Brand perception matters a lot these days. I remember when every Youtuber was telling their viewers that a Chanel classic flap was a must have in every chic woman’s wardrobe. Fast forward to today and these same Youtubers have decried the quality and pricing of these flaps. While I don’t have the stats, every indicator points to poor or worsening sales with Chanel flaps. I do think bad PR will damage sales long term.

 

[Sophie0121]

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.
I have a Tiffany soleste halo and everyone knows you shouldn’t put pave pieces into an ultra sonic. I seldom wear this ring so I thought “I haven’t bashed it around. It should be fine. It’s Tiffany.” Lo and behold guess what I found at the bottom of my machine. A teeeny tiny little dust particle of a diamond. I paid over $200 to get that little sucker reset. Completely my fault for ignoring instructions and hoping for the best. Mind you have some extremely pave delicate pieces from non-Tiffany makers, hand forget platinum pieces that I put into my ultrasonics. And I fully admit I put my VCA pave pieces into the ultrasonic 4-5 times a year. No issues. But if something fell out. Guess what. My fault, still. They’re expensive but not indestructible. With regard to the issue of tarnish, we’ve had that discussion in another thread. But scientifically tarnish is a real thing. But I am actually very interested in comparing my own older pieces so I will post pics next week when I’m not as slammed at work. Please don’t take this the wrong way. I’m not attacking you. I would like to have a meaningful discussion about the bigger picture of this situation and the chemical realities of materials science. Are there any chemists or engineers out there?

Very interesting : thanks for sharing your ultrasound experience. I myself don’t have one yet and let VCA or my jeweler bath my pieces from time to time (not more than twice a year). I got the warning at my jeweler but not at VCA that a diamond stone could come out. They always tell me if so they will find it inside but that I then should make it set again. I always thought that if it does with an ultrasound bath then it would happen when I am wandering errands… so I would take it as a blessing and luck not to get it lost on the street (happened with 3 different pieces I had before and the jeweler always setted the diamonds again for free as they were quite new …

 

[snnysmm]

In general, I appreciate influencers for wear and tear advice when it comes to luxury items. For example, I wouldn’t have known about the delicate nature of malachite without the wear and tear advice.

So… you all are influencers!

 

[EpiFanatic]

I’m going to disagree. Brand perception matters a lot these days. I remember when every Youtuber was telling their viewers that a Chanel classic flap was a must have in every chic woman’s wardrobe. Fast forward to today and these same Youtubers have decried the quality and pricing of these flaps. While I don’t have the stats, every indicator points to poor or worsening sales with Chanel flaps. I do think bad PR will damage sales long term.

I think it may too. And I think that VCA doesn’t actually care as much as people think they do. Like @allanrvj says they’re disallowing SOs, common pieces are regularly out of stock, they make you pay full price for a piece that may never show up. (Separate story). For all the people that reply in comment sections of social media posts saying they would never buy VCA for the reason discussed in the video…let’s be real. They weren’t gonna buy VCA anyway, even if it came with a written guarantee. You know what they say about opinions…🤣. And now on top of that social media allows everyone to express them too. So it may seem like there will be negative impact on VCA but actually maybe these people are doing VCA and us a huge favor. Let there be stock is my mantra.