VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

[BigAkoya]

My .02 on VCA SAs and gifts:
Much insight put forth on this thread. It’s always important to say what you like or how will you SA know otherwise? I always say it’s “free to ask” for travel pouches (in this case) or extra pouches- as I think most SAs can accommodate - if they have stock. Agree, it frees up gift stock you may not want, for other clients.
Regarding gifts - ironically my VCA SA sends / gifts me all travel related items, travel books or jewelry books (I think she’s trying to educate me-haha)
I’d like to chime in with Smythson as another wonderful brand of travel accessories: travel cubes- valet trays and jewelry boxes. It was actually and ironically my VCA SA who introduced me to that brand through her thoughtful gifts through the years.
Generally, it seems as if many VCA gifts or treats are French- which just makes sense.
Most important, however is finding a SA who clics with you and your jewelry needs and service expectations.

Great points as always! I cracked up when you mentioned the gifts & treats are always French. They are!

You will crack up at this...
I thought I trained my SA well on my exact preferences, which includes my love of hot tea with scones (or some other sweet treat).
Well, I was not specific enough...
I like my tea strong, British-style, with milk & sugar, not light, frou-frou-flower-scented, French tea! I dare not say anything of course.

Your SA is funny to give you travel related items; she wants you to go see the world! I am sure you have already seen the world, and it's home sweet home.

 

[eternallove4bag]

I store all the receipts, vca boxes, etc. inside my Hermes bag boxes that line the top of my closet on a shelf I can not reach. It is functional, neat and tidy and pretty. I don’t store my bags in their boxes and keep them in another part of my closet.

+1 @lynne_ross I use my Hermes bag boxes to store all the VCA jewelry boxes too.
I absolutely love the different sized VCA travel pouches like @BigAkoya and carry my jewelry inside those pouches when traveling.
I need to buy the traveling case like yours @BigAkoya thank you for the suggestion and enabling
Right now, when I travel, I just put the VCA travel pouches inside my trusted LV NF in the zipper pocket so it takes less space.

 

[dsrm]

I personally prefer younger SAs. They are more hungry and helpful because they want to build their client base.

For me, I feel the seasoned SAs already make their quota from their existing client base, so they don’t need to chase things down or share new info to make a sale.

I’ve experienced this with other luxury brands where I’ve had super seasoned SAs who were top sellers. I felt I was the one chasing them, and I felt grateful they text me back.

I thought… how stupid of me to feel “grateful” they text me back? They should feel grateful I text them for a purchase!

Hence, I started to prefer younger SAs who worship me (just kidding, but you get the point). After all, I am the customer.

I completely agree! That’s exactly how my SA is. She’s the top seller at the store so she’s always busy, she has her assistant helping if I take some time to look at pieces. She seems to be double bookin. So how do I change SA In the same store?

 

[BigAkoya]

I completely agree! That’s exactly how my SA is. She’s the top seller at the store so she’s always busy, she has her assistant helping if I take some time to look at pieces. She seems to be double bookin. So how do I change SA In the same store?

Just kindly tell her "I know you are super busy, and I don't want to take up your time, so I will just work with another SA. Thank you so much for all your help in the past. You've been great."

Don't "ask" if it's SA to work with another SA, just "tell" her you're doing it. You do not need permission.

This is essentially your Dear John letter to her...
It's been nice, but we were not meant to me. We're breaking up. It's not you, it's me.

There is nothing emotional about this. SAs comes and go. Simple ending.

 

[dsrm]

Just kindly tell her "I know you are super busy, and I don't want to take up your time, so I will just work with another SA. Thank you so much for all your help in the past. You've been great."

Don't "ask" if it's SA to work with another SA, just "tell" her you're doing it. You do not need permission.

This is essentially your Dear John letter to her...
It's been nice, but we were not meant to me. We're breaking up. It's not you, it's me.

There is nothing emotional about this. SAs comes and go. Simple ending.

Thank you for this! I just need the courage to do it.

 

[GreenBagsOnly]

Wolf all the way for me! There was a lot of discussion on this earlier in this thread about Wolf, especially for jewelry storage cases as they have LusterLoc for protection.

For travel size, I like the Maria Cube as it is one big hole. I've tried cases with jewelry compartments, and they are worthless. The compartment sizes never fit, and the ring holders are a joke unless you wear tiny rings.

Here is my favorite, the Maria Cube: Maria Zip Jewelry Cube | WOLF (wolf1834.com)
For VCA pieces, I use the VCA pouches and just lay them flat. They stack perfectly and there is tons of room.

Here is a larger version, and again, the secret is to have a big "hole" to store your pouched pieces.
Maria Medium Zip Case | WOLF (wolf1834.com)

It also fits in the hotel safe if you decide to use the safe. Hope this helps.

Thank you for the Wolf recommendation! We have our 5th (and hopefully final) international move coming up in a few weeks and I was stressing my jewelry storage situation, especially with my new VCA collection (3 necklaces, 1 bracelet, 1 pair earrings- a small collection, but just started a few months ago and still very precious to me!). I ordered these two Wolf cases after reading the thread. The green will go in my carry on with my most important pieces, the pink will hold more costume type jewelry and probably just be shipped with our household goods. Once we are settled, I hope to get some more Wolf cases.

 

[zlauren]

Thank you for the Wolf recommendation! We have our 5th (and hopefully final) international move coming up in a few weeks and I was stressing my jewelry storage situation, especially with my new VCA collection (3 necklaces, 1 bracelet, 1 pair earrings- a small collection, but just started a few months ago and still very precious to me!). I ordered these two Wolf cases after reading the thread. The green will go in my carry on with my most important pieces, the pink will hold more costume type jewelry and probably just be shipped with our household goods. Once we are settled, I hope to get some more Wolf cases.



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Good luck! I hope your move goes smoothly!

 

[jenayb]

+1 @lynne_ross I use my Hermes bag boxes to store all the VCA jewelry boxes too.

This had NOT occured to me! Genius!!!!

 

[BigAkoya]

Thank you for the Wolf recommendation! We have our 5th (and hopefully final) international move coming up in a few weeks and I was stressing my jewelry storage situation, especially with my new VCA collection (3 necklaces, 1 bracelet, 1 pair earrings- a small collection, but just started a few months ago and still very precious to me!). I ordered these two Wolf cases after reading the thread. The green will go in my carry on with my most important pieces, the pink will hold more costume type jewelry and probably just be shipped with our household goods. Once we are settled, I hope to get some more Wolf cases.



View attachment 5433096

I love your choices. The Caroline in pink is my favorite. The Zoe in green is such a perfect complement!

The way you are using Caroline for travel is exactly the way it was meant to be used. Women used jewelry travel trunks back in the day. Wolf used to have ads of ladies with their big Caroline while on a voyage (the top handle is not just for aesthetics; it is functional).

You could be in a modern day Wolf ad!

 

[jenayb]

I personally prefer younger SAs. They are more hungry and helpful because they want to build their client base.

For me, I feel the seasoned SAs already make their quota from their existing client base, so they don’t need to chase things down or share new info to make a sale.

I’ve experienced this with other luxury brands where I’ve had super seasoned SAs who were top sellers. I felt I was the one chasing them, and I felt grateful they text me back.

I thought… how stupid of me to feel “grateful” they text me back? They should feel grateful I text them for a purchase!

Hence, I started to prefer younger SAs who worship me (just kidding, but you get the point). After all, I am the customer.

I would absolutely agree here, 100%. I have shopped with an older, very seasoned/statused SA and never felt the attention and being made a priority that I do with my young, current SA. Frankly, my younger SA is also just a lot of fun to shop with - I adore her.

 

[lynne_ross]

I believe stock issues are way worse in North America. I went into a store that sells VCA in Canada other day and there was very few pieces. Maybe 10 pieces mostly perlee rings and some wedding rings. Looked deserted. Compared to Hong Kong which feels fully stocked.

 

[glamourbag]

I believe stock issues are way worse in North America. I went into a store that sells VCA in Canada other day and there was very few pieces. Maybe 10 pieces mostly perlee rings and some wedding rings. Looked deserted. Compared to Hong Kong which feels fully stocked.

Yea... it feels like we are on rations... Whatever does come in goes right back out.

 

[BigAkoya]

I believe stock issues are way worse in North America. I went into a store that sells VCA in Canada other day and there was very few pieces. Maybe 10 pieces mostly perlee rings and some wedding rings. Looked deserted. Compared to Hong Kong which feels fully stocked.

I read an article luxury brands are focusing on Asia because there is such a large market with huge growth potential. The article cited the sheer volume and growth of middle income buyers... it's untapped grounds and could be big revenue for these companies. New stores will opening, not just in the major cities, but also urban areas.

I would think if brands can only make a certain volume of items every season (e.g. jewelry, bags, clothes), they will send a large percentage to stores in Asia. This strategy also seems consistent with recent VCA launches that were targeted for the Asian market (e.g. mini Frivole, Seoul limited edition).

You are familiar with the market there, so you probably have first hand experience if you're seeing this.

 

[lynne_ross]

I read an article luxury brands are focusing on Asia because there is such a large market with huge growth potential. The article cited the sheer volume and growth of middle income buyers... it's untapped grounds and could be big revenue for these companies. New stores will opening, not just in the major cities, but also urban areas.

I would think if brands can only make a certain volume of items every season (e.g. jewelry, bags, clothes), they will send a large percentage to stores in Asia. This strategy also seems consistent with recent VCA launches that were targeted for the Asian market (e.g. mini Frivole, Seoul limited edition).

You are familiar with the market there, so you probably have first hand experience if you're seeing this.

Yes I do believe luxury is focused on Asia but I am still shocked by the stock level differences.

 

[880]

I read an article luxury brands are focusing on Asia because there is such a large market with huge growth potential.

this has been this case for many years, but there was an article in FT re Chinese buyers slowing down on luxury. I couldn’t post the link, but the title was Right Now We Don’t Need Luxury; CHinese Shoppers Re Evaluate Their Spending