Van Cleef in action!

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That’s why I always turn down the wine & dine. There is a hidden feeling of reciprocity which is the whole point. He’s in sales, it’s a sales job. You do not owe your SA anything, and trust me, once you stop buying, after about three years, the wine & dine will stop as he will focus on other clients.

For me, I like to stay mysterious and not so chummy. Don’t accept his invitation for a dinner or event. What for? Free food that is really a sales effort? There is so much more to do in Vegas than spend time with a sales person taking free stuff while feeling guilty you need to reciprocate. He did his sales job! There is no need to explain what other items you are buying. Just be gracious, tell him your schedule is full and thank him. He is just your SA, not your friend. Skip VCA this visit, and don’t waste time. That’s what I would do.

Don’t get me wrong. I love my SA, but I know it is all business.

Enjoy Vegas! Happy Birthday!

Is this really something an SA would do? I have solid relationships with many SAs across different brands, but this frankly seems like crossing a line and would freak me out.
 
1) Don't visit! Run out of time.
2) Tell him there's been a change of plans and you're not going to Vegas after all.
3) Be honest and tell him you're saving for something special and will visit when you're ready to purchase.

If you don't see it, you won't know you missed it/want it!

This is why I love this big family on here! Thank you!! I needed to hear this! I will make up an excuse when it comes closer to time for sure. I would love to buy more VCA who wouldn’t?! But I am trying to stay focused financially especially going into a home build soon and being responsible with unnecessary purchases and the diamond JUC is top of my wishlist above everything else.

That’s why I always turn down the wine & dine. There is a hidden feeling of reciprocity which is the whole point. He’s in sales, it’s a sales job. You do not owe your SA anything, and trust me, once you stop buying, after about three years, the wine & dine will stop as he will focus on other clients.

For me, I like to stay mysterious and not so chummy. Don’t accept his invitation for a dinner or event. What for? Free food that is really a sales effort? There is so much more to do in Vegas than spend time with a sales person taking free stuff while feeling guilty you need to reciprocate. He did his sales job! There is no need to explain what other items you are buying. Just be gracious, tell him your schedule is full and thank him. He is just your SA, not your friend. Skip VCA this visit, and don’t waste time. That’s what I would do.

Don’t get me wrong. I love my SA, but I know it is all business.

Enjoy Vegas! Happy Birthday!

As always, your advice is A+++! I will definitely do this. I just feel obligated to purchase if we took him up on his offer and right now VCA items aren’t on the top of my wishlist for this year, and I must not get derailed!! I told my fiancé if I get the itch and get bored and want to try things on, we can just stop by the 3 other boutiques Vegas has lol!
 
Is this really something an SA would do? I have solid relationships with many SAs across different brands, but this frankly seems like crossing a line and would freak me out.

Do you mean taking clients out for dinner/drinks? At VCA, yes but I’ll be honest this is the only brand I’ve heard that does this. I believe the SAs have a budget given to them to swoon their clients. Vegas is a big entertainment city so I don’t find this out of the ordinary either.
 
Here’s to staying mentally strong, I love all of this! Here’s my current struggle: my only luxury purchase I am making this year is the diamond JUC (not pave) for my golden birthday (turning 28 on August 28). We are going to Vegas to celebrate but my struggle is that my VCA SA also knows it’ll be my birthday and wants to plan something special for me. Yes I have a lot of VCA on my wishlist but comfortably I only wanted to buy the JUC this year. I don’t want to feel pressured into buying something at VCA if he is planning something special but how do you walk away empty handed after that?? I will need to reevaluate what I should do here ugh.

I would be truthful with the SA and tell him/her that you truly appreciate the sentiment, but you are saving up for another piece of jewelry from another brand. That way you can stop by, say, ”Hi” without guilt, or not. I would not accept dinner/drinks etc. unless I truly enjoyed spending time with the person and was up front about not buying anything during this trip.

I find that honesty is the best way to go through life.
 
Do you mean taking clients out for dinner/drinks? At VCA, yes but I’ll be honest this is the only brand I’ve heard that does this. I believe the SAs have a budget given to them to swoon their clients. Vegas is a big entertainment city so I don’t find this out of the ordinary either.

Interesting. I am in a suburb but have never been offered this and honestly just the offer would make me uncomfortable. Maybe that’s just me!
 
I would be truthful with the SA and tell him/her that you truly appreciate the sentiment, but you are saving up for another piece of jewelry from another brand. That way you can stop by, say, ”Hi” without guilt, or not. I would not accept dinner/drinks etc. unless I truly enjoyed spending time with the person and was up front about not buying anything during this trip.

I find that honesty is the best way to go through life.

I’m not opposed to this approach either. Will probably take this route just to keep the relationship fresh as well. I’m sure/hope any SA would understand we don’t all have infinite funds at any given time. Thank you for this kind advice.
 
Here’s to staying mentally strong, I love all of this! Here’s my current struggle: my only luxury purchase I am making this year is the diamond JUC (not pave) for my golden birthday (turning 28 on August 28). We are going to Vegas to celebrate but my struggle is that my VCA SA also knows it’ll be my birthday and wants to plan something special for me. Yes I have a lot of VCA on my wishlist but comfortably I only wanted to buy the JUC this year. I don’t want to feel pressured into buying something at VCA if he is planning something special but how do you walk away empty handed after that?? I will need to reevaluate what I should do here ugh.
Happy early Birthday! Stay on track girl and get the JUC as planned. I know easier said than done but I would resist going into VCA store at all if that means you will be tempted and obliged to buy something VCA. I was getting this pressure from my Bvlgari SA. I appreciate how sweet she is in informing me of price increases and how I can put a deposit and secure the price etc. but the thing is, tempted as I was initially to add the serpenti bracelet at the thought of a price increase, I am not going to do it! I finally had to tell her firmly that this purchase wasn’t happening this year. Period. I told her if it happens, it will be late in 2023 or 2024. See, it’s the SA’s and SM’s job to get us to buy but ultimately it’s us who have control over our purse strings and I am holding on to mine with a death grip :biggrin:
 
My easy daily wear, single motif vintage alhambra layered with VCA zodiaque and a diamond necklace! Tried Vintage Alhambra carnelian earrings for my sister at the boutique to see as she’s deciding between onyx and MOP! on that day wore my signature clover RG with clover YG although it matches my RG Cartier I’m just finding mixing metals not my favorite! Also love wearing both Chanel coco crush rings every day so easy and goes with most VCA pieces!
How pretty!
 
Happy early Birthday! Stay on track girl and get the JUC as planned. I know easier said than done but I would resist going into VCA store at all if that means you will be tempted and obliged to buy something VCA. I was getting this pressure from my Bvlgari SA. I appreciate how sweet she is in informing me of price increases and how I can put a deposit and secure the price etc. but the thing is, tempted as I was initially to add the serpenti bracelet at the thought of a price increase, I am not going to do it! I finally had to tell her firmly that this purchase wasn’t happening this year. Period. I told her if it happens, it will be late in 2023 or 2024. See, it’s the SA’s and SM’s job to get us to buy but ultimately it’s us who have control over our purse strings and I am holding on to mine with a death grip :biggrin:

THIS!! We all feel the pressure of the price increase tactics from our SA and whether or not we are ready to buy at that time is up to us. Unfortunately for me, I believe there will be a price increase for Cartier before August which stinks but at the same time, as money savvy as I may seem, I am the type that will spend more for the in-store experience. I love my Cartier SA and enjoy the purchase experience she offers in store and will pay more for that. There’s just always something special about in-store purchases that’s always meaned a lot to me. What fun is it to open a box at home?? No judgment for those who do, but it does nothing for me. I must keep my eye on the prize though! Maybe 2023 will bring more VCA to my collection, that is if the Clash doesn’t derail my plan lol! And good for you for holding out! It feels like a total accomplishment when we stick to our plans and won’t let anything get in the way of that! But the serpenti bracelet is stunning. I will wait for that reveal :heart:
 
Is this really something an SA would do? I have solid relationships with many SAs across different brands, but this frankly seems like crossing a line and would freak me out.
Yes, it's what SAs do, and there is a budget for this. Dinner, gifts, invitations to corporate events.
There are clients who love this wine & dine as it's definitely an ego boost.
For the special dates where the SA "remembers you" (e.g. birthday, anniversary) and sends a gift/invites you to an event, of course it's in the hope you will buy something VCA. Some SAs will say "invite your friends" which of course they hope to get new clients.

This is not just VCA that does this, other luxury jewelry and clothing brands do this as well.
This is not bad, it's the nature of sales, and all good SAs should know their client's preferences and how the client likes to be treated (wine & dine vs. low profile). It's good business.
 
So much love for these Frivole pave earrings and perlee bracelets..they brightened my day on a cold, rainy day
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You look stunning as always. I thought of you today. I tried on the Cosmos RG MOP and diamond BTF ring. All they had was this one and the WG all diamond BTF ring. I wanted to see the look as I would have to do a SO for oynx diamond version.

The RG MOP and diamond BTF ring was stunning! Cosmos is very different than Frivole which is not a true BTF. Cosmos is a true BTF, and it looks like two flowers floating on your hand. It's not as diamond blingy as Frivole, but it's a bolder statement ring. I'm not sure if you already tried it on and did not like it. If you have not tried it on, it's worth taking a look. I think it would go great with your Perlee bangles.

Every time I see RG, I think of you!
 
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Do you mean taking clients out for dinner/drinks? At VCA, yes but I’ll be honest this is the only brand I’ve heard that does this. I believe the SAs have a budget given to them to swoon their clients. Vegas is a big entertainment city so I don’t find this out of the ordinary either.
Other brands do it too. Any such overtures have made me very uncomfortable. Like @PC1984 it has always freaked me out when they do this. Yes, I want service but I also want it low-key. At VCA my SA understands what I want (I usually email/text ahead) has it ready for me and either she ships or it's a quick in-and-out. This keeps it simple, fresh and businesslike.
In terms of gratuities, the most I want are their little boxes of chocolates-we joke they're about $5,000 a piece! There's no social relationship to complicate things and I don't have a sense of obligation.
On the other hand, my SA does know a little about me--as a result, she has made recommendations appropriate to my budget, lifestyle and collection. However, it is not a social event, for the SA or for me.
 
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