VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

[BigAkoya]

I have had to order two things:

Lotus Ring - took four weeks
Lotus Earrings - took 8 weeks

I paid in full up front for both pieces.
As FYI, my SA told me whether you put 30% down or pay in full, you are in the queue first come, first served, after the VIPs. The minimum is 30% down to be considered a real order. If you ask to be put on the wait list, it really means nothing as others who put a deposit or pay in full will keep bumping ahead of you. And of course, the VIPs always get top priority, so this is tiered process.

Hope this helps.

@nycmamaofone Hi! I think you already got this, but I want to clarify my statement as sometimes, splitting hairs matter as it is needed to be precise.

On the 30% down or pay in full, I want to clarify the amount does not change your position in the queue.
As in... whether you put 30% down or pay in full, my SA said you are now in the queue, and your place in the queue is based on the date/time of purchase. Paying in full does not move you up ahead of those who put 30% down. The only people that can bump you are the VIPs.

 

[Emily1830]

@nycmamaofone Hi! I think you already got this, but I want to clarify my statement as sometimes, splitting hairs matter as it is needed to be precise.

On the 30% down or pay in full, I want to clarify the amount does not change your position in the queue.
As in... whether you put 30% down or pay in full, my SA said you are now in the queue, and your place in the queue is based on the date/time of purchase. Paying in full does not move you up ahead of those who put 30% down. The only people that can bump you are the VIPs.

Thanks for clarifying!!!

 

[ShadowComet]

so long story short, my SA called me this morning saying that his boutique will only receive 5 HP pendants and asked me if I can pay full amount of $3750 so that he can reserve one for me. He told me it is new company policy. Do you receive same info?

 

[cmadtmifyb0623]

so long story short, my SA called me this morning saying that his boutique will only receive 5 HP pendants and asked me if I can pay full amount of $3750 so that he can reserve one for me. He told me it is new company policy. Do you receive same info?

I follow someone on IG that lives in Dubai and she said her boutique is getting 50 of them so it sounds like that is what they are doing.

 

[nicole0612]

so long story short, my SA called me this morning saying that his boutique will only receive 5 HP pendants and asked me if I can pay full amount of $3750 so that he can reserve one for me. He told me it is new company policy. Do you receive same info?

They can always bring in another from a different boutique. Usually there are a handful that come in the first shipment and then more in the next shipment. Most likely the first handful will sell out, but we will help you to locate another if your SA is not helpful.

 

[MyDogTink]

Hi. Looking to vent and for opinions. My SA who I adored Left VCA. I’ve worked briefly with the replacement SA. My interaction has been limited to having earrings repaired and picking up my MTO earrings that I ordered with my prior SA.
I discussed with new SA what should be included on my wishlist. She did have good ideas. I told her there’s one specific item I would buy immediately. She talked about low inventory and that stock should improve this Fall. I asked if I could pay in full for the one item because I really want it. She said No.

I texted her about 2 weeks ago to confirm she’d let me know about the holiday pendant. No response. My husband received a text from her a few days ago where she mentions departure of prior SA and that she’s happy to help. She also updated him on a thin wedding band he ordered for himself and put a deposit on. That was Jan 2020 and she said there’s still no ETA. The account at VCA is actually in his name. He responded and told her that I reached out but didn’t hear back. No response.

This has really turned me off to VCA. I’m wondering if she’s ignoring me because I don‘t rate for the boutique’s first batch of holiday pendants. I am not one to be excited for the invite for the B List.

Thanks for listening to me vent.

 

[cloverbeach1234]

Recently bought the vintage Alhambra in Carnelian and while it is gorgeous it is much darker than I would like in the daylight. It was dark in the store as well but noticeably red/maroon but the minute I took a picture outside/without the store lights it basically looked black (the other option was on the complete other side of the spectrum- was light and orange). I tried on a piece a few weeks ago and really loved how it looked as the stone was brighter so the red was more noticeable to the eye. I know Van Cleef charges an amount to replace the stone (as this was also told me to when I was at the stores), however I was wondering if anyone has actually replaced their stones due to damage/fading or just aesthetic reasonings (not being 100% happy with the stone you got!). If so, what was the process like and how long did it take? Especially if you replaced the stone for aesthetic reasons, were you able to give any notes on your preferences (wanting the stone dark or light) or just had to wait and see once they replaced the stone?

Top- necklace with flash
Middle- necklace without flash
Bottom- similar to one I tried on in a different store a few weeks ago but passed on for the malachite before I knew how sensitive the stone is! After I found that out I went to exchange it for Carnelian (asked the SA and she said all the stones had the same durability...which is not true and had I known that I had chosen the most sensitive I would've gotten the Carnelian from the beginning)

 

[so_sofya1985]

Who are the VIPs? The ones who buy watches and high jewellery?

 

[AntiqueShopper]

Who are the VIPs? The ones who buy watches and high jewellery?

To be honest I’m shocked the majority of the people on this forum aren’t VIPs. I know many of you lovely members have gorgeous, expensive collections. Anyone who spends $30,000 on one item should be a VIP in my book!

 

[so_sofya1985]

To be honest I’m shocked the majority of the people on this forum aren’t VIPs. I know many of you lovely members have gorgeous, expensive collections. Anyone who spends $30,000 on one item should be a VIP in my book!

Maybe in any other brand but even if I’m buying a 30k ring I feel poor at VCA when I see necklaces for 300k plus

 

[A bottle of Red]

Recently bought the vintage Alhambra in Carnelian and while it is gorgeous it is much darker than I would like in the daylight. It was dark in the store as well but noticeably red/maroon but the minute I took a picture outside/without the store lights it basically looked black (the other option was on the complete other side of the spectrum- was light and orange). I tried on a piece a few weeks ago and really loved how it looked as the stone was brighter so the red was more noticeable to the eye. I know Van Cleef charges an amount to replace the stone (as this was also told me to when I was at the stores), however I was wondering if anyone has actually replaced their stones due to damage/fading or just aesthetic reasonings (not being 100% happy with the stone you got!). If so, what was the process like and how long did it take? Especially if you replaced the stone for aesthetic reasons, were you able to give any notes on your preferences (wanting the stone dark or light) or just had to wait and see once they replaced the stone?

Top- necklace with flash
Middle- necklace without flash
Bottom- similar to one I tried on in a different store a few weeks ago but passed on for the malachite before I knew how sensitive the stone is! After I found that out I went to exchange it for Carnelian (asked the SA and she said all the stones had the same durability...which is not true and had I known that I had chosen the most sensitive I would've gotten the Carnelian from the beginning)

View attachment 5201236

View attachment 5201245

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Interesting, i tried on carnelian in the store& it looked so beautiful on me. But after your post i looked at the pics of it on me & it looks black.
Maybe it doesn't photograph well?
Vca sent it for adjustments but now im nervous it won't look pretty under other (non store) lighting

 

[jenayb]

Who are the VIPs? The ones who buy watches and high jewellery?

To be honest I’m shocked the majority of the people on this forum aren’t VIPs. I know many of you lovely members have gorgeous, expensive collections. Anyone who spends $30,000 on one item should be a VIP in my book!

Yes, precisely.

A VIP at VCA would be a client who is purchasing high jewelry et al. $30k purchases unfortunately aren't taking any SA's breath away here...

 

[so_sofya1985]

Yes, precisely.

A VIP at VCA would be a client who is purchasing high jewelry et al. $30k purchases unfortunately aren't taking any SA's breath away here...

Yeah I thought so! I do get my treats here and there with them but I’m sure they would end Very quickly if I don’t purchase the next bling thing...

i can imagine some billionaire lady coming in just pointing at the zip necklace and saying : I’ll get that little thing and find me earrings to match!!!!

or even custom work like Cartier...

which reminds me of heritage pieces like the TQ necklace Eva Mendez wore..::: things I’d dofor that necklace mamaaaa

 

[ThisVNchick]

To be honest I’m shocked the majority of the people on this forum aren’t VIPs. I know many of you lovely members have gorgeous, expensive collections. Anyone who spends $30,000 on one item should be a VIP in my book!

I can’t remember which SA told me this but the starting threshold for anyone to be considered a VIP starts at $500,000 in purchases. Those of us who get candles, books, mooncakes, jewelry trays aren’t all VIPs. Each SA apparently gets a budget on how much to spend on “special clients” (doesn’t come out of his/her pockets, VCA still pays but they are only allowed to spend a certain amount) but VIPs are treated much much differently.

 

[EpiFanatic]

I can’t remember which SA told me this but the starting threshold for anyone to be considered a VIP starts at $500,000 in purchases. Those of us who get candles, books, mooncakes, jewelry trays aren’t all VIPs. Each SA apparently gets a budget on how much to spend on “special clients” (doesn’t come out of his/her pockets, VCA still pays but they are only allowed to spend a certain amount) but VIPs are treated much much differently.

Yup fully agree. I’m not a VIP but sometimes get lucky on a thoughtful gift or two. I don’t expect anything but do appreciate the little things. I think the VIPs get the lunches and teas and dinner invites. Yah. So not me.