Special Orders

[marbella8]

For what it’s worth, I bought a second hand, no longer in production piece from an incredibly reputable source, only to have my previous SA tell me the same thing - that the serial number was bad, couldn’t be traced, blah blah blah. Turns out he was totally incorrect and was basically annoyed that I didn’t spend that money with him. I have not shopped with him since. I returned the necklace which was stupid and still a huge regret, but oh well. My point is, we can’t take our SA’s words as gospel.
@marbella8 is absolutely correct that an SO via in independent location wouldn’t show up - same as purchase history at an independent boutique. All of my SOs come from my home store which is independent / stand alone, so I would be curious to see what my serial numbers show up as if searched via a corporate location. I’m not saying that I have an opinion on this pendant one way or another. It’s a very “odd” combination that obviously isn’t on any SO spec sheet I’ve ever seen, but we all know that VVIPs get what they want. So who knows. I’d pay the $1800 if you love the piece to get a COA if it’s authentic.

ITA- most SAs don’t know much. A lot of us on here seem to know more than them. They work there for a year or 2 and don’t know vintage or SOs often. I think most don’t even know about the various stamps on a piece and their location, but they sure know how to have attitude and make you feel bad if you didn’t buy a piece through them, lol.

The VVIPs get prices made that are an absolute no for the VIPs.

If you got the piece at a decent discount, it’s worth paying the 1800 for authentication, since you’d be getting a SO that has a markup anyhow and maybe one you can’t even get approved right now. Best of luck and don’t stress about it. You got it from FP, and that is the best assurance that if it isn’t authentic, they’ll stand behind it.

 

[Michibata]

Ooooo if you ladies find a personal shopper let me know too please!!! Do we have pix yet????

Not to get anyone’s hopes up but I am going to Seoul next week and I will be going to seoul Maison which I assume is the new flagship store. Will keep a lookout for this. Am probably not going to get anything. I know some have been looking for a personal shopper for this but I’ve never done that before except pick up itmessy for very close friends so I wouldn’t know how to go about doing it.

*i just posted the same post in the new Seoul thread.

 

[BigAkoya]

deleted.

I apologize if I jumped to conclusions and the pendant is really authentic. I was incredibly freaked out by my SA who said the serial number was not in the system and that meant it was not real. I didn't know that independent stores won't show up in the system.

For me, real or not, I would return it and just do a SO to get one. You are valued client, and I am sure they will allow it. Even if no, I would not keep the piece. Any time you need this piece serviced, you may have to prove its authenticity given you are not the original owner. That potential hassle itself is not worth this pendant to me.

I will say, for a unique SO piece like this, I would have thought the description would have said it was a SO which would would have been a great selling point. The description was written very plain. The certificate should have have stated what boutique it came from (the little stamp), so that store would have a record.

 

[tenshix]

For what it’s worth, I bought a second hand, no longer in production piece from an incredibly reputable source, only to have my previous SA tell me the same thing - that the serial number was bad, couldn’t be traced, blah blah blah. Turns out he was totally incorrect and was basically annoyed that I didn’t spend that money with him. I have not shopped with him since. I returned the necklace which was stupid and still a huge regret, but oh well. My point is, we can’t take our SA’s words as gospel.
@marbella8 is absolutely correct that an SO via in independent location wouldn’t show up - same as purchase history at an independent boutique. All of my SOs come from my home store which is independent / stand alone, so I would be curious to see what my serial numbers show up as if searched via a corporate location. I’m not saying that I have an opinion on this pendant one way or another. It’s a very “odd” combination that obviously isn’t on any SO spec sheet I’ve ever seen, but we all know that VVIPs get what they want. So who knows. I’d pay the $1800 if you love the piece to get a COA if it’s authentic.

I apologize if this sounds like a dumb question but what’s the difference between an ‘independent’ store vs a ‘corporate’ store? I know VCA isn’t able to look up purchases between North America and Asia. Wasn’t sure about other countries.

 

[Glitterbomb]

My SA just confirmed that independent stores don't show up in the system, and suggested I have it authenticated for $1800 if I don't want to wait for an SO. I wish I was told that to begin with and not told that it was 100% for sure fake

 

[Glitterbomb]

For me, real or not, I would return it and just do a SO to get one. You are valued client, and I am sure they will allow it. Even if no, I would not keep the piece. Any time you need this piece serviced, you may have to prove its authenticity given you are not the original owner. That potential hassle itself is not worth this pendant to me.

I will say, for a unique SO piece like this, I would have thought the description would have said it was a SO which would would have been a great selling point. The description was written very plain. The certificate should have have stated what boutique it came from (the little stamp), so that store would have a record.

I honestly think that's why it took so long to sell instead of flying off the shelf in hours. I saw it and immediately knew it was an SO, but I bet that a lot of people didn't know and were confused as to what it was.

 

[BigAkoya]

My SA just confirmed that independent stores don't show up in the system, and suggested I have it authenticated for $1800 if I don't want to wait for an SO. I wish I was told that to begin with and not told that it was 100% for sure fake

Can't you call the store where it was purchased? It should be on the stamp. I thought all certificates had to have a stamp stating what boutique it came from. But even so, it seems the SA says VCA boutique cannot firm authenticity, so I would not like that.
I think eventually, all VCAs will cancel out independents/leased space and be boutique only. It's already happening at NM.

I would return it and SO one. The wait is nothing, and this hassle does not justify instant gratification for me.
And... what a pain in the future if you need to have it serviced. I am all about hassle-free, no questions asked, after care.

 

[Glitterbomb]

Can't you call the store where it was purchased? It should be on the stamp. I thought all certificates had to have a stamp stating what boutique it came from. But even so, it seems the SA says VCA boutique cannot firm authenticity, so I would not like that.
I think eventually, all VCAs will cancel out independents/leased space and be boutique only. It's already happening at NM.

I would return it and SO one. The wait is nothing, and this hassle does not justify instant gratification for me.
And... what a pain in the future if you need to have it serviced. I am all about hassle-free, no questions asked, after care.

It wasn't stamped. A lot of COAs are apparently not stamped.

 

[Glitterbomb]

I apologize if this sounds like a dumb question but what’s the difference between an ‘independent’ store vs a ‘corporate’ store? I know VCA isn’t able to look up purchases between North America and Asia. Wasn’t sure about other countries.

I have learned that an independent store is a VCA in another store, like Neiman Marcus. A corporate store is a VCA that is not in another store. It's like a Chanel that is in a Neiman Marcus, vs a Chanel that is a standalone boutique.

 

[BigAkoya]

It wasn't stamped. A lot of COAs are apparently not stamped.

I think all the boutiques have to stamp the COA so it shows the store location (e.g. NY, Dubai...).
Well, you know what I think... order now from your SA! I would do it now especially since she is saying it's allowable.
Who knows... when WG guilloche comes out in November, they may freeze SO on guilloche to push the WG. VCA is unpredictable.
The SO uplift is nearly the same as getting it certified. I would gladly own a brand new piece I purchased directly.

 

[AnaBeavTheOG]

@Glitterbomb: did you get the original receipt with your purchase? I know that's usually a gauche thing to do. But maybe in this case it's ok to make an exception? I'm hoping that the receipt will have the store location it was purchased from and the serial number. But not sure if having the receipt would actually help anything.

 

[Glitterbomb]

I think all the boutiques have to stamp the COA so it shows the store location (e.g. NY, Dubai...).
Well, you know what I think... order now from your SA! I would do it now especially since she is saying it's allowable.
Who knows... when WG guilloche comes out in November, they may freeze SO on guilloche to push the WG. VCA is unpredictable.
The SO uplift is nearly the same as getting it certified. I would gladly own a brand new piece I purchased directly.

I thought so too, but a lot of people have told me their COAs were not stamped, and I've looked at some of mine and some of mine were not stamped either. I guess you could probably go back and ask for it to be stamped if it is important to you.

 

[Glitterbomb]

@Glitterbomb: did you get the original receipt with your purchase? I know that's usually a gauche thing to do. But maybe in this case it's ok to make an exception? I'm hoping that the receipt will have the store location it was purchased from and the serial number. But not sure if having the receipt would actually help anything.

No original receipt, just the COA (that isn't stamped) and box.

 

[BigAkoya]

No original receipt, just the COA (that isn't stamped) and box.

The problem I see is not so much the paperwork. Paper can be faked, and VCA knows it. The problem is VCA does not believe it's authentic and says you should get it authenticated. A VCA boutique saying that to me would set a red flag. I know myself, and I would lose sleep over it. Hence, I would return the piece. Again, not because it's real or not, but because I could never get it serviced at a VCA boutique without first paying the $1800. It is just not worth the headache to me, especially since you can SO the piece. It's not like this is a rare retired piece.

 

[Swanky]

Hi! Friendly reminder to stay on topic, and to remind you that we do not authenticate VCA. We allow only approved members to offer their opinion on authenticity and currently we don’t have anyone qualified. Please do not inquire about authenticity of your VCA pieces.
Thanks!