Hello! Heading to NYC next weekend and excited to pick up my first VCA piece! My hearts set on guilloche 5 motif bracelet, but when I called customer service they couldn’t verify if the NYC flagship had any in stock. Is it really that hard to track down?
I just purchased a love bracelet and a JUC, and was really looking forward to mixing and matching!
Hi! First, congrats on your soon to be first VCA piece!
Inventory is super low, so you most likely will not be able to just pop in and get your guilloche 5 motif. This is a high demand piece.
I would suggest you contact NYC, talk to a real SA (not customer service), and tell the SA you want to "buy" a 5 motif guilloche. Then state you also happen to be coming in to the city. If there is one in stock, you will probably be asked to put down a deposit to lock in. If there is not one in stock, the SA can search and see if one can be brought in. If you have to order, tell the SA you will come in and you want to order one and ask if that is possible. If you are new, some SAs may tell you no pre-order as they may not want to deal a new client, so be clear on this point.
The key here is you want to send the message to the SA you are buying, not just inquiring or browsing. This is a subtle but very important message. These are sales people, and their job is to make a sale. They want to spend their time with a real buyer and not waste an hour showing pieces only to end up with no sale. This is especially true if you are new client, and the SA does not yet know you.
SAs get so many inquiries and they are super busy. Some have to say "not available" to generic inquiries because they are swamped and cannot even fulfill their existing client's request. Selling in stock items is different, as the sale is a sure thing. It's the orders where SAs hesitate to accept.
Also, if you are new to VCA and there is no guilloche, I would suggest you try on any bracelet for the look. Then, try on the sizer bracelets to see if you need adjustments. You can then just order it, get it resized, and have it shipped to you.
I do not live near a VCA, so I get stuff shipped to me. It's very easy. I do make trips to the boutique to try on for sizing, so take advantage of the time you are there for "sizing."
A final thought...
If this is your first visit, go upstairs and browse around. Some SAs are better than others and will take the time to show you around the floors to see the pieces and collections. Other SAs just want to take your order and move on to the next transaction. To me, if you are new and in NYC (57th), you need to ask for what you want. SAs get so much tourist business in NYC, most SAs do not need to work for their sale and take time to show you other pieces, especially if they do not know you (e.g. you could be a one time buyer).
Be sure to ask to see other pieces. Walk around, go upstairs... make the best use of your time while you are there. Even when you are finished with the SA, you do not need to leave the boutique. Walk around on your own. I do this all the time. I love to see jewelry, especially the detail of high jewelry pieces (the SA may ask if you want to try them on too
). When I am there and have finished shopping, I thank the SA (hint: SA, you can leave me now), and I tell him I want walk around one last time and look at the high jewelry on display just to stare at it and absorb it in. He fully understands, says goodbye and leaves me alone. My point here is to enjoy the beauty of the moment in your surrounding, even if you do not end up purchasing a piece. No need to rush out and leave so quickly.
Hope this was helpful. Good luck to you! Congrats again your first VCA piece!
so doubt it will ever be me. 
