VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

[tenshix]

Anyone have experience putting a 30% down on an item? I placed a deposit with my SA for a guilloche bracelet. I was told it would take 3-5 months to arrive. Just last night I saw they had the bracelet in stock on the e-boutique. Would it be rude for me to ask for my deposit back and just order it online?

I had this exact dilemma happen twice previously and the way I phrased it to my SAs is by asking if they would be able to transfer it from the e-boutique since I would prefer to give them the commission/sale, but ideally not have to wait. They will tell you they can’t transfer because they can’t pull stock from the e-boutique, but one time one of my SA was able to get me the piece by the next few days and another time a different SA just said it was fine to return the deposit and that he understands completely.

It’s entirely your right as a customer to get the piece more quickly, so I think by making it clear to your SA that you prefer to give them the sale they could either locate the piece for you or let you get the piece through the e-boutique. As an SA they’re not supposed to prevent the company from making more sales, but I think this is a perfectly polite way to get your deposit back if they're unable to get it for you.

 

[missie1]

Excuse me. I am a client. Your store doesn't answer the phone for two days, and all your SAs are just chatting while the phone is ringing, and you think that's proper. I guess you don't think much of yourself.

Watch that slick tone and be respectful…..good luck finding a SA to assist you.

 

[missie1]

I am getting them in the mail...sadly I haven't been able to go, and I actually wouldn't until they have stock. I'd love to see the Heritage pieces, too!



Yes, wg mop earrings!

We are going in two weeks to shop so I will definitely take some pics to share

 

[rosebean]

I am getting them in the mail...sadly I haven't been able to go, and I actually wouldn't until they have stock. I'd love to see the Heritage pieces, too!



Yes, wg mop earrings!

oh, I cannot wait to see your MOD shot. I am excited for you!

 

[nicole0612]

Oh, it's something small, but you'll like it since you have it! It should come tomorrow.

(okay, I won't leave you in suspense since it really is something small! The VA white gold mother-of-pearl earrings!)

Congratulations on completing your set!

 

[EpiFanatic]

That's interesting because two stores in NYC said not one store in USA has any earrings, double or triple motif. THey have no necklaces etc.

That can change daily as shipments arrive all the time, but stock also moves quickly. So you may need to call more than once or leave your name and contact info with an SA and ask them to contact you when an item becomes available. Once you establish a relationship with an SA, it will become easier to find the pieces you want.

 

[xo.babydoll]

I had this exact dilemma happen twice previously and the way I phrased it to my SAs is by asking if they would be able to transfer it from the e-boutique since I would prefer to give them the commission/sale, but ideally not have to wait. They will tell you they can’t transfer because they can’t pull stock from the e-boutique, but one time one of my SA was able to get me the piece by the next few days and another time a different SA just said it was fine to return the deposit and that he understands completely.

It’s entirely your right as a customer to get the piece more quickly, so I think by making it clear to your SA that you prefer to give them the sale they could either locate the piece for you or let you get the piece through the e-boutique. As an SA they’re not supposed to prevent the company from making more sales, but I think this is a perfectly polite way to get your deposit back if they're unable to get it for you.

Thank you! I wasn’t sure how to approach it, but this helped me big time. I’d hate to sour the relationship with my SA, but I mean 3-5 months is a long time and I’m quite impatient lol

 

[tenshix]

Thank you! I wasn’t sure how to approach it, but this helped me big time. I’d hate to sour the relationship with my SA, but I mean 3-5 months is a long time and I’m quite impatient lol

You’re most welcome! I was mulling about it too but my DH suggested I go this route and it’s worked well for me. I’m sure your SA will understand when you put it this way and give them the chance to see if they can locate the piece for you before you give up on the deposit. I’m also impatient

 

[kelsenia]

What do we think is a better investment…. the 16 motif sweet alhambra rg necklace or the 6 motif sweet alhambra wg pave bracelet?

I wouldn’t be wearing either of these pieces by themselves and I absolutely love my 6 motif sweet rg bracelet—I wear it everyday.

My friend and SA both thought the sweet alhambra 16 motif wg pave necklace was a better option for me than the rg version, but I just don’t think I can justify the price of that necklace and how much I would realistically wear it.

 

[tenshix]

What do we think is a better investment…. the 16 motif sweet alhambra rg necklace or the 6 motif sweet alhambra wg pave bracelet?

I wouldn’t be wearing either of these pieces by themselves and I absolutely love my 6 motif sweet rg bracelet—I wear it everyday.

My friend and SA both thought the sweet alhambra 16 motif wg pave necklace was a better option for me than the rg version, but I just don’t think I can justify the price of that necklace and how much I would realistically wear it.

I’m super biased here but I love my Sweet WG pavè bracelet and wear it daily with my Sweet RG & Sweet butterfly bracelet. My eyes never tire of the design even after multiple years. With the vintage size I have to rotate through them and am currently taking a break from them. When I have to take off the sweets for my vintage stack I always miss them on my arm. I think I’m just a Sweet Alhambra size girl at heart. The 16 sweet necklace is on my list too but since I prefer pendants over long necklaces (even doubled up) it wouldn’t be an everyday piece for me. So if you’re looking for something to wear daily I think the bracelet for sure is a wonderful choice!

I’m still upset I missed the super limited edition Sweet YG pavè launch in Tokyo back in 2019, I visited a few months too late and by the time I inquired they were of course all sold out. I’m holding out hope they’ll eventually release more Sweet pieces in different metal and stone combinations but my SA informed me they’re planning to have Sweet pieces exclusive for online sale in the US at some point. I guess there’s not much interest for it here.

 

[kelsenia]

I’m super biased here but I love my Sweet WG pavè bracelet and wear it daily with my Sweet RG & Sweet butterfly bracelet. My eyes never tire of the design even after multiple years. With the vintage size I have to rotate through them and am currently taking a break from them. When I have to take off the sweets for my vintage stack I always miss them on my arm. I think I’m just a Sweet Alhambra size girl at heart. The 16 sweet necklace is on my list too but since I prefer pendants over long necklaces (even doubled up) it wouldn’t be an everyday piece for me. So if you’re looking for something to wear daily I think the bracelet for sure is a wonderful choice!

I’m still upset I missed the super limited edition Sweet YG pavè launch in Tokyo back in 2019, I visited a few months too late and by the time I inquired they were of course all sold out. I’m holding out hope they’ll eventually release more Sweet pieces in different metal and stone combinations but my SA informed me they’re planning to have Sweet pieces exclusive for online sale in the US at some point. I guess there’s not much interest for it here.

Do you find it too blingy for everyday wear? Or not really as the motifs are very tiny?
I feel you with the rotating of the vintage bracelets… I finally took of my onyx 5 motif after over a year of wearing it everyday. I just wanted a softer look for a while so I went with the one motif rg pave frivole bracelet, rg 6 motif sweet bracelet and (sometimes) my cartier rg rainbow love.

It would also be nice to tie in my wg chalcedony pendant and wg tanzanite studs that I wear daily into my arm stack because right now it’s very separate I thought about adding a wg cartier rainbow love but as a whole I am much more of a vca girl than a cartier girl!
Im surprised there isn’t much interest for sweets! They’re perfect for stacking, especially the 6 motifs. The one motifs are fine but definitely remind me of a very young look.

 

[tenshix]

Do you find it too blingy for everyday wear? Or not really as the motifs are very tiny?
I feel you with the rotating of the vintage bracelets… I finally took of my onyx 5 motif after over a year of wearing it everyday. I just wanted a softer look for a while so I went with the one motif rg pave frivole bracelet, rg 6 motif sweet bracelet and (sometimes) my cartier rg rainbow love.

It would also be nice to tie in my wg chalcedony pendant and wg tanzanite studs that I wear daily into my arm stack because right now it’s very separate I thought about adding a wg cartier rainbow love but as a whole I am much more of a vca girl than a cartier girl!
Im surprised there isn’t much interest for sweets! They’re perfect for stacking, especially the 6 motifs. The one motifs are fine but definitely remind me of a very young look.

For me I find they’re just the right amount of bling because the motifs are small, I don’t feel insecure to wear them out as stacked with my other bracelets they’re not as immediately eye catching as say a diamond tennis bracelet. The only thing about pavè Alhambra bracelets is that they do flip but it’s not a dealbreaker for me. I just flip it back throughout the day. If you like a tight fit on your bracelets it won’t flip as much but as I prefer loose they are bound to flip.

I know it’s a bit disappointing there’s not much interest in the sweets here! I think it’s popular for the Asian market especially Japan, as the women tend to be more petite and like small cute things. I have a 14cm wrist so I find the VA size can be overwhelming on me sometimes.

 

[BigAkoya]

I’m super biased here but I love my Sweet WG pavè bracelet and wear it daily with my Sweet RG & Sweet butterfly bracelet. My eyes never tire of the design even after multiple years. With the vintage size I have to rotate through them and am currently taking a break from them. When I have to take off the sweets for my vintage stack I always miss them on my arm. I think I’m just a Sweet Alhambra size girl at heart. The 16 sweet necklace is on my list too but since I prefer pendants over long necklaces (even doubled up) it wouldn’t be an everyday piece for me. So if you’re looking for something to wear daily I think the bracelet for sure is a wonderful choice!

I’m still upset I missed the super limited edition Sweet YG pavè launch in Tokyo back in 2019, I visited a few months too late and by the time I inquired they were of course all sold out. I’m holding out hope they’ll eventually release more Sweet pieces in different metal and stone combinations but my SA informed me they’re planning to have Sweet pieces exclusive for online sale in the US at some point. I guess there’s not much interest for it here.

My SA told me the same thing about the Sweets line; it will be online only.
My guess is they will retire the line one day, so if you want something you may want to get it sooner than later.

 

[tenshix]

My SA told me the same thing about the Sweets line; it will be online only.
My guess is they will retire the line one day, so if you want something you may want to get it sooner than later.

That’s what I feared too! but I’m really hoping they won’t, fingers crossed.

 

[missie1]

That’s what I feared too! but I’m really hoping they won’t, fingers crossed.

Yikes…..I better figure out if I need turquoise sweet earrings or the pendant