I wrote a letter to customer service this week asking about the inconsistencies I've been told regarding the Ivory Alma and just general product stock on the website. All the Epi Alma colors (other than black) have been shown as "product out of stock online" for around two months or more. When I called about it, I was told it's a part of the permanent line and would be back on and to keep watching it. I've been saving for it. I check every day or every other day b/c I don't want to find out I'm saving for something that's discontinued. I wasn't planning on buying it right now unless it was an emergency and it was going away or something. Back when I got my Pomme Sarah and it was online and listed the same way, they told me the same thing when I called. But when I went to the boutique, I found out it was discontinued and had to have a charge send done. So phone people have been wrong before...
I got this email from LV (regarding my email) yesterday...
"Thank you for visiting www.louisvuitton.com. Louis Vuitton creations are fashion items, and are offered for several seasons, or may be part of our ongoing collections, however any item may be retired at any time as styles change and new creations are launched.
Though an item may be in 'discontinued' status, this means we are no longer creating an item in our workshop, Louis Vuitton stores do continue to sell these items. It may also be the case that there is a temporary shortage of items which are not actually retired from our collections, but may not be available for a while, but will continue to be sold in stores as we receive more quantities of these items.
Items which are currently available for purchase in our stores, but are not available online, will still be displayed in our online catalog so that customers may still view the photos and details of these items.
I apologize for any discrepant information which may have been communicated to you; should you need specific availability information, I would be glad to assist you personally."
I planned to call the person who sent the email directly Monday for clarification. She never states whether it's a shortage or discontinued still.
I checked online today (after also checking and seeing it was still there two days ago)...and Ivory and Cassis have VANISHED...GONE. It says under the photo of Epi Alma that it exists in two colors.
I guess they are NOT part of the permanent line and I'll now have to do as I did with Pomme Sarah and go all the way to the boutique and make another impulse purchase if they have one in stock (or do another darned charge send??) Why does this keep happening to me? I've been thinking about this bag almost daily for almost four months at least.
Sorry this was so long.
I got this email from LV (regarding my email) yesterday...
"Thank you for visiting www.louisvuitton.com. Louis Vuitton creations are fashion items, and are offered for several seasons, or may be part of our ongoing collections, however any item may be retired at any time as styles change and new creations are launched.
Though an item may be in 'discontinued' status, this means we are no longer creating an item in our workshop, Louis Vuitton stores do continue to sell these items. It may also be the case that there is a temporary shortage of items which are not actually retired from our collections, but may not be available for a while, but will continue to be sold in stores as we receive more quantities of these items.
Items which are currently available for purchase in our stores, but are not available online, will still be displayed in our online catalog so that customers may still view the photos and details of these items.
I apologize for any discrepant information which may have been communicated to you; should you need specific availability information, I would be glad to assist you personally."
I planned to call the person who sent the email directly Monday for clarification. She never states whether it's a shortage or discontinued still.
I checked online today (after also checking and seeing it was still there two days ago)...and Ivory and Cassis have VANISHED...GONE. It says under the photo of Epi Alma that it exists in two colors.
I guess they are NOT part of the permanent line and I'll now have to do as I did with Pomme Sarah and go all the way to the boutique and make another impulse purchase if they have one in stock (or do another darned charge send??) Why does this keep happening to me? I've been thinking about this bag almost daily for almost four months at least.
Sorry this was so long.
Maybe I should hurry up with my purchase.
So, nobody had a clue about the price insrease?? 
I just placed an order for the Trevi PM, definately didn't want to wait till the price goes up. Please, keep us posted, it is really strange and I'll keep checking the website. 