VCA shopping experiences and insights, corporate / store policies, etc.

[A bottle of Red]

Same here! I blocked my SA cause he irritated me so much. I just want a pair of earrings to be done but they make it so difficult with the dishonesty. My SA said there were none of the earrings I want in the country, so I called the online boutique and they said there were a few pairs in a specific boutique, so I called that boutique and they confirmed they had some but can’t sell it to me and I need to contact my local SA. Like… ? I personally believe it’s because he wants me to get Fluerette earrings as they’re 3x more expensive than the ones which are my first option.

What that's ridiculous!
Which ones do you want?

 

[GlamarousBarbie]

What that's ridiculous!
Which ones do you want?

WG guilloche earrings… I do like the fluerette ones but, i have a certain person mentality where I want a recognizable design… I found something very similar on Sothebys with a higher carat weight too, diamonds aren’t as good (VS and G color compared to VVS and DEF coloring with VCA) but i don’t think it makes a recognisable difference

 

[A bottle of Red]

WG guilloche earrings… I do like the fluerette ones but, i have a certain person mentality where I want a recognizable design… I found something very similar on Sothebys with a higher carat weight too, diamonds aren’t as good (VS and G color compared to VVS and DEF coloring with VCA) but i don’t think it makes a recognisable difference

That's a totally different look, I hope you can get the wg guilloche ones like you want!

 

[jenicalina]

Long time lurker and rare poster, but wanted to share my recent experience here.
Based in the Sydney boutique, Australia.

• When enquiring about the Pietersite Alhambra 5 motif bracelet, I was told by the SA that it is only for clients invited by the French HQ management, and that she doesn't know what the French HQ standard is.
• Holiday pendants are offered to clients based on their "loyalty to the brand, which does not always necessarily equate to spending" - quoted also word for word by the same SA....

I find that the lack of clarity regarding policies/'qualifications' makes it hard to distinguish whether the SA is being dishonest or it's just the brand's overall policy ambiguity.

Admittedly I'm a newbie collector for van cleef (started around 5 years back and only purchased 1-2 small pieces each year) - have been saving up for the PDA Poetic Complications watch. Can understand the rationale behind building a good rapport/spending/full payment orders, but I cannot bring myself to purchase an item if the SA is dishonest.

I'd much rather they say I didn't spend enough than pull up some fancy elusive lie.

 

[GlamarousBarbie]

Long time lurker and rare poster, but wanted to share my recent experience here.
Based in the Sydney boutique, Australia.

• When enquiring about the Pietersite Alhambra 5 motif bracelet, I was told by the SA that it is only for clients invited by the French HQ management, and that she doesn't know what the French HQ standard is.
• Holiday pendants are offered to clients based on their "loyalty to the brand, which does not always necessarily equate to spending" - quoted also word for word by the same SA....

I find that the lack of clarity regarding policies/'qualifications' makes it hard to distinguish whether the SA is being dishonest or it's just the brand's overall policy ambiguity.

Admittedly I'm a newbie collector for van cleef (started around 5 years back and only purchased 1-2 small pieces each year) - have been saving up for the PDA Poetic Complications watch. Can understand the rationale behind building a good rapport/spending/full payment orders, but I cannot bring myself to purchase an item if the SA is dishonest.

I'd much rather they say I didn't spend enough than pull up some fancy elusive lie.

I just assume they’re lying, I never trust SAs.

 

[etoupebirkin]

Long time lurker and rare poster, but wanted to share my recent experience here.
Based in the Sydney boutique, Australia.

• When enquiring about the Pietersite Alhambra 5 motif bracelet, I was told by the SA that it is only for clients invited by the French HQ management, and that she doesn't know what the French HQ standard is.
• Holiday pendants are offered to clients based on their "loyalty to the brand, which does not always necessarily equate to spending" - quoted also word for word by the same SA....

I find that the lack of clarity regarding policies/'qualifications' makes it hard to distinguish whether the SA is being dishonest or it's just the brand's overall policy ambiguity.

Admittedly I'm a newbie collector for van cleef (started around 5 years back and only purchased 1-2 small pieces each year) - have been saving up for the PDA Poetic Complications watch. Can understand the rationale behind building a good rapport/spending/full payment orders, but I cannot bring myself to purchase an item if the SA is dishonest.

I'd much rather they say I didn't spend enough than pull up some fancy elusive lie.

It’s the Hermes-ification of the VCA brand. And let me tell you I am so done with my Hermes DC store, if not the entire brand.

I could get there with Van Cleef too.
I am largely happy with my VCA collection. I may buy a piece or two in the future. But who knows.

The truth is there are many designers out there that make jewelry on par with Van Cleef that do not play these games.

When Hermes started really lying to me (40-year client) like a newbie, I went the bespoke bag route. I have not looked back. I’ve sold a large portion of my Hermes bags.

 

[880]

Long time lurker and rare poster, but wanted to share my recent experience here.
Based in the Sydney boutique, Australia.

• When enquiring about the Pietersite Alhambra 5 motif bracelet, I was told by the SA that it is only for clients invited by the French HQ management, and that she doesn't know what the French HQ standard is.
• Holiday pendants are offered to clients based on their "loyalty to the brand, which does not always necessarily equate to spending" - quoted also word for word by the same SA....

I find that the lack of clarity regarding policies/'qualifications' makes it hard to distinguish whether the SA is being dishonest or it's just the brand's overall policy ambiguity.

Admittedly I'm a newbie collector for van cleef (started around 5 years back and only purchased 1-2 small pieces each year) - have been saving up for the PDA Poetic Complications watch. Can understand the rationale behind building a good rapport/spending/full payment orders, but I cannot bring myself to purchase an item if the SA is dishonest.

I'd much rather they say I didn't spend enough than pull up some fancy elusive lie.

I think the SA was telling the truth re both, the first scenario pietersite fitting exactly with the previous post of @etoupebirkin . With respect to items that are not VIP but are popular like the holiday, I would opine, that it depends, and I would grant some leeway. In other words, I wouldn’t assume automatically that one’s SA is dishonest based on the anecdotal experience of others with different variables at play. (Different wish/SA/boutique/time period).

There are more holiday pendants, and there are sometimes more than one release of a batch to a boutique. I think depending on the SA and the specific boutique; their client load; and, their regard for a client, one may be reserved for loyalty, not spend. The way I interpret it, is if for example an SA is allowed number of a popular item, but has several high spending clients who don’t want that item; or if the SA believes a newer loyal client has the potential to become a larger client down the road or (insert reason of your choice), I think it’s certainly possible.

For what it’s worth, my SA at my Hermes Maison (I’m grateful not to be a client of the particular H flagship of which @etoupebirkin refers) says that they are actually trained that loyalty not spend matters, so it is frustrating to them when that doesn’t seem to pan out with the SM. He says SAs do not always understand SM decisions and it’s not up to the SA. They can only offer what they are allowed to. . . This is just my interpretation of how it works at my particular H Maison and VCA flagship.

ETA: while I like VCA and I am fond of Hermes, I don’t really chase Alhambra or the insanely popular bags, so my experience is reflective of that. However, I also have far less tenure or spend than @ etoupe Birkin in either VCA or Hermes.

 

[A bottle of Red]

It’s the Hermes-ification of the VCA brand. And let me tell you I am so done with my Hermes DC store, if not the entire brand.

I could get there with Van Cleef too.
I am largely happy with my VCA collection. I may buy a piece or two in the future. But who knows.

The truth is there are many designers out there that make jewelry on par with Van Cleef that do not play these games.

When Hermes started really lying to me (40-year client) like a newbie, I went the bespoke bag route. I have not looked back. I’ve sold a large portion of my Hermes bags.

It's a shame that these companies will lose long time loyal clients because of this kind of behavior.

 

[DS2006]

WG guilloche earrings… I do like the fluerette ones but, i have a certain person mentality where I want a recognizable design… I found something very similar on Sothebys with a higher carat weight too, diamonds aren’t as good (VS and G color compared to VVS and DEF coloring with VCA) but i don’t think it makes a recognisable difference

I agree on that. There are many quality earrings out there very similar to Fleurette, so I am less inclined to want to pay VCA price on a style not unique to them. Briony Raymond has some similar ones in 5 different sizes: https://brionyraymond.com/collections/posey-collection

 

[etoupebirkin]

WG guilloche earrings… I do like the fluerette ones but, i have a certain person mentality where I want a recognizable design… I found something very similar on Sothebys with a higher carat weight too, diamonds aren’t as good (VS and G color compared to VVS and DEF coloring with VCA) but i don’t think it makes a recognisable difference

Personally, I would get the WG Guilloche. It’s a unique design, distinctive to Van Cleef.

If I wanted a Fleurette design, I would find a well-made unbranded one, perhaps even using man made stones. The Fleurette design, while lovely, is too common to spend VCA money on unless money is absolutely no concern.

My jewelry money goes towards great design, stone quality, and craftsmanship. My decisions are also balanced on how much I will use the item(s) an everyday basis.

Good luck on getting the Guilloche!!!

 

[GlamarousBarbie]

Personally, I would get the WG Guilloche. It’s a unique design, distinctive to Van Cleef.

If I wanted a Fleurette design, I would find a well-made unbranded one, perhaps even using man made stones. The Fleurette design, while lovely, is too common to spend VCA money on unless money is absolutely no concern.

My jewelry money goes towards great design, stone quality, and craftsmanship. My decisions are also balanced on how much I will use the item(s) an everyday basis.

Good luck on getting the Guilloche!!!

I agree. That design is easily found, I could probably even just go to a local jeweler because the setting is so simple. Guilloche it is! Thank you!

 

[vcahermes2024]

Long time lurker and rare poster, but wanted to share my recent experience here.
Based in the Sydney boutique, Australia.

• When enquiring about the Pietersite Alhambra 5 motif bracelet, I was told by the SA that it is only for clients invited by the French HQ management, and that she doesn't know what the French HQ standard is.
• Holiday pendants are offered to clients based on their "loyalty to the brand, which does not always necessarily equate to spending" - quoted also word for word by the same SA....

I find that the lack of clarity regarding policies/'qualifications' makes it hard to distinguish whether the SA is being dishonest or it's just the brand's overall policy ambiguity.

Admittedly I'm a newbie collector for van cleef (started around 5 years back and only purchased 1-2 small pieces each year) - have been saving up for the PDA Poetic Complications watch. Can understand the rationale behind building a good rapport/spending/full payment orders, but I cannot bring myself to purchase an item if the SA is dishonest.

I'd much rather they say I didn't spend enough than pull up some fancy elusive lie.

Also a lurker and rare poster here. I am new to VCA and recently made an appointment at my local boutique for a 10 motif hammered gold necklace in YG. I was told my boutique hasn't received one in 3 years. The only option is to order the 10 motif YG in Guilloche but I would have to pay the full deposit and wait 10-12 months to receive the piece. I've also tried two stores in Las Vegas and was told that the 10 motif in Hammered Gold has a long waiting list but since I had not made other purchases the S.A. suggested I "build a relationship" with an SA in my local boutique. It reminded me of the Hermes game where one has to be "offered" the hammered gold 10 motif. Have others had this experience? Any suggestions for how to get this piece?

 

[unhly_msqurade]

Stalk the website. Random pieces become available. I ordered hammered gold earrings and pendant that way. Good luck!

Also a lurker and rare poster here. I am new to VCA and recently made an appointment at my local boutique for a 10 motif hammered gold necklace in YG. I was told my boutique hasn't received one in 3 years. The only option is to order the 10 motif YG in Guilloche but I would have to pay the full deposit and wait 10-12 months to receive the piece. I've also tried two stores in Las Vegas and was told that the 10 motif in Hammered Gold has a long waiting list but since I had not made other purchases the S.A. suggested I "build a relationship" with an SA in my local boutique. It reminded me of the Hermes game where one has to be "offered" the hammered gold 10 motif. Have others had this experience? Any suggestions for how to get this piece?

 

[chicaboo]

I was told today that the gold guilloche earrings are not orderable. Seems so odd to me that I can order the 10 motif necklace yet two little motifs on earring posts are not available. Is that world wide?

 

[chicaboo]

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