VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

[Notorious Pink]

I don’t want to discredit bad service reviews entirely on this thread. I recently posted a not so great experience at the SCP store, but I recently had a great service at the Las Vegas Crystals location.

I don’t understand why I was treated poorly at SCP. They clearly knew that I owned Cartier. Perhaps since it was my first VCA piece and I wasn’t blowing thousands of dollars meant I was not as an important customer? At the Crystals location they offered water and chocolates with no pressure to buy and allowed me to try on as many pieces as I wanted to because I told them I was new to VCA. I’m now wondering better service is received because I was with my husband. It’s happened before at Cartier, as well. I’m wondering if they just think husbands pay for things. That’s not how it works in my household, though. [emoji4]

Regardless, service seems to vary from store to store. Ultimately I bought another Cartier...and I’m sticking with it. My third Cartier piece is coming my way for Christmas this year. I have had great luck with service from the Saks NYC location.

If VCA does increase their Alhambra pieces again, I guess I won’t be purchasing for a while.

Service at Crystals is fabulous whether you buy or not.

I have never walked into any jewelry store with DH!!!

 

[Gal4Dior]

Service at Crystals is fabulous whether you buy or not.

I have never walked into any jewelry store with DH!!!

I’m determined that if I buy anything from a stand-alone VCA boutique, it will be at Crystals. I still have the SA’s card and intend on ordering from her when I eventually pull the trigger on a VCA piece. SCP won’t be getting my business.

This is why customer service is so important at any high end brand store. You never know when your lifetime customer will walk in! Don’t judge! Be nice! You would think that would be common sense! <sigh>

 

[mewt]

^Wow, I am so surprised to learn ToysRUs filed for bankruptcy. That's a bit sad...

I've had both good and bad experiences at VCA, really depends on the SA that's there on the day. One is super nice, warm, friendly, patient. And then there's one that's self-important and insincere. Unfortunately when making my most recent purchase, somehow the latter one got her name on the receipt, even though the nice one recommended me the item. So now I'm stuck dealing with the insincere one, for shortening and other services, and it really just puts a damper on the whole experience. She's told me the bracelet can not be shortened evenly, and to expect it back lopsided, so I'll see what I get back... a bit nervous.

 

[Phoenix123]

I was just in Hong Kong and Singapore and the SAs told me that they’re sold out. I didn’t see it IRL but apparently it was much more beautiful in person than in pictures.

I tried these on in London and almost bought them/ wish I had. They're super beautiful, I really love VCA's RG and the black & little diamonds really stand out and brighten my face, which is surprising bc I keep reading on this forum that when you have dark hair, you should avoid dark colour earrings - sooo not true, at least not in this case, lol. When I got back to Singapore, my SA urged me to buy and I still refused to buy (STUPID!!). Now, they're totally sold out here. My SA told me there were only 6 pairs per boutique.

 

[Sparkledolll]

I tried these on in London and almost bought them/ wish I had. They're super beautiful, I really love VCA's RG and the black & little diamonds really stand out and brighten my face, which is surprising bc I keep reading on this forum that when you have dark hair, you should avoid dark colour earrings - sooo not true, at least not in this case, lol. When I got back to Singapore, my SA urged me to buy and I still refused to buy (STUPID!!). Now, they're totally sold out here. My SA told me there were only 6 pairs per boutique.

Hi Phoenix, I was referring to the Tigers eye pendant. I know HK still has the onyx earrings when I was there 2 weeks ago, saw them on display. Hope you find a pair soon

 

[Toronto24]

Hi. They typically ask for deposit only if you want to reserve an item. You can split the remaining amount as long as the balance qualifies for the promo. I think the 40 installments requires 8k minimum... which I'm sure is not an issue with the VCA prices. HTH.

Birks’ new policy on their card to take advantage of 40 months equal payments no interest is 20% down on another method of payment (not the Birks card). 5K minimum spend. Still a fantastic offer. This offer ends Oct 31 but they have such offers frequently enough.

 

[cloee]

Birks’ new policy on their card to take advantage of 40 months equal payments no interest is 20% down on another method of payment (not the Birks card). 5K minimum spend. Still a fantastic offer. This offer ends Oct 31 but they have such offers frequently enough.

Thanks for the info. i haven't used my card in a while but it might be time to get another VCA piece on my wishlist.

 

[VandaOrchid]

Service at Crystals is fabulous whether you buy or not.

I have never walked into any jewelry store with DH!!!

Curious, who do you usually walk into the jewelry store with, if anyone? I often go alone especially if I'm first scouting out a piece of interest. I find I actually feel less pressure and that I can take my time looking at many pieces, or just move on quickly if the items don't look the same IRL as online

Sometimes I'll bring a friend for opinion when trying to narrow down between a few pieces. The only time I've ever gone to VCA with DH was recently in Paris at the Vendome on vacay. I'm happy to report that I've gotten great service each time no matter which boutique or whom I'm with

 

[Notorious Pink]

Curious, who do you usually walk into the jewelry store with, if anyone? I often go alone especially if I'm first scouting out a piece of interest. I find I actually feel less pressure and that I can take my time looking at many pieces, or just move on quickly if the items don't look the same IRL as online

Sometimes I'll bring a friend for opinion when trying to narrow down between a few pieces. The only time I've ever gone to VCA with DH was recently in Paris at the Vendome on vacay. I'm happy to report that I've gotten great service each time no matter which boutique or whom I'm with

I'm always alone. DH and I go to LV for a few days every year and I don't gamble; I go to Hot Yoga at least once and the rest of my days are spent walking around while he is in lectures. Even at home I go in by myself. Maybe occasionally my mom or DS1 or 2 will be with me, but most of the time it's just me.

 

[texasgirliegirl]

Curious, who do you usually walk into the jewelry store with, if anyone? I often go alone especially if I'm first scouting out a piece of interest. I find I actually feel less pressure and that I can take my time looking at many pieces, or just move on quickly if the items don't look the same IRL as online

Sometimes I'll bring a friend for opinion when trying to narrow down between a few pieces. The only time I've ever gone to VCA with DH was recently in Paris at the Vendome on vacay. I'm happy to report that I've gotten great service each time no matter which boutique or whom I'm with

I prefer to shop VCA (and Hermes) alone unless I’m with another TPF buddy who understands the addiction....

 

[Phoenix123]

Hi Phoenix, I was referring to the Tigers eye pendant. I know HK still has the onyx earrings when I was there 2 weeks ago, saw them on display. Hope you find a pair soon

Ah ok, thank you. I am on the hunt for a pair. Hope to get them asap.

 

[VandaOrchid]

I'm always alone. DH and I go to LV for a few days every year and I don't gamble; I go to Hot Yoga at least once and the rest of my days are spent walking around while he is in lectures. Even at home I go in by myself. Maybe occasionally my mom or DS1 or 2 will be with me, but most of the time it's just me.

I prefer to shop VCA (and Hermes) alone unless I’m with another TPF buddy who understands the addiction....

Glad I'm not the only one who prefers jewelry shopping and high end shopping alone, though recently I've met more like-minded people I enjoy going with once in awhile through this and other online groups. I don't gamble at all either, and love browsing at Crystals especially in the morning/early afternoon when it's empty because everyone else is hungover

 

[Gal4Dior]

I posted as a separate thread, but thought I may get more feedback just responding to this one. Asked admin to delete the other one.

I’ve been lurking on this forum for awhile now, plotting my first VCA.

I am Asian with medium complexion and I wear a lot of black at work. So far, I only own white gold/platinum and rose gold jewelry.

I prefer low maintenance jewelry, something that isn’t too delicate that I can put on and forget about.

I’ve narrowed it down to a few of pieces, but I don’t know which to invest in first. I would appreciate your feedback on what would looks best with my skin tone/hair color and what pieces are great starter pieces. I am looking for a necklace and earring “set.”

- YG Onyx Vintage Alhambra Earclips
- YG Onyx Vintage Alhambra Pendant
- YG Onyx Vintage Alhambra 10 motif Neckace
- YG MOP Magic Two Motif Earrings
- YG MOP Vintage Alhambra Pendant

Many thanks!

 

[FairGrape]

I posted as a separate thread, but thought I may get more feedback just responding to this one. Asked admin to delete the other one.

I’ve been lurking on this forum for awhile now, plotting my first VCA.

I am Asian with medium complexion and I wear a lot of black at work. So far, I only own white gold/platinum and rose gold jewelry.

I prefer low maintenance jewelry, something that isn’t too delicate that I can put on and forget about.

I’ve narrowed it down to a few of pieces, but I don’t know which to invest in first. I would appreciate your feedback on what would looks best with my skin tone/hair color and what pieces are great starter pieces. I am looking for a necklace and earring “set.”

- YG Onyx Vintage Alhambra Earclips
- YG Onyx Vintage Alhambra Pendant
- YG Onyx Vintage Alhambra 10 motif Neckace
- YG MOP Magic Two Motif Earrings
- YG MOP Vintage Alhambra Pendant

Many thanks!

These are some great choices! But, the word low maintenance stumps me. Both Onyx, & MOP require you to take good care of them. So taking them off while showering & exercising is essential. If you are good with this, I'd lean more towards MOP, and I think that MOP adds that je ne sais quoi to the whole look. I have olive/medium complexion and I own a onyx holiday pendant already that looks great! But I think MOP looks awesome too! You can't go wrong with either.

 

[Gal4Dior]

These are some great choices! But, the word low maintenance stumps me. Both Onyx, & MOP require you to take good care of them. So taking them off while showering & exercising is essential. If you are good with this, I'd lean more towards MOP, and I think that MOP adds that je ne sais quoi to the whole look. I have olive/medium complexion and I own a onyx holiday pendant already that looks great! But I think MOP looks awesome too! You can't go wrong with either.

Thanks @FairGrape - I’m not 100% great about taking off jewelry. Which is why Cartier has served me well.

I currently have a WG Mikimoto white gold pearl pendant and earrings that I rarely wear because pearls are so delicate.

At the same time, if I chose the MOP set i would probably be for dressier occasions since the earrings are dangly.

The Onyx studs I’ve heard should be taken off in the shower, but if they were to go in accidentally, it would be better the end of the world.

So hard to choose and your thoughts on this are greatly appreciated!