I wasn’t specific so this might have very well been the case. They weren’t rude by any means. And my mistake, I meant the 57th/Madison store. I think stock is quite low now all around.
NYC VCA
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My SA said at the last visit, that they each get allocated pieces to sell, especially coveted ones.
I had an appointment and requested some pieces in particular (ring size) She told me that she wrote down « sold » on what I wanted to see and kept it in her cabinet or with her assistant so that nobody can take it away until I got there to try on. I asked because it looked like she had sold a lot on that day already and it was only 11am at opening! 🤣
I inquired also about something else and had to wait to see if one was available. Maybe they were checking with the other SAs.
Yes, stock is low. You should ask to order to see the pieces you would like. I don’t think you have to pay unless you are ordering hammered?
I do have a SA in another location and it seems you do have to pay in full for everything. I’ve been waiting 5 months now for another 10 motif.
I think it's the combination of limited stock and more people buying from the brand that make it harder to track down pieces that you want. The days where we can casually walk in and try on everything are long gone 😅 I agree with @stephbb9 that SA's work with each others and getting approval from the SM to reserve pieces for their clients. Whenever my SA texts me about the pieces I want to try on finally show up at the boutique, because I'm not a local and can't get there on the same day, it's usually a few days later to a week which I can make a trip there. My SA would get approval from the SM to hold those pieces for me until I can get there. It depends on the pieces, they may or may not ask for full deposit. I recalled paying full deposit on the carnelian/guilloche 5 motif and sweet 6 motif hammered, but other pieces I wanted to try on, like VA MOP earrings, various frivole and lotus pieces, and 5 motif in TE/BA I didn't have to pay, my SA would just text me when they become available and put them on hold for me to try on.
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Would someone please suggest their SA that’s senior and high up and has pull within the store but still personable. I am a VIP client with the NY 5th ave boutique and my SA doesn’t respond and doesn’t have time to talk to me. When we tried to hold the SA accountable it’s now down to meeting with the boutique manager. So I feel my SA is dropping me. I want someone who does high jewelry as well as I plan to transition to that and someone that has access to rare pieces and exclusive events. Please help. Thank you in advance
Sorry cannot help for NYC but in my boutique there are 2 high jewelry specialist SA and they also are on the international board of the high jewelry for VCA (means they travel a lot and go to the board meetings that happen every few months to get info about novelties and training). They are officially entitled and you can see their title on their visitor card. If you don’t find a precise contact detail here I would go to the boutique you want to go to and ask to meet for such an SA
I visited the new Madison Ave boutique before Christmas which might be more your cup of tea? Much less frenetic and more high jewelry stock. I walked in with an appointment with my formerly-at-5th-Ave SA who, ironically, was back at 5th Ave with a VVIP client for the Treasure Island launch (and who never bothered to let me know they would not be there for the appointment). Everyone I spoke to at Mad Ave was very kind, and they all offered to show me around the boutique and to see what was in stock. I ended up with the person who was speaking with me after I checked my coat; at one point, I think I was upstairs with two SA's and the SM (everyone was very excited to show off the new boutique). Maybe if you went to test the waters to see who you click with, that might work? I would think they could easily move your home boutique to Madison Ave, since it's meant to focus on a higher end experience which is what you yourself are moving towards as a client.
I also think you should approach it the other way: express interest in purchasing high jewelry pieces (and actually buy them) and the right SA will be allocated to you.
Actually I also think that 5th Avenue is particular and I am a very good customer too. So I shop somewhere else now and I am treated like a queen. 5th Avenue acts as if they do you a favor by selling to you…
@Asset287 , Agree with @spaul , @allanrvj , @meemeetoo @haute okole , and others above. Not sure how this could happen. I started at Hudson yards, but I ended up with my Hudson yards SA, a fifth avenue SA, and a fifth avenue manager, at Fifth Avenue. when I expressed interest in seeing some high jewelry pieces. They decided to set me up at Fifth Ave, bc it is definitely more convenient for me, but everyone was absolutely wonderful. So, I technically shop in the 5th avenue store, but if you don’t like them, for any reason, simply ask to be transferred to madison or Hudson yards. Or walk into the other stores and find a SA you click with personally. The SAs can and definitely will all travel to other NY stores, including fifty or madison, and meet you there, no issue.
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I started in Hudson yards during Covid, simply bc going that far seemed like an adventure to another country lol. And they said they would set up a viewing at fifth avenue. But it turned out that my SA from another premier brand boutique was related to the regional manager of VCA, and they arranged Fifth Avenue out of their own volition. I think so I could simply go to the pieces, which was more convenient for me too. But, absolutely, no issue. If one wishes to see high jewelry, VCA will bend over backwards to make it happen. . . I believe Madison will focus on High Jewelry, (IMo the fifth avenue VIP salon could seriously use a refresh lol), but to me, it doesn’t matter where one goes, so long as one is comfy. One’s SA will go wherever it makes sense. If one wishes to buy fine jewelry in Europe, I was told the same. The SA can and will travel to your exit city to facilitate paperwork and escort you to the airport. But, I ended up not buying any, so perhaps I misunderstood thr exact process.
Just going to throw my two cents in here too because I (not a local to NYC) met the most amazing SA at 5th Avenue a few years ago and everyone I have subsequently met or been introduced to at the store has been nothing short of lovely. 
I continue to shop there even though a VCA store has opened closer to me because of the service I have received at 5th Avenue. I am by no means a VIC because I usually visit once a year and I'm not dropping $$$ at all (i.e. no high jewelry for me!).
I continue to shop there even though a VCA store has opened closer to me because of the service I have received at 5th Avenue. I am by no means a VIC because I usually visit once a year and I'm not dropping $$$ at all (i.e. no high jewelry for me!).
Its fascinating how you assume that being a VIP means a brand is incapable of providing bad service. That logic completely ignores how luxury boutiques operate and how client relationships evolve. You clearly have never dealt with boutique politics or seen firsthand how even high-spending clients get deprioritized when an SA shifts their focus to other relationships.
Spending power doesnt always equal top-tier treatment otherwise, there wouldn't be so many VIPs switching SAs and boutiques every year. But I wouldn't expect you to know that, given your overly simplistic, condescending response.
Instead of making baseless assumptions about someone else's experience, maybe take your own advice and "look inward" to understand why you feel the need to insert yourself into a situation you clearly know nothing about. Now, that would be true self-reflection.
Ah yes, because luxury sales associates are famously fair and consistent with all clients, and would never play politics or shift priorities. Its adorable that you think being lovely determines service levels, rather than spending history, boutique dynamics, and internal favoritism. But hey, if telling yourself that makes you feel better, by all means, carry on.