I went to the 5 ave VCA store and wanted to get the guilloche earrings in yellow gold. The SA said that it would take over a year and that I couldn’t put down ANY deposit to secure… this seems really fishy to me and I feel she just didn’t like me. Her vibe was just off to me so not sure if anyone else has had this experience or same excuse or if I’m being paranoid.
VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!
- Thread starter Swanky
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This is my first time posting in this forum. I have several VCA pieces and purchased the signature bangle in gold for Christmas. The bangle that I received had issues with the safety clasp not clasping so I exchanged it for the rose gold signature bangle which was the only other color in stock. Since then I have had two issues with the clasp and the piece is only 7 months old. VCA wants to charge me to fix the safety clasp and I am furious. Clearly, there are issues with the clasps on these bracelets. Does anyone have any suggestions? Should I pay the fee and be done with them? Take it to a local jeweler?
How frustrating! I had a similar experience. I would try escalating it first - pointing out that you exchanged and there are clearly issues with clasp that is not within your control. If nothing works then pay Vca to fix. Otherwise the product could be deemed to not be authentic if you need to do a bigger service later.
Thank you for responding. I have voiced my disappointment to my SA. She is not sure she can do anything.
Then take it to the store manager. I believe there is a one year warranty.
I have learned that SAs/store managers can absorb the charge within the boutique. I would ask to speak to store manager to understand why they would charge you for a clear defect. If you end up paying I would look to change SAs or even boutiques. This is poor service.
What the SA said seemed true. Yellow Gold Guilloche Earrings are NOT on “order list” - means that one cannot order/put deposit, and can only purchase when they are received by the store. I was lucky that I got mine during my trip overseas (not from my home VCA Boutique). The timeline quoted by the SA maybe after taking into considerations that there are other customers waiting for the same item too.
Given you’re located in the US, you can try checking out the online Boutique or calling the Customer Service online to locate the items for you - sometimes, it can work. It’s just how things work with VCA everywhere that highly popular/desirable pieces are hardly available in the store and SAs are unable to predict when they will be received.
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Hi, the SA told the truth. My SA said the same thing: these earrings are not in production at the moment. Once they are back in production (maybe early next year), you can place an order and then wait for some time (depends on the number of people on the waitlist. Believe me the SAs really benefit from selling items, not from “hiding” them. They would definitely sold it if it was available. With VCA, we just need patience for some of the items. You should be ready to wait a year or more. Of course, you can be lucky and get earrings if some other customer who preordered before, doesn’t like them and rejects them when they arrive. This is how some items randomly pop up once in a while.
I was told something similar for the pave earrings and I was put on a waitlist which I actually preferred so that I did not have my money just sitting in a VCA escrow account. I was periodically updated about where I was in the list when I would ask my SA. I had no expected date of arrival and they came in about 9 months. Some stores get inventory more regularly and get them earlier. I have also just walked in a random store without an appointment and bought the WG guilloche earrings on the spot. I think there is a bit of luck.
I also randomly dropped into a VCA while in Toronto (int’l for me) and tried on the WG guilloche earrings and bracelet and was sorely tempted. (Nevertheless I stayed strong and resisted because I am prioritizing pace pieces.) It’s definitely possible but you have to keep popping into VCA wherever you can and ask. Or get in a list at your boutique and be patient.
Thank you for your advice. They claim that the safety became bent from use. However, they inspected it two days before, cleaned it and there were no issues. The next day that I wore it, the safety would not fit into the opening. I am concerned with how fragile their safetys are. I take such care with my jewelry and have bangles from Roberto coin, penny preville, etc and they can withstand daily use.
Thank you. I will ask to speak to the manager.
@EpiFanatic you are very disciplined and it explains your cohesive collection. I love the pieces that I have but at times I impulsively buy pieces just because I find them pretty only later realizing that they appear random with the pieces I already have. I am definitely trying to minimize slipping from my wishlist
I had a question regarding the Sweet Alhambra earrings - would VCA be able to make these into clip versions? I'd love to wear a single hammered or onyx one, but I don't have pierced ears, and I'd rather not be disowned!