Travel pouches

[lvchanellvr]

Being that VCA and Cartier are the same parent company, they have very similar operations so that helped me to understand their online customer service operations.

Recently, I even contacted Cartier for some purchases online from years ago, and they sent me earring pouches and bracelet pouches on those purchases as well. Just include all your info to validate your purchase of the item (but they are not that strict) and end with your mailing address for those items. Currently, they don't have any cleaning kits though sadly. Not that I even use them but nice to have! LOL

They are pretty easy about it. Good Luck, everyone!

@Chaton - Would you mind posting a pic of the Cartier earring pouches? I've actually never seen a pic of one on this forum and was curious to know what it looks like. Thank you.

 

[apple_28]

Oh darn, you could have all of that and travel pouches after the delivery- just no cleaning kits available.

I made all 3 of my first purchases ever from VCA from 4/18 - 5/8/23.

The packaging and wrapping is more impressive than Cartier in my opinion, but honestly I think Cartier travel pouches have better quality. Boxes - they are different and comparable in my opinion as they have their own signature quality.

Here’s a pic of one of the ring pouches below along with the bracelet pouch. Cartier’s bracelet pouch has a pillow inside and also two slots - can be used for rings or earrings. However, the earring pouches come in a pair with only one pouch each.

I think you can try to email Customer Relations with your order number and try to see if they can send you what you would like or stop in a boutique at some point because I think you do deserve better for the money spent. These things are a dime a dozen for them.

However, I do think most companies have a separate online service and in-store service so it might not be something they can accommodate, but it doesn’t hurt to try.

In retrospect, I felt more neglected when I got in-person service at Cartier (although I got the red carpet with my first purchase in the store) but because I had zero expectations, and I didn’t know better because I was never part of the Forum.

After learning of their operations, I know how to get the items they don’t give you or request them.

P.S. The pouches look identical! However, in person the bracelet pouch is visibly bigger!

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I spoke with my SA and she insists that she cannot give both the box and the travel pouch. Now I’m just annoyed as it was my first VCA purchase too . I asked a friend who had referred me to this SA and she had gotten the full packaging with a travel pouch (back in Dec 2022 though).

I received an email to leave a review of my in-store experience, and I just gave a mediocre review of the service. I also mentioned how I felt about the subpar packaging.

I’ll give customer service a call, as they had been so nice on the phone before. I think I just need to find a new SA. This is our only boutique in Toronto and though it’s a flagship store, it’s quite small.

 

[BigAkoya]

I wish there was a proper way to put earrings in the soft travel pouch , mine is just a pocket and the earrings aren't held by anything so they jumble up.

The small size pouches have a divider. I put my earrings in them, one on each side of the divider. The small size is perfect for earrings and rings.

 

[BigAkoya]

I spoke with my SA and she insists that she cannot give both the box and the travel pouch. Now I’m just annoyed as it was my first VCA purchase too . I asked a friend who had referred me to this SA and she had gotten the full packaging with a travel pouch (back in Dec 2022 though).

I received an email to leave a review of my in-store experience, and I just gave a mediocre review of the service. I also mentioned how I felt about the subpar packaging.

I’ll give customer service a call, as they had been so nice on the phone before. I think I just need to find a new SA. This is our only boutique in Toronto and though it’s a flagship store, it’s quite small.

Hi! This is your first VCA purchase, and I think if you were a regular client, perhaps they would bend the policy.
You can read prior posts in this thread (and other threads) that getting a travel pouch varies, but you can still get them.

If you plan on becoming a regular client, I personally would try to build a friendly relationship with the SA. Unless you really hate the SA, I would not bounce SAs over a pouch which she was just following policy. The SA world is very small, especially since there is only one boutique where you live.

Don't worry, once you become a friendly regular client, you will get goodies such as extra pouches, gifts, etc.
Perhaps for your second purchase, ask for the pouches.

I personallly would not show a negative attitude over this as this was your first purchase, and it was store policy. Don’t let it take away from enjoying your beautiful VCA piece!
Congratulations on your first piece! I am sure there will be more pieces to come!

 

[apple_28]

Hi! This is your first VCA purchase, and I think if you were a regular client, perhaps they would bend the policy.
You can read prior posts in this thread (and other threads) that getting a travel pouch varies, but you can still get them.

If you plan on becoming a regular client, I personally would try to build a friendly relationship with the SA. Unless you really hate the SA, I would not bounce SAs over a pouch which she was just following policy. The SA world is very small, especially since there is only one boutique where you live.

Don't worry, once you become a friendly regular client, you will get goodies such as extra pouches, gifts, etc.
Perhaps for your second purchase, ask for the pouches.

I personallly would not show a negative attitude over this as this was your first purchase, and it was store policy. Don’t let it take away from enjoying your beautiful VCA piece!
Congratulations on your first piece! I am sure there will be more pieces to come!

I didn’t show a negative reaction in store of course, but my first experience with the brand has been disappointing. I was hoping to become a regular client, but they’re not making it easy tbh.
My first purchase had been the Lucky Spring pendant, which had to be ordered in and that took about 3 weeks to come in. Once it did, extending it took another 3-4 weeks. Is this normal for VCA?
I also inquired about additional pieces such as the vintage Alhambra earrings and the 5 motif bracelets (one being the hammered). However, most pieces aren't available in store and have to be ordered. The hammered bracelet cannot be ordered in though, even if it is available for purchase on the website. I guess the freeze hasn’t lifted for the Toronto location .
The SA didn’t explain that the boutique’s inventory is different from that of the website; I just found out through someone here on TPF.
I understand that our Toronto boutique is small, so that may be why it rarely seems to have items on hand or why it’s not as lenient on policy. However, I am wondering if this is the brand itself or just the store. We will be resuming our regular trips to SF and I was going to check out the boutique there to compare. I was just hoping to have the main relationship be with my home country.

 

[A bottle of Red]

Yeah that's really disappointing and not very luxurious at all @apple_28

 

[tlilrascal]

I didn’t show a negative reaction in store of course, but my first experience with the brand has been disappointing. I was hoping to become a regular client, but they’re not making it easy tbh.
My first purchase had been the Lucky Spring pendant, which had to be ordered in and that took about 3 weeks to come in. Once it did, extending it took another 3-4 weeks. Is this normal for VCA?
I also inquired about additional pieces such as the vintage Alhambra earrings and the 5 motif bracelets (one being the hammered). However, most pieces aren't available in store and have to be ordered. The hammered bracelet cannot be ordered in though, even if it is available for purchase on the website. I guess the freeze hasn’t lifted for the Toronto location .
The SA didn’t explain that the boutique’s inventory is different from that of the website; I just found out through someone here on TPF.
I understand that our Toronto boutique is small, so that may be why it rarely seems to have items on hand or why it’s not as lenient on policy. However, I am wondering if this is the brand itself or just the store. We will be resuming our regular trips to SF and I was going to check out the boutique there to compare. I was just hoping to have the main relationship be with my home country.

Sorry to hear about your experience. I just wanted to share because earlier this year, I also made my first VCA purchase at my local boutique. Personally, I think it just depends on how you bond with your SA. I made an online appt to try on two particular necklaces I was debating. I also had to place an order because the item I wanted was not in stock. However, after I placed my order, we chatted a bit and he also gave me some red envelopes for Lunar New Year. I waited about 4-5 weeks for my necklace to arrive and also had to wait 2 more weeks to send it back out to get the length adjusted. I adored my necklace so much I wore it out of the store. I know I got a box because my SA joked that he was putting the empty box in the shopping bag. When I got home, I realized that the SA also gave me a travel pouch too. My advice is to just enjoy the jewelry and consider any goodies a bonus.

 

[EpiFanatic]

I spoke with my SA and she insists that she cannot give both the box and the travel pouch. Now I’m just annoyed as it was my first VCA purchase too . I asked a friend who had referred me to this SA and she had gotten the full packaging with a travel pouch (back in Dec 2022 though).

I received an email to leave a review of my in-store experience, and I just gave a mediocre review of the service. I also mentioned how I felt about the subpar packaging.

I’ll give customer service a call, as they had been so nice on the phone before. I think I just need to find a new SA. This is our only boutique in Toronto and though it’s a flagship store, it’s quite small.

Setting aside whether it's right or wrong for a huge fine jewelry house like VCA to be stingy about jewelry boxes and travel pouches, it's a difficult situation now due to this policy change. I do believe that a lot of SAs are finding it hard to give both the box and the pouch because management is really cracking. I think they need to provide a compelling reason to give a client both. Usually the bigger spend clients would be easier to justify. Don't take it personally. I had to wait over a week and extra texts to my SA for my recent purchase to finally get a bracelet pouch. And she said she had to squirrel it away as soon as she saw one. I'm not a huge client, but I've been buying since 2016.

 

[apple_28]

I waited about 4-5 weeks for my necklace to arrive and also had to wait 2 more weeks to send it back out to get the length adjusted. I adored my necklace so much I wore it out of the store. I know I got a box because my SA joked that he was putting the empty box in the shopping bag. When I got home, I realized that the SA also gave me a travel pouch too. My advice is to just enjoy the jewelry and consider any goodies a bonus.

I do believe that a lot of SAs are finding it hard to give both the box and the pouch because management is really cracking. I think they need to provide a compelling reason to give a client both. Usually the bigger spend clients would be easier to justify. Don't take it personally. I had to wait over a week and extra texts to my SA for my recent purchase to finally get a bracelet pouch. And she said she had to squirrel it away as soon as she saw one. I'm not a huge client, but I've been buying since 2016.

It appears to be the brand then. I’ve been a longtime customer of Cartier, and I had just assumed they would operate the same way as they’re owned by the same parent company.
This VCA SA was referred to me by a close friend, and she’s ok. She’s not as chatty as my Cartier SA (also referred by a close friend), and seems a bit more reserved. She did give my 2 little ones macarons to snack on during our store visit. I’m more willing to spend when they’re nice to my kids

Thank you everyone. I will take this to the VCA discussion thread, as it’s getting a bit off topic.

 

[BigAkoya]

It appears to be the brand then. I’ve been a longtime customer of Cartier, and I had just assumed they would operate the same way as they’re owned by the same parent company.
This VCA SA was referred to me by a close friend, and she’s ok. She’s not as chatty as my Cartier SA (also referred by a close friend), and seems a bit more reserved. She did give my 2 little ones macarons to snack on during our store visit. I’m more willing to spend when they’re nice to my kids

Thank you everyone. I will take this to the VCA discussion thread, as it’s getting a bit off topic.

Good idea to browse the Discussion thread and also take a look at the Special Orders thread.
There are a lot of thoughts already discussed there.

Loyalty to a boutique matters.
The travel pouch is just one item. However, if you bounce around boutiques, you will be tagged in the VCA system as a "traveler" (VCA's word for those who purchase elsewhere), and while your home boutique will still be very nice and kind to you, you may not be offered special items such as the Holiday Pendant, or new releases. You may also not be approved for Special Orders in case you might be interested in doing some in the future. As FYI, there is a HP thread started every year, and if you are interested in a HP, that's a good thread to read as well. You will read how there are some big spenders who buy at various boutiques do not get offered a HP and they do not understand why. It's due to loyalty, or lack of it

The Special Orders thread is a good read as well to give you ideas on custom stone combinations.

VCA is a wonderful brand, but as others have said, patience is needed with this brand, and yes... we here on the VCA forum love this brand, so we are suckers and patiently wait for our orders to come in.

I truly believe with your future purchases you will get more goodies and perks. This was your first time, with one piece; the SA does not know if you will be a repeat buyer or a one-time buyer. Once she sees you are loyal, things will change.

You will get a pouch; no doubt!

 

[waterlily112]

I spoke with my SA and she insists that she cannot give both the box and the travel pouch. Now I’m just annoyed as it was my first VCA purchase too . I asked a friend who had referred me to this SA and she had gotten the full packaging with a travel pouch (back in Dec 2022 though).

I received an email to leave a review of my in-store experience, and I just gave a mediocre review of the service. I also mentioned how I felt about the subpar packaging.

I’ll give customer service a call, as they had been so nice on the phone before. I think I just need to find a new SA. This is our only boutique in Toronto and though it’s a flagship store, it’s quite small.

The SA's don't always have full control of the packaging, they can only offer you what's available at the moment. One of my friends purchased her very first VCA 5 motif bracelet a few months back and they gave her the eco-friendly packaging, which is a travel pouch in a white cardboard box. She was definitely disappointed but recently her SA managed to get her the standard box, and she already gotten 2 travel pouches for the same bracelet since they gave her another pouch when she get her bracelet resized, but she really wanted the box. It took a few months but at least the SA tried her best to give my friend the box. I'm sure your SA will help you secure a travel pouch once they have more in stock.

I totally understand the full packaging can add the extra excitement toward your purchase and give off the luxurious vibe, but just keep in mind that it isn't personal when the SA's couldn't offer you everything you ask for such as travel pouch and cleaning cloth. Agreed with @BigAkoya that each boutique do value loyalty and cater to familiar faces. When I visit the nearby boutique for the first time, the service was good and the SA was attentive, but nothing spectacular and also no travel pouch. Upon my 3rd visit is when I really noticed a better treatment, even the SM came by to have a quick chat with me. Since then every time I stop by the boutique I'd get extra treats (like macarons, cakes) on top of the chocolate, and then the SA fill my bag with candles (and more chocolate), and sending gifts to my house for the holidays since I don't live super close by (2 hours drive away). For that reason, I can overlook the subpar packaging as long as the in-store experience and the product itself meet my expectation. VCA isn't really a brand for instant gratification, but neither is Cartier unless your sizes are always readily available, I had to wait for months for the Cartier pieces I want too. Most of the time when I'm looking to try on (and possibly purchase) some VCA pieces in person, I would hear back from my SA within a few weeks, which is fine by me since I'm not one who would splurge on a creation once every few weeks anyway The hammered gold is always have a long waiting list since everybody wants one because it's solid gold and so care-free, I waited 8 weeks for my sweet 6 motif which is still a shorter waiting time than what I've been told initially (3-4 months). You can certainly shop around at different boutiques to see if you can find a SA that really click, but having one in your home country sounds far more convenient and logical imo. Anyway, hope you'll get your travel pouch soon!

 

[880]

traveler

premier luxury watch brands also use this criteria for essentially rating their best clients
this can be important when production is so limited that a particular watch is sold before it even enters the boutique

to me, having an SA who knows my taste and what i already own is more important than packaging, but i am not fond of the travel pouches or boxes

 

[apple_28]

The SA's don't always have full control of the packaging, they can only offer you what's available at the moment. One of my friends purchased her very first VCA 5 motif bracelet a few months back and they gave her the eco-friendly packaging, which is a travel pouch in a white cardboard box. She was definitely disappointed but recently her SA managed to get her the standard box, and she already gotten 2 travel pouches for the same bracelet since they gave her another pouch when she get her bracelet resized, but she really wanted the box. It took a few months but at least the SA tried her best to give my friend the box. I'm sure your SA will help you secure a travel pouch once they have more in stock.

Actually, they gave me a travel pouch but no box

There are a couple of other items I’d like to add to my wishlist, so I will be stopping by again in June. Perhaps I’ve been lucky, but apart from rings Cartier usually has my size available. Or the wait is only a few weeks at the most.

 

[waterlily112]

Actually, they gave me a travel pouch but no box

There are a couple of other items I’d like to add to my wishlist, so I will be stopping by again in June. Perhaps I’ve been lucky, but apart from rings Cartier usually has my size available. Or the wait is only a few weeks at the most.

Oh sorry, I misread it and thought they didn't give you the pouch. You're on the same boat as my friend then. Don't worry, if you let your SA know that you really want the box, he/she will be able to source one for you once they have more available

 

[EpiFanatic]

Guys, I really need your help! New here.
I bought VCA 10 motifs malachite necklace and 3 motifs malachite earrings from the seller in Tucson , she has a lot of Van Cleef items on eBay and good rating , she seemed very knowledgeable and communicative . I took necklace to add 4 links , paid 180$ , just wanted to make sure it’s authentic as I heard not authentic will not be serviced . It’s been a month since I got it back. Today I put a magnet next to the necklace and clasp get magnetised , I know that solid 10-24 k gold will not magnetise, do you know if Van Cleef makes clasp not from gold? Do you have a similar piece , can you check with a magnet?
I contacted (SA) who helped me with a repair , he did not have a clear answer , just was saying that all they added were authentic pieces … I asked the woman who sold pie es to me, she does not know either . Please help I am worrying it’s not authentic now…

Also I took 3 motif van Cleef malachite earrings to the VCA store and representative checked the serial number , she said it’s matching the piece. Do you recommend taking the earrings for cleaning and pay 180$ or is there any other ways to confirm both pie es are authentic ? Thanks

Maybe you want to post this in the discussion thread and we aren't allowed to comment on authenticity. And honestly sorry. I don't know enough about metals to provide any useful feedback.