Probably the weirdest question 😕 😅

[Bunnybunny88]

Hello

I'm about to pull a trigger on 20k item, it maybe trivial for lots of purseforum folks but it's kind of big money to me, especially I'm a full time stay at home mom !

So it's always nice to be able to save couple hundred dollars if I could.

It looks like I might have to pay higher tax rate for my local boutique cuz it's located in a city, but not necessarily if I'm to order from boutique from different state cuz I don't live in the exact city that has high taxes.... so I'd potentially save couple hundred dollars.

I also have 'online purchase' credit card promo which is 3 times more than non online purchase. I'm not sure if SA sending a payment to me via link is considered "online purchase" by credit card standard. Does anyone know?

With those combined, I'd be saving about $800 VS just buying straight from the boutique with full boutique experience.


Would you give up boutique experience for about $800 in saves? What do you think? Sorry I'm very nervous about possible price increase especially with our government decision eith tariff, so I'd like to buy it as soon as possible. Thanks !!

 

[880]

Hello

I'm about to pull a trigger on 20k item, it maybe trivial for lots of purseforum folks but it's kind of big money to me, especially I'm a full time stay at home mom !

So it's always nice to be able to save couple hundred dollars if I could.

It looks like I might have to pay higher tax rate for my local boutique cuz it's located in a city, but not necessarily if I'm to order from boutique from different state cuz I don't live in the exact city that has high taxes.... so I'd potentially save couple hundred dollars.

I also have 'online purchase' credit card promo which is 3 times more than non online purchase. I'm not sure if SA sending a payment to me via link is considered "online purchase" by credit card standard. Does anyone know?

With those combined, I'd be saving about $800 VS just buying straight from the boutique with full boutique experience.


Would you give up boutique experience for about $800 in saves? What do you think? Sorry I'm very nervous about possible price increase especially with our government decision eith tariff, so I'd like to buy it as soon as possible. Thanks !!

A 20K item is not trivial for most of us.

Have you tried on this item in real life? I do not buy anything expensive on line. I need to see the exact item in question and try it on. Also, if I have any issues, I prefer to purchase only with SAs who really know me and my taste. As a result, I almost never return anything, but it might take more than a few trips to make up my mind.

I don’t actually care about packaging, champagne, or other things associated with boutique experiences.

If you have not tried this item on in person, or if you cannot due to location, I believe the return policy is better via on line purchase.

Happy shopping

 

[meemeetoo]

Hello

I'm about to pull a trigger on 20k item, it maybe trivial for lots of purseforum folks but it's kind of big money to me, especially I'm a full time stay at home mom !

So it's always nice to be able to save couple hundred dollars if I could.

It looks like I might have to pay higher tax rate for my local boutique cuz it's located in a city, but not necessarily if I'm to order from boutique from different state cuz I don't live in the exact city that has high taxes.... so I'd potentially save couple hundred dollars.

I also have 'online purchase' credit card promo which is 3 times more than non online purchase. I'm not sure if SA sending a payment to me via link is considered "online purchase" by credit card standard. Does anyone know?

With those combined, I'd be saving about $800 VS just buying straight from the boutique with full boutique experience.


Would you give up boutique experience for about $800 in saves? What do you think? Sorry I'm very nervous about possible price increase especially with our government decision eith tariff, so I'd like to buy it as soon as possible. Thanks !!

I don't know about the online credit card promo savings, but I do have experience going to a boutique in a higher sales tax place (NYC), buying the item with the full boutique experience (champagne, chocolates, etc), and then having them ship it to my home in a lower sales tax place (just about anywhere else, lol). The SA is the one who suggested it since I could only buy the item in NYC. Also, it saved me the worry of carrying an expensive item around to hotels, airports, etc. knowing FedEx would show up on a certain day/time. If you think you will be continuing buying VCA in the future, it is good to build a lasting relationship and buying history with a particular boutique/SA/location. So pick either your local place or whichever lower tax city's boutique you are choosing, but try to be consistent. I think $20K counts as big money! I know I gulped the first time I crossed the $10K mark, much less $20K. It certainly is enough to make a dent in whatever the prespend is for your location to be considered for things like the holiday pendant and other special items, if that's important to you. Congratulations on your purchase!

 

[Misha333]

Totally understandable—$800 is a significant amount! Yes, paying via link often counts as an online purchase, but it depends on your card issuer, so check with them to confirm. It's totally normal to ask your SA to ship to your state. When I shop in NYC I do it all the time, it's not only about having to pay extra city taxes, but also safety, I'm not comfortable walking around with expensive items in my bags. I've done it in all brands, Chanel, VCA, Graff, LV etc. and all SAs were completely fine with this request. Enjoy your new piece!!

 

[Bunnybunny88]

Hi! Thanks for all the replies! I know I would like to be offered holiday pendant one day. We move around every couple years, so I don't think I have 1 boutique that's assigned to me.......so far, I have purchased 1 item from e boutique and 1 item each from 3 different boutiques (lol) I didn't mean to, 😅 its because of the nature of us moving around so frequently and the availability of the item.
I'd love to build relationship too with local SA, but we are moving again in to a different state with no vca in few months. 😆 🤣 brilliant idea on getting it shipped to my home even if I'm to order it in person for the safety. Thanks 😊

 

[HockeyMomma]

Hi! I just wanted to say that I live in a state with no luxury boutiques of any kind. But I have found an SA at each luxury house I like to buy from and buy long distance from them. I've never even met my VCA SA and I'm about to purchase my fourth piece (all in less than 20K, not a VIP). When I needed a Cartier SA I asked him if he had a friend. In general I try to buy from a person so they can earn commissions. If you find someone you like consider sticking with them. My guy can order stuff for me, arrange sizing, etc... I also love saving though, so understand your dilemma.

 

[CoastalCouture]

Hello

I'm about to pull a trigger on 20k item, it maybe trivial for lots of purseforum folks but it's kind of big money to me, especially I'm a full time stay at home mom !

So it's always nice to be able to save couple hundred dollars if I could.

It looks like I might have to pay higher tax rate for my local boutique cuz it's located in a city, but not necessarily if I'm to order from boutique from different state cuz I don't live in the exact city that has high taxes.... so I'd potentially save couple hundred dollars.

I also have 'online purchase' credit card promo which is 3 times more than non online purchase. I'm not sure if SA sending a payment to me via link is considered "online purchase" by credit card standard. Does anyone know?

With those combined, I'd be saving about $800 VS just buying straight from the boutique with full boutique experience.


Would you give up boutique experience for about $800 in saves? What do you think? Sorry I'm very nervous about possible price increase especially with our government decision eith tariff, so I'd like to buy it as soon as possible. Thanks !!All good advice here so far.

All good advice here so far. I'd like to add that usually when you buy something in person, you pay the sales tax of the city where the store is. When it is shipped to you at home, you pay the destination sales tax. For me, my nearest city is surprisingly cheaper than the county where I live. Even if you buy from a state with no sales tax, or lower sales tax, if it ships to you, your home state/county/city sales tax is the one that will be charged.

 

[etoupebirkin]

I buy from the Madison Avenue store and have items shipped to my home in Virginia. I save more than 3% in doing so. I am a long term VCA customer, so I feel it’s OK to shop virtually, even though there’s a VCA within 10 miles of my home.

 

[meemeetoo]

I buy from the Madison Avenue store and have items shipped to my home in Virginia. I save more than 3% in doing so. I am a long term VCA customer, so I feel it’s OK to shop virtually, even though there’s a VCA within 10 miles of my home.

This makes a lot of sense since NY will always have more items and more interesting items than the rest of the country. Plus the safety of having it delivered and the convenience of not having to find room in your carry on for the precious cargo. Plus saving on the sales tax vs taking it home from an in-store purchase in NYC. After my last experience, I think I'll always have my NY purchases shipped home. I don't know why no one suggested it to me before! Not to derail this too far OT, but do you prefer Mad Ave to 5th Ave? On my last visit (March) to 5th Ave, between my (new to me) SA and the SM, they kept bringing out more and more pieces all up and down the cost spectrum ($3000 to seven figures, though that was just for the fun of oohing and aahing), where Madison only brought out a few things and that was that (and I know both the SA and SM from before). Madison has a much nicer ambiance however.

 

[etoupebirkin]

This makes a lot of sense since NY will always have more items and more interesting items than the rest of the country. Plus the safety of having it delivered and the convenience of not having to find room in your carry on for the precious cargo. Plus saving on the sales tax vs taking it home from an in-store purchase in NYC. After my last experience, I think I'll always have my NY purchases shipped home. I don't know why no one suggested it to me before! Not to derail this too far OT, but do you prefer Mad Ave to 5th Ave? On my last visit (March) to 5th Ave, between my (new to me) SA and the SM, they kept bringing out more and more pieces all up and down the cost spectrum ($3000 to seven figures, though that was just for the fun of oohing and aahing), where Madison only brought out a few things and that was that (and I know both the SA and SM from before). Madison has a much nicer ambiance however.

I actually have not been to the Madison Store yet. When I was there there last week, I did not make it to Madison. Perhaps next time. I’ll go where my SA is though.

 

[meemeetoo]

I actually have not been to the Madison Store yet. When I was there there last week, I did not make it to Madison. Perhaps next time. I’ll go where my SA is though.

oh! I'd be interested to hear your thoughts about the two boutiques. I guess your SA moved over to Madison, so that's why you prefer to shop there?
And I wanted to thank you (I think you?) for inspiring me to look into the enamel lady bug ring. I found one which fits in HK and then saw the coordinating clip in Singapore. Couldn't wrap my head around getting both on the same trip. The next month, we were in NYC, and lo and behold, another ring and clip were in one of the cases! So, I guess the clip was also meant to be (the ring was meant for someone with much more slender fingers!). It's my first VCA ring and has sent me down a very slippery slope...

 

[etoupebirkin]

Glad to have enabled you!!!!
Please wear it in the best of health!!!

 

[meemeetoo]

Glad to have enabled you!!!!
Please wear it in the best of health!!!

Thank you! I love just gazing at my little lady bug family.
I think you're also the one who sent me down the lacquer butterfly rabbit hole in recent years. Each one is a special work of art and probably my favorite VCA pieces, even if I don't wear them often.
You have such a gorgeous collection

 

[mocktail]

My state doesn’t have a VCA so I got connected to an SA in New York and I purchase from her. When I’m in NYC (every 1-2 years) I make an appointment to visit her and try on anything I might be interested in buying in the next few years.

Then when I’m ready to buy something, we do it over text and she ships my item to my home. She also coordinated my first bracelet resizing, and when I ordered a second I asked her to have it resized before sending it to me (which makes it non-returnable but I knew I wasn’t going to return it).

I’ve bought 3 pieces over the last 4 years and it’s been very easy to do it all remotely.

 

[allanrvj]

oh! I'd be interested to hear your thoughts about the two boutiques. I guess your SA moved over to Madison, so that's why you prefer to shop there?
And I wanted to thank you (I think you?) for inspiring me to look into the enamel lady bug ring. I found one which fits in HK and then saw the coordinating clip in Singapore. Couldn't wrap my head around getting both on the same trip. The next month, we were in NYC, and lo and behold, another ring and clip were in one of the cases! So, I guess the clip was also meant to be (the ring was meant for someone with much more slender fingers!). It's my first VCA ring and has sent me down a very slippery slope...

and what a multinational journey your VCA exploration has become!