In the past, I have purchased all my VCA pieces overseas. With the pandemic, I figured it’s easier to just establish a relationship here in NYC since I don’t think I’ll be traveling anytime soon. For NY VCA shoppers, which location do you prefer (5th Ave or Hudson Yards)? What are the pros and cons of each location? Thank you for your input!
NYC VCA
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I would go to 5th. They are busy, but they have tons of product. Plus, I personally think Hudson Yards will shut down or get a major rehaul (in a bad way) in the next several years, and I think VCA will close. Just my opinion of course. I’d rather make the trek to 5th and 57th. Not to mention, getting into Hudson Yards is a pain. 5th... it’s right there on the corner, and also you are now steps away from BG, Chanel, Dior for other shopping.
I'm in CA but my SA is at 5th Avenue. So much inventory, but I understand they are quite cleaned out right now.
By the way, now you have me thinking... I am curious as to why you do not purchase VCA in the US. Is it due to price point only or some other reason such as selection?
I am the opposite of you. I travel to Paris and London often (used to at least before COVID), and whenever I am there, I buy items such as bags/shoes, but I never buy jewelry. My rationale is that with clothes/shoes/bags, I will never need any repair, so once I buy say, a Chanel bag, I am "done". However, for jewelry, my rationale for purchasing only in the US is for the aftercare (eg. cleaning, adjustments), even if the jewelry is cheaper in Europe. Plus, I like the fact they can look me up in the US system as the owner of the piece, so I don't mind paying a bit more.
Maybe my logic is off! Is there a reason why you choose to only purchase overseas? And what is your definition overseas? My overseas is mainly London and Paris, but perhaps your overseas is other countries.
I would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks.
I have purchased all my VCAs in Hong Kong since I have family living there and we used to see them quite often, at least twice a year so I am not too worried about the after care. My SIL is a well established client there and she introduced me to her SA so it’s easier to get offered limited edition items or hard to find pieces. However, with the pandemic I have no idea when we will start traveling again especially all the way to HK. I still have a number of pieces I wanted so I figured I should just buy them from NYC boutique since I have no patience waiting until the all clear for travel.
Does anyone have a SA at the 5th Ave. store that I can contact right now? I'm trying to make a purchase and can only get through to the general customer service number.
Speaking of Hudson Yards, I feel bad for that development. I didn't realize they closed off the Vessel due to suicides.
How Covid-19 Left the $25 Billion Hudson Yards Eerily Deserted - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
How Covid-19 Left the $25 Billion Hudson Yards Eerily Deserted - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
I personally liked the VCA at Hudson yards. Very easy, low key, friendly. It is a hike, but your SA will travel should you want to meet at flagship (which is more convenient and actually my neighborhood store). the vibe is kind of like Wall St. versus Madison H, if that makes sense.
Though, I now shop at H Madison bc there is more Home Department stuff. . .
A note on aftercare of items bought overseas. You can register them with your SA in the US. . .
What I do like about VCA flagship is that it is across the street from Verdura Belperron salon. But, I’m more of a Verdura Belperron person than a VCA.
Though, I now shop at H Madison bc there is more Home Department stuff. . .
A note on aftercare of items bought overseas. You can register them with your SA in the US. . .
What I do like about VCA flagship is that it is across the street from Verdura Belperron salon. But, I’m more of a Verdura Belperron person than a VCA.
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Thank you @880! This is very helpful and thank you for the tip on registering my overseas purchase! I always go to Wall St even though Madison is just a short walking distance from my office. I certainly prefer the more low key atmosphere. With Wall St, my SA is always happy to transfer items from other stores so I’ve never had issues with finding things that I’m looking for. Does Hudson Yards VCA do transfers as well?
I agree, I prefer the 5th ave flagship location.
And I agree 100% about Hudson Yards. The whole project is a major flop and covid has made it worse, but honestly I think the space would've been better utilized in a different way rather than another ultra luxe shopping destination it is now. It's right by the water, why not create a big beautiful park or something with more activities for the public? This hudson yards seems like such a waste and that big pinecone with the 37738338 stairs is so ugly...
I totally respect your judgement, and you convinced me I need to trek down to Hudson Yards next time I travel to NYC! I used to travel to NYC weekly (pre-COVID) and my office was right on Madison and 57th.
To your point on Verdura, what I love about VCA flagship is it is across the street from Mikimoto, my true love.
If I ever get to NYC again, I will definitely make another trek down there. Thank you for sharing this!
That was funny! I thought the same when I saw it... this is it? It's so ugly! I actually made a specific point to see it due to all the hoopla. I guess I don't qualify as an art expert.
I will go down there again next time I get to NYC, if anything, to check out the high end jewelry stores before they all shut down.
Chatting in this thread about NYC makes me miss it so much. Even with all its ups and downs... there's no place like NYC.
I am new to VCA and only have the six motif necklace. But, my Verdura SA knew the the VCA people, and she suggested certain things for me to see last summer. The HY VCA SAs invited me up to flagship (they knew it was my neighborhood store) and I was told specifically that they could and would travel. I was able to try on two earrings from Romeo & Juliet; lotus and other multi finger Diamond rings; the Jackie Etruscan cuff; and some other items including the buton d’or and two liane necklaces up at fifth, but was attended by Hudson Yards SA. There didn’t seem to be any issue re transfer or problem with obtaining merchandise that I could see. . . To someone new to VCA, HY was very easy to navigate. Of course, they would like me to stay with the specific Hudson Yards SA, but geography doesn’t seem to be an issue like at Hermes. . . They did tell me at the time I tried on the liane, that there were 6 or 8 different ones in the US, so in that sense, there might be a delay in transferring if I had decided on a particular one. But, the location wasn’t the issue.
I do think Hudson Yards is a hike, and will probably close. But, during covid, going down there was almost like going out of town, and it had the added benefit of watches of switzerland (DH wanted to go there). HY does have a suburban feel, but VCA is a small boutique, unlike HY Cartier which feels like a wasteland. . .
One other thing to note: the flagship has a dedicated vintage heritage counter of VCA on the second floor. Curated pieces, and the third floor salon where I tried things on has private exhibits. so in that sense, flagship does have much more to offer.
Finally, I like vintage Everything, and one way to get me interested is to say that something is unusual or discontinued, and briony raymond, an independent, sometimes has some interesting VCA, Verdura, Cartier, and bespoke pieces too.
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