I have several VCA Alhambra pieces and I think I'm about done. I don't like their new policy. They are essentially making interest on the loan you are giving them--think about that. They are making ADDITIONAL money off of the loan (and that is money lost that you could have invested during that same time period). Nope. They're not getting my money. Even though I still wear my pieces, I find it is getting to be less special and I don't feel the need to buy more.
This is such a good point you just made. I completely agree. I didn't even think about it like that, but thank you for sharing your take on the new policy!
Love your videos! My opinion - I agree with the 100% payment policy. In the second hand market, a used condition hammered YG Alhambra pendant is 500-1000 USD more than the store price. If the upfront payment / waiting wasn’t in place, resellers would flock to buy up stock and keep jacking prices up to resell. I think this is the brands way of ensuring real buyers pay and wait for their item.
I’m the subscriber you spoke of who inform you of the 100% deposit. I was told the reason for the change is so the serious buyers will get there desired pieces, versus someone who is uncertain who may put the previous 30% down and when item comes it they no longer want it. I wasn’t told that it would take over a year but of course it wasn’t guaranteed when it will arrive. I have several pieces from the brand and I like my SA , however I’ve declined to put the 100% down and patiently stalked the website until my alahambra yellow gold Gulloche bracelet became available in 2 months arriving tomorrow. 😊
First, thank you for letting me know about the new policy. I scheduled an appointment with my sa to discuss it with him right after. Second, congrats!!! I'm so very happy for you!!!
I agree with these prepayment policies. I experienced this a couple years ago at LV, I preordered a seasonal Petite Malle and had to pay up front. After the season ended and the call never came I realized I’m never getting the bag. I had to contact them to get my money back and they took forever to refund. I’m never doing this again for any brand tbh I’ll just get something else. 😅
have seen people wanting to pay 100% to avoid price increases, lol! If price goes up after payment almost positive, the client would not be required to pay increased price - also, think there are a lot of global issues with all goods from shipping problems to lack of craftsmen and the hammered may take more time/skill, not sure which VCA pieces take longer than others but there has to be a difference between pieces as some are clearly more complex - cheers!
I see. I think you're right, you lock in the price when paying a 100% deposit. Yes, hammered gold pieces might take longer to create, I didn't think about that..
Congrats on your beautiful new stack. Yes, it’s true full deposit it is now required, I am guilty here I just did it for one piece, fingers crossed I will get it soon ❤
I live in palm beach. Two years ago I had to prepay 100% to get a guilloche bracelet. It took three months for it to come. I think locally the demand is high so that can ask for the commitment financially. I want a agate ten motif and there are none in the US. They said I need to pay again and wait. 😟 As for the common use of these designer pieces, really it’s only common in certain areas. We’ve travel through the Midwest and most people have never even heard of these pieces. 🤷♀️
In your opinion, what do you think would be the best first van Cleef and Arpels item to purchase? I think I want to start off with a bracelet just not sure which one I should start off with
Hi, I love guilloche, onyx, carnelian, chalcedony, tiger eye, and hammered gold pieces for their durability. I would avoid malachite and mother of pearl. Hammered gold gets dull overtime.. just letting you know.
Also, I told my husband that I was asked for such an advise, and he said to go for earrings as a first piece, because they are around your face and are the most noticeable, and any stone works for those ☺️
I would if it’s a piece a really really want . But if it’s one where I have doubts and need to see it in real life first, I’ll be less likely to preorder it
Even though I don’t like this new policy but if it guarantees that I will get the item I want, even if that means I will have to wait 6 months, I’d pay it to beat any future, unpredictable price increases.
Hi! Nope, I don't like hammered gold to be honest, it gets extremely dull when you don't constantly professionally clean it. I don't even like my rg hammered 10 motif. I had a rose gold hammered pendant a very long time ago and sold it, it was such a long time ago, that I never even mentioned it on my channel...
What happens when you prepay the 100% purchase price and may never get the item? Is that a possibility? Do they guarantee that the client will get the item they just paid in full for? Cuz once you made a boutique purchase, there’s no refund… I wonder if they would refund you after the a certain deadline has passed?
That's a great question, I'm not sure. It only makes sense to me if they refunded to the original form of payment after not being able to provide you with the piece. I don't know about deadlines.. I know of clients being tired of waiting and after a year asking to get something else instead and going for a different piece.
I think it's going to be like Pandora one day, people who don't genuinely like alhambra will be getting rid of their motif items. It's just a matter of time unless vca keeps sponsoring the celebrities. Nowadays, they are asking male celebrities to wear alhambra items, that's ridiculous. I feel that they are starting to push diamond non motif pieces, ask for those and I feel that you will get one quicker. And maybe once you get the diamond pieces, it's easier for you to get the alhambra items. It's just my guess but maybe it works. Luckily I am not obsessed with alhambra anymore, I only want a 10 motif necklace now to complete my Alhambra collection. I don't need them in every stone.
yes, i've been wanting the hammered rose gold 5 motif bracelet and have been on the wishlist for a few months now. was told the same that there aren't any pieces in the region (in Asia). wasnt even given the option to pre-order
@elitebrace May I ask where in Asia you were told that you can’t get on the waitlist anymore for the 5-motif hammered bracelet? I’m in HK and hope to get this bracelet… or at least get on the waitlist.
It is not a good comparison a bag to JW that is made by hand, for that reason, pieces take time to be made and if a person is really interested will wait, that is truth luxury items, and the Maison is protecting from resellers.the orders are on an internal sistem, the payment is protected.Fully agree with protecting the Maison and the customer.
This is BS. I waited for an item from another luxury brand for 3 years. They don't ask for deposit. When it is ready you go, you pay and pick it up. The travesty with VCA is off-putting. There are so many jewelry brands where I can get instant gratification. Forget about them.
Hi “S”. You are right about VCA. I realize they are a high-end brand; but they are way,WAY OUT OF LINE. I am sorry to say but I hope it back fires on them and they lose ALOT of customers. I can’t believe that they want 100% full payment up front and then you have to wait possibly at least 1 year to receive it. You are an extremely smart woman and I agree with you. There is absolutely no way I will be shopping at VCA anymore.BTW, I absolutely love your stack; especially purple silk/cord(whatever It looks so pretty and I can tell you that I haven’t seen that color anywhere(I live in NY like the other lady). Have a nice week and I can’t wait to read how others feel about this issue. For the most part I think everyone will either jump the VCA SHIP unless as I am sure, many of them and I know quite a few myself who have their hubby’s money to spend and will just put up with the changes at VCA.( I no longer have throw away money. My hubby passed away 7 years ago). I am sure that there will be S.A’s who eventually if not right away will say,”Look, I like you and you have been a customer of mine for many years so if you’d like to have your name moved into a better position on the waiting list, you can give me cash under the table (between $1500.&up and the more money you give me the higher your name will be on the list). I am sure that has already started to happen.
Thank you! I can't even begin to get used to this idea of literally throwing your money away for over a year sometimes and to not be able to enjoy/use your jewelry creation during that time. I'm so sorry to hear about your husband. You are right, a lot of women don't mind, but also a lot do.. I truly hope it backfires. I also pinned a comment that made a lot of sense to me under this video, I'm sure you'll agree with what it says as well. OMG, and the bribing hypothesis is very interesting. I wonder if that will be happening 😱😱 Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
I’m okay with paying 100% as long as the wait time is as promised. However, I don’t like their return policy. I ordered the carnelian + guilloche 5 motif recently. Because of its popularity, there was none in store so I ordered sight unseen. I asked whether I could return it if I didn’t like it enough once it arrived or if I was out of the country because I had travel plans. I was told by the Neiman Marcus SA who assisted me that a return would not be allowed because it’s considered “special order” when I pay in advance. This simply does not make any sense to me. The item in question was not a custom made piece. It was so sought after that I’m sure the next person in line would have appreciated it if I wanted to pass on it. Because of how VCA is poorly stocked, we are now forced to preorder without trying the real thing on first AND without an option to back out? Not sure if others have had the same experience with a VCA boutique or if this is just unique to me.
Wow, I am honestly shocked. I can't believe that's what they told you. It is not a custom piece and should be returnable/exchangeable. Especially it's hard to get the right shade of carnelian sometimes. I'm sorry that was your experience.. Did you end up receiving and liking yours?
@@SibyllaMirageI ordered from Neiman Marcus so I don’t know if the standalone boutiques have better policies. I ended up keeping and liking my 5 motif because I had other carnelian pieces so I knew what to expect. However, I’d be very reluctant to order styles I have not tried on if this policy remains.
I don’t mind the policy I think it separated serious buyers from casual browsers. We paid the deposit for 10 motif yellow gold guilloche and got it in about 4 months.
I disagree. It means that every single “hard to get” piece that you pay for in advance becomes a special order. It took my friend 4 months to get her rose gold mop earrings that don’t exist otherwise (which I can completely understand prepaying for). Now it’s the same with most pieces. You loan money to them to make you a piece, that’s the policy you’re praising. I am against anyone bending themselves onto a pretzel aka loaning money, waiting, no instant gratification for any brand.
@@SibyllaMirage fair enough I appreciate your perspective but honestly it didn’t feel like a huge deal when I did it- now if the wait time had been any longer than 6 months or so I’d be upset. I do get what you mean by “loaning” though but honestly if Hermes or Rolex etc started doing this I’d prefer it to the super long wait times. I waited over a year for my watch with no guarantee I’d get it which wasn’t great. At least VCA guaranteed my necklace!
@@mini0001Thank you for understanding me. I can also see where you’re coming from. I constantly get comments and dms about waiting for hammered gold pieces for over a year, because I have a 10 motif in hammered rg, and I don’t know what to say anymore. It seems like such a long time for a piece of jewelry.
How odd to speak down about a brand you’re continuously wearing in a proud manner & advertising it. That said I would pay upfront and wait whatever it takes, they’re handmade. The value in gold or gems is not there at all. It’s about the craftsmanship and status-implying style. For value I buy Mene pure 24k gold and pure platinum, that’s the high end (frequency and pure metals wise) jewelry. But VCA is dreams come true, it’s something else and it will always be special.
You're wrong. I'm speaking down about the brand's new policy, not the brand or the jewelry I wear a ton of. Policies change. They are not hand made, vca and cartier are mass produced. You can loan them money and wait all you want, it's your time wasted, not mine.
I have several VCA Alhambra pieces and I think I'm about done. I don't like their new policy. They are essentially making interest on the loan you are giving them--think about that. They are making ADDITIONAL money off of the loan (and that is money lost that you could have invested during that same time period). Nope. They're not getting my money. Even though I still wear my pieces, I find it is getting to be less special and I don't feel the need to buy more.
This is such a good point you just made. I completely agree. I didn't even think about it like that, but thank you for sharing your take on the new policy!
That's crazy, I don't do pre-order. I feel unsafe not having both my money and the product!
I agree!
Love your videos! My opinion - I agree with the 100% payment policy. In the second hand market, a used condition hammered YG Alhambra pendant is 500-1000 USD more than the store price. If the upfront payment / waiting wasn’t in place, resellers would flock to buy up stock and keep jacking prices up to resell. I think this is the brands way of ensuring real buyers pay and wait for their item.
Thank you! I agree with the stocking up part, because you're right, hammered gold pieces are more expensive used than new :/
I’m the subscriber you spoke of who inform you of the 100% deposit. I was told the reason for the change is so the serious buyers will get there desired pieces, versus someone who is uncertain who may put the previous 30% down and when item comes it they no longer want it. I wasn’t told that it would take over a year but of course it wasn’t guaranteed when it will arrive. I have several pieces from the brand and I like my SA , however I’ve declined to put the 100% down and patiently stalked the website until my alahambra yellow gold Gulloche bracelet became available in 2 months arriving tomorrow. 😊
First, thank you for letting me know about the new policy. I scheduled an appointment with my sa to discuss it with him right after. Second, congrats!!! I'm so very happy for you!!!
I heard about this from my friend who ordered from Vegas. Her hammered earrings took more than 6 months to arrive. She paid it in full before hand.
Thank you for sharing! This is very interesting, since the policy took effect on July 1st, from what I was told.. I guess it differs.
I agree with these prepayment policies. I experienced this a couple years ago at LV, I preordered a seasonal Petite Malle and had to pay up front. After the season ended and the call never came I realized I’m never getting the bag. I had to contact them to get my money back and they took forever to refund. I’m never doing this again for any brand tbh I’ll just get something else. 😅
Oh wow, yes, me too, I'd rather get something I can enjoy when I pay for it!!
have seen people wanting to pay 100% to avoid price increases, lol! If price goes up after payment almost positive, the client would not be required to pay increased price - also, think there are a lot of global issues with all goods from shipping problems to lack of craftsmen and the hammered may take more time/skill, not sure which VCA pieces take longer than others but there has to be a difference between pieces as some are clearly more complex - cheers!
I see. I think you're right, you lock in the price when paying a 100% deposit. Yes, hammered gold pieces might take longer to create, I didn't think about that..
100% love your current stack. I think the contrast is perfect....
Thank you very much!
Congrats on your beautiful new stack. Yes, it’s true full deposit it is now required, I am guilty here I just did it for one piece, fingers crossed I will get it soon ❤
Thank you! How exciting, I hope you get it very very soon!!!
This is 100% true. I ordered my Alambra vintage earrings and bracelet here in NY and I had to pay in full.
Thanks
I live in palm beach. Two years ago I had to prepay 100% to get a guilloche bracelet. It took three months for it to come. I think locally the demand is high so that can ask for the commitment financially. I want a agate ten motif and there are none in the US. They said I need to pay again and wait. 😟 As for the common use of these designer pieces, really it’s only common in certain areas. We’ve travel through the Midwest and most people have never even heard of these pieces. 🤷♀️
I love Palm Beach! I can't believe you paid a 100% deposit 2 years ago. Thank you for sharing. The blue agate is stunning, I hope you get it soon
Yes this is true in Miami I wanted an Agate 10 motif and that is what they said in the store.. no stock
I know, it must feel bad, like it does for me every time I want something :/
In your opinion, what do you think would be the best first van Cleef and Arpels item to purchase? I think I want to start off with a bracelet just not sure which one I should start off with
Hi, I love guilloche, onyx, carnelian, chalcedony, tiger eye, and hammered gold pieces for their durability. I would avoid malachite and mother of pearl. Hammered gold gets dull overtime.. just letting you know.
@@SibyllaMirage that helps!! TY
Also, I told my husband that I was asked for such an advise, and he said to go for earrings as a first piece, because they are around your face and are the most noticeable, and any stone works for those ☺️
@@SibyllaMirage oh good idea!!!
The guy get blue balled 😂 sooo funny
😂😂😅
I would if it’s a piece a really really want . But if it’s one where I have doubts and need to see it in real life first, I’ll be less likely to preorder it
Good point! I agree :)
sadly i paid in full at the rodeo drive Van Cleef & Arpels store in Beverly Hills and was told that i have to wait 4 months for my 5 motif
That sucks...
Even though I don’t like this new policy but if it guarantees that I will get the item I want, even if that means I will have to wait 6 months, I’d pay it to beat any future, unpredictable price increases.
That's true, better lock in the price ;)
Hi will you buy the pink gold hammered gold pendant if there is stock in the boutique?
Hi! Nope, I don't like hammered gold to be honest, it gets extremely dull when you don't constantly professionally clean it. I don't even like my rg hammered 10 motif. I had a rose gold hammered pendant a very long time ago and sold it, it was such a long time ago, that I never even mentioned it on my channel...
Great video. I think it’s to make it more exclusive! Still love the VCA pieces.
Thank you! I think so too..
What happens when you prepay the 100% purchase price and may never get the item? Is that a possibility? Do they guarantee that the client will get the item they just paid in full for? Cuz once you made a boutique purchase, there’s no refund… I wonder if they would refund you after the a certain deadline has passed?
That's a great question, I'm not sure. It only makes sense to me if they refunded to the original form of payment after not being able to provide you with the piece. I don't know about deadlines.. I know of clients being tired of waiting and after a year asking to get something else instead and going for a different piece.
I think it's going to be like Pandora one day, people who don't genuinely like alhambra will be getting rid of their motif items. It's just a matter of time unless vca keeps sponsoring the celebrities. Nowadays, they are asking male celebrities to wear alhambra items, that's ridiculous.
I feel that they are starting to push diamond non motif pieces, ask for those and I feel that you will get one quicker. And maybe once you get the diamond pieces, it's easier for you to get the alhambra items. It's just my guess but maybe it works. Luckily I am not obsessed with alhambra anymore, I only want a 10 motif necklace now to complete my Alhambra collection. I don't need them in every stone.
I see your point. I used to be a complete opposite, I did want them in every color, but not anymore :/
yes, i've been wanting the hammered rose gold 5 motif bracelet and have been on the wishlist for a few months now. was told the same that there aren't any pieces in the region (in Asia). wasnt even given the option to pre-order
Yes, unfortunately hammered gold and magic pieces can't be preordered :( I hope you get yours soon!!!
@elitebrace May I ask where in Asia you were told that you can’t get on the waitlist anymore for the 5-motif hammered bracelet? I’m in HK and hope to get this bracelet… or at least get on the waitlist.
There available in Europe online?
It is not a good comparison a bag to JW that is made by hand, for that reason, pieces take time to be made and if a person is really interested will wait, that is truth luxury items, and the Maison is protecting from resellers.the orders are on an internal sistem, the payment is protected.Fully agree with protecting the Maison and the customer.
This is BS. I waited for an item from another luxury brand for 3 years. They don't ask for deposit. When it is ready you go, you pay and pick it up. The travesty with VCA is off-putting. There are so many jewelry brands where I can get instant gratification. Forget about them.
I agree.. :(
Loving the stack!!
Thank you!
Hi “S”. You are right about VCA. I realize they are a high-end brand; but they are way,WAY OUT OF LINE. I am sorry to say but I hope it back fires on them and they lose ALOT of customers. I can’t believe that they want 100% full payment up front and then you have to wait possibly at least 1 year to receive it. You are an extremely smart woman and I agree with you. There is absolutely no way I will be shopping at VCA anymore.BTW, I absolutely love your stack; especially purple silk/cord(whatever It looks so pretty and I can tell you that I haven’t seen that color anywhere(I live in NY like the other lady).
Have a nice week and I can’t wait to read how others feel about this issue. For the most part I think everyone will either jump the VCA SHIP unless as I am sure, many of them and I know quite a few myself who have their hubby’s money to spend and will just put up with the changes at VCA.( I no longer have throw away money. My hubby passed away 7 years ago). I am sure that there will be S.A’s who eventually if not right away will say,”Look, I like you and you have been a customer of mine for many years so if you’d like to have your name moved into a better position on the waiting list, you can give me cash under the table (between $1500.&up and the more money you give me the higher your name will be on the list). I am sure that has already started to happen.
Thank you! I can't even begin to get used to this idea of literally throwing your money away for over a year sometimes and to not be able to enjoy/use your jewelry creation during that time. I'm so sorry to hear about your husband. You are right, a lot of women don't mind, but also a lot do.. I truly hope it backfires. I also pinned a comment that made a lot of sense to me under this video, I'm sure you'll agree with what it says as well. OMG, and the bribing hypothesis is very interesting. I wonder if that will be happening 😱😱 Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
I’m okay with paying 100% as long as the wait time is as promised. However, I don’t like their return policy. I ordered the carnelian + guilloche 5 motif recently. Because of its popularity, there was none in store so I ordered sight unseen. I asked whether I could return it if I didn’t like it enough once it arrived or if I was out of the country because I had travel plans. I was told by the Neiman Marcus SA who assisted me that a return would not be allowed because it’s considered “special order” when I pay in advance. This simply does not make any sense to me. The item in question was not a custom made piece. It was so sought after that I’m sure the next person in line would have appreciated it if I wanted to pass on it. Because of how VCA is poorly stocked, we are now forced to preorder without trying the real thing on first AND without an option to back out? Not sure if others have had the same experience with a VCA boutique or if this is just unique to me.
Wow, I am honestly shocked. I can't believe that's what they told you. It is not a custom piece and should be returnable/exchangeable. Especially it's hard to get the right shade of carnelian sometimes. I'm sorry that was your experience.. Did you end up receiving and liking yours?
@@SibyllaMirageI ordered from Neiman Marcus so I don’t know if the standalone boutiques have better policies. I ended up keeping and liking my 5 motif because I had other carnelian pieces so I knew what to expect. However, I’d be very reluctant to order styles I have not tried on if this policy remains.
I was told that an actual boutique gets pieces faster than nieman marcus, but I don't know if it's true. Glad you loved yours :)))@@ceendeez
Girl you are funny 😂
Haha thank you
I don’t mind the policy I think it separated serious buyers from casual browsers. We paid the deposit for 10 motif yellow gold guilloche and got it in about 4 months.
I disagree. It means that every single “hard to get” piece that you pay for in advance becomes a special order. It took my friend 4 months to get her rose gold mop earrings that don’t exist otherwise (which I can completely understand prepaying for). Now it’s the same with most pieces. You loan money to them to make you a piece, that’s the policy you’re praising. I am against anyone bending themselves onto a pretzel aka loaning money, waiting, no instant gratification for any brand.
@@SibyllaMirage fair enough I appreciate your perspective but honestly it didn’t feel like a huge deal when I did it- now if the wait time had been any longer than 6 months or so I’d be upset. I do get what you mean by “loaning” though but honestly if Hermes or Rolex etc started doing this I’d prefer it to the super long wait times. I waited over a year for my watch with no guarantee I’d get it which wasn’t great. At least VCA guaranteed my necklace!
@@mini0001Thank you for understanding me. I can also see where you’re coming from. I constantly get comments and dms about waiting for hammered gold pieces for over a year, because I have a 10 motif in hammered rg, and I don’t know what to say anymore. It seems like such a long time for a piece of jewelry.
How odd to speak down about a brand you’re continuously wearing in a proud manner & advertising it. That said I would pay upfront and wait whatever it takes, they’re handmade. The value in gold or gems is not there at all. It’s about the craftsmanship and status-implying style. For value I buy Mene pure 24k gold and pure platinum, that’s the high end (frequency and pure metals wise) jewelry. But VCA is dreams come true, it’s something else and it will always be special.
You're wrong. I'm speaking down about the brand's new policy, not the brand or the jewelry I wear a ton of. Policies change. They are not hand made, vca and cartier are mass produced. You can loan them money and wait all you want, it's your time wasted, not mine.