VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

[etoupebirkin]

The NM VCA seem to be out of stock for a lot of items and my SA says they are not allowed to pull stock from the stand alone VCA boutique. Before the price increase I asked my NM VCA SA for a VA ring in onyx and a VA ring in carnelian. He told me both were out of stock and was not sure when they would have them. I havent had this problem in the years I have been buying from NM. Perhaps VCA is allocating less stock to the NM in store boutiques????

The only reason why I can think VCA would do this is to give preference to their stand alone boutiques to increase those stores revenue on popular items. I know many of us, including me, purchase VCA at Neimans for the points as well as the convenience. If I had to travel to NYC to purchase VCA, I'd buy a lot less of it.

 

[PennyD2911]

The only reason why I can think VCA would do this is to give preference to their stand alone boutiques to increase those stores revenue on popular items. I know many of us, including me, purchase VCA at Neimans for the points as well as the convenience. If I had to travel to NYC to purchase VCA, I'd buy a lot less of it.

At the time I asked my SA for the two VA rings and he could not find them in any NM VCA stock, both rings were showing available on the VCA US website. So possibly since pieces are handmade and inventory can’t be replenished quickly the stand alone boutiques are supplied first which would account for the long wait time at NM for an item to show in their inventory.

 

[pazt]

Hello everyone [emoji846]

Sorry to be MIA for awhile. It was tax sesaon and then it was summer and there were various groups of family visiting and then its October and I am working toward the last 2016 tax return deadline on Monday and I am wondering
where this year has gone. LOL

I have been keeping up with this thread, but had nothing to contribute this year until now. I purchased the Magic Pendant in Carnelian to commerate a milestone life event. I had to wait for the right color Carnelian to show up, so the pendant arrived today. It’s beautiful and red is my second favorite color, so I know I will enjoy this beauty.
View attachment 3851835

welcome back Penny! miss you!

 

[PennyD2911]

welcome back Penny! miss you!

Thank you pazt [emoji8]

 

[Sparkledolll]

Hi Ladies, I am in Hong Kong and went to the flagship in Princes building. They indeed have an exclusive of Pave/Carnelian Magic necklace. They said there’s also a blue porcelain/Pave version available for another country. They are only available in the necklace version, not bracelet. Not sure if this is the Asia exclusive that was mentioned....

Also saw this bracelet, was an exclusive to Japan but is now available in Hong Kong, price is around €2500. Sorry I didn’t take the best pictures.

I ended up getting the Perlee d’or in white gold. The rose gold version is probably my most worn bracelet. View attachment 3857306

 

[gagabag]

Hi all! Is the limited edition magic onynx pendant in wg still available in NY? How much is it after the price increase? Thanks!

 

[luvprada]

I don’t know what happened. I was in the NY store a couple of months ago. Made a very small purchase and they were beyond wonderful to deal with. Also had a necklace lengthened. When it showed up at my home I was shocked to see there was no charge. I was treated wonderfully. Had never been in that store before and the purchase I made was less than 1k.

 

[texasgirliegirl]

I don’t know what happened. I was in the NY store a couple of months ago. Made a very small purchase and they were beyond wonderful to deal with. Also had a necklace lengthened. When it showed up at my home I was shocked to see there was no charge. I was treated wonderfully. Had never been in that store before and the purchase I made was less than 1k.

This was my experience as well.
The SA who assisted me was knowledgeable, patient, and generous with his time and service.

 

[911snowball]

The NYC store is not my "home store" but I have purchased there. The service was outstanding and I was treated very well. I have heard that the service level in NY can run hot/cold depending on the SA, but it is the exception not the norm. I am troubled by your experience, earringirl, and I hope the VCA NYC manager reads this forum and perhaps reaches out to you for resolution. In this climate, no boutique needs unfavorable customer experiences out there.

 

[luckylove]

The NYC store is not my "home store" but I have purchased there. The service was outstanding and I was treated very well. I have heard that the service level in NY can run hot/cold depending on the SA, but it is the exception not the norm. I am troubled by your experience, earringirl, and I hope the VCA NYC manager reads this forum and perhaps reaches out to you for resolution. In this climate, no boutique needs unfavorable customer experiences out there.

I have had really good experiences there as well and it is troubling to hear about the poor treatment. While most boutique experiences have been lovely, I have seen this vary in other boutiques as well. In one of the flagship boutiques, I had the SA and SM treat me like I was crazy for expecting them to size my bracelet evenly. I was told that they would remove an even number of links between each motif, but when I got the piece back, it was still too big and was completely lopsided! In order to fix it, they would have needed to put a link back in at two spots and take one link out at other spots. Who wants a lopsided bracelet?? They knew they screwed up, but tried to pass it off as "French women don't care about those things..." ?? Really??

Needless to say, I do not frequent that boutique anymore, but I am truly happy to work with others where the experience is far better. I think our OP should do the same. I do not think poor service is the rule with VCA; find a boutique that values your business and work with one SA consistently..

 

[TankerToad]

I also have to chime in to say my experience at the NYC VCA Flagship store was really excellent.
I was there a few weeks ago and there was a doorman who greeted me and someone at the inside front desk who also greeted me.
My SA was patient and gracious - I did have an appointment.
And after I left - I had meetings etc while in Manhattan, I came back right before they were to close, and even the doorman remembered and greeted me and everyone inside was kind and friendly.
I'm not a VIP by any means -
With jewelry which is discretionary spending service is everything...

 

[Notorious Pink]

Not typical service.
You should probably just take your business someplace else.

I agree this is not typical. I was recently in the NYC/BG store and they discovered a problem with one of my posts while cleaning my large frivoles and would not return the earrings to me (not rude, in a good way) until they sent them to the repair shop to be fixed, free of charge. So this is truly surprising. The post had to be completely replaced. I had them back a few days later.

ETA: I am always offered a place to sit and something to drink and lately they are pushing the chocolates, too. [emoji92] SA will look over several of the same kind of piece to pick the "best one" for me. And beyond the nice doormen there are always two or three people at the front who are always friendly and helpful.

 

[TankerToad]

I agree this is not typical. I was recently in the NYC/BG store and they discovered a problem with one of my posts while cleaning my large frivoles and would not return the earrings to me (not rude, in a good way) until they sent them to the repair shop to be fixed, free of charge. So this is truly surprising. The post had to be completely replaced. I had them back a few days later.

ETA: I am always offered a place to sit and something to drink and lately they are pushing the chocolates, too. [emoji92] SA will look over several of the same kind of piece to pick the "best one" for me. And beyond the nice doormen there are always two or three people at the front who are always friendly and helpful.

THIS!
Very similar to my experience (s)
And the chocolates are adorable

 

[cherylc]

I have had really good experiences there as well and it is troubling to hear about the poor treatment. While most boutique experiences have been lovely, I have seen this vary in other boutiques as well. In one of the flagship boutiques, I had the SA and SM treat me like I was crazy for expecting them to size my bracelet evenly. I was told that they would remove an even number of links between each motif, but when I got the piece back, it was still too big and was completely lopsided! In order to fix it, they would have needed to put a link back in at two spots and take one link out at other spots. Who wants a lopsided bracelet?? They knew they screwed up, but tried to pass it off as "French women don't care about those things..." ?? Really??

Needless to say, I do not frequent that boutique anymore, but I am truly happy to work with others where the experience is far better. I think our OP should do the same. I do not think poor service is the rule with VCA; find a boutique that values your business and work with one SA consistently..

was this boutique in France? i got my bracelet in the vendome boutique and when i needed it sized the SA immediately said they will remove one link between each motif so that it will be even.

 

[northerndancer]

Does anyone know if VCA will alter the posts on earrings if requested? I had the opposite problem and found the posts on the sweets were too thick and short for my ears.